Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[Bendtracker1]

Yep, that was another thought.
Maybe stretched out and painted?

[w neal]

Yes indeed. They're stolen right from Lance Mindheim himself!! Well, his idea that is.

It seems to work for some areas of the midwest, et. al.


And yes, that is Z behind the N. Its only an experiment. I suppose if you have to ask, it might be sorta kinda working. Sorta...

[Bendtracker1]

Thanks W! 

[Rabidchipmoose]

Really liking the spotlight on the logo.  Just perfect with the black ceiling and fascia.  Neenah keeps getting better too.  The foundry really does make me remember being there.  Once its done and dirty and rusty it will be perfect.  Also, the CNW track is a good idea.  Another interesting, realistic detail.   Now to get back to grassing up Waupaca!

[mcjaco]

Yes indeed. They're stolen right from Lance Mindheim himself!! Well, his idea that is.

Went to Lance's seminar at RPM in Naperville last week.  Interesting to say the least. 

He definitely opened my eyes to using photos for structures.  Among other details.

[w neal]

I'm jealous Matt. He seems be one of the modern pioneers, per se, in our hobby.

[mcjaco]

I'll just say he was an interesting dichotomy to listen too.

"Don't model something if doesn't have meaning in your life."  ie - childhood memories.
"If you're going to model something, do it right and make it accurate and research the heck out of it."

He said he had 1,000s of pictures of the Miami branch, even of mundane daily stuff.  If I'm reliving my childhood memories in my modeling...1) they're certainly going to be fuzzy, and 2) I can't research if a fibre optic post was 6' that way or 6' the other way.  Sometimes you have to punt.

And the overall picture of his layout room....not inviting at all. 

[w neal]

I understand. The WC has meaning to me. But I'm only a punter here at best.

Some games can be won through enough punting though.

[mcjaco]

I understand. The WC has meaning to me. But I'm only a punter here at best.

Some games can be won through enough punting though.

Good enough for me.  As I get older, and now have kids, being 100% accurate is not in the cards.  I want to relive memories.  Details can come later.

Keep the pics coming.  I love the WC! 

[w neal]

Thanks Matt. See you soon. 




I'd just like to remind all the viewers out there that the layout is in a scenery stage at the moment. My goal is to try to get the upper level "finished". Everything is too bright and happy on the layout at the moment. I plan to go back and weather the track and dirty up some other items. Also, there is some detailing needed in several scenes. After some of that, I will turn my attention to decoder installation and painting of the locomotive fleet. Next, I'll hope to start some operations. Then, I hope to get to the lower level and begin more scenery. As I look around the internets, I see finely detailed and weathered rolling stock and structures. I am looking forward to the day I can attend to some of that. Thanks for your patience.

[Bendtracker1]

Thanks for your patience.

No problem W.
Thank you for continuing to post your work, very inspirational!

[txronharris]

I just spent abour an hour going through this thread since I've recently come back to spending time here on The Railwire and all I can say is WOW. I've not seen another WC layout since the one Model Railroader did some time back. I've always been a fan of the WC and your layout just reinforces why. Spectacular work.

[w neal]

Awfully kind sirs, Ta. I dunno about spactacular. 


Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been doing some "N scale" type consulting for an architectural firm. Kinda fun.





Meanwhile, I tried to make some gratings for the unloading of coke at one foundry in Waupaca.














Still working on this crossing in town.







Its not a great match, but it seems like it will work.

















Also added some cross bracing to the overhead crane. This is definately not my finest work. Maybe once its painted, weathered and detailed...

[w neal]

I keep wondering why I save so many different pieces of styrene...












Then along comes an idea...











Add some paint...












And eventually I remember why I save all those pieces...







Now to add some details...

[mcjaco]

Funny.  As I'm unpacking from our move, I just started going through my hobby stuff.  Styrene, brass rod, Super Trees, etc.  Can't for the life of me remember what they were all bought for....