Coastal Themed Shelf Layout

[jmarley76]

Thanks @johnb!

[jmarley76]

Picked up this Genessee & Wyoming GP38 on "the bay" to run on the layout. With the Georgia Central, Golden Isle Terminal Wharf, Savannah Port Terminal, and the Riceboro Southern, it appears (on a map at least) that G&W has a strong presence in the Savannah area. Let's just say I was influenced by the discussion in this thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=39827.0

[Philip H]

Nice.  FWIW Microscale has several regional G&W decal sets - perhaps you will find one that has your lettering so you can make it even more appropriate.

Does the seller have more of these?

[jmarley76]

That was the only one, but they did have several Lehigh Valley locos. I think the VO-1000 is still active.

I've quickly looked at those sets, so it would be good to double check them for one of those Savannah area roads. I can be patient if they don't have one; most of the G&W roads I have researched usually have a mixed bag of other road locos in the company scheme.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That was the only one, but they did have several Lehigh Valley locos. I think the VO-1000 is still active.

I've quickly looked at those sets, so it would be good to double check them for one of those Savannah area roads. I can be patient if they don't have one; most of the G&W roads I have researched usually have a mixed bag of other road locos in the company scheme.

It's true. They scattered our beautiful MMID GP38s to the winds...

Then again, they replaced them with rebuilt SD45s, which aren't exactly the worst consolation prize.

Now, if only they'd get rid of those gaudy lemon yellow pilots.

[jmarley76]

Now, if only they'd get rid of those gaudy lemon yellow pilots.

It's just a matter of time before one of the bean counters has the revelation that going black or orange on the pilot would eliminate a paint can from the store room and save money...

I am excited to get my paws on the loco and weather it. Got my paints and chalk ready to go! 

[jmarley76]

The refrigerated warehouse is finished... maybe. Got everything put together, worked out a little roof for the loading dock. I like it much better than just the plain door. After that I had a painting crisis. Ended up with this yellow/green. It is a bit out there, but what the hay. I will live with it for a little while as I can easily paint it some other color later.

[jmarley76]

It took less than 48 hours for the cold warehouse to change colors... now it's white and I can live with that!

[jmarley76]

I was busy today! Printed off my latest creation today, a 275 foot warehouse that will occupy the end of the spur. Worked it up in photoshop took it to the local print/copy shop. After printing I noticed things were off a tad, my 20x20 feet garage doors were now 24x24...



I ended up shortening the roof over the track, which now I may need to shorten the wall so it sits a little closer to the tops of the box cars. Overall, happy with the look and my first attempt at a paper building.





Some more views of the long warehouse and the layout. So moving right along, palm trees will be coming soon...

[GaryHinshaw]

That looks really good.  I'm going to have to try something similar.

[Philip H]

That looks really good.  I'm going to have to try something similar.

Lance Mindheim seems to have mastered the technique. His website is full of tips.

[jmarley76]

Lance Mindheim seems to have mastered the technique. His website is full of tips.

Mindhiem's website/blog was very insightful, with plenty of examples and several links to usable textures and images to cut and paste. I used Photoshop, but I know others have recommended Gimp.

I can say that with around $6 total cost ($4.00 for the printing and about $2.00 of mat board) is defintiely more affordable than $40 (or more) for a plastic or laser cut wood kit.

[jmarley76]

Couple shots of the G&W GP38 is pulling some cars into to spot and the whole layout.





Hope to get on to the palm trees this week, but work and art are busy right now, so we shall see...

[jmarley76]

I thinking that adding a pile of "shredded metal" to the little scrap yard would make it look more realistic/appropirate/correct? One of those, right. I found this thread over at Model Railroad Hobbyist: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/3010?page=1. Looks like it should be fairly simple (you would think) and the results are very nice...

*EDIT: photo from the MRH forum post, not my photo*


Anyone else model some shredded metal and have some advice?

[Philip H]

You cold add some shredded cheap aluminum foil.

It needs more rust.

And the gantry crane needs a clam shell buck or magnet head for loading.