Funny - I was going to dive in on the layout, but I've been rolling all day on Family and dog items and now I'm just too tired. heheheh So...those who can't do....blog.
SPACE...the final frustration.
I was starting to get really concerned about space recently. My office/layout space is a mess and I wasn't sure where I was going to store items and display items. It was a nightmare. Then it hit me. "Oh wait....I have all the stuff that came off my layout in boxes and once I get the track done - IT WILL HAPPEN THIS HOLIDAY BREAK! - I'll be able to pull things from boxes and get my under-layout storage back." A wave of calm drifted over me. :)
My own little home improvement style show!
I have a good friend who owns a toy shop. We've known each other for about five years now and we have a great friendship on both customer and friend levels.
He got a bunch of train items in house and was inspired to get a layout going in his front window. He saw what I had done and thought that he'd love having something like it himself. He had a guy work on it and the basic layout got in place, but after looking at it, he could tell it was not hitting the marks that mine was hitting. Quote, "I want it to look...more real. You know?" And, I did know. When he asked me to help out, I jumped at the chance. I had seen the layout in the state it was in and longed to help out, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. But, once he asked, I jumped on the chance to dive in.
My layout is still...being rebuilt. And, the thing I really love is the details. So, it was really a win win. We struck up a great payment plan and I dove in.
Here are the "BEFORE" shots:
So, there are three types of track being used, toys on the layout, and buildings tossed in for good measure. This was a cool process for me to get down because he wanted it looking better before Christmas, wanted it to look more realistic, and I needed to maintain all the usual stuff I do for my Family and work. I love a challenge.
He got me a key which was a big help. I was able to give him a heads up to when I was going to be there, then just go. The place is only something like 15 minutes away, so it's a quick ride.
I got all the toys off, but left MAZINGER (the black, silver and blue guy with the red on his chest) on the layout. Why? It's a toy shop, for one. For two, I wanted to build a base for him to stand on like he was coming out of the water. SEE: A Sense Of Play! :)
I took all the buildings off, then placed them according to industry.
I painted in some roads. This helped A LOT!
I rebuilt the raised rail section in the front - making it a hill instead of a suspended area. (Pink foam area on the right) I then went over it with plaster gauze and added scenery.
I also got a little yard going so he could display all the cars he had.
I repainted the water and built the MAZINGER base.
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| I want to keep working on this base adding lights and people and the like. |
I brought in two pink foam sections from my old layout that were not going to work with my new design and popped them into place on George's layout. They provided and amusements area and housing area.
So...not bad for about....eight hours of work or so.
I have more scenic work I want to do and I want to find someone to repair George's engines so he has more to run. They had some accidents while building the layout and a lot of dropped locos. ::::cry::::: So there are many repairs that need to be done that are not in my wheelhouse.
NEXT:
• MAZINGER base work
• more scenics
• building repainting
• MALCO SPECIAL building interiors work
• track paining, weathering, etc
• more cars / trucks
• people added!
I hit my deadline for PHASE ONE and was super happy that I could help George out. Especially around this time of year. He seems really happy with the update!
Happy Holidays, All! I hope 2018 is kind to you all and brings in many Hobby-opportunities for you all!
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