Okay cousin Bill, let's set up some rules here: if your going to use
the Walther's trainshed on your layout you MUST run Milwaukee Road
passenger trains into and out of it (other railroads will be
tolerated)! As you might know that model is based on the long-ago
version of the Milwaukee's station in Milwaukee, so you have choices
(depending on time span) of three major Hiawatha's each way, plus
numerous minor and secondary trains and several paint schemes.
It is indeed fortunate for the HO guys that Walther's has made up very
nice versions of the Milwaukee trains in HO not to mention Fox Valley's
nice models too, When I photographed the Bandana Square's 0 Scale
layout, the members brought out every version and paint scheme of the
same train in that scale. Perhaps the best effort ever made in S was
older-than-dirt version of an early Hiawatha in cardboard from CD Models!
The station in Minneapolis is similar to the Milwaukee version. When I
last photographed it during the St. Paul joint convention it still
contained steam locomotive headlights up in the roof bracing to light
the area (or was it some kind of departure signal?), so remember to put
those in. That station served the Soo Line and the Rock Island besides
the Milwaukee's own trains. When I lived in that fair city in the early
70's I drove by it every day and I kick myself for not spending more
time with a camera there!
And speaking of trainsheds, an interesting side note for those who might
ever need a very nice bunk in Indianapolis--I had a client put me up in
their Crowne Plaza and we found out it was built around their
trainshed. I had this giant beam running through my room. The lower
lobby contained several nice HW passenger cars and sculptures depicting
waiting passengers! Nice scene for sure and one of the best hotel
restaurants I've ever eaten in.
And for those of you who saw Keith Thompson's station you know that it
was truly a work of art. When I did the photos for the Dispatch, I wish
I could have taken it away someplace to put it in a better
environment--it deserved more than just the corner of a blank room. I
hope he has room to put it in some meaningful setting.
Bob Werre
PhotoTraxx
On 7/12/12 8:47 AM, Bill Lane wrote:
Jim,
I had seen the "Imagine That" items a few times. I liked them but
thought that they were very ornate and possibly complex to assemble.
After seeing the photos that Stan linked to yesterday perhaps they are
not as ornate as I originally thought. Those photos were of **great
inspiration** for ideas even thought they have NYC all over them.
Before yesterday I envisioned my station as being a "Harrisburg light"
meaning that it would have a large shed which also has a people bridge
involved somehow. At first I thought about getting parts from Keith
Thompsons for his Harrisburg shed until I saw the Walthers Shed. By
far not as good but by far good enough. My actual station has to be
simulated in about 2 inches or less on the backdrop.
I want really a people bridge but may settle for subway entrances for now.
Thank You,
Bill Lane
