Finally Back

[Engineer Bob]

Hey guys, I guess I was a bit of a flash in the pan last year. I got real excited about Plarail for a few months but then got busy with other things and had a health issue, I thought after the holidays I was done, but then the bug bit me again over the summer when I picked up a few used items on ebay and Facebook Market Place. So I'm back and working on a new display for Christmas for church. I think I'm content with the track layout at this point, I just need to add more scenery and perhaps some cloth for a backdrop. I'll post more pictures when it's finished.

[Super]

Hi Bob

I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering if you were going to do something for the Holidays at your church again this year. lad to hear you are.

I really like your setup especially that freight yard and round houses with turntable. Already it looks like it is going to be a big hit for the get togethers there. Looks like there will also be a Lionel table behind yours.

Keep us up to date on its progress and how it is received by the congregation.  :)

[Mister No]

Wow! It looks so cool already! Happy is the church with such an attraction (and not with just snacks and proverbial old ladies gossips) in the basement! Do you need an organist? I would love to play classic hymns and help with the Plarail layout at the same time in such a church! :D :D

[Engineer Bob]

Mr. No, I would love to have you come and do that if you are ever in our area!

[Engineer Bob]

I didn't add too much more but here are some updated pictures of the display. I also threw in a couple from





the Lionel layout...

[DalaGStanator]

Where did the Wild West stuff on the Lionel table come from? I quite like the look of the buildings, and the whole scene brings me back to those miniature farms we'd set up when I was much younger. I think the bulls, pigs and white horses (and maybe also the weathervane [?]) could've been painted to add some more "life" to them, because they don't really match the other props.

Also, I only just noticed the subway entrance in the second to last photo. I'm not sure if I've seen one depicted on model layouts before (not even in LEGO), so I'll look into making my own ones at some point.

Lastly, who/what are these two weird looking non human figures?

[Super]

Nice work Bob. How is the Layout being received by the guests?

I agree with LaG about the Western town. Reminds me of the Marx sets of old. Are those cardboard buildings on the Lionel Layout and is that a Trackmaster Layout I see on the side?

[DalaGStanator]

I've zoomed in on it, and yes. It is TrackMaster 1 track, though he doesn't seem to have shown the rest of it yet.

[Engineer Bob]

The western buildings are from Ertyl playsets. They fit in pretty well with o scale trains. Most of the city buildings are card stock. I bought the designs from Fat Dragon Games. I have access to a color printer so its an inexpensive way to create a big city. I have ground tiles to go with them but didn't take time to put them out this year. The train display is a bit of a mashup of items this year but the overall affect isn't too bad. The two alien looking figures are actually school girls jumping rope. Ill get a closer picture later. Its part of all the winter village items my mother gave to me years ago. And lastly, yes you have sharp eyes, there is a Trackmaster I layout next to the western town. A new guy helped with setup this year and brought his young son along. I let them set those trains up. Honestly, it also kept small hands off the big expensive trains while we were working. Ill get a picture if it for you.

[Super]

The Lionel Train Layout is yours too Bob?

[Engineer Bob]

Yes, the Lionel trains are mine also. Unfortunately, I've taken on too many hobbies over the years, especially when it comes to trains. I'm currently getting ready to auction off my Lego and G Scale Trains. It's been fun to set up a wide variety of displays for the kids but my basement really needs to be emptied out. The plan for now is to stick with some O gauge and the Plarail of course. I already got rid of all the Trackmaster II stuff and I'll probably do the same with the Trackmaster I, except for a few choice items like the roundhouse. Next year I'd like to work on a modular wooden railroad layout that the kids can play on. I figure I can get a couple guys at my church to each make a section. You can pick items up pretty cheap on the second-hand market. Some of the other guys at church are into HO scale. I haven't jumped into that too much but I did build my own DCC controller so I can do a few things with the group.