Love Those Industrial Layouts!

Gentlemen, We had a fine evening of train ops on Howie's Ontabec Central...a model railroad with an industrial based theme. While Howie's RS1 is in the shops, CP came to the rescue with a loaner locomotive...sans handrails on the front and rear ends. To say the least, train crews took great care when walking along the locomotive.

Here we spot the train piercing a couple of buildings as it has just left staging to the left taking the curve as it enters the visible portion of the layout. Notice how Howard has managed to use buildings to create a strong vertical element to the scene.

Here we spot our CP diesel crossing the road behind Rob's snack stand. Yes, that CP paint scheme must be one of the finest ever applied to a diesel engine!

This close-up view of the snack stand shows how a simple structure can help create a nice vignette on the layout.

Notice the tower guarding the entrance to the yard. Hey, Howie...does that Corvette belong to you and the missus!

Here we see the same scene from yet another angle. My new mini-tripod with rubber tipped legs allows me to get into areas of the layout that would otherwise prove very troublesome.

This image attests to Howie's great modelling skills. He sure knows how to bring a scene to life! These pictures contain all of the standard elements of a great model railroad scene!

Hey Howard...who's that fella up on the roof of that building?

The pit in the ground to the centre of the image is a coal dealer. This shot to the right is a good overall view of the "left" end of Howard's layout. The strong vertical dimension provided by the buildings in this scene is evident. Yes, you feel like you are beside an urban cliffside!

Note how Howard has blended all elements of his scenes with just the proper amount of weathering.

We spot the town switcher going about its duties along Ontario Street below the elevated trackage of the Ontabec Central. That white MDT car has visited North Dover a number of times on Mike's New England layout! Yes, not only do the boys of the FNG interchange ideas, they actually interchange traffic as well!

Scoddy Industries is the largest single complex on the layout taking up most of the "righthand' end of the model railroad. The Scoddy complex spans Ontario Street and it proves a challenge to switch with trackage on both sides of the main street in town.

Today we see the town switcher spotting a loaded coal hopper to the plant...an interesting move as the hopper enters the building where it will be emptied.

Howard's choice of colours of brick throughout the layout offer a soothing appearance to the eye even though the majority of the scenes are of the industrial nature. Howard, you've got quite the beautiful layout on the go!

Indeed, a master modeller is at work here! Cheers, Mike