An Historical Event - Train Ops Cancelled

Of course, we know that three feet of snow and below zero temperatures would never be enough to halt a Friday Night train operations session! But freezing rain and sleet turning road surfaces in the Ottawa Region into "record sized" skating rinks certainly would. "The lives of our train operators are first and foremost!" superintendent Hamer was quoted in today's Ottawa Citizen. "We know this is a first and we understand the disappointment in the hearts and minds of the lads, but we want them to live another day to keep the group strong!" So, the Friday Night boys stayed home and "road out" the storm in the comfort of their own layout rooms.

This pause in operations gives us good excuse to profile a fellow Friday Nighter who has relocated to the "Left Coast" as he calls it, Parksville on Vancouver Island. Indeed, we're talking about our good friend, Marty Phillips. And, what has Marty been up to recently, we ask. "Scenery!" he responds, "Scenery, in a big way...and here's a picture for you Mike, of what our Friday Night group has been up to over the past little while.!"

After viewing this image all the Ottawa contingent are shaking their heads..."Finally...some scenery," they all shout..."Marty's been gone how long now?"

Indeed, we knew that Marty's layout would be resurrected in his new home on Vancouver Island in no time at all, and it was. Benchwork appeared almost overnight with track settling in shortly thereafter. Marty managed to install the backdrops and add some building mockups, but the scenery seemed to be on hold. While I cannot take credit for this turn of events...hmmm...perhaps my two trips out west to visit Marty made him wonder..."Geez, Hamer's been out here twice and there's still no scenery for him to see! And...if I leave it too long, the little bugger will charter a plane and come and do it for me!" (big grin)

Well, Marty Man, judging by the scenes in the above two images, you are in great hands with that talented group of local island modellers you've assembled. Yes, we know that some further detailing is required such as ballasting to fully complete the scenes, but you are well on your way to owning a truly "Great Model Railroad"!

Let's examine how the two scenes above managed to materialize. Marty had already laid the track and built up the backdrop just as I had on my BM layout. Everything will be painted black before any scenery goes in including the blue styrofoam. This photo shows just how our group works together and assists each other. Dave Haney from our Ottawa group built the ball signal seen here at Whitefield. It protects the crossing of the B&M with the Maine Central.

Before any of the scenery making begins, Marty masks all track areas with the green masking tape. It is the preferred choice of tape as its adhesive is less gummy than the regular tape leaving less residue on the rails making track cleaning easier.

Note how Marty has also protected the bridge spans and the abutments I scratchbuilt for him and shipped across the country. The foam making the land contours is now painted black and polyfibre sprinkled with ground foam will be glued on the backdrops before the tree planting goes into effect. The river's really looking good in this picture, Marty.

On the other side of the backdrop is the "developing" town of St. Johnsbury.

When Marty lived in Ottawa, we brainstormed this scene with the long and winding river and the two bridges. The area where the river hits the backdrop is effectively hidden with a sharp curve in the river's course. Marty has placed a cloudy sky commercial backdrop at this location where the river valley occurs.

Here's a closer view of the area where the river winds its course below the bridge span. I really like the use of the sloping landscape and rocks forming the further bank of the river.

This shot clearly shows the use of the polyfibre along the backdrop to provide texture in case viewers can see through the trees. This is better than seeing a flat backdrop between the branches.

This shot looks back down the river the other way showing just what was involved in creating this marvellous scene.

Marty's layout is located in his garage. The garage doors were removed and the a door and window put in along with a wall and added insulation. There are no basements in his subdivision...and living in a bungalow, Marty has no need to take on stairs to reach his layout room. Lucky bum!

Here's a great shot Marty sent me of some of the lads working feverishly in the area. Man, that Marty's a workhorse and his enthusiasm and energy rubs off on his other group members, it seems! One thing's for sure...judging by the smiles on their faces, they're having one heck of a good time.

They don't look like model railroaders at all! Why, they look like a bunch of drunkards who've just stepped out of a corner pub in England!

Indeed, when you model New England as Marty and I do, your layout requires a ton of trees...and I mean a "ton". When we were together in Ottawa, I taught Marty and Mary the Spirea technique for tree-making...and it appears to be very contageous judging by this image. Apparently the only known cure for this euphoria is a pint of ale!

It's nice to see those piers and abutments survived the shipping from Ottawa! This area on the layout depicts the river scene on the way to the paper mill at Gilman which is visible in the distance.

Note how Marty has placed a photograph of the prototype so visitors can see what the completed scene will look like!

Well Marty, it may be one heck of a long time until freezing rain cancels one of our train ops sessions again, but that will not stop the Ottawa contingent of the Friday Night Group from checking in on the Vancouver Island contingent every now and then. Hey, maybe by this time next year the Gilman scene will have been completed, scenery and all!