ETMRC HO Scale Layout

At the Gym — Location Number 5
Evolution of Williamsburgh

Bob T Photo January 2020

The webmaster noticed that we did not have a good picture of the Williamsburg station; so he took one.

Rob D's Blog 09 November 2018

Some more of Tom's excellent work on the city. This is the issue with some large deep scenes, there are great buildings built and installed on the layout that are not in the foreground but their workmanship is most worthy of that placement.

Street paving is being done as well as some more work on the city.

Rob D's Blog 22 April 2018

Now other places on the layout have been getting attention as well. Here is a nice change from what was here. The structure that was placed here had truck doors on one side and rail doors on the other. But putting it here really compromised its ability to function. The reworking of this area is a big plus.

Now this looks much better to me than what was here.

I still need to fine tune some of the settings so I can get more of this in focus.

This one is not so bad. The camera does show all the greenery that has blown onto the road.

The structure above was in the place of the loding dock and has been relocated.

Here is a view from the other side of the tracks. This will still get some more work.

This photo seems to capture the relationship of the structures to the big picture nicely. Moving around and adding scenery seems to be something both Ron and Tom M really like doing and they are both very good at it. They do some other things as well and I will get to them shortly.

Rob D's Blog 27 December 2017

Now it is rumbling by the Erwin machine screw company about 10 feet away. It will be rolling by the city scape and then getting into a more rural environment. I was thinking about some discussions on this site about detail on models. There were comments about it not being able to be appreciated due to distance so why bother? Lots of good discussion came along with those statements. I like to add the details but I do know they are not always noticed. In addition to the usual details brake rigging was discussed and some folks thought it was not able to be seen at all.

I like to add those details as I think the overall effect is better and I do spot some of the details in a train going by. I notice them even more when the freight cars are spotted next to an industry near the aisle.

Now this photo would be lots better if I was to learn how to do that focus stacking thing but you get the idea. I am running a train of freight and there is a varied consist of car types scattered through out. One thing evident is the varied roof heights and car types even at this distance. There is more than just paint that can be observed.

Rob D's Blog 03 November 2017

Tom B has been building a new structure for the layout. This one involved a lot of cutting and fitting to build the individual walls. Each wall was made up of several sections.

Another view of the new building to see how it fits an odd shaped lot.

From here it will not be very visible but there will still be some details that need to be added. Progress continues.

Rob D's Blog 01 August 2017

We have had comments on the street cars and the overhead wire that powers them. So one day I saw Tom B working on the street cars and I decided to get a few pic to share. Keep in mind while he was doing this task I was bugging him with the camera and generally getting in the way and making things take longer.

Here is Tom working on his street car line. The tweezers are holding the wire in position while he is doing something to the other wires that make up the overhead.

This area is getting ready for some more repairs. (Webmaster note — the building on the right side is the McCamey/Westwood building.)

The stick is used to hold the wire in position while the heat is applied. Heat travels down the wire rather quickly.

Extract from Rob D's Blog 16 April 2017

More on the city.

Again not to be repetitive but here is another block with lots of dead space. It looks like a repositioning of the buildings is in order so as to make better use of the area not occupied. The unused area might be the equal of two city blocks.

Here is a slightly higher angle view of the city. It looks like lots of these structures could be shifted around to make for a slightly better city and we might be able to add some more sources of freight traffic. I am looking at the possibility of adding a spur to the right side of the three blocks in this photo, or to the right middle of the same three blocks.

Rob D's Blog 14 April 2017

Continuing with the discussion regarding the city area.

The block of tall buildings is just to the right of this one. One of the issues with model railroad kits for the city is the lack of structures for zero clearance zoning. In many urban areas there were sections that allowed buildings to abut their neighbors structure. In the model railroad world there are often windows to deal with where there would not be any. Too much dead space here. I suspect there might be a better way to position some structures to fit the block better.

As we move to the left we see more and more empty spaces in the city. Most of the structures depict buildings that would have been built between 1900 and 1930. In those years the downtown area would have been filled up with structures and alley ways would only involve what was needed for freight access.

Now this discussion is not an attack on anyone's modeling skill or idea. It is just a way to put the city on display so things can be examined and possibly improved on.

Now this is one block further into the city from the layout edge. Lots more empty in a high rent area. There needs to be more buildings in this area and less parking lots. More later.

Rob D's Blog 13 April 2017

Now I will toss in some more photos of the city and turntable but not just to talk about the relationship between the town and the size of the turntable. One member made a point that the turntable would be placed where the railroad needed it and they did not care how big the city was, it would be the size they needed to turn their locomotives. There are lots of small towns in various places with small populations and small structures that had large tables. The B&O had a table in Benwood WV that would handle their 2-8-8-4s as well as other articulated locomotives. The Virginian had a table in I believe Victoria that could handle 2-10-10-2s and 2-6-6-6s there were many others as well. Victoria was three streets wide or not much more and was there simply as a change point for locomotives and crews if my memory is correct.

Moving left we are getting toward downtown and one can hardly see the turntable. As we continue to move left observe the city and the empty spaces in the town that still need development. The pink foam is a dead giveaway. Now to put this in perspective the time period we model is the late 50s so the majority of places were still prosperous. There would not be lots of vacant property in a downtown area as if a business failed the real estate would be bought by another looking to start a business of his own. Also urban renewal had not hit yet either.

Now we are looking at downtown and we see some large structures and a row of stores. The next block is showing some pink foam and looks like it needs some help. This is one of the issues with non kit-bashed buildings. They never seem to fit the city block correctly as designed. So either the blocks need some redesign ot the structures will need some work or additions to make use of the property in the area.

This is from the end of the city section of the layout with Bob A checking out the turntable and the control unit that was installed.

Here is a high level shot showing what looks to me to be excessive alley in this block. Now keep in mind these areas are still under construction with lots more to do. Now if a building was kit bashed to take up some of the remaining space this area might be complete except for details and road/alley ways etc.

Rob D's Blog 17 December 2016

Now from the other side of the peninsula. If you were standing where the photographer is you would have the yard behind you and the city to your right. This scenery looks good from any where in the room and calls to attention the need for about ten thousand more trees. I suspect tree making parties will be in our future. Webmaster comment — The two green leds on a stick are a broken overhead signal bridge. Will be repaired or replaced. See the Signals page.

The area behind Yocum's hardware and building materials has been given some more details and is beginning to look much better.

Rob D's Blog 16 October 2016

Here are a couple of photos of the hardware and lumber yard Tom B. has been working on for a long time. This end of the city is not getting urban renewal as much as it is finally getting the finishing touches and a partially developed area is being incorporated into the finished sections of the city.

In this photo we can see there is still more to accomplish with the rest of the block. These things tend to move forward at a relaxed pace. One reason for this is someone will try some things by placing a structure or several and looking at the overall scene for a while. It might then get changed a few times before the builder is satisfied with the look.

Rob D's Blog 26 April 2016

After my comments about the broken windows in my last Blog entry Tom B seemed to take it as a challenge and decided to reposition the lumber shed. Doing so involved relocating the siding as well which he also undertook. He did comment that now the structure could be used as it was intended.

The track was reclaimed from another layout, we are ever frugal here and reuse everything we can.

Rob D's Blog 27 March 2016

For those of you that complain about low ceilings in the train room I have something to make you envious. In one of the photos below I climbed up a 12 foot step ladder to take the photo, not all the way to the top but it was set up in the room with lots of room to the ceiling.

Now this photo is a bit over the top, the top of the backdrop that is.
Webmaster comment — Ron M to left of Williamsport. Tom B to right of Williamsport. Allenport is behind Tom's head. Chyrokes Yard to right of Tom's back. Left most wall is Wilson Yard. Upper left, at tunnels, is Granite Mountain and Hickeyville. Stonehead Mountain is gray area under "JCT" in sign. Mathis Mine #5 left of Stonehead Mountain and under the "COTTON: in the sign. Top peninsula is Dexter.

and another with my feet on the ground and from the other direction.
Webmaster comment — Dexter in foreground, East Onionbreath at stonewall in next peninsula.

Rob D's Blog 02 March 2016

In addition to the work from the carpenters club, as George calls me and Paul, Tom B was working on installing the Hardware and Lumber dealer into town that was named after one of our original members, Ray.

This picture does not show as much of the dark red building as I wanted but does show a good overall perspective. A new track was installed, although more work in this area is to come. There are also plans to add a team track in the space between the turn out and the lumber shed, I would like to add a larger lumber shed next to the one we have and add the team track as well. I want the industries to actually be larger than the cars that unload.

This is the street side of the hardware and lumber yard named for one of our original members. The scene is far from finished but this will provide you with the in progress work being done.

Rob D's Blog 18 January 2016

Don blue T shirt visiting with Bob A and Tom M during the open house. Sure seems to be a lot of coal passing through this town. Trains are between 50 and 100 or so cars. Other freight I think is between thirty and fifty I forgot to count them.

Train meet at the Erwin screw company you guys knew it was coming didn't you.

Tom was heard to say do you think this fixed it? He is putting a 2-10-2 on the track and it is now running very well.

Rob D's Blog 21 November 2015

Here the fruits of all the labor can be seen. The guys are watching a train under it's own power begin it's journey on the layout. Webmaster comment — Left to right, Leroy H, Tom McC, Tom B, Bob T behind Paul F.

Rob D's Blog 09 November 2015
Real Estate Development.

We have some undeveloped land that needs developed. It is in a location that could have a track added so rail service could be utilized. I will post some pictures of the site. The structure and industry needs to be able to accept and ship car loads of merchandise daily. I am advocating a wholesaler or jobber in a multi story structure. Tom B and myself were wanting something built around 1920 or so for our layout so as to portray some history to the town. I will post some pictures below for you to look at and any suggestions are welcome. The building will be scratch built or kit-bashed or built from modular sections. The lot is one that would fit one of the Flat Iron types of buildings.

I am rather sure you can see the area that needs developed from the above and below photos.

It is hard to see in the photos above but the tracks in the street have operating overhead wire over them and it is functional for the entire length of the run.

Here are a few more views from a more normal viewing angle.

In addition to the structure an alley will need to be included and an additional spur track. I was in favor of just having additional cars spotted on the house track to serve this industry but one of our passenger train guys wanted this track reserved for Pullmans and such so a new track will need to be laid with another turn out.

Rob D's Blog 26 January 2015

The unit on the left is 900 with the caboose behind the locomotive, if one gazes into the distance 903 can be seen to the left of the Erwin Screw Company, (the structure with the yellow billboards on the roof.) It is very impressive to run this train around the layout. I ran them through one area that the AGs are a bit large for and banged the scale cab onto some tunnels so I have since decided to keep the big units off of the inside loop. Real AGs would not have been sent to some locations due to weight and clearance limits as well.

This will give you a nice overall of the train on the layout.
Webmaster comment — Williamsburgh on center peninsula. Three foot gauge on trestle, left foreground. Two foot gauge (Museum) next to water tower, extreme left foreground. Middle right side, Mathis Mine # 5 before vertical shaft was added.

Rob D's Blog 26 January 2015

Now here is a more distant view showing the relationship of the structure to the metropolis it is located in. As can be seen in the photo we still have lots of work to do as far as model building goes on our layout. But hopefully some of the guys will jump in and start working on a few things instead of watching things. We have lots of guys that are watching right now so maybe they need some direction.....

Here is a nice view from the aisle side, and when we begin operations it looks like it will be easy for the switch crews to know exactly where they are when next to this edifice of modern manufacturing methods.

August 2013.

North Williamsburgh looking south. Future trolley car barn left center. Trolley loop in center. Left most track is PF&O mainline. Center track is EM&I mainline. Third track to right is industrial spur.

North Willamsburgh. Power Station. Water Tower. Track to left of trolleys is northbound left down. Track to the right is northbound right up. Spur on right is the Leslie Furniture Manufacturing Co.

Leslie Furniture Manufacturing Co. on left spur. Double crossover and slip switch center. Right most track is PF&O mainline north up. Center track is EM&I mainline north up. Left most track is spur at building, and passing siding north up. Notice dwarf signals at switches. The bridge signals are controlled by the dispatcher panel.

South Williamsburgh looking track south. City trolley loop circling downtown city block. Railroad crossing sign down lower left from auto accident.

South Williamsburgh looking track north. Right most track is PF&O mainline north. Next track left is EM&I mainline track north. Switch is part of reversing loop. Note 3 tall signal controlled by dispatcher. The trolley line crosses 3 tracks at the center of the photo. Two tracks curving left around roundhouse are to/from Chyrokes yard.

Newsletter February 2013.

Everything ran — Whenever visitors were present, two trains – a coal train (left) and a passenger train (right) were in continuous operation. The streetcar (center) ran continuously on the long city line and occasionally (when the crossing was not blocked by trains) on the suburban line to Roscoe.

Newsletter November 2012.

How long is a 122-car train? — About 70 actual feet. The locomotives are hiding just behind the city buildings at the left, while the caboose is just in front of Rob D along the back wall.

June 2012.

Williamsburgh residential block. Notice mailboxes on street.

Williamsburgh residential block. Notice mailboxes on street.

Williamsburgh school bus.

Newsletter December 2011

It Runs! – The Williamsburgh streetcar ran faultlessly during the Sunday open house, and attracted favorable comment from the seven visitors we had on Sunday. It ran continuously for about 4 hours with nary a derailment or dewirement – a new record. Not bad for a completely stock 40-year old model. It even ran on both the long run and the figure-8 without help.

Newsletter September 2011

Switching – Engineer Paul prepared to move his locomotive to pick up a boxcar at the McCamey-Westwood plant after switchman Bob E sets the crossovers.

Newsletter August 2011

It runs! – Ron’s new Birney streetcar drifts outbound on Main Street showing off its freshly tarred (repainted) roof.

December 2009

Williamsburgh trolley downtown. Operating catenary.

Williamsburgh industrial zone. Dwarf signals in place, but before operating dispatcher signals are installed.

Williamsburgh industrial zone. Operating trolley.

September 2007

Williamsburgh court house and station. Operating trolley. Some buildings removed to get this picture.

May 2007

Williamsburgh downtown. Door in background is club entrance.

March 2005

Very early Williamsburgh. Main line is a loop at far end. Left table is for Chyrokes yard. Right table will become Wilson yard. Skyboard has not been installed.