Host Gerry Leone may be dangerously close to finishing off the town of Westcott, but he’s still found plenty more to do with scenery, structures, lighting, and those little details that help turn a space into a definitive place on his HO scale model railroad. But at the end of this episode, Gerry’s efforts come to a close. Of course, a tour of the completed town is the best way to wrap the mini-series…and prepare for the next segment of Spaces to Places!
Want to see more of Gerry’s work in print? Be sure to pick up a copy of the latest special issue publication, Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2023, available from the KalmbachHobbyStore.com!
Gerry,
Wow! Someday … maybe? I do have a question. Why did you use diluted white glue for the dirt ground cover, and diluted matte medium for the static grass? Does it matter? Has experience shown the different glues work best for these materials, or did you just run out of the one and used the other? Many examples seem to use them interchangably, so I’m looking for clarification from a Master Modeller, rather than just an expert.
For dirt — which I cover almost everything with — I use diluted white glue because it’s cheaper than diluted matte medium. I HAVE found, however, that the diluted matte medium tends to hold the static grass upright better than the diluted white glue. I saw a presentation from the guy who owns Scenic Express and he talked about the fact that white glue skins-over more quickly, preventing the static grass from penetrating the skin and standing up. Sorry for the delay in answering — I was out of town.
Scenery, buildings and detail work is, as always, fantastic. But possibly a change of focus to operations on the layout, both existing and planned. What type of train will switch those sidings, local or turn? Operations control – TT& TO, Warrants, CC & WB, other? Various types of operators needed? Yard I/O and classification practices. Will you duplicate your methods on earlier layouts or move to a newer approach?
Whatever your next series will focus on, I’ll be glued to the screen for each episode.
Interesting and good idea, Roger. I’ll keep that one in my hip pocket. Operations on the BV are nowhere near as complex as TT&TO since 80% of the time I’m doing it by myself. That said, however, I use JMRI Operations with switchlists to run 7 trains in a typical operating session, both through freights and locals. I’ll give this idea some thought!
Love your series of Spaces to Places. Glad you finished the town of Westcott. One thing I noticed, is that there are no Stop Signs. Hope all the traffic yields the right of way. Can’t wait to see more places develop.
Thanks, Roger! Stop signs are something I hadn’t thought of. I’ll have to add some!
Or a blinking stop light.
Jerry, Wescott is fantastic!!!! Thanks for sharing how you do stuff. I really enjoy watching your videos, and you always add some humor to your videos. Leaves me smiling and wanting to see more. Thanks so much!!! Dave
Thanks so much! I enjoy making them and I hope that comes through.
Gerry, Thank You for your reply. I use chrome on my desktop and the search is missing. I just logged into Trains.com using MS Bing and I now have a search box. weird, The whole top of the page is different between Chrome and Bing.
What’s odd, Jerry, is that I use Chrome on my desktop, too, and see the search box. It must amount to a difference in the settings.
Great drone shot at the end! I think that is the first time you’ve used a drone. Can you share the model/brand?! ??
I’m not certain if you’re joking or not, James. But the answer is: that’s no drone, that’s a hand-held camera!
As always, a great series. Good to see one that focused on a deeper scene – while narrow trackside scenes make up much of a layout, seeing a deeper dive on a larger town like this was a welcome change of pace and provided a lot of different opportunities and challenges that gave us something different than the last town on spaces to places.
I’m just saying, but the next series could be about detailing your main yard and engine servicing facility and that’d be another unique angle we haven’t seen on from you, or even I believe on trains.com at all!
I’ll keep that in mind, Gwen! Thanks for your comment!
On a scale of 1 to 10 – another 15! Great series with so many great tips and techniques to learn from. Hope there are many other spaces on the BV5 that become places – meaning more episodes!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Same to you, Artie! There’s still an entire upper deck that’s just crying out for some scenery. But first, more to come on the lower deck.
Boy Gerry, you do such incredibly amazing work. It’s inspiring. I’d like to hope I could come close, but at least it’s something to shoot for. Can’t wait for whatever is next.
Just take your time and be as objective as you can, Albert. Try to see things through a visitor’s eyes, and if something doesn’t look quite right, figure out what you can do to fix it. Thanks for your kind words!
How do I search trains.com for Arduino?
At the upper right of your screen (if you’re on a desktop) there’s a “SEARCH” space with a magnifying glass icon. Type in “ARDUINO” and it’ll appear!
Very nice, Gerry, I’d like to come down and see it up close!
I’d love to have you come down, Mark!
Approximately sixty-five LEDs. And, as we all know, if one goes out, they all go out! ?
Funny, David! But I think you’re getting them confused with Christmas tree lights!
Gerry,
What a great series! Your work always leave a smile on my face and me wanting more. I can’t wait for the next installment. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words, Sam. There’s certainly more where this came from!
WOW!!!!!
THANKS!!!!!