Usually for "Modeling Monday" I'll be highlighting particular models I've built, but considering I just posted the trackplan, I figured it'd be fun to show modeling on a "macro" scale. So, for the next few days (so as not to bog down you or your computer with too much at once) I'll be touring the layout as it was as of October 27, 2013. If you want to follow along on the trackplan, we'll be starting in Wethersfield and heading south to Middletown. Then from "New Haven" through Somerset & Mill Hollow to Middletown. First stop: Wethersfield Here's the Sanborn map to help orient you (as always, you can click on the image to "embiggen"):
Here's the Sanborn map of the station area:
Finally, here's the Sanborn for Wells Rd., where Valley Coal once did business:
I'm very glad I was able to model Wethersfield so faithfully. The only major compromise was that I had to fairly severely compress the linear run between Wethersfield Lumber and the station. On the prototype, they're separated by about a mile, but here the turnouts actually overlap. But that's the art - and challenge - of prototype modeling. Sometimes it's much more impressionist than photorealistic. However, if you do it well, what's missing isn't missed. The ultimate test is when somebody familiar with the area recognizes it as such. My effort here passed John Wallace's scrutiny. He grew up in the area and lives there still. But having such a resource so close can be a double-edged sword. After I "completed" Wethersfield the first time, he noted the passing siding was long gone by 1947. So, to be as accurate as possible, out it came and up went some more benchwork & track (re)arranging. Of course, the other critical test is that the layout owner/artist is satisfied with the result. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Especially after I made the modifications based on John's recollections. That siding (the bulk track) that swings way out from the station, looks just like that in real life. Having that feature replicated on my railroad goes a long way to making Wethersfield as realistic as possible, at least to my eye. Next stop - Rocky Hill/Dividend... |
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