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Post by Lee on Mar 21, 2013 10:35:28 GMT -5
Long ago, I had posted some pics of paper/card stock buildings we were working on for an HO scale train set. We have gotten a little farther along. We have the bench work up, and have started trying to figure out the track configuration. Hope to post pics soon.
Lee
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Post by fortapache on Mar 21, 2013 23:53:41 GMT -5
Good luck with the track. I should get to work on mine. Looking forward to the pictures.
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Post by terryschimm on Mar 22, 2013 19:38:31 GMT -5
A few years ago I picked up a boxed Marx train set with a box of extra track at a garage sale for...get this...a dollar. I still hope to have room to set it up someday.
Terry
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 20:56:44 GMT -5
What we are trying to build is a fictional 1870's Western setting train layout with a Marx toys theme. A couple of things were problematic. 1. Truly wild west looking train building were not that plentiful. 2. Wild west figures were not in large supply either. Actually a number 3 item was cost on a lot of the train supplies. I found several sites on line talking about making 'paper buildings' and card stock buildings. That got us thinking about attempting to duplicate the actual Marx buildings from pictures and printing them on card stock. Also found that there were actually a lot of 1/72 model kits with old west theme. HO is a little smaller (1/87 I think). But the 1/72 was close enought that we can make it work. Just had fiddle with doors and such to find a compromise. Circle X Ranch was the natural choice to start with. I am attaching pics of our roughly HO scale Circle X Ranch home and barn. Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 20:57:51 GMT -5
CXR 2 Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 20:58:13 GMT -5
CXR 3 Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 20:58:52 GMT -5
Little CXR compared to the Marx Toys version Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 21:04:36 GMT -5
Next we moved on to Fort Apache. The goal was to try to combine the classic Marx playset with elements from the Johnny West Fort Apache Fighters fort and other Marx memorabilia, and come out with something about the right size for the HO set. We started with some rough designs on graph paper to compare sizes and then moved on to "twigs" to make the models for the log walls. Dowels just gave too regular an appearance. Then we proved the benefits of graduating from the "Stewart's Attic School of Molding and Casting" (Thank you Scott for the Johnny Con demos. They have been a huge help). After creating about 9 inches of twig wall, I made a rubber mold and then cast 10 plastic sections. After that we took another look at size (you can see from the photos that the fort is just too small for the average 10 year old) and it was on to the band saw to cut everything to fit. Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 21:10:09 GMT -5
For Ft. Apache so far, we have the HQ, and Flag. We have the Armory & Stockade, the Officers' residence, the Black Smith, and the Sutler General Store & Mess Hall. We have plans for the stable, corral, and enlisted barracks as well. Some of the figures in the photos are from a western train layout I had in the 60's and I don't intend to paint those. But we are painting the new figures. Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 21:21:27 GMT -5
We have been working on several of the figures, just kinda picking some favorites as we find poses that look right. One of the pictures is a comparison between a 1/6 scale Frank Hopkins & Hidalgo custom and a 1/72 scale train figure painted to look like the duo. Near sightedness is a plus in this endeavor. :0) So far we have some generic calvary men, along with the prospector and his donkey, Quigley Down Under, Hidalgo, Rooster Cogburn and Capt. Keogh with Camanche from Walt Disney's 'Tonka' movie. I also put together a custom horse drawn steam fire engine. My father in law is a retired fireman, and firefighting is a revered topic around here. Hope you like 'em. Lee Attachments:
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 21:37:32 GMT -5
Before I sign off, I will leave this final combindation pic of views of the overall layout. We have the benchwork up and an initial base of foam. The track looks a little like a roller coaster right now with no mountain trail in place yet to support it as it makes its way up to the mine. We also have to bring the track back down. Currently if you don't stop the trains they sail out into the air over the heads of the townsfolk of 'Witter Gulch'.
I will try to add pics of the other buildings soon: Grizzled Bar Saloon & Silver Dollar Dance Hall, Newspaper, General Store, and Brown Palace Hotel.
Hope you like 'em.
Lee
P.S. Also have Flick and Flack in roughly HO scale!
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Post by Lee on Mar 22, 2013 21:38:10 GMT -5
Overall layout Attachments:
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Post by Blindpig on Mar 23, 2013 5:30:11 GMT -5
Very cool! I am fascinated by stuff like this but just don't have the talent to do it.
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Post by Lee on Mar 23, 2013 7:06:06 GMT -5
Thanks Mitch!
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Post by Lee on Mar 23, 2013 7:14:36 GMT -5
About the town. I *never* owned *any* of the Marx Western Town type playsets. My cousins owned all of them in one form or another. I asked for them regularly for Christmas, Birthdays, and pratically any occasion. To this day, I cannot explain why my parents *never* felt the that they would make a good gift. This may have left me somewhat emotionally scarred -- just had to get that out there because I think it had some bearing on why I wanted this theme for the train.  Having said all that, the town buildings for our train have all gotten their start from the classic Marx Playsets. Attaching a pic here of the actual Marx product. You may not realize this, but I never had one........  Attachments:
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