Car Thread

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Very nice article in O Scale Trains by our friend George who is building the Panhandle division of the PRR on selecting autos for 1950s era layouts.

Sounds interesting. I'm reminded of something Hitchcock said: "drama is life with the dull bits cut out." If I was going to build a layout, I'd put only my favorite vehicles on it, and leave off stuff I find boring or ugly.

Agreed....

[rogruth]

Murph,
I always look forward to seeing your layout.
Thank you.

[up148]

The damned thing followed me home yesterday. But, I think I'll survive.

BH

Yeh, I bet it followed you home, right after it took a big bite out of your back pocket.

Well, in comparison, much less than the other one that needed a small fortune spent on it to make it equal to this car, so I feel very fortunate to have found this one. Yeah, just like trains, it can be expensive. But, I've waited all my life to have this car (70 now) and I plan on enjoying it.

Butch

[Roy]

Murph, aside from placing passengers on or in your vehicles, have you customized any of them?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Murph,
I always look forward to seeing your layout.
Thank you.

Thank you, Roger.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Murph, aside from placing passengers on or in your vehicles, have you customized any of them?

No, sir.
I have weathered some, though.

[healey36]

Brilliant stuff Murph...are these recent pics? Some of these are unfamiliar...

Healey

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Brilliant stuff Murph...are these recent pics? Some of these are unfamiliar...

Healey

Thanks for the reach-back, Healey, and the very kind approval. (I'm sorry for any repeated views - I lost track a long time ago with what I have shared here on MTJ.)

These photos are from a variety of historical moments in my modeling, but are shown here because they illustrate favorite vehicles of mine, which is what Roy inquired about. In fact, some scenes are long-gone, and some of the vehicles have been gifted to friends and to children who have visited the layout, from time to time, and have voiced affection for what they have seen. I especially liked it when a guest said a particular car reminded him or her of one a parent had in real-life. As a result, my wife and I became very motivated to invite them to pick the vehicle up, right off the layout, and take it home with them.

Considering where I am now in my life, I am so very, very glad my wife and I serendipitously founded that custom when we had guests to see Moon Township, USA. The goodwill that remains from that custom is the treasure for me, not any toy model, though I sure did like the ones I have shown presently.

[healey36]

You can post them over and over again, Murph...I never tire of seeing "The Layout".

Healey

[Roy]

Murph, you did a good job of weathering on those cars. Especially, the suggestion of rust. Very realistic. So realistic, I find it depressing to see attractive older cars in such condition. Kind of like photos of steam locomotives in advanced states of decay.

But, cars do get saved and restored. They also get customized. One of my customized favorites is the King T:



Larger views and more info: https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1913-FORD-MODEL-T-CUSTOM-ROADSTER-82643

Another is George Barris's Munster Koach:



Larger image: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7Q6UumISq4/Tm9pwgVkpVI/AAAAAAAAH7M/jS5In9XT6ko/s1600/MunsterKoach2a.jpg

It turns out that customizing models is a lot of fun, too. You may remember the 1914 Model T runabout I built and showed here a while back. I imagine you could do just as well.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Fabulous. Both of them. Fun to see, for sure, Roy.

The closest I ever came to anything at all like the "King T" was the yellow hotrod in this shot, but I bought it as you see it here, commercially, none of its appearance being due to the work of my hands and imagination. I jus' buy 'em, emplace 'em, and like 'em.

[Roy]

Murph, think how you could inspire a kid to build models themselves, if the car you give them you built yourself.

[E7]

Well, in comparison, much less than the other one that needed a small fortune spent on it to make it equal to this car, so I feel very fortunate to have found this one. Yeah, just like trains, it can be expensive. But, I've waited all my life to have this car (70 now) and I plan on enjoying it. Butch

Butch, Like I told one of my friends: When you go you aren't taking the money with you, so you may as well enjoy it while you can.

Enjoy, my friend!
Rich

[rex desilets]

Murph, think how you could inspire a kid to build models themselves, if the car you give them you built yourself.

Based on my male grandchildren, nope.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Murph, think how you could inspire a kid to build models themselves, if the car you give them you built yourself.

Thanks for the suggestion, but nah. Inspiring this cousin (he calls me Uncle) to start having his own layout and collection has been enough for me. I'm maxed-out in that creativity regard, as it regards children in the family makin' stuff. Actually, it is he who has me trained (pun intended ) to get him remote-controlled whirligigs that fly all over the inside and outside of the house. He likes all of it, especially when we would gift him with passenger consists and diesels. I'll continue to spend a buck or two to help him have the fun he has selected.