Fred’s been in touch with this stunning N scale scenery:
“Hi Al –
This is an update on my project. You first heard from me about a year ago, with my soliloquy about the importance of scale. So about a year later, here I am again with my progress report.
My layout (N Scale) is about 24 feet by three feet, with a “dogbone” right angle section at one end for track return under a mountain.
At the other end there is about eight to ten feet jutting inward (away from the viewing front, which forms a harbor, that accomodates a chemical tanker piered for loading at a refinery.
The other side of the harbor will have a city, with 1920 era apartment buildings sweeping up to modern 30-40 story high rise construction. Downtown section of city measures about four feet wide, and two feet deep. Tracks underneath eventually terminate into staging yard (in next room of my basement, which up ’til now has housed all my good wine and scotch.) Years ago I was an architect, so I’m looking forward to building the high rise section.
The layout has a curvilinear front face, with masonite facia, so that the layout varies in width from eighteen inches to forty two, which makes it look more natural, I think.
I have two rows of fluorescent tubes behind the top facia, together with high intensity incandescent mini-spots. It is very well lit, which helps these old cataracts see what the owner is doing!
The entire length of the layout resides underneath a diorama backdrop that curves all the way up and over the layout (layout is 4 feet off floor, “sky” of diorama is at 7 feet, which I built of “Masonite,” and taped and plastered with drywall mud for mural painting.
I used to landscape paint in my youth, and felt I had a better chance of designing the backdrop to my layout rather than a photo backdrop, which might have dragged the cart before the horse. I have been working pretty exclusively on the north (dogbone) end of the layout since I laid all the track a year ago, on a fictional rural town that looks a lot like my native New England.
“Maxwell Falls” (Grandson #1 is named Max) is the name of this town. It’s commercial, with brick shops from DPM kits, where the big effort seems to be in the painting and weathering, lighting, detailing, etc. I found a Volmer church kit, and kitbashed it considerably to use the right hand wall of the nave to extend the visible side on the left and give it correct proportions and scale.
Landscape is plaster cloth on foam insulation. I used many latex molds to model rocks from hydrocal and plaster of paris. Water in the river and the ravine that holds the hydro plant is by “Magic Water,” and though I leaked about half into buckets during the pour, looks very real once done. painting the rapids was a real challenge. I have audio chips all over the place, and a speaker inside the power plant rushes with water through the turbines as I continue with this fabulous hobby.
Under Spandrel bridge, looking at power plant:
Dam and river:
Aerial view of Powerplant:
The bend at Maxwell Falls: (Note the “interface” between the plaster model road, and the painted road in the backdrop. I put the bridge expansion joint right at the break, and continued with the same color acrylic paint throughout. The painted road begins right at the red van on the bridge.
A Magic Water pond with sheep
Scratch built late Victorian – early 20th Century station
On the way from Maxwell Falls to “Port Charles” (The city)
More Backdrop painting approaching harbor
I’ll send you more in time, but here are some pics: (If I run out of digital room with these pics, I’ll just send them with labels in a separate email)
Fred”
A huge thank you to Fred for sharing his stunning N scale scenery.
Believe it or not, the other half of his layout is even more stunning: Model railroad LED lights.
Just goes to show how much fun you can have with a theme to bring your layout to life.
Fred’s layout reminded me of John’s viaduct. It’s not hard to see how:
I know John moves them about quite a bit, so here are some stills (pics are clickable):
It’s hard to believe they are made from print outs, and they’ve just been stuck together – but that’s exactly what they are:
But best of all, all the new scenery is launched at a silly price.
The viaduct and the wooden tunnel are already on the store for $9.97 each – but guess what?
Right now, you can grab both – that’s the viaduct and the wooden tunnel, for just $9.98. So that’s that’s less than $5 bucks each.
Just so we’re all clear, this is only for a day or so though, then they’ll just be available in the store.
They are made at HO scale – just reduce the print by 50% for a stunning N scale size. If you want to print for O scale they enlarge really well – but you need a printer that can handle the larger sizes.
To grab your viaduct and wooden tunnel, click here, or justclick on the link below.
Please do send me pics of your models – and please leave a comment below, I’d love to know your thoughts on them.
That’s all this time folks – don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide if you’re getting borded of sitting in your armchair (and it doesn’t matter how many decades you’ve been sat in it, it’ll really help you to get going).
That’s all this time folks. Stunning N scale scenery and viaducts.
Please do keep ’em coming.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More N scale layouts here if that’s your thing.
Brilliant.
The painting of the backdrop is incredible. This is something I will try to incorporate in my layout. Just AWESOME!
OUTSTANDING!!! Great layout and fantastic photos!
Nicely done.
Jim R
Fabulous, unusual and so very professional. Excellent work!
Raymond
It all looks absolutely fabulous.
Stunning work. Well done.
WOW.
What a neat layout! Excellent back-drop to compliment the layout.
Your dam, river, bridge and power plant are superb!
Fred. Superb work Sir!
The blending of the layout and the backdrop is seamless. It provides real depth to the scene.
Excellent modelling. You should do some “how to” demonstrations to help the rest of us aspire to your standards 🙂
Amazing… Would love to see some “wide angle” (over all) shots along with the track plan….
Loads of sheep well done fred great work the dam is very impressive IAN
Great
Thanks
Absolutely Stunning. great detail.
Regards,
Laurence
Awesome! Inspirational. Thank you for sharing
Beautiful, I love it.
outstanding, what is this mans occupation ?
Among the best I have ever seen. Beautiful. Detailed. Creative. Balanced. Artistic. Realistic….FANTASTIC!!!
Fantastic. Show off. Ha ha amazing great job!!!
Nice modeling
A fantastic backdrop. Wish I could be so bravely artistic, to create such great blend into the whole diorama. – – – bullfrogEH in Ontario
wow OUTSTANDING!!! Great layout and fantastic photos!
Nicely done.
What an outstanding layout,beautiful.
A video of this layout would be a huge help, The pics alone are amazing
This is amazing. This is exactly what I was thinking of doing with my new layout. Do you have any pictures of the layout from farther back? Fabulous!
Bruce from Ontario
From the mountain ridges to the rusty rails…the Oscar for set design goes to…
I’d never use the word “stunning”. I would use the words “above average excellent” and I’ve been in this hobby a long time.
One of, if not the best, scenery I have ever seen; and I have seen a lot over the many years in the hobby and all my travels. D. D. of D. B.
This is one of the best detailed layouts I have seen. To get this detail in N gauge you have to have a good eye, actually you need two very good eyes. Nice job.
Steve from Toms River
The pix of the power plant, dam and river looks like he cheated by taking a drone shot of the real thing. Absolutely unbelievably looks like a real photo.
Amazing talent that is appreciated.
Also background of coast looks like he has spent a wee bit of time on the Scottish coast. More talent
Wonderful talent. You can tell much time was spent with the beautiful backdrop, absolutely stunning. Great detail throughout the layout. Well done.
Beautiful, beautiful work. I do hope you will provide more pics, and perhaps a video? Your work is truly an inspiration!
excellent layout. I was into N scale from 1993 until 2009. Had to sell what I owned, family and food comes first. When I got back into model railroading I chose Z scale. If I had to do it again I’d stay far away from Z due to the price and lack of good quality stuff. Am still trying to get my layout pictures into my computer to send them to ya’ll. My son and his wife tried Saturday to no avail, it kept coming up “no memory”.
The best so far? Can we see a longer range photo to get a fuller feel for the layout.
Unbelievably realistic. I wanted to get in my truck and come visit. Awesome, beautiful. Thanks.
Absolutely INCREDIBLE ! LOVE all the details in the scenery, well done.
I LOOOOOOOOVE Your layout.
Absolutely amazing. I have huge respect for N scale model builders which is really only appreciated when seen in person.
Wayne
Cape Town
Nice work!! thank you for the share!! Keep it coming!!
Incredible! Unbelievable! Astounding!
Wow!!
Rod
Awesome, looks so life like. Great job and attention to detail. B. H.
outstanding layout!!
best detail I’ve seen in years…
keep em runnin fellas
stjohn in long beach calif
Love it all, but the dam and power plant really does it for me…. Brilliant.
Fred, you are an artist and a master craftsman! Conductor Dave.
Wonderful layout. Truly inspiring.
Absolutely breathtaking! Your skills are amazing!!! Cheers! NJ Mark
Outstanding
Fred,
Your layout and scenery is, absolutely, stunning, indeed.
I am approaching the point of track laying the mainline on my H.O. layout.
Your backdrops and the shadows of light are inspiring.
I am feeling encouraged. And, feeling that paralysis coming back that my scenery will never make the “grade”.
Anyway, the dam is awesome. It truly looks like a 500ft high flyover.
Definitely a superb work of art!!
One question though. Where i the penstock for the power house? I couldn’t make it out behind the dam.
Perfect work
Great job! The only thing missing is a video with sound–it won’t be the same as being there but I know I would appreciate it,
Not sure who posted:
“When I got back into model railroading I chose Z scale. If I had to do it again I’d stay far away from Z due to the price and lack of good quality stuff,”
Check out ZTrack Magazine and Rohukan products from Japan–you may gain a new a appreciation for Z-scale both in quality and price,
Top-notch craftsmanship, Fred! Your photos deserve to be displayed in an art gallery. Very impressive contribution to our hobby indeed.
Regards, Tom (USA).
Very nice N scale is so hard to work with The hobby seems to be geared for HO the most with more accessories That painting and dam is really awesome !!
Fantastic layout Fred – the dam, dam wall and power plant are superbly done. Who makes the dam wall kit? Very unusual and effective.
Regards
Glyn
nice
WOW, what a great you’ve done………….wish i had that talent. walt
Really incredible work Fred! I decided to do an outdoor layout due to space constraints, but your layout makes me want to work in N scale one of these days. I recently saw Arnie’s N scale layout and both make me realize what is possible in this scale. Thanks for sharing. Cary in Kentucky
excellent work loved the scenery work, would love to see a track layout and how you gained the track height
The dam and power station made me go “Wow!” I’m envious of anyone with such artistry. Well done
FANTASTIC!!!! I am in awe.
ww – Michigan US
Jaw Dropping…
Beyond amazing…
N scale? N-credible!!!
so real just great scenery. nice job plenty of enjoyment comes thru. thanks for sharing.
Fred
Your work is AMAZING, so like like, like a picture. I do not know how you do it, but keep up the OUTSTANDING WORK. Thanks for sharing.
Bob N.V
Exceptional detail!
I must say Fred the layout is fantastic, your detail is amazing
A layout to be very proud off
Have never seen a dam modelled before and it looks the real thing
Simply fantastic. Great detail and lifelike. Really appreciate the water scenes. And dam is truly remarkable. Hope to see more.
Jim
Great work in detail and colour! Truly inspiring.
Rob
The dam looks so real.love to see a video, thanks for sharing your brilliant work.
Dave R
Fantastic work. Would love to see the entire thing, regardless of its state of completion.
Beautiful layout!
The power plant is incredible!
Dan
Massachusetts
Well done!!! Your work is to a very high standard. I am planning in the very near future of building as similar design with Harbour and City buildings. Would it be possible to have a copy of your tack layout plan? This would help in my planning as a starting point. Also your ideas on the high rise construction would interest me greatly.
Cheers
Nice layout great work.
WOW, very nice backdrop. And the Dam, there is not a word to describe it, so real. Out standing job, very well done. The colors are blended so well. Good eye. N gauge, I have 0 gauge & HO gauge, and ad soon as we move I am going to put the two together. Acorse 0 g up front & HO g in the background or center of the layout. I have many different designs of the two and I will probably designs as I go, lol . Any way great job on your layout. That Dam is so real, like to see more. Stephen from Tampa Florida signing out.
What a work of art, it’s a beauty there’s a master at the peak of his skills
Is there a Louvre for Model RR artistry? Incredible work.
That is so real I thought about buying a ticket to ride on your train that is coming out of that tunnel so I could see the rest of the layout !
Be well and stay safe Sir !!
George
There is only one word
UNBELIEVABLE
Rick
You have done some fantastic scenery work! I love the quality of your work!
🙂
Excellent!…. love the dam. đź‘Ť
Best water I’e seen in years
A true master of the craft. Amazing. Thought my 12 x 20 n scale was looking pretty good. I fall a bit short compared to you. Hopefully one day I can produce museum quality as yours. Keep up the fantastic work. It keeps me inspired to achieve excellence. Just incredible.
Fred you did a hell of a job. That is one of the most outstanding layouts I have seen. You should be proud.
Fantastic detail
Would love to see a video.
Especially as you finish each phase.
great work.
WOW
Lots of accolades and well deserved. Your artistry and craftsmanship are tops. Please do send more wide angle shots and videos for us mortals and do a “how to” on those audio chips-
24 ft long & N scale- OMG
Best
George from NY
Wonderful layout! I love the dam- a rarely modeled feature. And the backdrop is amazing! Keep the photos coming!
Al, thank you again (and again)! This should be good reminder to everybody how lucky we are to have you running this blog!
Fred, congratulations, you have set a new standard. And in N gauge!!! You have pushed us all to continue to think outside the box and be creative. If I could come back, I’d come back as Max’s little brother. Lucky boy for sure. Would really love to see the trains running in a video. Magnificent stuff – thank you, Fred. Jonathan
The best layout eva!!!!!!
Each photo reminds me of the classic style of painting = my favorite. Awesome!
Stunning work! The detail is superb. A master class lesson.
Mal
North Wales
Absolutely beautiful layout! Great work
Very nice. The water scenes, especially the dam and water fall scene are truly remarkable. Great modeling.
Jim AZ
Nice work great detail. Step back puff out your chest and be proud of what you have done. Makes a crippled old man wish he could build another layout. See Ya
Very nice congratulations on a great layout
So realistic, it is like being there.
I’ll go to Z grade to highlight my mistakes. Then all anyone needs to do is eliminate the mistakes to have a flawless layout, and I won’t waste space on the plan.
What else is there to say ! 🤗
FRED, the way you blended the foreground into the background is fantastic..
The pictures of the dam make me feel as if I am standing there. I saw one of these in real life and you captured
That in detail like a pro.having . Having your scenery painting in your background has brought your layout to the top. Keep up the great work. Old taz
Best layout in a while !!!!!! I’ll have to send some of mine over of my HO called the Evolution RR cause it’s always changing ..
Great, very realistic, you actually feel as if you are there.
WOW. Your layout is incredible. The background is outstanding, your attention to detail is remarkable. Love everything about it, the buildings, rocks, water, just brilliant.
Oooooh my!!! Totally fantabulous. Awe inspiring. Beautiful blending of materials, colors, layout to backdrop transition blending, everything belongs!! A ride on videocam would be a wonderful experience. I can learn a lot studying this layout.
Fred thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful work with us on Al’s terrific site.
Dick Chapple Sr Hardin Mt USA
That is a stunner of a layout. I have never seen such artistry in blending backscenes with foregrounds ever. Looking down at the powerhouse just bowled me over. Such artistry, such skill, and reserve, no clutter here.
Rob McCrain – Farland Howe
Triple WOW, Can you send a video, PLEASE
Has any one experienced shrinkage of Dow blue board? 4×4 sheets from 1997 have shrunk apart over 1/8 inch to 3/16. Leaving these cracks. My table is 5 x 10 and in dry basement, no natural light.
Really impressed with the dam and power house, helps create a sense of real industry.
This is stunning!!!
I would very much like to see more of this layout
This is outstanding. The backgrounds look incredible, there’s not even the slightest ripple in that trackwork, and the structures are breathtaking. I love the eyebrow dormer on the station.
Excellent layout Fred – impressive
How do you make these back drops? Or are they for sale?
I don’t know how I can add more to what has already been said. I am a retired Hydro electric guy who you have now inspired to go this route in my new plan. You have inspired me to no end. Unbelievable and thank you so much for sharing your skills with us.
That is an awesome layout!!! Wow great detail with your layout out !!!! Thanks for sharing the great pics Chris
increasingly better each time. great job.
Stunning is indeed the word!
Another amazingly highly detailed layout. Just love the detail!
Great scenery detail, beautiful pictures
I saw another comment where you mentioned that you took individual pictures so as not to show differences in perspective, but I would still love to see a picture of everything, just to see how it all goes together. It is a spectacular layout. (Top 3)
Hi folks –
Many thanks for your generous comments. Dam was scratch built from 1/2” birch plywood, with plaster on top. Used a latex moulded squares of “rough cut stone” which were about the size of dominos. Lined up the coursing and glued to plywood. Carved out spillway arches with XActo, added brass tubing emergency flow pipes, weathered everything accordingly. Architectural details like towers, railings, etc. pilfered from other kits and added.
Fred
Stunning detailed little world he inspired out of pure genius…
Love everything about it and that dam threw me for a loop. This would be good for me in creating back-drops, train Tunnel’s, roadways, and anything that acquired the use of intricate handling of hands. I have arthritis in my fingertips and wrists, so for me to assemble kits is next to impossible. Love the town with the roadway (it almost looked real) and Godzilla was a nice touch.
But what most impressed me is your skill at presenting in detail and your personality shines as though you really enjoyed it. Bravo’!