Larry’s scratch built scenery

My word. What a clever lot you are. Look what Larry has sent in after Rob’ post.

“Here’s an idea I had for a scratch-built building, based on a real one next to by house.

While I have not decided on a permanent location for it on my Abingdon & Crane nor properly landscaped it, here it is.

This block garage was built in 1951. I photographed 3 sides of it, one side being too close to the house for an effective picture.

The other side, reversed makes up the missing east side.

A little photo manipulation of perspective and scale, gluing the cardstock to sheet plastic and cementing it together makes a great old garage for the town!

Larry”

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A huge thanks to Larry. I love seeing where you all get your inspiration from – and how attack the build! Larry’s last post is here.

Please please do keep ’em coming.

Thanks for all your comments on the Beginner’s Guide and ebay cheat sheet too – makes it all worthwhile.

That’s all this time.

Best

Al



38 Responses to Larry’s scratch built scenery

  1. Richard Sommery-Gade says:

    The first ones with the grass are amazing. So realistic, much preferred over the town setup. Great work.

  2. Don says:

    What a great idea! Thanks for showing us.

  3. Joe Cross says:

    Very nicely done and it ties in nicely with your other scenery.

  4. d j howarth says:

    Well done larry …very realistic …Dave

  5. Jerry Suits says:

    Great job of constructing a scratcbuilt garage! Is it O scale? Jerry

  6. Jim Richards says:

    Looks great…. just like the real deal… fantastic.

  7. Mike Pettruzzelli says:

    Nothing but memories for me, Larry…One almost identical to it where I grew up…Thank’s….Mike

  8. Tim Morlok says:

    About the first comment : The first three pictures are of the original building. They were use to make the model.

  9. Charles says:

    Very nice

  10. Jack Eyster says:

    What a great ideal for making an easy scratch built garage. One could possibly go a step further, and by using some thick card stock, say 1/8th to 3/16th inch thick, cut out the doors and windows, and have them recessed a little, so there is a bit of depth when looking at an angle. Just a little paint to match the frame.

  11. HARRY LEET says:

    OOPS, a scale pencil and ruler. very nice model, if you change your mind, I can find a place on my RR, keep up the great work

  12. Paul says:

    Good idea for small simple building. Could be about any where or era on a railroad.

    I would like some tips on green on the model. Captured the look of the orgibal

  13. Ben Taul says:

    that is beyond cool it looks like a garage we had in Brighton Co. USA

  14. ttroutflier says:

    Great looking garage, the spit of one in town.

  15. paul Otway says:

    a pretty neat set up

  16. I think there must be one of those garages in every town and city in the world
    and I know of one in the town I grew up in too , only difference between them is
    the one I remember had a storage area built on the top and it was used for car parts that they used in the car repair on the first floor !
    George

  17. Ken Goldenberg says:

    WOW! Looks exactly like the real one. Great craftsmanship.

  18. Ian Mc Donald says:

    a nice job. it would go on any layout thanks for sharing.

  19. NJ Mark says:

    Love the fusion of artistic creativity and technology. Cheers NJ Mark

  20. Bob Miller says:

    How come these ideas are so obvious after you see them? I just might do most of my main street here in my home town instead of using my current buildings.
    Bob Miller

  21. Rick says:

    Are those first few pictures real or are they the model? They great looking models! What did you go by? Like did you use a program or was it all by yourself thinking?

  22. Rick says:

    They are great looking models! What did you go by? Like did you use a program or was it all by yourself thinking?

  23. Rols says:

    What impresses me is by using a ‘simple’ building Larry has achieved a very effective finish to the model.

  24. Richard Sappelli says:

    You have done a great job of making that real garage fit into your layout. It looks perfect sitting on the street and blends in well with its surroundings.

    Way to go.
    That is what “kit-bashing” is all about.

    Keep us posted to what other creative projects you do.

  25. Larry Kettles says:

    Where I grew up in South Bend Indiana there were a number of buildings like this. They were used as garages, plumbing shops, machine shops and whatever. Great job on the building and jogging my memory

  26. Dan Hulitt says:

    Wonderful job Larry. But I would put the ’56 Lincoln Continental in the garage. The SRP in ’56 was 10k.
    Whimsy aside, a very nice job, indeed.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Mn Dan

  27. Robert Brady says:

    The first 3 pictures are true to life We established that much . The next 4 photos are of your scratch building abilities . EXCELENT JOB, I’ll buy that…
    The Critic

  28. Lester W larrew says:

    I remember a similar one in the town where I was born and raised. Now I think I’ll scratch build one for my layout. How wide and tall are the doors?

  29. Peter Gladman says:

    Brilliant idea, so much more realistic.This website never fails to produce excellence.

  30. Mark T. Pianka says:

    Great job Larry, came out really nice!

  31. Jim K. says:

    That Continental Mark II next to the garage sets off the scene The building is typical of the one’s you see(cinder block construction) in many small towns in the US. Even some of the older parts of big cities when many gas stations and repair shops were street side instead of set back on the lot. There’s still a few left in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. What’s your plan for the lot behind the building? Myself, I would put a few junked cars, old tires, and junk behind it to give it the look of an old repair shop that’s been there for decades.

  32. Jim Robinson says:

    Great work! I’m anxious to see where you finally decide to put it!

  33. Anton Bruce says:

    Wow, Larry…you have SKILLS!!!! As one with very little artistic skills, I bow with respect to your craftsmanship!

  34. Will in NM says:

    Very clever Larry. I think Lance Mindheim used a similar method to create his realistic-looking Miami warehouse structures. It’s a great time-saver if you have access to the original structure to take all the photos you need.

  35. Erick says:

    Looks amazing. Keep up the good work.

  36. Brian Olson says:

    I’m always taking pictures when out and about, so many at the very least finding a place as backdrops on my layout. They look real because they are real.

  37. John Bullock says:

    Looks just like the photos!

  38. Mr Ron from South Mississippi says:

    It’s the scenery that makes a model railroad come to life. Without it, a railroad would only be an “around the Christmas tree” toy.

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