Modular railroad in HO

[D8R]

For some years now, I have been building a big dozer. Before that I was active building a home layout based from pictures taken in Modesto CA some 20 years ago.
A friend has always tried to push me for starting all over again, last summer I finaly gave in and started this time to build some modules on same prototype. We are a group building our own parts but with a common interface, they can be connected to a bigger railroad.
Bellow you can see a couple of pics from those first 3 modules, Modesto 9th street, when TS/WP/UP still runned daily trains in middle of street. All houses are scratch built based on pictures taken on location.

9th street with TS train going north


Crossing 9th street and D street


There will eventually be 7 modules (friend building 3) plus my model of Tuolumne River Bridge and an extra module to the south.
/Dan

[thercfreak2012]

Can I see more pics I might start one

[buzzy16]

This is amazing, I used to have a HO set. Just a simple store bought one but always wanted to make my own layout but unfortunately I don't have the space for it.

[Stuff]

I used to have a good portable 4x8' ho rail road. 3 switches, town, over and under double loop with a bridge and a tunnel. ah those were the days...

[Espeefan]

Always something cool about street running! Maybe it's the fact that the locomotives are so massive, compared to the cars, or just the fact that the rail is all laid in asphalt and concrete. Either way, it's cool! I say you are off to a great start.

[heavy_duty]

Dude that layout is nice.Your modeling skills are awesome. Great eye for details. More pictures please.

Ed

[crisis time]

Awesome mate need more pictures PLEASE
A few friends and myself used to build modular HO/OO layouts for the Liverpool NSW long weekend show.
They were modelled around British steam all scratch built apart from the tracks
Still have some of my locos and rolling stock packed away

[D8R]

Here's some more pics, but notice that modules is NOT ready yet, still missing a lot of details (some buildings still without windows etc)

Ex Western Pacific GP35 rumble down 9th street with Stocton special


Heavy hauler on way with a new Volvo A40 dumper


Railfans taking the California Zephyr thru 9th street (never happend in real world)


Short after GP coming, passing Modesto Lumber and Smitty's


Same train but pics taken from street level


Next module, covering area around River Rd and concrete factory (scratch built from photo like all other buildings).


Saturday TUST (Turlock Stocton) passing River Rd and soon entering the mighty Tuolomne River bridge. Lot of traffic this day on River Rd! (as you see, no drivers yet in cars )


Will keep you updated on progress
/dan

[Espeefan]

Nice pictures and models! Where did you get the little Caterpillar telehandler at the cement plant from?

[D8R]

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Nice pictures and models! Where did you get the little Caterpillar telehandler at the cement plant from?

Don't have the box but think it was a Norscot model.

Thanks for the comments, it's nice to have something else to build when CAT is strugling.
Dan

[Stuff]

street running is really cool. too bad its a thing of the past now it seems. Regina, sk used to have tons of street and alley running in the industrial area but it's been all tore out mostly

[Espeefan]

Thanks for that info Dan. I might have to look up the 1/87 scale Norscot models. For a while I started collecting them all, but haven't purchased anymore in a few years. I am sure there are a lot I don't have now!

[Lmackattack]

I'm big in to HO trains. And old school street running is fun to model.. Looks like you did a great job on yours..I like the modular layouts as the detail work seams more focuse they have plenty of mainline and lots of switching but in my limited experince it was always hard to get everyone to set up more than a few times a year.

[D8R]

Yes, street running is something special, both in real and model!
Was not happy with how Modesto Weld Co building looked like so built new ones (google street view is fantastic).

Still lacking signs and details. About signs, did make them in computer and tested first time to print in laserprinter, result will proably do.
Will come back with more pics when we have some more modules connected.
As you mentioned, not so many times that layout is built with those modules but for me (and some others) it is not possible to have my own layout anymore (room is occupied with workshop tools nowdays).
Dan