Gn15 La Brea tarpits tramway

Hello,
I am currently working on a micro layout which is a bit of whimsy. It started out as a Gnatterbox 2015 challenge layout. The challenge was to build an entire layout in 19" x 15".
Unfortunately my glacial progress, coupled with the fact that while the layout can be run as a complete layout in 19" x 15", I have added a short track "out the back" to improve operating possibilities...I have effectively disqualified myself. However, I am determined to finish the layout.
The back story is that the La Brea Tarpits fossil dig was really getting going in 1915. Work in the pits was tedious enough without having to manhandle mammoth bones and dispose of tarry waste. One of the University of California was nuts about trains, and the tarpits tramway was born to feed his obsession.
I attach some photos of the layout in its early stages. There is now a back scene (a colorized image of the oilfields behind La Brea in the early 20th century, thanks to my son Jon) and I am about to begin serious work on the scenery.Motive power is a scratchbuilt freelance battery locomotive made from Sidelines sideframes and styrene. I wanted it to reflect the design of some of the earliest battery locos. It runs on a Bachmann HO trolley mechanism.
More photos will follow as I progress,cheersGeoff Potter

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/26285988285/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/26219673351/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/26013063160/in/dateposted-public/


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Some updated photos of the Gn15 microlayout.
cheers
Geoff

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/28637322662/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/28742547885/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/28637302022/in/dateposted-public/

 

Hello folks,
some links to updated photos of La Brea. I have added static grass, started detailing etc.
Enjoy
https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/28502300513/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/29015771412/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/29015777452/in/dateposted-public/

 

Ian,thanks for the encouragement I have progressed a bit further, with a plywood fascia being attached. On the suggestion of one of the Gnatterboxers, I will try a faux-leather effect on the plywood for something different.
I may yet build a top Marquee with the layout name, scale and LED lighting to finish it all off.Then all I need to do is extensively detail the layout, build rooster couplings for the rolling stock, and the layout is pretty much done.regardsGeoffhttp://www.click

 

SRman wrote:

Thank you very much SRman,
yes, I would definitely count Adrian Hoad among my inspirations. It was a great loss to the hobby when he died back in 2014.His wonderful whimsical layouts were so well done and hugely imaginative. I greatly enjoyed Adrian's layouts, and recently purchased some Smallbrook Gn15 Emett kits to build my own version of Far Twittering & Oysterbeach Railway. If I can convey just a fraction of the imagination and humour that Adrian displayed in his layouts, I will have done OK.cheersGeoff

 

Further progress...

With the La Brea Tramway layout I have gone highly experimental and decoupagey with the decoration of my plywood fascia! I figure if it doesn't work out I can easily go over it. Copied 1915 magazine advertisements from Photoplay magazine are looking OK, in keeping with the whimsy of an entire layout in an incredibly small space. I downloaded a few copies of photoplay, an old movie magazine, selecting (mostly) small ads reflecting hare-brained money-making schemes typical of the time. The newspaper ads look a bit stark... this will be aged with coats of light brown varnish. It won't be to everyone's taste, but fingers crossed!!!
See the pics on Flickr at:
https://www.flickr.c...157675271341226
cheers
Geoffhttp://www.click

 

After much reflection I have decided to keep the decoupage for other projects.
Sitting and studying the layout for a while, it seemed that the ads (as suggested to me by a few modellers) were indeed swamping the layout visually, and with such a tiny layout this was not a good thing.
So the decoupage has come off, and a simple painted monotone finish will be applied.
This was good to try, and I think it may have possibilities, but I am sure I have made the right call,
cheersGeoff

 

La Brea Tar Pits tramway is nearing completion. I attach a photo for your viewing pleasure.
More photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/66383491@N06/with/30631103330/
cheersGeoff

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