When I first planned Sweethome I decided to make the buildings suit any period from the 1930s to the 1980s and beyond.
I’ve slowly been collecting rolling stock and road vehicles that would suit a 1930s-era period layout, and decided to try out a step back in time from the 1950s to the 1930s.
Here are the first photos. I’m not sure about any anomalies yet - feel free to point them out.
Yes I know the road sign’s bust - truck reversed into it[:D]
Jon
A few more
Before
After
Jon
Outstanding! It looks like the whole thing was designed for that era from the beginning. Mostly Jordan vehicles, I take it?
Did you change out any of your figures? They look like Depression-era types, mostly.
Outstanding!! The only thing I can see that I’m not sure about. Did GE have 1 million refrigerators in service in the 30’s?(like the sign says) I asked my mom who was born in 37 and she said they weren’t common till the mid 40’s or so.(but that’s gettin pretty picky)
First, the scenery looks fabulous, especially since you’re in the UK trying to reproduce an American city. The amount of traffic and general grime looks just about right for the 1930’s. Your photo technique is also way better than mine - I’m still trying to get some good enough photos to post here. The only thing I suggest changing is the street signs. Black on yellow signs didn’t show up until the 1960’s. Street signs in the 1930’s were generally black lettering on white in the eastern US and white leters on black background in the western US. They also used to have cat eye reflectors in the lettering or symbol if you want a modelling challenge. It also looks like a perfect scene for a streetcar line if you want to tear up the road someday. [:)]
A mixture of Jordan, Mini metals, and Busch. Not sure on the make of the big truck, but a German manufacturer.
Jon
I’ll look into that right away. I think I have a sheet somewhere
Jon
It is obvious that you do your scenery homework. The links to your blog and pictures shows some nice work on dirt roads and especially the grass - perhaps faux fur?
Just a thought - if you have a track coming out from under a tunnel portal, city building, or bridge - George Selios in his Franklin & South Manchester often shows blackened soot stains because the 1930s was the age of steam.
Well, here’s some more info:
Best of luck finding a 1935 MUTCD on line (or the even earlier AASHO "Manual on Street Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings")
Good grief! Outstanding!
That bus under the bridge did it for me.
Looks good to me, Jon. Nice work!.
Wayne
The truth is that most US cities didnt change much between the 1930’s and the 1950’s.
Between the Depression and WW2 new construction was almost at a standstill, the only real noticable changes where in signage, automobiles and clothing. All of which look like you’ve done a great job of backdating.
Jon, the pics look great!
Some of your street signs may be alright. Those black and white signs may be leftovers from an earlier era, or some that were black and white still. Many of the newer signs were yellow with black lettering by then though. Even the stop signs were yellow and black. I still remember one of those yellow ones from when I was young.
This link may help (I model Maine in the late 20’s and early 30’s)
A few things from Sweethome Chicago in the 30’s. A cop waliking a beat with a billy club and Al Capone! Throw in some gangsters or a crime scene where Dillinger may have shot up a ca. Add some police phone boxes on one corner and fire telegraph boxes on another.
I didnt know you were in the UK Jon but my goodness what a great modeling job! I love Chicago and its architecture and you hit it dead on.
I was thinking on doing something in the 1900 scope and was discouraged. I see you were not and you went in full steam and look at the job! Inspiration comes from others somedays!
Thanks for all the encouragement and information, chaps. There’s a lot to be going on with, especially with the road signs.
Firstly, a ‘D’oh!’.
I’ve just realised that I forgot to turn the layout lights on when I shot the photos last night.Not entirely sure how that happened.
Secondly, the change of era is in no way permanent. I’ll explain my cunning plan.
The layout is fully portable and has several invites to exhibitions in England over the next couple of years. Since these shows are normally 2-day events, I intend to show the 1930s layout on the Saturday and then the 50s layout on the Sunday.
Being a lazy so-and-so, I don’t want to be messing about changing more than I have to, to transform the layout from one period to the next, especially if I might also be nursing a small hangover too.
So I want to keep the changes to vehicles and stock, with maybe a few signs covered up - nothing too complicated.
Anyway, here are a few more photos
NB - Route Rock - you may spot a policeman in there somewhere - No gangsters yet but there is a black Horch in the early photos (Bullet Proof Bomb minus the ‘7’)
Jon
I’m no expert on trucks, but in my opinion, the one in your second photo, with the tandem rear axles, looks a bit too big and too modern for the '30s
Wayne
You may well be right Wayne.
The model is of continental origin - possibly Heki - but there is nothing on the actual model to confirm this. I picked it up second hand, unboxed.
There were some pretty long trucks used prior to the second world war in Germany and pneumatic tyres were common in the 30s, so it may be authentic for the period - the cab certainly looks primitive enough.
Jon
Four out of 9 vehicles are Jordan
I tried to buy generic figures in either hats, overcoats and suits, for the pedestrians.
Looking at old films, everyone seems to be wearing a hat and tie (They also seem to be drinking hard liquor at 10am - it’s a wonder how anything got done)
Jon
Knew I’d done something like that somewhere
Jon[:)]
Egads Jon, did you live here in the good ole USA in the thirties, or what?. I am modeling the NHRR in the 1936 to 1956 era and I can’t find the research to do what you have accomplished. And, I lived there in that time period. Your work is absolutely fabulous.
I have often said on this, and other forums, the hard part is the research and living over 2,000 miles and 60 years away makes it all the harder. I traveled back east in 1984, but alas, most of the lineside industries are long gone from New England. I just to have to rely on my memories and imagination.
My sombrero is off to you!