I drive over this CSX grade crossing every day, and I just recently noticed how the area contains many elements that make it a perfect candidate for being modeled, aside from the crossing gates and signal bridge.
The venerable Woodstock Inn looks like it could have started out as one of George Sellio’s FSM kits. And about once every month, an auto show is held in their parking lot, featuring hot rods and many of the muscle cars that were popular in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Also, one of the tracks is a passing siding, so trains are often parked right at the crossing. [Yes they’re the ones that appear in my signature photo.] Train crews often get meals [never booze![:O]] from the Inn while they are waiting.
Across the street is the parking lot where they frequently have motorcycle- and auto shows. Notice the hitching post which is still used even to this day! A billboard announces a show that will be (actually already was) held on June 19th. http://www.railimages.com/albums/kenlarsen/aca.jpg
A close-up view of the signal bridge over the CSX (former B&O) Old Main Line[they tore out the original B&O ‘position light’ signal in late 2004.[:(]]. Notice how the tracks disappear to the left behind the backdrop… http://www.railimages.com/albums/kenlarsen/acb.jpg
A view of the Northern end from the rear – note the extreme slope from front to back. Trees prevented me from shooting any detailed images of the rear. http://www.railimages.com/albums/kenlarsen/acc.jpg
That is awful arrogant!![:D]. Seriously, though, it sounds like a great excuse to get some vintage autos on a modern era layout. Vintage cars and trains in the same place; you got it made man!!
Next time you grab some structure shots make yourself a measuring stick - paint a 2 x 4 x 8’ (or 10’ if you can trasport it) piece of lumber with black and white (or other contrasting combo) twelve inch wide stripes. Lean it up against the building when you take the picture. Now you have a calibrated reference for taking off your dimentsions.
That is a nice little spot. A lot of people that are into the hobby are always looking for ideas to model after on their layouts when in fact they’re right under their noses if they’d just take the time to get out and look around a little…
Cool building - the Holy Grail is in your back yard. The quandry is do you backdate the building and have the 50’s cars as current vehicles with vintage locos, or model it as is with vintage cars and modern trains? Either way its a good find. J.R.
I’ve already redesigned my track plan to accommodate it. Now the question is, where could I possibly find the laser-cut wood sections needed to make a believable replica of the Woodstock Inn?
I like it Ken and I’m glad that it wasn’t you that we are modelling.[:D][swg] actually with some decent measurements and a bag full of grandt line windows and doors it’s certainly scratchable.Our right FSM and send some shots who knows George may think that it would make a nice kit. Rob
That would scratch build easier than trying to get the laser cuts right. It would take a while, but would be striking. I hope somebody is working on it.
