I was extremely impressed when I saw the pictures of Rod Stewart’s layout in Model Railroader magazine. I certainly saw a lot of the influences of George Sellios in many of the pictures - and having seen George’s Franklin and South Manchester railroad empire in person and being totally blown away by the level of detail and character, I was most impressed to see another layout that reflected that same amazing style.
My question is: Does anyone know or recognize which structures were used to kitbash the large grand central union station on Rod Stewart’s layout? I’ve been trying to figure this out, yet can’t seem to quite pinpoint what structures may have been used.
You assume these are “kits” they may be scratchbuilt. There really are people out there that build things from basic materials. Rod is assumed to be a very talented modeller.
There is absolutely no doubt that he is an extremely talented modeller with incredible artistic skills. The reason I asked the question is that I am impressed at the structure itself and wanted to know if other modellers out there might know or be able to identify what some of the components of the station might be from (re: diffferent kits). The roof section looks like it might be from a Faller kit, however I can’t be too certain on that.
I agree with you though that there are people out there that have an eye for modelling, and can build some absolutely stunning things with the most basic of materials. And as you mentioned, Rod certainly falls into that category!
I would try contacing him through his fan club channels. Asking quesions about model railroading would probably be one of the letters he would answer since it isn’t about his singing career.
The article about Rod Stewarts layout indicated he combined several Bachmann high rise kits (no longer available) to make a single skyscraper. My guess is the station is also a kitbash. Its hard to tell for sure without a closeup but the wings of the station look like several Walthers Union Station kits were combined to create the long wings. The wings on the Walthers kit are only three windows wide. The central hall looks like it came from another kit but I can’t say which one.
667CDP - Let me start off by saying that, to the contrary of your comment, there really is little similarity between Sellios FSM and Rod’s layout. Rod’s is an urban scene done in a highly realistic style, while George’s FSM layout’s cities are done strictly in the caricature style. Likewise, don’t confuse simply employing Bar Mills and FOS wooden structure kits with the sort of modeling George does. They are really quite different.
Rod’s Grand Central Station is obviously a massive kitbash and considering that we have no way of knowing just when he built it, it’s difficult to identify all the component kits. Manufacturers’ offerings often vary from year to year, so some serious researching would be necessary to ID all the parts. However, I do believe that I recognize several of the elements.
The wings of the station building look to be two or three Walthers Baily Savings & Loan walls, topped off with somebody’s (Rix’s?) concrete fencing. The station’s central entrance is undoubtedly Vollmer’s Casino Loyale (sic). The tower above this entrance is from another European kit I’ve seen. The arched, glass-roofed, structure over the center of the station’s rear could well be a Kibre (or someone elses) train shed. The additional upper-storied addition over the left wing of the station appears to be from another, older, European kit, topped off with a domed roof, again apparently an older European kit that I recall.
Keep in mind if it is a kitbash, it may not be from American kits!! It could be based on a European HO or even British OO kit that Rod picked up back in the old country, or a combination of British and American kits.
In reference to CNJ’s comments, as I think about the two layouts, I do see your point in the difference between Rod’s layout and the FSM railroad. I simply recall reading in the article that Rod had been inspired by the works of modellers like George Sellios and Earl Smallshaw.
I do agree that Rod’s layout is a much more densely packed urban layout with a more realistic and more modern feel to it. However, there are some similarities between the two layouts (ie: the large buildings, colours, etc.). All in all, they both have created an amazing layout in their own rights, and both have been blessed with some incredible talent.
Thanks for the advice on the ‘grand central’ station.
