Thursday, July 02, 2009

Fred's Model Railroad


I am so excited for my husband, Fred. He has started the coolest hobby ever! He is building a model train and landscape from scratch!

It is so fun to watch him create not only the railway, but the scenery too! It involves engineering, math and my favorite... painting and gluing.

Here is the train set up on the very first day before he created the 4 x 8 foot platform he is building on now. I was so excited for him that I made this little video of the first run around the track.


Fred's train - Day 1 - March 2009




After lots of thinking, cutting and building, the track is now in its figure 8 configuration with bridges, tunnels and mountains!
The making of a mountain!


The model train world is fascinating. They have absolutely everything you can think of all made to scale to fit inside of your scenery. You can buy things already built or make them yourself.
Fred just got a kit to make a waterfall into the side of his mountain! I will show you that as soon as it is done.

He has come a long way in the last few weeks. Look at the tunnel he made. I love the realism he is achieving with grass and rocks on the tracks!
Tomorrow, I will show you the construction of this tunnel and the trees he just made!

24 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, that is going to be so awesome when it is done, but maybe it will never really be done, always something new to add. So your family has another talented craftsman.

Stubby said...

Melissa - Fred is so talented just like you! I love trains and could watch them all day long. I can't wait to see more pictures of everything as it progresses.

Stubby xoxo

Manon said...

That will be pretty impressive! Can't wait to see how Fred progresses!

Ritobear said...

That is so awesome! Fred is talented. I love the pug touches throughout the room. Will there be a pug caboose?

sherry carrigan said...

Oh my Gosh. This is stunning and looks like so much fun. I want to come play, too.

Mia said...

Such a talented family!! Can't wait to see the finished masterpiece!

Kelly said...

WOW! Fred is a talented guy Melissa! You two make a pretty creative pair! Tell him it's coming along GREAT!

Ruth Welter said...

Melissa, this is wonderful for Fred, boy will he be having fun with this project. Let us know how it progressing. I'll look forward to more photos in the future. I think this will be spectacular when it is all done.

Ruth

Nevis said...

Wow, so amazing! I've always seen things like this and always been fascinated by this! Fred is SUPER talented...just like you!

Linda O'Neill said...

Go Fred! Since I've seen this in person...I know just how amazing it is. You've done a wonderful job so far, Mr. Langer.;)

Show the trees...show the trees!!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

He'll have to khome to York!

In the Spring and Fall there are shows fur the members of the model train association...evfurry now and then Neil Young is even spotted!

Khongrats and keep up the khool work!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

The Devil Dog said...

That is so cool! And so much fun. We love watching the progression and can't wait to see how the waterfall was built.

Roxy & Lucky

GAIL said...

Oh my, Emmitt has two talanted parents! That is so cool. I can't wait to see more.

marianne said...

Wow this railroad is coming along fine!
So nice he makes these mountains etc himself!
I have a friend who loves this too and he had a train running through the living room!

Have a nice weekend!!!

Molly the Airedale said...

Dad and mom's friend, Pete, is into model trains BIGTIME! He goes to shows and everything! It looks like Fred is hooked pretty bad already! hehehe

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Melissa and Fred,
Is that HO gage? How wonderful is that for a hobby?
Mom has lots and lots of tracks and engines and box cars and caboose, and train station and depots- cause her dad a was Railroad man and it was his hobbie, when he was living.
He had a 4x8 too.
Moms dream was to do that- but no time and no space. Looks like Fred has a nice big room. What a nice looking tunnel- and the bridge wow.
It something fun to get carried away with! Fred is doing such a great job, can't wait to see more of what his imagination can do!
Way to go Fred!
love
tweedles

Unknown said...

OMD - is Fred a civil engineer like Jeremy, by any chance? Because this looks like something Jeremy would do....
Fred has done amazing stuff with this - I can't wait to see more pictures (but I can't show Jeremy or he'll want to turn our dining room into a model train room...)

Hank said...

Wow, Melissa, honey! That's real cool! Keep us posted!

Anonymous said...

What a neat idea!! I cannot wait to see it all finished!

flanger said...

Wow - thanks for all the nice comments and enthusiasm! Yes - it is HO (1/87th real life). We are lucky to have a big open basement. Not Civil, but Industrial Engineer degree, so same tinkerer mentality I suppose. Get to play with tools, wiring, motors, plaster, mechanics, modeling, and paint. I'm lucky to have a dedicated photographer backing me up :).

Tara's Art Camp said...

This can be very addictive, I love trains. I have a few myself. An old antique one and some brass ones. I just liked the trains I never got into all the building stuff. I always thought my son would take it up but he was never interested.

In Germany or maybe Switzerland many people have train neighborhoods in their backyards, really fun to see, but it was a long time ago.

Unknown said...

How cool to have a creative hubby who's good with his hands. What a great team you are.

Anonymous said...

Wow, looks great, and it is cool that you are supporting him with his hobby and working on it together.

I am building a new layout also, and can see the exact stages he has gone through, I am going through!

My sweetie has been helping me with the building of buildings and painting too.

It is such a fun journey. Thanks for sharing.

Stop by sometime at www.paultrain.blogspot.com

Mark Decker said...

Cool layout...I'm building the same. Keep up the great work and post more images.