A view of the LAJ layout room. The new extension module is on the far right. I didn’t realize until after the fact how much of a role ergonomics plays in my enjoyment of the railroad. Having an open, cleanly finished presentation on the main floor of the house is very inviting and contributes to […]
Category: Los Angeles Junction Railway
LAJ Update. March 24
Since the last update, I’ve been working on the final details on the far left side of the extension model. Above, we have a scratch-built tree placed to slightly screen the view where the primary roadway meets the “T” intersection. I also scratch-built a crossbuck using Tichy parts, stripwood for the post, and NBW castings. […]
Vacant Lots
Vacant lot on the extension model of my LAJ layout. The key to realistic composition is to model the typical, the ordinary, what the eye subconsciously expects to see. In our world, a common element is the mundane vacant lot. Personally, I find these trickier to pull off than you’d think. A typical open lot […]
Federal Cold Storage
Federal Cold Storage gets switched out on my LAJ layout. In the foreground is my newly acquired Rapido MTC (Mechanical Temperature Controlled) reefer. Located at the intersection of Downey Rd. and District Blvd., the prototype was imposing to be sure. Although it did receive rail service, from listening to former LAJ workers, I get the […]
W.S. Dodge
My latest project of late has been the W.S. Dodge structure on the LAJ extension (prototype address is 3710 Fruitland Avenue). I chose this particular structure because of its nondescript appearance and typical “LA look”. Construction followed my usual photo laminate technique over a styrene core. The base images were captured from Google Streetview. It […]