LA’s billboard culture is long-standing. In the 1950s, you had the iconic “Methyl” ads created by the Foster and Kleiser ad agency. Many of the sign creators went on to become artists in their own right. Billboards. Depending on personal tastes, opinions vary from “hate ‘em”, “tolerate ‘em”, “sorta of like ‘em”, to “love them!”. […]
Category: Prototype
Spur Ops. July 13
Matt Sturgell and Kelly Regan guide the local off the CSX main onto The Downtown Spur at the start of the op. session. It’s been far too long since I’ve had an op. session on The Downtown Spur. It should come as no surprise that getting off one’s fat ass and actually inviting people over […]
Arrow Reload Systems – An Ideal Subject for A Switching Layout
A telephoto shot facing southward (towards Fruitland Avenue) into the Arrow Reload complex in Vernon, CA. There are at least four customers in this shot, the hoppers on the left, the coil car, two gondolas, and a different hopper customer barely visible on the right behind the switchstand. There’s lots of action and car variety […]
The LA Trip
A gift from the heavens. Cloudy all day, the sun finally broke out during the golden hour just as this southbound transfer run from Hobart Yard appeared on the horizon. I’m standing on the south sidewalk of Pacific Blvd., facing north. Malabar Yard is directly behind me. The tank cars are from Exxon/Mobil about a […]
A Two Turnout Layout
LAJ Alco S-2 #1 basks in the sun awaiting its next assignment. 1964. ebay slide scan. Photographer unknown. It’s interesting how a little information, often innocuous on the surface, can totally change our perspective and make us realize that our layout offers opportunities we hadn’t considered before. Even better, this expanded view can be realized […]