Trackside Scenery

11/02/2024

VLOG update.
Hope everyone is doing well. Shout out to Sean Williams and Kevin Spady.

Hello all! This is just a quickly thrown together video to get us caught up with each other. New layout plans are in the making, but in the mean time.....

08/12/2023

What started with a customer sketch turned into a complete custom backdrop system. This is the layout of Jason Gomez and he is modeling a proto-lanced round the room HO scale shelf layout. Modeled sometime in the mid 80s in middle Pennsylvania running on the Pennsylvania Keystone Corridor.

Jason definitely seems to have a knack at this, but says this is the first time he has built something like this. The basis is a combination of our Fall Valley Series and Fall Mountain Series. We created custom versions of these to accommodate his grade and right of way.

Excellent work Jason.
Thanks for sending in the progress photos for everyone to see.

14/11/2023

Building the Spruce Coal & Timber Layout. The Story.

In this video I tell the story of how I built the Spruce Coal & Timber Layout.The layout is now gone but not forgotten.Please be sure to help our hobby grow ...

03/11/2023

Just quick video while I am thinking up ideas for a new layout. Always nice to look back and see what you like and don't like. Either way - always learning from the experience.

In this video I'm reminiscing and gathering some inspiration for a new layout.Looking through old photos and footage of my dioramas.Please be sure to help ou...

14/10/2023

New adventures!
Some of you already know from seeing posts on my personal page, but adventure awaits.

On to a new adventure. Just checking in and letting you know my plans for the near future.My personal YouTube channel is / imjoeyricard Please be sure to...

13/09/2023

Modeling season is in full swing!
I want to share some photos that Steve Phetterplace sent to us after completing this portion of his fantastic super detailed layout. It's a switching 3R/2R HYBRID spare room layout with loop serving 22 industrial spots.

Steve uses some of our Blue Sky Valley Series backdrops and what a fantastic job he did incorporating the scenes into his physical scenery.

Steve also added:
"So, I did a few modifications to the print. Added a hanging coke sign, Added a distant “x ing on the power pole. Added a Name banner. Had to (paint a few green leaves over it) Re-worked the corner between the down spout and green door. Placed weeds and Easter Hobby Lobby grass in front of the print. Added rust powder to the tank. Painted and covered over parts of the road close to the tracks. Last, I added an O scale realistic tree in the left corner."

Thanks Steve for sharing your inspirational layout with us. I know everyone will appreciate it.

Joey Ricard

02/09/2023

It's been awhile since I posted on this page or our Youtube channel for that matter.

It's for good reason. We've been super busy with backdrops and helix kits this summer as well as our other businesses. But more importantly, we finally moved into our new home. With our new home comes lots of work getting settled, but also there is plenty of space in a large room dedicated to you know what..... a dedicated model railroad room.

This will make Doreen happy with me being able to just go downstairs and not stay at the shop to build a layout.

Once I get started, I'll share on here and our Trackside Scenery Youtube channel.

As you can see, I started bringing in the train stuff.

15/02/2023

Mid grade trees

HOWT0 make Budget Mid-Grade TreesYes, Mid-grade. Not the best for up front, but fill in the middle.My personal YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/imjoeyricar...

24/01/2023

On to the rocks

Working on the Shelf Layout. started working on the rocks around the mountain areaMy personal YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/imjoeyricardPlease be s...

14/01/2023

Moving along

Working on the Shelf Layout. am working on a photo based structure and adding in a new industry trackGreat Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, MDGSMTS i...

07/01/2023

I started some scenery.

Working on the Shelf Layout. I start scenery. Weathering the track on the extension, ballastand basic ground cover to get it started.My personal YouTube chan...

24/12/2022

Last layout update of the year. Time to start some scenery. After break, I'll be back full steam.

I am surprised that I got so much done in the last few weeks. Now it's time for a Holiday break and then back at it full steam.I finished roughing in the lef...

20/12/2022

I started on an enclosure building for the budget rotary dumper. Texture prints to get it started. Once I get further along, I can detail and such. For now, it works. Video coming soon

16/12/2022

Latest video. Layout update. I think this is #15 for the shelf layout.

Backdrops up, Scenery time!

LAYOUT Update 15 - Backdrops are up time to start SCENERY!Finally, I have some of the real backdrops in place and it's time to start my favorite facet of the...

27/11/2022

Moving along...

Working on the Shelf Layout. Building terrain for the river scene. Planning placement of the abutments, bridge deck and shoes. A cab ride over the bridge.My ...

22/11/2022

https://youtu.be/p5H9HVBSb4I

Working on the Shelf Layout. Paper Mache or however you spell it. Working on the convertible mountain and the budget transfer tableMy personal YouTube channe...

19/11/2022

Well, I know I jump around from project to project, but it all comes together.

Working on the Shelf Layout. I'm getting ready for scenery, but I took a detour into creating a switch stand that has been in my head and I had to let it out...

17/11/2022

Transfer table - maybe?

Working on the Shelf Layout. Transfer table? Maybe. On the left hand side of the layout is a proposed mine scene, but we need to be able to run around cars ...

11/11/2022

The hills are alive!

Working on the Shelf Layout. I added backdrop panels, laid some track, and started the hills terrainMy personal YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/imjoeyrica...

05/11/2022

Get em' rolling, keep em' rolling

Lots of work ahead, but wow, I couldn't resist running a couple of trains after I installed some turnouts.

03/11/2022

I'm trying to allow a little time every couple of days to keep rolling.

In this video I start working on the river area.O Scale Shelf LayoutMy personal YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/imjoeyricardPlease be sure to help our hob...

02/11/2022

Latest video, moving forward.

I am rolling along and this week I created a track diagram that I can apply to the shelf layout to help visualize. My personal YouTube channel is www.youtube...

17/10/2022

Latest video on our channel. Getting started with a new proper shelf layout.

Well, actual shelves for a proper shelf layout. Keep it simple and I might actually be able to get something done, Shelves are up with a temporary backdrop t...

25/08/2022

Sharing more images from one of our customers - Ed Ransom
This is N Scale and Ed has worked his scenery magic to create ultimate realism. He has blended the scenery perfectly to the backdrop. Ed uses a combination of backdrops from our Valley Flats Series. Great work. Thanks for sharing your pictures Ed!

23/08/2022

A new video - Railroad collectable junk and the story of "the wreck".

In this video I show you some of my collectables and junk. I'lltell you a story about the biggest WRECK I had been involved in.My personal YouTube channel is...

22/07/2022

It's always a pleasure seeing our backdrops in action along with great physical layout scenery.

This layout is Dave Thurber's HO Scale Crooked River and Eastern
using our Fall Valley Series backdrops. Great work Dave and thanks for sending in the photos!

Modeling and photos by Dave Thurber

20/07/2022

July update video.

In this video, among other summer fun activities, I started laying some track.

20/07/2022

A couple of shots from this fantastic layout built by Chris Schmuck.
This is HO Scale narrow gauge (HOn30) and it shows just how much realism you can pack into a small space (12" x 24"). He's using a couple of our backdrops that we're scaled down slightly to fit in his working space. Modeling and Photos by Chris Schmuck.

18/07/2022

It's been awhile since I have updated this page, but we've been busy here in the shop! Great to see that so many people building layouts and it hasn't slowed down. Our Hobby of model railroading is alive and well.

I've been working a bit on the new layout and have posted a couple of videos on our YouTube channel.

Every couple of years we take in one of our favorite train rides which is on the Tygart Flyer in our home state of WV. It's operated D&GV railroad on the former WM out of Elkins, WV.

18/02/2022

Random thoughts and layout progress.

In this video, random thoughts and lots of coffee move me forward with layout progressThis is a VLOG and layout update video.Turnout controls are in place an...