Layout Overview - Violet Alley - A brand new Modern HO shelf switching model railroad layout

[@jcure]

Very cool, as an SP modeler I always found Violet alley had an interesting draw. Back in the day it was huge task to switch. I even went so far as to draw up some track plans, to model it in SP days myself. Looks great and good luck with the project. PS the depressed area for trailer loading is called a (trailer) well. (used to run a warehouse and unload dry vans.)

[@VSLAModelRR]

Wow, I would love to see those track plans! It seems like it would make a cool (or many cool) switching layouts. I have the SPIN pages of that section and it has so many industries listed. Thanks for the info, trailer well or well makes sense.

[@jcure]

@@VSLAModelRR yea I have the SPINs pages somewhere too. I think* the SPHTS had an article on it that was better than the SPINS. Don't know where it or the track plans are (I looked for a bit) If I remember right, the plan was for a T shaped layout with J yard sticking out as a stub to work from. Next to J was the Santa Fe Team tracks and I think* a freighthouse (Same as the Walthers kit). I wanted to be able to swap cars between the two roads there. Violet alley would cross both lines and run along the back wall as a cross of T. So you would have to switch both directions. Obviously someone with more room could venture to an E or F shaped layout. But I was trying to keep it simple and focused on having to pull all the cars from the Alley and replace them all in good order; properly spotted. If I find any of that stuff I'll add a note. Have fun, thanks for the note. PS did you ever look at the old S E Rykoff complex north of there, now Dock Street? The The 3 buildings had multiple tracks between them to bring in all kinds of goods for the restaurant business. Just above what used to be the produce teminal. All were real interesting. There was an S E Rykoff car stored down there for years.

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@jcure Thanks for the info, I didn't even know about the SPHTS, I am trying to see if I can find anything on there, I assume you mean the SP Trainline magazine?

[@jcure]

@@VSLAModelRR I thought I'd replied to this, but I don't see it. Yes in the Trainline, I think* within the last 2 to 3 years. I am not real organized and have some health issues, so am not of big help. Sorry. Also I assume you are aware of the site with all the Violet Alley photos? I found it with a quick search. Was hoping the Trainline issue would show with a google search. cheers, Enjoying the modeling. I do some of that tedious weathering and graffiti myself. It's part of the scene.

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@jcure No problem, thanks, I will take a look. I think I have seen the site with the old photos but I will also look for that. Thanks again!

[@Justfor1day]

Great modeling ...layout and MUSIC...info on that song appreciated...great tune to listen to when working the layout.

[@VSLAModelRR]

That song is just from the KZbin music library, you should see the info in the video description. Thanks!

[@thomream1888]

One of the best things about the internet is seeing how other modelers do things. I'm officially full of envy! What a nice job you've done, and I look forward to future updates.

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi3409]

Looking awesome my freind it's so cool I am working my trains and seeing my girl a lot and driving a lot she loves my hobby

[@XxXGhostXxX417]

The less tagging on the two buildings is a great idea.

[@CSX_Bennett_Subdivision]

Wow, that overpass is exceptional!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@TolgaEastCoast]

Awesome!! I saw a video of the prototype recently and knew this was a scene that just had to be modeled.

[@daveh6177]

Your modeling skills and weathering are awesome. Have you considered making a video about how you weather your rolling stock? They’re fantastic. Also a video about how you weathered 1105. Best I’ve ever seen. Also, keep talking. The commentary is very helpful. Thank you.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks. 1105 was 100% me, but most of the cars I show in the videos, at least the graffiti ones, were purchased or commissioned from various places like FB groups, ebay, etc. It is something I want to get into more myself in the future however.

[@daveh6177]

You mentioned some kind of pens were used in the 1105 weathering video. Can you clarify the brand or type you used? I think a video on how you weathered it would be wonderfully received. Very well done.

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@daveh6177 For the graffiti I used Posca Pens. They are nice pens to draw larger graffiti I have found. I'd have to go back and check my notes on what else I did for weathering. I know it was light though, I did re-number and add working ditch lights. I actually have another loco I will be doing something similar with soon, a BNSF.

[@TheClosetBranch]

Awesome modeling subject! The bridge and its underneath scene is incredibly spot on.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks! They get pretty grimey!

[@ricardocossari9374]

One of the best small shelf layouts I’ve ever seen! Looking forward for updates!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Wow thanks, building this small shelf layout is a lot of fun, more than I thought actually!

[@georgiasunbelt]

Really cool switching/diorama layout…very well thought out…you challenging your scratch building skills too

[@1Nanerz]

Nice side project. Overpass looks amazing

[@thomasstonge3758]

Master builder! Love watching your videos! Don't know if it's just me getting old, but I used to see a basement and have to cram it full with a layout, but with duckunders and even gates, I was always going for something on the workbench, that was always outside of the layout, it was becoming a pain in the but, so now it's a j shaped shelf layout it's still big,30 by 12 , I like long leads, but I think it's your videos that get me thinking, I look at your trackplan and it does the job, you don't have it going everywhere, which was a big downfall for myself, well anyhow love your videos, big inspiration, thank you for doing them

[@davidbrown4823]

You got some great ideas.

[@Gaz3801]

G'day Santa Ana Industrial Lead, This is looking real good ! Keep up the nice work.👌 Cheers, Gary.

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Hi! Nice looking shelf layout! Looking forward to seeing your future progress on it!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@richardgillette5759]

The graffiti on the buildings really makes it come alive and feel lived in

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@gdog5032]

Great work thus far! 😊

[@garymartz7587]

I like the (WAF) factor! BTW, Looks like really neat, gritty, urban railroading in a small area. Right on!!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks! Yes, I really like the clean look and have to force myself not to put stuff under it but it makes very pleasing to look at and run.

[@timkeohane1488]

Great work! Love the detail, and the buildings are coming together beautifully. You've printed the wallpaper very nicely, bright enough to be eye-catching without being too garish.

[@xray606]

Looks good. I used to photograph people back in the 80s/90s around the section to the north downtown, in and around the warehouses. I took a series of photos of the last remaining remnants of that section I could find, back in 2005.

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

Wow man, this is Lance's LAJ on steroids. At 21:12 looking down the overpass and where it ends at the wall just looks like SoCal smog/fog. I think this was very skillfully blended with an airbrush. I love to see stuff like this, so well done and realistic. I've subbed and am looking forward to more. Take care - Bill.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Nah, the walls are painted Behr Light Drizzle, which my wife picked for her office remodel paint. While I was painting the room, I thought this would be a helluva color for a backdrop. Sort of an overcast, marine layer look. I was looking for something different than the happy light blue I have in the other room

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

@@VSLAModelRR nice work.

[@ianroberts6929]

Very exciting plans and your mock ups look great already! I’d love to see something about the techniques you used for the highway overpass at some point. Thanks for sharing your great work!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Hi Ian, I have used the techniques @boomerdioramas has shared on his bridges. Base coat was Spray Rattle cans of light grey and tan, followed by an acrylic paste (golden fine pumice gel in my case). The final step is where it comes together, acrylic washes. I used Vallejo Concrete, cement grey, dark sea grey, and US sand. Just go wet on wet water and paint and play with until you like how it looks.

[@ianroberts6929]

@@VSLAModelRR ah great! Yes Boomer's videos are truly inspirational... Thanks for the info!

[@longislandrailroadmontaukb982]

Your bridge is outstanding! How exciting to be able to model an area with almost no compression. I look forward to updates. On a side note, you must not watch police pursuit videos... that cop should be pulling over a black Dodge Charger to be the most realistic. 😁

[@TheSteelRoad]

damn bro this is unreal! 💯🫡

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks man, huge fan of your channel as well!

[@TheSteelRoad]

@SAILModelRR cool man I appreciate that! 😊🤝

[@RailserveJohn]

Awesome side project! Your box cars are some of the best I’ve seen! The bridge came out really nice. I’m trying to plan a overpass to help hide one of my wall portals. Looking forward to the next update. -John

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks, just to be clear, I didn't paint the boxcars, I purchased them from artists or had them do commission work! Someday I would love to be able to do that but not at this point.

[@RailserveJohn]

@@VSLAModelRR they look amazing! Do they ever sell their work online? I wouldn’t mind purchasing a few.

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@RailserveJohn I will put the one guys FB picture page in the info. Shoot me an email (about section) and I will give you some other info

[@coxsj]

Very cool!

[@waynemiller7382]

I'm pleased you mentioned Lance Mindheim, he IS the greatest! (along with others [who have a different style of modelling] such as Boomer.., Mike Confalone's Allgash etc. They have the art of scene composition which I can see you are employing in your layouts.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks, I try to learn something from all of those great modelers!

[@ruatrainman2]

What an awesome layout and idea. I have a couple video's in a playlist called "Modern UPY layout potential" on my channel. I love the way you make your graffiti laden structures. I wish Atlas would do a re-run of their UPY Genset loco's with ESU sound, that'd be cool, don't you have one of the older Genset's? I love that GP60 you modeled, it looks super nice. Beautiful boxcars as well. Dave B.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Yeah, I have 2 actually. One needs some work as it was my first DCC install and I kind of broke some parts off lol. The other is still nice. I actually got some scale railings from Atlas to put on they are bit smaller than the stock ones. Someday, I will do that project as well lol...

[@VSLAModelRR]

Holy crap, I just checked your playlist that is thorough! I have a few of those saved as well but damn man, you got some good stuff there!!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Holy crap, I just checked your playlist that is thorough! I have a few of those saved as well but damn man, you got some good stuff there!!

[@ruatrainman2]

@@VSLAModelRR Lol, I had a lot of time on my hands for a few months. Thank you bud, there are some other playlists, I'm not sure if they are public, but I can check.

[@HOScale-bd1yd]

interesting action

[@JohnBruce-h2w]

Isn't there a rendering plant that loads tank cars more or less in the Y between the corridor and the Violet spur?

[@VSLAModelRR]

There are a few tank car loading places in that general area yes. Some are run by BNSF out of Malabar, I think UP does some tallow to Coast Packing. Just looked up rendering, must be Coast packing. It goes over the bridge then backs into that place from the YT footage I have seen. I actually thought of modeling that but couldn't make it work in my space

[@dennisarmes3473]

very nice !!! i might have mssed it, but for such nice engines, and yours are REALLY nice, do you have a diesel service facility ???

[@kevinb9327]

Where does "Violet" come from?

[@VSLAModelRR]

From what I understand, the line started around Violet Street in LA, a little south of 7th street and ran North-South along Sante Fe St. It was just an 'alley' of industries where they actually had to block the train correctly from the yard as there was no runarounds. But anyway, that is how "Violet Alley" got its name.

[@joshuatoro8977]

So what hobby shop do you buy your stuff from? And I must add you are an amazing modeler and I look so realistic to the real sites and scenes

[@VSLAModelRR]

I order online mostly, different places. I Also grab some stuff off ebay from time to time.

[@waynemiller7382]

Looks great! Where can I get those metal blocks with holes you have supporting your mock up photoprint building? What are they called?

[@VSLAModelRR]

123 blocks. I got mine on Amazon.

[@ConductorGoldy]

Is this going to connect to the main layout at all? Looks great! Huge inspiration by the way.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Nope, it is what it is, a shelf layout that stands on its own.

[@noahbossier1131]

Where did you get the trains from. What store is a good option. Do they work on bachmamn easy track

[@LoneRanger5150]

Nice. I've been using poster boards with decent results. Is there a website for the buildings and graffiti?

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks! Google Streetview. Luckily this building had some good clean images. I find my stuff on there, snip it, put it in a photo editing software, crop it, and do minor clean up, then put it in MS Publisher to print them out. This bldg I had to cut in a few sections its so big.

[@LoneRanger5150]

@@VSLAModelRR that's what I use. I was hoping you had something better lol. Thanks!!👍

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@LoneRanger5150 Sorry my man, I ain't got nothing better.

[@LoneRanger5150]

@@VSLAModelRR that's OK, I'm always looking lol. Keep up the good work 👍

[@lailacaleb8645]

Promo-SM 💃

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Would you stop talking and run the Trains man

[@VSLAModelRR]

Sure, I'll have some ops videos soon.