Layout Update - Dec 2022 - Large Modern HO Scale Train layout - Street Running Details

Update on the Santa Ana Street scene. Building utility poles, Super Trees, adding other street details.

[@gregoryamer]

wow. fantastic.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks. I found your blog earlier this year and enjoy all the info on it. I know the area you are modeling from my visits to SBUX HQ up there in Seattle.

[@marka87]

Looking great, love your streets and trees, the tall glass building looks really good too

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks 👍

[@jimrivett9926]

I like what you are doing with your layout, thanks for sharing. I live in So Cal (LA County) and was unaware that trains went down Santa Ana Blvd. I will have to schedule a road trip and a look for myself.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Yeah, they have run down Santa Ana St and Olive St for years in Anaheim, SP used to before UP. Just google LOA32 to see some footage or check my playlist of LOA32 videos.

[@detroitterminalrailroad1467]

Great videos. Outstanding layout, weathering, trains, scenery and attention to detail. Keep up the great work!

[@johnbanicki7232]

Fantastic looking layout!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Many thanks!

[@SouthernAlbertaRail]

Great progress. The street looks awesome! Love the pole treatment. Good eye for the details. Cheers. -grant

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@Rhinexing]

Hands down, these are the most realistic road surfaces in model railroading. Awesome work... I always enjoy watching your layout updates.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks, they do look good on camera, I do still need to try and cover the seams a little bit. Thanks again!

[@modeltrains_365]

Looks great man! The utility poles are on sweet.

[@Gaz3801]

Fantastic update. Love your roads, the patching and of course the street running ! The crepe myrtles (Lagerstoemia indica) are very nicely done. Looking forward to 2022 in review video. Cheers, Gary.

[@thomaswood6118]

Railfanned this line for 55 years. By mid 80's large motive power seen frequently . RBB&B circus train was big deal

[@VSLAModelRR]

Yes, I've seen some photos of the circus train running down Santa Ana st. My layout ends right before the stadium area.

[@kiwibjg]

Nice update but couldn’t watch it all as I got sea sick halfway through. A tripod might be a nice addition to your toolkit. Cheers B

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks. I actually have one that I have used in other videos (operations, tour, etc.), This particular video I used the gimble 100%. The next video (layout tour) will probably be more tri-pod based. I did just re-watch some parts and the tripod probably would have been better in some sections. Sorry it didn't work for you.

[@heidihobear]

I would love to see this layout in person as I grew up in Anaheim and know this area very well in fact you might even be modeling where I used to live or even my grandmas place where the train still goes by on its way to seal beach. And I know that curved track right by fairmont school. So where is this layout and can I come see it

[@VSLAModelRR]

We are in Ohio but aren't set up for visitors at this time. Thanks for the kind words though.

[@anthonyborden2513]

Excellent layout 👌 great work QA what did you make your streets out of

[@VSLAModelRR]

Styrene. Check out he August 2022 update.

[@leondeklerk6410]

Very well done .I cut shrink tubing in thin slices , slide it onto the pole and then heat it. It replicates the straps around the pole perfectly. I stay in South Africa and model US.

[@timkeohane1488]

Really nice work- lots of detail but you're making great progress. Enjoy these updates- thank you!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Crepe Myrtles look like my Starters in my yard. Pink Pecos

[@VSLAModelRR]

So is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

@@VSLAModelRR Good thing. Mine are only 4 years old from very young sprigs. Only 4 ft tall now, supposed to grow 10-16” The colors look good.

[@VSLAModelRR]

@@doublediamondrailroad5949 Cool thanks, I tried to match the google pic as best I could with the SuperLeaf material.

[@ewoodrailway]

Very realistic

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@theplumber33]

Dude, looks awesome!!! I want the super trees. 👍✌️

[@thomaswood6118]

Love what you have done

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks again.

[@raider-px6wd]

Was that the DeLorean?

[@VSLAModelRR]

Haha good catch. I don't think its going 88 mph yet though.

[@sernajrlouis]

Awesome 👍

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks 🤗

[@keithdenner9441]

Layout is looking great!

[@ianisaacs2340]

So cool seeing my neighborhood modeled!!! You’re doing a fantastic job. I live 2 blocks from the curved bridge that takes the trains over the 5 fwy. Keep it up, love it!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks, I love getting feedback from people that live in or know the area!!

[@ianisaacs2340]

@@VSLAModelRR it’s really a trip seeing my neighborhood modeled, and even my girlfriend says your work is amazing. I recognize every location

[@JohnAPrescott]

Looking very nice! Can't wait for the tour!

[@williambryant5946]

Maybe use some really small pieces of super tree material covered just like you make your trees, then glue the pieces to the trees on the backdrop pictures that look closer and big. The very first ones in the foreground of the picture that you can't make look good when cutting the different colored sky away from. It would make the side of the tree in the picture 3d and blend into the layout better maybe. I'd try it on a picture not glued to the layout to see how it looks first. Just a thought I had that could maybe help you blend the pictures on the backdrop better. IDK. The layout is lookin awesome! Good video. Stay well. -Wil 👍

[@VSLAModelRR]

Interesting idea, I have a bunch of little scraps that fell off my trees. Was going to use them as shrubs, bushes, etc. but could try that as well. Thanks!

[@georgiasunbelt]

Really nice blending the backdrop streets with layout streets…awesome job with street running scene…your layout is a lot larger than I first thought…looking forward to the tour

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thank you very much!

[@daylightdave9405]

Your Street Trackage scene looks fantastic.. I like how you put sum plastic on the tip of your glue tube... good idea! On my cross arms I painted the Insulators Testers Metallic jade to represent the glass insulators... DD 😜

[@VSLAModelRR]

Oh the caulk tip? Just cut a finger off a vinyl glove and a twist tie lol. Stays good for awhile to reuse it! Honestly, I can't see any color in the photos for the nubs on the poles, so I figured standard gray would be best then.

[@daylightdave9405]

@@VSLAModelRR That makes sense on the Utility poles.. The RR had glass insulators in different colors... I have about 8-10 that Ive picked-up working for the UP... We also would check to make sure are counter was correct as there are 40 poles per mile (132' apart)... mine are closer on my layout though for the looks... Thanks for the tip! (pun intended!)... DD 😜

[@goforitpainting]

Really cool

[@bradleyogden5688]

This is the first time watching my first video of your layout and I'm impressed, very impressed. Especially the roads and the curved concrete bridge! I'm planning in the future of also building a switching shelf layout, but I'll be using very little asphalt, mostly the road surface will be made of limestone fines hardened with magnesium chloride since most of the vehicles will be semi trucks and a misc heavy equipment to load and off load the rail cars. I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your upcoming videos.

[@bradleyogden5688]

Then at 17:30 maybe build an old hotel / apartment complex with parking in "behind"?.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks. Not a bad idea, I've learned roads are kind of a pain b/c the color is so hard to replicate. In one sense it's hard to get it right but also it's hard to get it totally wrong as long as you use tans and greys, and multiple layers.

[@kimknowles3681]

Great work. Keep it up. So enjoy seeing you model my old stomping ground.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks! I love getting feedback from people who are from the area or know it well. I hope I am doing the area justice because I think its a great little area to model with a ton of history from what I can tell!

[@peterkaczmarowski4523]

I'm sure you mentioned this in a previous update but what height is the layout. You've made great progress in the year and are doing a fantastic job. Thanks for the update!

[@VSLAModelRR]

Its about 48inches or so at the top of the foam

[@atsf-3415]

WOWZA! Looks amazing.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!

[@olaf99a]

Really nice details.

[@VSLAModelRR]

Thanks!