Lionel Girl's Train

From the Children's Museum collection - the poorly selling "Girls Train" from Lionel.

Christmas village (part 3)

St. Jude the Obscure Catholic Church, the pride of Grant's Catholic community. I really like the effect produced by the blue spotlights. 

 The nativity scene figures were bought at Michael's, and are re-purposed for the village. Slapped the manager together out of scrap wood. Figures come from various manufactures for O scale trains.

The USS Indiana (BB-58)

Museum model of the USS Indiana (BB-58). From the collection at the Indiana War Memorial. From Wikipedia: 

"USS Indiana (BB-58), a South Dakota-class battleship, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 19th state. Her keel was laid down on 20 November 1939 by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 21 November 1941 sponsored by Mrs. Lewis C. Robbins, daughter of Indiana governor Henry F. Schricker, and commissioned on 30 April 1942, Captain Aaron Stanton Merrill in command."

Still haven't figured out the best way to photograph models like this in acrylic cases, especially when the surrounding lights cause glare.

Christmas Village (part 2)

First part of setting up the village it getting a general idea of its layout. As the village has grown the placement of the buildings has changed, and no two years have the same layout. The key part to this is having a very understanding wife that overlooks the expense entailed in creating a month long display.

Schuco Morris Portee

Here's another piece that I've parted with via eBay. Schuco's 1/43 scale Morris Portee. Loved the model when I saw it in the shop, but it doesn't really fit my collection. The details are well rendered and the model gets high marks from me. Hope it found a good new home.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Here's to the end of 2013, and the hope for a better 2014. Starting to compile my resolutions, which includes reigning in my compulsion to buy more toys, and to better organize the collection I have amassed.

Christmas Village 2013 (part 1)

Every year we put up a Christmas village. It started back in 1995 or so, and has grown in size until it now covers 2 full sheets of plywood.

It started out as a whimsical display, with no thought given to period or scale. I have attempted to make it all match O scale, or about 1/43. I have also tried to focus it on small town America circa 1959. This is my town of Grant, Indiana, population 43,167. Named in honor of the Union General and the 18th President, Grant is the county seat of Facetious County and was established in 1814, two years before statehood. It is located near the Wabash River. Originally named New Wertenburg, it was re-named Grant in 1878 after the death of its namesake.