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My N-Scale ‘Buzzards Cove’ layout began on a standard hollow core door some 16 years ago when my wife and I moved into our current home. I had seen an example for this layout in a magazine and I loved the fact that it had two coves/inlets, a long ocean beach with surf, a lighthouse, a small stream and a waterfall. As my modeling years went on, I was inspired by fellow modeler, Geoff Nott, whose waterfall work has been featured in several issues of ‘Model Railroader’ magazine. As a result of contacting Geoff and his mentoring, I made my first waterfall/gorge diorama which I aptly named ‘Nott’s Gorge’.
I really enjoy doing water scenes, whether it’s oceans, lakes, rivers, harbors, or waterfalls. I love the fine scale detail that N-scale affords me. With N-Scale I find that you can put a lot into a small area and make it look extremely realistic.
The layout is mostly freelance and is of no particular place. It’s just an amalgamation of sea and what would be a mountainous area indicative of the Pacific Northwest or Coastal Maine.
There is still a lot to be done… but that’s the fun part of the hobby in creating and seeing your dreams become a reality. After all – “It’s the greatest hobby in the world!”
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Inspired by the famous "Phillies Cafe" [painted] by Edward Hopper, I made a diorama, scratch built the cafe, [and used] the DPM Modular systems and other buildings as Semour Block, Arms Hotel, City Cab Co., etc. The end result was a truly impressive diorama, enriched by Woodlands Scenics figures and cars. In a recent model kits contest, here in Italy, my diorama was awarded the best of the year. Thanks for your very important production."
Lucio A. Maggio
I converted a DPM Front Street building into a Chinese restaurant named Renkong Guan. This name comes from the signature plates on the pagoda roof and the doors. These brass plates are brass manhole covers. So my Chinese friends came up with the name meaning Manhole Restaurant. Next door is a Chinese tailor shop named Tak Won On Tailor.
The restaurant has items in the windows, two small dragons by the doors, and from a costume jewelry shop, two brass lanterns hanging above the front door. On the roof there is a pigeon coup with a pair of cats lounging nearby. Since the photos were taken, I've added some pigeons and a pair of crows too. Hope you enjoy these images of what can be done with your buildings. As you may observe, my layout is very much in the formative stage. But having just retired in Dec, I'm going to have fun. And my wife is fully supportive of this hobby!
I got creative on that building in part because we have a number of Chinese heritage friends. We are both health care professionals, she as a nurse practitioner and me as an administrator, so the choice to Chinese was a good fit. Could you recognize that DPM building beneath the new façade?Be advised that the Chinese restaurant is NOT yet finished!!! I’m going to add clotheslines on the roof and possibly a small cottage for the parents. That’s why there is a board fence on the front of the roof. The tower will be labeled soon as a popular and well-known brand of soy sauce. One thing not visible in the photos is that the second floor windows on the right side of the building below the roof-top entry way, are bricked up where the new stairs go up to the roof. Was either that or run the steps inside right across the windows…and I did consider that. However, this way that space makes good storage for the restaurant. Nothing special done on the back or the left side……yet!
I used a Rix Products building to make a sporting goods place next to the Chinese restaurant.
I made another DPM Front Street building into a pet shop and barbershop. The awnings are very simply printed in Excel and cemented into place with plastic reinforcing strips so they don’t wrap too bad. The Bok Nook is another renamed Rix Products building while Joe’s Veggie stand on the left is an old Tyco kit I found at a flea market for only $5
I've only been working in HO gauge model railroading for just under 2 years. After spending many years in constructing model ships from scratch, revising buildings on my new layout comes a bit on the natural side.
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…Hi Folks. Brilliant products! I am returning to the railway scene (British Profile, L.N.E.R.) after a 'lay-off' of twenty years! I am working in 'N Gauge' and this is the first time I have used your products. I don't intend to use any other, because you can't beat your realism. You give the novice the confidence to have a go. Keep up the 'Good Work'…
I combined the Woodland Scenics Modular Learning Kit with the Pikestuff Machine Shop to make the Everett Company Store as an HO scale model built for the Model Railroader Kitbashing Contest. The scenery for the 18"x30" diorama uses real dirt, Woodland Scenics ballast and ground foam, both fine and coarse. Other details came from Busch, Pikestuff, Model Power, Life-Like, and several others.
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