Rich & Barb's Other Hobby

[Rich Dahl]

Barb mentioned a while ago in one of her treads that we also have another hobby besides grilling and BBQ.
I’ve always been fascinated with trains and when we retired and moved into our big home we had a place to build a model railroad. For me a dream come true.
We’ve had some request to see some pictures of our former layout.
First some facts.
I did all the bench work, track work and wiring, there was over ½ mile of wire under the layout.
I also did most of the landscape scenery.
I also installed DCC (Digital Command Control) decoders in almost all of the twenty some engines I had. This allowed me to control multiple engines running on the same track independently of each other.
So what did Barb do?
Every one of the buildings you will see are kits. Barb built them all weathered them, put interiors in most and lighting in all of them.
See the people, over two hundred of them all hand painted by Barb.
I gave her an old observation car and she converted it into a dinner, which had tables and even silverware along with seated quests.
She built the large sky scrapper which has display windows with interiors and over twenty interior lights.
We really enjoyed the many hours and years (took about five years to get it to this point) that we worked together sharing ideas and making it become a reality.
We enjoyed it so much in our new smaller home we’ve elected to build another in a small bedroom.
Here are a few pictures of our former layout and a few of the current switching layout, the one we are going to expand.

There was an estimated 250 lights on the layout powered by a hundred watt Malibu light timer

Our new switching layout

 

[Rich Dahl]

This is a work bench I built into the closet.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

[Enrico Brandizzi]

Impressive!

 

[Bob Correll]

You two Rock!
Both layouts are outstanding!
Your city scene looks like it would have taken a lifetime to build, totally above my skill level.

 

[Jim Lampe]

Is Dahl's Corp. hiring?
I may want to relocate!
What is the name of your town/city?
Looks Terrific!

 

[timothy]

You two Rock!
Both layouts are outstanding!
Your city scene looks like it would have taken a lifetime to build, totally above my skill level.

X2! That's a family heirloom.

Tim

 

[Rolf Jacobsen]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm beyond impressed. I kind of had a hunch you were into this given the box you were kind enough to ship my knob in. But this? It's incredible.

 

[JeffG]

Barb and Rich, i just put in a application to work at DAHLS CORP.

I'm very impressed with the night shot as well.

 

[Don Reed]

Now that's something to brag about, really very nice.

 

[Tim K]

....speechless.
I can't imaging the thought, and planning that went into building something that intricate! A true thing of beauty. Please keep us posted on the progress of the new version of Dahl-town rail lines. Very very impressive!!
Tim

 

[Rich G]

HO gauge? My dad was a bit of a train fanatic, and for about 10 years, we lived with his layout taking up about 25% of our family room. He built all the engines and cars from kits (all steam locomotives), painted them, weathered them, etc. His layout was set in rolling hills with lots of greenery, streams and lakes. I remember him spending lots and lots of time at his bench, and on his layout, tinkering with all manner of things.

None of this ended up being my cup of tea, but thanks for the trip down memory lane. I see the same intense focus on detail in your layout as my dad put into his. You two really did a nice job with the old one, and hopefully, your new one lives up to your expectations (albeit a bit smaller.)

Rich

 

[Bob H.]

Rich and Barb, your layouts are both very cool. Makes me want to stop at your diner for lunch and to check out the cars! A couple of times a week my 2-1/2 year old grandson and I sit
on the floor and make "little guy layouts" with his wooden Thomas tracks, engines and cars. Hey, since your new layout is straight, have you thought about recreating Franklin Park?

 

[Clint]

You two Rock!
Both layouts are outstanding!
Your city scene looks like it would have taken a lifetime to build, totally above my skill level.

Very Impressive

One of my friends is into model trains, a neighbor had a set when I was a kid............ we didn't get to play with it too much

 

[Cliff Bartlett]

Rich and Barb... I was speechless after viewing this thread. When I saw the pictures and read the narrative outlining all the detail work that has gone into your masterpiece I was just in awe! I admire attention to detail so much. What baffles me is how on earth you manage to grill as aggressively as you do, document your cooks and participate in this board, maintain that beautiful home and have the time left over to create such a display of Americana. Truly amazing. Bravo!

When I was a little boy, my folks took me to one of the establishments down by the Cliff House in San Francisco. I remember so vividly a display of little homes, villages, bridges, ferris wheels, etc, all made with toothpicks glued together by inmates at San Quinten Prison. I haven't thought of that in years until I saw your post.

 

[JimK]

Wow, just amazing.

 

[Bob Ivey]

That is excellent work and great attention to detail. I have seen a few layouts that come close to yours but not many. Have you guys ever been to Travel Town in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. They have an N scale that is always being worked on that is amazing. Down the road from there they also have live steamers to ride on. I will take my grand daughter there this spring or summer. Your setup looks great, just like your backyard BBQ area. Keep up the GREAT work.

 

[Dwain Pannell]

I am always impressed with these layouts. One of my favorites is at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Yours is awesome!

 

[Bob Bass]

Absolutely Beautiful, Rich and Barb !!!
The ATSF road.

 

[russ olin]

WOW! That is so cool Rich & Barb. Two thumbs up!

 

[ChuckO]

How very cool Barb & Rich (why do I suspect that's more Rich than Barb?)