Looking Ahead

I try to "work ahead" on my layout construction. That is, while I am working on one phase, such as tracklaying, I take some time to begin planning upcoming phases, such as wiring. Looking further ahead, I am beginning to consider scenery and structures.

For example, I have been studying a 1917 vintage book on wharf construction, even though that is still pretty far down the road. I originally thought I'd build an all-wood wharf, but now I think it will have be of the paved variety, though with a wood framework; the book I've been studying has several examples.

Another project in months to come is the depot. One of my favorite movies is the Hitchcock thriller Shadow Of A Doubt, which was filmed on location in Santa Rosa, California. One of the early scenes...and one of the last...was shot at the Santa Rosa depot (Southern Pacific, I'm sure). That type of station is perfect for my layout, and it still exists, so there are online photos available. While I don't intend to model that particular depot, I like the look and feel of it and plan to build something similar incorporating some of the features.

The same goes for the residential streets shown in the movie; while my layout only has room for depicting the edge of a residential area, I at least know the 1940s-era look I'm after.

Modeling the look of 1947 is made easier by the wealth of movies and other available material from that year, such as photos on the websites of historical societies, etc.