Beautiful and accurate. I grew up in Philly. As a child my, grandmother and I would take the Chestnut Hill line from Chelten Hills, get off at the North Broad St. station depicted on this layout, use the walkway Ron describe that went under the mainline, and then take the train to NYC for the day. I would pray for the passenger train north to have a GG-1 as the loco and my wishes were frequently answered. We’d have lunch in the diner complete with linen tablecloths and real silverware on the way to NYC, spend a few hours there and return the same day. Ron has done an incredible job (an understatement) capturing the look and feel of that area. Totally amazing.
Very well done - the PRR Philadelphia Terminal division was immense - Ron expertly captures the '50's Philly essence of this with his fabulous layout. Regarding Ron's comment about the mix of residential rowhouses and industry, my grandfather lived on Allison St in a rowhouse (him and his wife had 10 children) in West Philly and walked to work at Collins & Aikman on the other side of Pennsy's massive 46th St. yard and servicing facilities.
These were the years America was in its prime . This layout represents this perfectly . I have built 17 layouts in my time and as each one was built , It displayed this exact look . I donated my last layout to a church group that helped young boys that were in trouble . I still own a lot of buildings , trains , And scenery . But I am to old to be constructing another layout . This layout does look real and is quite breath taking . Thank You for sharing it with Us ! Ray in Pa.
Sinclair and Valentine: Back in the 60's and 70's my father was a sales technician for them, but they were located in Secaucus, NJ then. In the summer I would go with him on sales calls thru NYC and NJ. I remember the smells of all the solvents and chemicals. I remember 100's of 55gal drums around the plant. He knew every diner on Route 9, and they knew him.
Fantastic layout and modelling! Reminds me of riding the Chestnut Hill branch as a kid /teen in the 80s. I always marveled at the grit, grime, decay and the huge industrial buildings along the tracks in the N. Philly area.
What I find fascinating about great model railroads is that they can make things that seem mundane (row homes and factories) and even ugly (junkyards) in real life and make them beautiful.
A beautiful layout. I have an n-scale CNJ urban layout. It was featured alongside Ron’s in GMR. It is wonderful to see Ron’s beautiful work in this video format. Stunning detail. Thanks for sharing this.
Al, I'm in the planning stages of doing something similar. Mine will be a neighborhood called Southwest Philadelphia. My time frame will be from 1980 until 1999. Woodland Avenue was the major shopping district for the area. Also, the remains of the once Brill company(maker of trollies and busses for public transit companies). Additionally, Nells Napa(maker of soap and also chemical explosive for the army during Vietnam). There will be a Cemetery called Mount Moriah which is still around and was home to Betsy Ross until the city dig her up for 1976.
I grew up in Philly and this layout is so accurate. Beautiful layout.
Beautiful and accurate. I grew up in Philly. As a child my, grandmother and I would take the Chestnut Hill line from Chelten Hills, get off at the North Broad St. station depicted on this layout, use the walkway Ron describe that went under the mainline, and then take the train to NYC for the day. I would pray for the passenger train north to have a GG-1 as the loco and my wishes were frequently answered. We’d have lunch in the diner complete with linen tablecloths and real silverware on the way to NYC, spend a few hours there and return the same day. Ron has done an incredible job (an understatement) capturing the look and feel of that area. Totally amazing.
I visited Philly for trains about 1963. Lots of time down on Delaware Ave. when it was still active. This looks just right.
The scratch-building of structures here is overwhelming. Fantastic work.
Excellent. The effort put into the rowhouses really sets Ron's layout apart.
@LanceMindheimCustomModelRailro thanks Lance hope you decide to subscribe to help the channel
The legend himself!
@@alpugliesetrains9753 how do you find these open houses?
@@josephtaf5507 www.modelrailroadopenhouse.com
Fantastic video of an incredible layout, Al. Thanks for showcasing Ron's beautiful work.
Very well done - the PRR Philadelphia Terminal division was immense - Ron expertly captures the '50's Philly essence of this with his fabulous layout. Regarding Ron's comment about the mix of residential rowhouses and industry, my grandfather lived on Allison St in a rowhouse (him and his wife had 10 children) in West Philly and walked to work at Collins & Aikman on the other side of Pennsy's massive 46th St. yard and servicing facilities.
These were the years America was in its prime . This layout represents this perfectly . I have built 17 layouts in my time and as each one was built , It displayed this exact look . I donated my last layout to a church group that helped young boys that were in trouble . I still own a lot of buildings , trains , And scenery . But I am to old to be constructing another layout .
This layout does look real and is quite breath taking . Thank You for sharing it with Us ! Ray in Pa.
Wow! Such a well detailed and busy layout in this small area. The weathering is awesome!
Sinclair and Valentine: Back in the 60's and 70's my father was a sales technician for them, but they were located in Secaucus, NJ then. In the summer I would go with him on sales calls thru NYC and NJ. I remember the smells of all the solvents and chemicals. I remember 100's of 55gal drums around the plant. He knew every diner on Route 9, and they knew him.
Beautiful layout.Gifted hands
Fantastic layout and modelling! Reminds me of riding the Chestnut Hill branch as a kid /teen in the 80s. I always marveled at the grit, grime, decay and the huge industrial buildings along the tracks in the N. Philly area.
I’m jealous of his talent.
Amazing!!!
Very nice!
It looks beautiful awesome job 👍👍👏👏
Absolutely amazing
superb
What amazing layout well done Ron. Thanks for sharing Al.
What I find fascinating about great model railroads is that they can make things that seem mundane (row homes and factories) and even ugly (junkyards) in real life and make them beautiful.
Really really fantastic layout ! High skilled hands on it ! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍
spectacular! Very inspiring for someone who wants to pick up modelling.
Big smile!
Wow ! awesome . What detail
Thanks Al for the vid.👍
Outstanding layout!
Amazing level of detail 👏
A beautiful layout. I have an n-scale CNJ urban layout. It was featured alongside Ron’s in GMR. It is wonderful to see Ron’s beautiful work in this video format. Stunning detail. Thanks for sharing this.
Beautiful! Extremely well done.
@ryanexpresstrains8074 thank you Ryan's express trains hopefully your layout will be featured soon!
That is an amazing layout! The catenary is incredible, don't see that often now a days
My grandfather worked C.H. Wheeler company from 1940 until 1960
Totally awesome. Have visited several times and operated on it once. Very cool!!!!!!
This is beautiful! Wow! Thanks Al!
Superb!
Beautiful work! Thanks for sharing
WOW! AMAZING WORK!
Wow❤
Great detailed and realistic urban layout . Nice views, but I got a little seasick.
Al, Frank's was a soda company based in Philadelphia all the way until the 1990's. Their slogan was "Frank's, thanks".
Al, I'm in the planning stages of doing something similar. Mine will be a neighborhood called Southwest Philadelphia. My time frame will be from 1980 until 1999. Woodland Avenue was the major shopping district for the area. Also, the remains of the once Brill company(maker of trollies and busses for public transit companies). Additionally, Nells Napa(maker of soap and also chemical explosive for the army during Vietnam). There will be a Cemetery called Mount Moriah which is still around and was home to Betsy Ross until the city dig her up for 1976.
Plant name was Fels Naphtha. Remember passing it many times w/my Dad. @@jasonmango5232
"Is it Frank's, Thanks" 😊
Amazing layout. The only thing missing is Connie Mack Stadium
Charles Chips! As kids my family got those in northern Virginia.
Electric fans in the windows!
It's all gorgeous, but the rowhomes blow me away. They still scream Philly in 2024, just missing some Eagles flags!
And rocky posters as well as cheesesteak places
First rate!
Just awesome! I can easily imagine tailgating this. Architecture is spot on.
Do they run PRR passenger trains with GG-1’s?
Its not "Franks Grocery" That's an ad for Franks soda.