Valley N Traks labor of love

[Bill Pontin]

Some time back I posted a thread "Beacon Falls". It was a project the Valley N Trak club was constructing for the Beacon Falls Historical Society. In "N" scale, we depicted the Rubber Shoe Factory located on the Naugatuck River circa early 1900's. We finished it and the presentation was yesterday. Will try and post the scan sent by the local paper. It may be too large of an attachment, but will give it a shot.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Okay, just as I thought - too big. Here is a shot of the factory today. Condo apartments and offices.

 

[Bill Pontin]

our model from about the same direction. We worked from pictures taken during the era. Note we did have to take some artistic compression to fit everything in.

 

[Bill Pontin]

The area transportation was a trolley line on the east bank of the river and rail on the west bank.

 

[Bill Pontin]

The wooden bridge was over a hundred foot long and when it was destoyed it was replaced with a longer steel bridge

 

[Bill Pontin]

The triangular sign in front of the bridge "Caution - Electric Train - crossing" was from an early picture. A slight bit out of scale, reduced it so it could still be read.

 

[Bill Pontin]

The corner drug store served as a depot for the trolley line. The trolley also delivered supplies along with the comuting workers.

 

[Bill Pontin]

The drug store was the building on the right. Have another shot of th trolley side somewhere. This shot is of the RR depot on the west side of the river.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Drug store/trolley stop. The large buttonwood tree in the background was the towns official bulletin board. The pictures all show this huge tree just about growing out of the drug store porch

 

[Bill Pontin]

Tight squeeze, but it went into the display case with no problems. Dale the clubs president on the left, high school principal center, and lastly to the right is Charlie, the club member who volunteered the clubs efforts. Thanks Charlie, it was fun.

 

[Bill Pontin]

There was a camera crew for a local TV station. Nothing big, but a good recognition for the clubs efforts.

 

[MasonJar]

Let me be the first to say... WOW! Nice work. I can only aspire to this level of detail and craftsmanship, and I'm in HO scale.

Great job!

Andrew

 

[Bill Pontin]

From the club, thank you Andrew.

 

[aartwmich]

Very Nice Bill!!!

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Bill that is a true work of art in any scale! Job very well done!

 

[kettlestack]

Bill, it seems eons since I saw such a splendid model in N gauge.
You and your team really know how to put your hearts and minds into modelling.
I'm in awe of such a beautiful bit of craftsmanship, truly deserving of such a superb display case.

(I'm crying in my beer here as I know I can never achieve that standard)

Errol

 

[grumbeast]

Bill,

That is truly an inspirational piece of modelling.

The historical society is lucky to have such a wonderful
exhibit built by such talented craftsmen, thanks for
sharing.



Graham

 

[Jim T]

Bill,

Being a newbie at all this, I am always amazed at the level of craftmanship that I've seen displayed on this and other forums. Your group certainly ranks right up there at the top. Especially considering the challange of actually representing something as it was in real life. Great work, thx for posting it for all of us to see.

Jim

 

[Lighthorseman]

All I Can Say Is, "WOW!"

...speechless...

 

[Drew1125]

Bill,
You & your group have achieved an incredible level of artistry, & craft with these models!
What a stunning piece of work!

Thanks for the tour!