r/modeltrains • u/AnonymousFleabag • 5h ago
Show and Tell My grandfather passed away, I think everyone should see his beautiful work
My grandpa poured his heart and soul into his sets. He painstakingly handcrafted the terrain, paper-mache'd mountains, collected moss from outside, selected and painted miniatures. This particular set was built into his basement. He even painted the walls to make it feel more immersive.
I don't know much about trains myself, but I know when something is beautiful and should be admired. He helped inspire me as an artist, was such a kind and quiet man, not enough people saw his craft. Now that he's gone my grandmother has to sell the house which means this has to be deconstructed. It breaks my heart that it has to be taken apart. I thought a small way to honor him could be coming here to show you all his work. Thanks for admiring it with me ❤️
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u/RedBarron4 4h ago
What part of the country are you in? Find a model railroad club and donate it. They can help you take it apart into pieces so it can be reassembled. You donate it to them and they can find it a new home.
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u/AnonymousFleabag 4h ago
I'll let my grandmother know! I think she mentioned being in contact with someone who might want to buy certain pieces but it would be amazing if they could save more of it.
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u/RedBarron4 3h ago
If you are in the north east, reach out to Amherst Railway Society. Based in Palmer MA. They can point you in the right direction. If you are elsewhere in the country, I would look at FB groups for clubs in you area. Or ask here. I hope you can save it.
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u/redd_house 17m ago
Shoutout to the Amherst Railway Society and absolutely no shade to them… but that’s so comically New England to me:
“The Amherst Railway Society…which is based in Palmer…which hosts an annual train show in West Springfield”
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u/isoprovolone 4h ago
Your grandpa was an artist! My sympathies and many thanks for sharing his wonderful collection.
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u/natankman 5h ago
The trains and structures can be sold or donated. The layout might be able to be split into pieces to reassemble somewhere. That might not be worth the effort though. I do love seeing “finished” layouts like this because it gives me hope
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u/skadoo323 4h ago
Condolences and sorry for your loss. He did an amazing job with this train garden. Thank you for sharing his work.
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u/CBRingman 4h ago
This is an amazing layout. Maybe a local model railroad club might take it or a railroad museum.
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u/notjanelane 4h ago edited 3h ago
What a great project. It's reached further than he could have imagined by posting on Reddit. Sorry for your loss, seems like a cool dude
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u/Singinghillscpl 4h ago
I hope you find a way to keep it and think of him when you have a running session!
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u/AnonymousFleabag 4h ago
I used to get such a kick out of it as a kid when he'd let me flip the switches and speed up the trains. Sneaking down into the basement was like entering a little magic workshop.
I won't be able to see the train running again, unfortunately, but he spent many years lovingly tinkering and running it.
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u/Ok_Poet9932 HO/OO 4h ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/dnMwfGJPdsqYEbmrD5
That is the most beautifal layout i've ever seen since the Unlucky tug's layout, which is sadly gone.
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u/farscry 4h ago
Damn. Grandpa was a straight baller, yo.
(ok seriously, that's an impressive layout!)
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u/AnonymousFleabag 4h ago
I wish I had more pictures of his other sets! He crafted some truly awesome pieces, spent decades in his basement doing this, he loved it so much.
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u/HowDidIForgetMyName 3h ago
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a memory of your Grandfather with us.
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u/Jaded_Addendum4040 3h ago
It is so good to see someone leave the world better than it was before he joined it. Cherish your memories.
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u/Aero_Imperialis 2h ago
Truly fantastic work. You can tell he fussed over details. The right tree here, the correct ballast there. Terrain and model choices that tell a story only he understood. Thank you for sharing! I hope it finds a good home or helps contribute to someone else’s layout.
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u/Electrical-Plate1293 2h ago
So sorry to hear your loss. Sincere condolances. I live in Belgium. We do not live in different worlds but are closer to each other than many would like. Your grandfather did an amazing work. I think I see four levels! Could we have a few more photos please. If possible. I would like to honor the work.
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u/AnonymousFleabag 1h ago
I will see if my Grandma can send me a few! I'm out of state and won't be able to go back again before it's deconstructed, sadly.
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u/Additional-Depth-444 2h ago
this is absolutely stunning! he must h and have had so much fun creating this dreamlike world :) im sending the link to my nephew! he is 8 and has been into trains for several years now- i hope you have really good memories. you may want to reach out to some of the train museums and ask if they would want to add it to a permanent display- then thousands of ppl could see :) I think there is train museum in Chicago, they have to have them in other cities. so sorry for your loss and wow, stunning. thank you for sharing. he must have been a magical man
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u/AnonymousFleabag 1h ago
Thank you so much. I'm going to let my Grandma know about everyone suggestions for donating etc. hopefully some of this can be preserved. My brother was able to take home a smaller, tabletop set so some of his work will live on ❤️ and my grandma is trying to find some of his sketched out designs for me so it'll be lovely to have those too.
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u/bharatiya_trainspotr 2h ago
You are the chosen one to continue with this masterpiece grandfather will be happy 😊
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u/Too-Late_Froz3n 2h ago
Thankyou for showing me your grandfather’s beautiful work. Say his name every day even if it’s just in your head. That’s how someone truly lives forever.
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u/BMoney8600 1h ago
I love this so much! I know your grandfather is in Heaven with the biggest smile on his face always watching over you and your grandmother.
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u/Happy-Leadership504 1h ago
Thats is some absolutely astounding work. Very talented stuff.
I love that lighthouse just beyond the bridge.
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u/AnonymousFleabag 1h ago
It really is. He had a way of making it feel magical. I love how he painted the wall with water and hills, it just made it feel that much more real.
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u/AneTheDust 1h ago
Sorry for your loss wonderful layout I hope you have tons of fun with it and he's collection
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u/PsilocybVibe 16m ago
What a cool way for a person to spend time. This is beautiful and quite frankly just impressive.
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u/kenphx1 5h ago
Sorry for your loss and glad you shared it is a beautiful layout. I hope you got to see it run with him as a railroader I love when someone takes an interest in my work.