Boston & Albany Railroad HO Scale Layout Tour with Chuck Oraftik New York Central
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- #HOScale #BostonAndAlbany #NYC #LayoutTour
Welcome to Chuck Oraftik's basement. In this space, you can enjoy some great eastern United States transition era model railroading. This layout has lush landscapes, pastoral countryside, amazing stone bridges, dense city scenes, and what's more, most of it is also lighted for night running!
This is Chuck's first "real" layout, but you probably wouldn't think so, considering how well it's done.
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His layout is a masterpiece. It’s absolutely incredible. Every square inch is just as finely crafted as the next. Honestly, I’m almost surprised it only took 20 years.
That man is an artist, and that layout is art.
Much more than some of the recent “artworks” that we are in museums of contemporary art 😂
At the age of 76 I have been modelling British Railways most of my life and currently trying to re-create the Birmingham (UK) area in 4mm scale as realistically as is humanly possible . I can honestly say that this Boston and Albany layout is the most realistic I have ever seen. Amazing work and a joy to watch and an inspiration to people like me.
excited to see the Mallard come through Burnley when I was a youngster. Also occasionally took the big beautiful steam locomotives to visit my gran. Good luck in your quest.
interesting, I didnt know about the 4mm scale which boils down to 1:76 just a bit bigger than HO which is 1:87
@@andreh.dupuis8475 Yes it's a very English aberration. When HO was introduced in Europe, Hornby in UK adopted it but quite why he didn't keep it as the Europeans is not known. Instead he kept the track at HO but increased the scale of everything else to 4mm. Consequently as we have today when you buy a trainset in the shops here it is not accurate as the track is too narrow and so are the wheel gauges. In 1970's a group calling themselves the EM society started to get modellers interested in buying track to 18mm gauge and corresponding wheels. This was successful but the gauge was rounded down so another society set up to make track the true scale in 4mm which was 18,83 mm and called the P4 society. So I use that and so everything is to a scale of 4mm. Trouble is the wheels have scale flanges and are tiny so track has to be perfectly laid in order for them to stay on the track. A nightmare sometimes .
I know this might sound weird, but I've never experienced a layout that makes my eyes well up before--this is the only one. It's incredibly realistic modeling still has an indescribably nostalgic quality of it. If I ever build a layout, this is the gold-standard I would strive for, personally. Maybe one day I'll do the Eastern portion into Boston... it's my home territory after all.
I feel that, these types of videos are an amazing glimpse into how much things have changed in so short a time
I agree.Just mind blowing. How can one man pull this off in 20 yrs?
Amazing!
What a gorgeous layout, and I love how he "compromises" with reality vs his own desires. He's not a slave to his layout, but it's clear his layout is a part of himself. Thanks for doing such great video work showcasing these masterpieces!
Well said. This is one of the very best model railroads, and model railroad videos I've ever seen.
Hello Chuck, great layout, love the scenery, I realize that you started this layout ages ago (20 years?) I think if you had modeled the late fall, the colors would of taken this layout to truely fantastic levels. There nothing like the New England fall splendor. Rob, Anchorage, Alaska
Eye watering attention to detail
I have never seen a more perfect train layout in my life... and I've seen a lot!
You're so very kind, Mike. Thank you!
Chuck
Those trees are spectacular. Truly a great model railroad.
In addition to his modelling skills, Chuck is an excellent presenter too!
This is the largest, most well thought out privately owned model railroad layout I've ever seen. The exquisite scenery and detail are magnificent. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
How anyone, in their right mind, could ever give this video a thumb down is beyond me!!
What a beautiful layout. It really pays to be an architect. Takes me back to when I was a kid and a teenager in the 1950's.
Chuck, thank you for being a gracious host! You have a beautiful layout and the TLC with which you built it really shows.
The man is an artist. Really beautiful layout. Love these layout tours.
My mind is blown. I could spend HOURS in that basement.
What a marvelous layout! I love Chuck's sense of the railroad's history and his own childhood history. I too model in the year 1951 as this was the era of my own childhood. Well done Chuck! And, well done John! Another fine layout tour.
Thanks, Larry, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
The layout is fantastic. I have always wanted to have a train set, however telecommunications has taken too much of my time, I am 78 now,
@@larryechols8487 never too late to get into it, I'm sure!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a realistic forest.
Good for you making it modular. All our lives are finite, and there's probably some one out there who would appreciate and care for it after we're gone. Making it modular makes that possible.
I grew up in the 1950s. It was the tail end of the steam era and the beginning of the diesel era. The North-South Burlington run was less than a mile from our house and the Mississippi River was next to it. I remember the whistles of the steam engines and the horns of the diesels and also the horns of the riverboats. I miss those days.
As a retiree i cant impress more on people the sense of keeping busy a purpose. Im a musician. But you wow thats awesome. Thanks for the peek into your world.
Museum quality in every regard
Wonderful just absolutely wonderful. All I can say is wow. I was born in 55 and I had a moment when I saw the dairy delivery truck. Even as a kid I thought they were cool looking. We had a metal box on the front porch my mom would put the empty bottles in. They were glass by the way. The milk man would take them and replace with full ones. I can remember streets and cats looking like your models. Thank you for sharing all your hard work with all of us.
At first I thought he was standing outside on a balcony overlooking the actual houses and countryside surrounding his property and was confused when he said he was in his basement. Then it dawned on me, oh yeah, that’s his layout behind him! Great work. Thanks for the tour.
When I was a kid I would watch train videos all the time, this took me back to those good days. What a beautiful layout thank you so much hope to half a layout similar
Most impressive. Your use of light, paint and weathering make the towns look very believable. The dense forests paid off in spades, looking very natural.
Spectacular layout! Yes, you can ‘feel’ the era with your great detailing! And, the beauty of this hobby is the application of “MRL” (Model Railroader’s License). Indeed! We are our own tycoons...😁
This must be the most realistic layout I have seen to date, well done!
The forests look so real. What a great layout.
Fabulous work Chuck! I love the B&A and the B&M, so I run both. You're the President, no apologies necessary.
I applaud your compromises, your architects eye, and overall effort- modeling.
Really appreciate the power/phone lines. Makes it belivable.
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Easily the best I've EVER seen. My only wish is that it was available for the public to see. AMAZING work and passion went into this. A true talent
Thank you!
I have a idiosyncratic tendency to envision improvements in things, but you have totally stumped me, pure perfection.
The best ever, looking forward to the expansion!
This brought back childhood memories. My grandfather and one of his sons worked at GE during that time. I've walked downtown Pittsfield in the sixties and seventies. I remember the old movie theater. Thank you for keeping history alive!
That sir is something to be proud of. Just beautiful
One of the best layouts I've seen. Figures Mr. Oraftik is an architect: the streetscapes are spot-on and those two Richardsonian stations are PERFECT! We need more NE model railroads...
Speechless!! My words cannot compliment the beauty of this layout.
From Australia, a great job, I loved watching. To me that's what model rail roading is are about. There is no rules, it's what you like.
The beautifully done layout conveys the time period perfectly.
Absolutely stunning on all levels! That Berkshire is such a beauty! The firebox is huge! Track work, landscape and weathering are all outstanding! I agree: no need to be 100% historically accurate. You can always go for a "what if" situation, as long as you enjoy it. Thank you for sharing details about which models you used and where you did kitbashing/scratch building.
Modular construction is always a good Idea.
DAMMIT ! I've just had to go and change my Sunday Church shirt ! I've drooled all over it watching this Video !
Once I started I couldn't stop watching this vid of a spectacular example of railroad modelling. GREAT work 👋👋👋👋👋
I'm going to say he captured the essence of Chatham, NY quite well. Can't wait to see the Harlem Div yard he will be building
Amazing, so much detail, it is truly a labor of love. I am not a model train enthusiasts myself (but could be), guess at 86 years of age I will stick with my wood working with is also a labor of love.
Always a beautiful June afternoon circa 1951. Sounds like a beautiful place
a real work of art. Model Railroading is also about fun. You have achieved a high level of both. thank you so very much for sharing with us.
You are very talented. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more realistic forests and meadows.
I love working electrical wiring making it look like art
The urban areas are fantastic and so is the sceanry in the country.
This layout with its detail gave me goosebumps as I watched! Labor of love, for sure. . . . . .
Thank you, one of the best 20 minutes I've spent in my life.
"if the Yankees bought the Red Sox ", lol, great metaphor, and amazing work and commentary on your layout, thanks for sharing it with us.
Whew, that was a nice layout tour. Thank you for hosting us.
Truly inspirational! Realistic in a beautifully balanced town and country layout. Thank you for opening your home to us.
The incredible workmanship and time involvement is a tribute to a true craftsman! Thanks for sharing.
What a great representation of reality and modeling
You've got to be kidding, Chuck. (jaw drops...)
That has to be one of the most incredibly detailed and amazing model railroads I've ever seen. EPIC!!!!
Heck yeah, run the engines you love, freight cars as well. Excellent job on the buildings, autos, people and animals too. Those trees are amazing. Enjoy.
Beautiful model RR. The way the trains look on a meet is really impressive. Great prototyping and subject matter.
What a great setup!! Thank you so much for sharing it with everyone.
You really did a remarkable job of decorating and making sure it looked real. Thank you!!! This is Tom, not Sandra.
Magnificent. And carefully placed night lighting adds a whole second dimension.
Another great reference video to remind me how it should be done.
Mr. Oraftik, I adore and appreciate your foresight in creating a transportable layout. The faith in that your hardwork might be purchased, moved, and preserved by a fellow railroad modeler or maybe even a model railroading club shows a real dedication and love for the model railroading craft. You have inspired me to dedicate myself to follow in your footsteps and engineer the foundation of my future layout so that it too can be mobile. Hopefully when I am gone someone or a group of folks can keep the layouts torch burning. Thank you for inspirational leadership...MN :>)
Love the Westfield River scene. That bridge build is fantastic!
Can we revisit Chuck's layout??? There so much more to learn about how he did it and his kitbashing skills are phenomenal!!! Plus how his rolling stock just glides along the rails!!! I am also a big NYC fan as well!!!
You’ve modeled the Stateline tunnels flawlessly. The stone arch even slopes to the left. Beautiful
The forest background is amazing.
Exquisite layout. You attention to detail is impressive You have done what many would love to do.
Thank you for the tour of your amazing layout.
Rick
I know nothing about model railroading, but I got drown into this and found it enthralling. Not only was I delighted to see this video, I would pay to see this in real life! This is museum worthy.
Thank you. Chuck's artistry is among the best I have seen. If you enjoyed this program, please share it with your friends and family!
i have grown up and live in Chatham. He nailed this!! The B&A lives
I was a brakeman on the B&A then PC. Reaching Chatham going westbound was a relief. Selkirk a short roll away. Eastbound? Best prepare yourself for heartbreak.
This lay out is fantastic no way you get this nice of lay out with out a great study , knowledge , of the history behind the rail system .
Tasteful,restrained and full of atmosphere,a pleasure to watch!
Wow! I loved every minute. It's the most beautiful layout that gives you "I want to be there" Feelings. Thank you Chuck for this wonderful experience. Wow! Love those night scenes...It shows your genius.
This is next level modeling here. Superb layout & builder.
I love the architectural treatments. In my late teens and during college, I got to put my model making skills to use building structural long span bridges to cross the stairway dressed as a deep gorge. Their railroad followed no particular line that I knew, but the whole thing was on a second floor of an old farm house. I have great memories. The house remains, but I fear the layout may not. I like the well thought out plan of component construction to save your layout if needed.
This layout is absolutely amazing. I love all things New York Central, and I also love the B&A. I am very jealous of some of the models he has lol. I would love to build a layout like this one day. This is an absolutely phenomenal piece of art, and I hope that it lasts for a long time
in 50 years, I haven't seen a better looking layout, and very few the equal.
best message i got out of this video is whem building a new layout it must be modular - was gut wrenching taking my layout apart after moving
Wow, what a beautiful layout. The scenery is very nice, especially the big forest, and the cityscape is well done. The stations are marvelous. Also nice to see all theses wires hanging along the tracks.
Absolutely beautiful layout in every aspect!! The scenery and scratch built structures are very impressive…I would love to see it in person !
WOW!!! Absolutely spectacular. Makes me wish I did not live in a travel trailer.
I am in awe of this beautiful layout. It reminds me a lot of the famed Virginian & Ohio which I was privileged to visit on a layout tour. The level of detail is as good as I've ever seen on any other layout.
When I worked for the Central Vermont Railway back in the 1980’s, I worked out of Palmer, MA many times. The oldtimers still referred to what was then Conrail as the B&A. There is an old B&A passenger station which either Conrail or CSX desecrated by removing the overhang on the side of their Boston to Springfield line. Conrail took out the double track between Palmer and Springfield which I think was a huge mistake.
In any event, I really enjoyed watching this video. Everything about this layout is museum quality. The NYC Niagara was one of my favorite steam engines and I would have loved to have lived back in their day. Congratulations on building one of the absolute nicest layouts in this country.
You Sir are gifted with your modeling! The feeling one gets when viewing the layout is wide open space thru the country side. Non clutered & and beautiful rock bridges sweeping thru counties. You also are a gifted painter. As your engines are incredibly painted & detailed. Those stations are beautiful! Especially the one made of stone. So much to compliment here. Just know u have stoked my modeling enthusiasm with your expertise.
Thank you so much.
This railroad should be in a Boston museum, my friend.
P.j.signs, Carpinteria Calif. 😅
Wonderful layout. I can't imagine the hours of work you put in it let alone the amount of money. GREAT!!!
Loved the historical accuracy and lack of clutter
Thank you and anxiously awaiting further modeling
Beautiful, those trees are worth every moment you spent on them, fabulous atmosphere. Thank you for sharing you masterpiece.
I can watch this with inspiration over & over. My Dad did his summer agricultural studies from his NYC high school Newtown in Queens at the Rigy farm in East Chatam.
Years 1948-50
Astounding. And I love the history he explains, and how he diverges from history into fiction. Great stuff.
As a 15 year old, I travelled from NYC to Pittsfield, staying at the Wendell Hotel, to interview at a nearby boarding school (Darrow, in New Lebanon, NY) which I attended beginning the following year. That was 60 years ago; I'd forgotten the hotel, and the feel of the town, for that matter, until this viewing. I think I went NYC to Albany, then over -- right on your line. Funkier passenger cars -- I think B&A was buying them from Penn Line or Athern! I took out the paper window dressing and then weathered them. Many thanks!
This is magnificent! I noticed the trees before you mentioned them and wondered if I was looking at a photographic background. Being a New Englander, I am struck by the realism in every detail of the trees. It reminds me of home here in New Hampshire.
You are an artist Sir, and thank you for sharing your art with us
As someone who frequents chatam and used to run trains with csx over the B&A this is spot on and amazing to see
Hey, thanks for sharing your story! It's awesome to hear from someone who can relate to the content.
Fantastic! Great job! Very impressive on the way you thought out each and every aspect of your layout.
Wow, that is an absolutely stunning work of art!!
Absolutely beautiful layout! The details are amazing. I'm 67 and this brings out the kid in me again. Kudos!
If more praise Is needed, this is an extremely detailed railway with an excellent feel for the atmosphere and period which it depicts
Superb.
Outstanding in all respects. 'Best of all, explanations of what's 'not quite correct' along with a 'why I did it' with no apology intimated. Good for you! Again, outstanding!
the thought and work of an excellent architect, is at its finest here...thank you...
Chuck, thank you so much for this presentation. I am one of those folks who had to demolish my layout, heartbreaking. Please keep the great work.
I loved every minute of this video. This gentleman is the type of role model for me that I have sought after for over 50 years. Rather than talked down to by 'other knowledgeable sources', he admits to compromise/favorites Oh God! end of civilization as we know it!! Ballsy! It's his money and imagination, look at the glorious result! He asked for help with electrics, if I knew positive from negative, with assurance, I would be there within a shot. The architectural rendering of the diagonal street with cars, trucks and bus(es) is sublime. Any more videos
Thank you, Paul! I'm so pleased that you appreciate all I've tried to achieve.
Out of many magnificent layouts and collections, this one is probably the most realistic !
I don't know how you did it, it is like being there. Congrats !
Excellent workmanship, fantastic layout. Love all those beautiful STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
This guy is so cool---New York Central is my favorite railroad too