I’m a down-to-earth sort of guy, who tends to complicate otherwise simple choices. The question of ‘what trains to place on my Putz’ presents an example of the dilemma I created in my mind, rather than adopting a relaxed attitude and trust in my instincts and emotions.
A standard I ‘intellectually’ adhere to is to place Pieces in their correct setting and time frame. Sooo, I constructed a small Putz with a rustic setting. I used crinkled wrapping paper dry brushed with basic earth colors. A sprinkling of dirt, trees and a trace of snow set the image of a blustery winter day. Most importantly, ten cardboard buildings rounded out my little world beautifully!
I had several pre-war train sets; the German made Marklin seemed a natural for a ‘Putz’ and a short 1920’s Lionel passenger set fit nicely on the small layout. But when placing either into that setting; neither seemed to look, or more importantly, feel ‘just right’. I ‘liked’ those trains…but not on this Putz.
I then realized; I was trying too hard…the project was loosing the ‘fun’. I then looked at my lithographed Lionel set still sitting a shelf. It was too long and too bright… but I tried it anyway. Yup, it looked way out of place…but surprisingly…I felt ‘comfortable’. I quickly decided that vintage Macy’s Special set would run ‘round this Putz!
Oh, I should mention; that seventy year old lithographed set* was especially special to me…as it was first seen by me, under our Christmas Tree…in 1942!
Suggested Lesson from my Tale…when choosing the train for your Putz…use your Heart…not your Head
*I replaced the original set when I dropped out of ‘scale’ and returned to my childhood love for Lionel.
Note; other photo’s, using the smaller Lionel set, can be seen at Papa Ted’s Place; 2010 Putz pages
| Attachments: |
IMG_0201.JPG [ 186.01 KiB | Viewed 21650 times ]
|
|
...he got the train as a christmas present in either 1949 or 1950...i just oiled it a little and clean up the brushes...it runs like a top...