Introduction to the Soo Line: Model Railroad Lighting Techniques
Ray & Renee GrosserDescription
Allen Keller has videotaped literally hundreds of layouts over the last three decades with all kinds of model railroad lighting techniques, but never before has he ever been able to shoot one in natural sunlight just like the prototypes! Join him as he visits Ray and Renee Grosser’s “Nostalgia Trip” HO layout that recreates the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Sainte Marie railroad, better known by its monicker, the Soo Line. Usually stored away in a convention hall and only appearing only at train shows, Allen persuaded the Grossers’ to allow him to shoot in brilliant sunshine, adding to the cinematic realism that most layouts aim for but can never achieve. It’s model railroad lighting on a large scale—a 34′ x 18′ sectional layout—as you rarely see it!
The Soo Line is a Granger road, meaning its topography is relatively flat—a look that is actually more difficult to re-create realistically than one with hills and mountains. In the first part of this nine-part series, Roger reveals to Allen why they chose the Soo to model on this, their fourth layout, and why they named it “Nostalgia Trip.” Turns out it’s an homage to the memories of their childhood spent on the farmlands of Minnesota and the familiar railroads, now Fallen Flags, that once bisected the countryside. See if all-natural model train lighting might be in your future!
For more ideas about lighting on your model railroad, check out this page.
This is a time traveling machine, although it appears to be a model railroad. Ray and Renee Grosser built The Minneapolis St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie or Soo Line, as a way to remember their early years. While growing up both had family members who worked for the Great Northern and the Soo Line. The Soo was a granger road known for its relatively flat topography. Duplicating that convincingly on a layout which is always much more difficult than building a mountainous model railroad, that I think you have to agree they've succeeded quite well. This is the first time I've ever been able to shoot a layout with natural sunlight. I've always wanted to be able to take a roof off a basement and let the sun in. This is a more practical alternative to that rather drastic wish. Hi, I'm Allen Keller and this is Ray Grosser. He and his wife Renee own the fabulous sectional layout that you see here The Nostalgia Trip. Why that name? We desired to model the areas of our youth in order to keep some of our youth alive. I grew up in Glenwood, Minnesota, and my wife grew up in Waite Park, Minnesota. The Grosser's Nostalgia Trip appears only at train shows because the 34 foot by 18 foot layout is usually set up than a convention hall. Except today it's outside for you to enjoy the sunlight and effects. This version of the Soo Line is their fourth layout.
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