![\"General](\"http:\/\/www.shadowmanor.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/generalstore-150x87.jpg\")
Model railroading enthusiast John Ott has spent years creating a detailed miniature version of Lovecraft’s Arkham, complete with historically-accurate train engines and cars. He’s mapped out the rail line (with stops at Dunwich, Innsmouth, and similar towns), and all of the buildings have appropriate backstories.<\/p>\n
Across Garrison, the Bensalem Building hosts a variety of enterprises. The mesmerists, Drs. Nikola and Mabuse, have set up shop selling questionable cures and “rubber goods.” One of the shady mesmerists can be seen with a female patient in the bay window, doubtlessly trying to convince the young woman how theraputic it would be to reveal the combination to her husband’s wall safe.<\/p>\n
Next door, Messrs. Maskull and Nightspore offer astral travel for the adept, with tours of Tormance, Leng, and Barsoom a specialty. One would think they wouldn’t have many clients, but some prominent Arkhamites, namely the Carter family\u2014 Randolph, John, and Nick\u2014 rely upon them heavily. Dr. Caligari’s Cabinet, a curio shop, occupies the last address. Is that a shining trapezohedron in the window?<\/p>\n
Up on the roof, Professor Pickering has his private observatory. Prof. Pickering is famous for having confirmed the sighting of those flashes on Mars a few years back. These days, he’s searching for a ninth, trans-Neptunian, planet\u2014 which he calls Yuggoth, for some reason\u2014 which he’s sure is there.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
There are lots of photos and project details on his site:<\/p>\n
The Miskatonic Railroad<\/a> – Project overview.
\nWelcome to Arkham<\/a> – City details and building backstories.
\nArkham Wasn’t Built in a Day (or a Night)<\/a> – Information about lighting and decor.
\nDeconstructing Arkham Station<\/a> – Build notes for the railroad station, which was based on a real one in Salem.
\nTrain Number Nine is Missing<\/a> – A fictional history of the Miskatonic Railroad.<\/p>\nI’m a sucker for highly-detailed miniatures, and Ott’s layout has all kinds of fun stuff (like The Sarnath Theater, with posters advertising an upcoming show: “‘The DOOM’ Comes To The Sarnath, Sept. 24-30.” There’s also a group of workmen hauling a giant squid through the streets on a flatbed). It makes me want to grab a big sheet of plywood and start putting down track.<\/p>\n
Ott has also done a couple of other non-spooky layouts, the Salem & Cripple Creek R.R.<\/a> (inspired by Citizen Kane<\/i>), and the San Diego and South Coast R.R.<\/a>, depicting San Diego’s gaslamp district circa 1908.<\/p>\n