Building a town - help please

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Central of Georgia Railway Historical Soc : One Thread

Hi everybody, I'm trying to build a miniature Mayberry (the town from the Andy Griffith Show) and it's harder than I imagined. Does anyone out there know if anyone or any company makes the buildings you see in Mayberry? Thanks in advance for any help someone could offer. Bill

-- Bill Bernico (bbernico@excel.net), October 16, 2001

Answers

I'm surprised that the Andy Griffith Show diddn't use N&W, Southern, or Seaboard equipment to make it look more like NC. Just my thoughts on the subject. The town of Mayberry on a layout would look interesting running either of these roadnames on it.

Jonathan Vanover "In all of your getting, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

-- Jonathan Vanover (jon4jesus@charter.net), November 06, 2001.


Andy Griffith is originally from Mt. Airy, NC. The "Andy Griffith Show" was largely shot on a back lot at Desilu Studios. I've seen a few train scenes, but they showed Union Pacific power and cars, so I don't think those particular exterior scenes were shot in North Carolina. These scenes showed the characters getting on and off the trains, meeting the trains, and otherwise interacting with the equipment, so it was not stock UP footage, either.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), October 19, 2001.


Bill, Others can probably help more than I can, but this little I know. The inspiration for Mayberry was Mount Airy, North Carolina. The actual town used for exterior shots in the show was located in North Carolina. I've been reading the Model Magazines for over thirty years and I've never seen mention of models--either RTR, kit, or scratch-built of Mayberry buildings. Sounds like you are on the track of a great magazine article. There have been several "Mayberry/Andy Griffith Show" companion books published over the years. One I remember had sketches of the sets and the town in it. Try Barnes and Noble's TV/Movie section or good used book sights. there might be more out there than one would think.

-- Arnold Eaves (aseaves@mindspring.com), October 18, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ