Welcome to the new Thunder Mesa blog!
Since April of 2012, I have chronicled the ongoing saga of my On30 scale Thunder Mesa Mining Company model railroad layout on its very own weblog. Now, five years later, I am launching a new site that brings all of my many creative endeavors together, including the railroad. On these pages I will continue to share stories, ideas, and methods as the model railroad progresses, plus I also be writing about my other creative projects, art techniques, and happenings at the Studio. I will no longer be updating the old blog, but all of its content will continue to be available online and accessible here, and via the menu link above.
Thunder Mesa Studio
The most exciting news is that the layout has been relocated from its original location at my former Camp Verde, AZ home, to my new Jerome, AZ studio. I have received so many requests from fans of the TMMC who would like to come see it in person that I've decided to make it available to view there by appointment, and on special open house "train days." See the Visit the Studio page for more information.
I am very excited to be continuing with this project and want to send a big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has followed along and been a friend to the TMMC. There is much, much more to come!
Adios for now,
Dave
Hi Dave, my name is Tom and I have to tell you I’ve been admiring your work for sometime now.
I’m working on a diorama in which I would love to use Hon30 porters, as you know they are not easy to come by and I was wondering if you could lead me in the right direction.
I’ve been researching this for some time now and I always go back to your website, I love how detailed you are in everything you do. I only hope I can mimic your style as well as you do…
I like to think I’m artistic but no wear near what you are, but that is my new goal to learn to be detailed in everything I tackle. Anyway hope you could help would really like to keep in touch and thanks for all the inspiration Tom Collins
Hi Tom! I’d say the best place to start would be with one of the excellent 3-d printed kits from Marsh Creek Miniatures. Here’s a link to his Shapeways Store: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/marsh_creek
Hi Dave, thanks I have done that and received my porter I didn’t realize it was a kit and just sent it for the motor. Are all your locomotives Hon3? Did you do that to all of them?
I noticed a couple of different names behind builders?
Tom, my models are On30 (1/4 scale) and most of the locomotives are from Bachmann.
Hi Dave, okay thanks so much look forward to seeing more on the ThunderMesa…..
David, I grew up in Arizona a good while ago. My dad brother and myself would go up to Oak Creek Canyon and camp. This was in the early 50’s. The only way to Sedona was up the road to Oak Creek. We spent many a camping trip up there. My dad would take us to Jerome as well. I can still remember riding in my dad’s torpedo back Chevy driving through the empty streets! We weren’t allowed out of the car back then. Anyway, you and Vern Niner have brought me back to a lot of memories of my childhood. I grew up in Phoenix but my dad would take us all over the state scrounging and investigating. I’m sorry Vern is gone now but I sure am glad that Thunder Mesa is back on line. It was a long wait! “Thanks for the memories”.
Thank you so much for the note, Bruce!