Month: July 2020

Thunder Mesa Studio > Thunder Mesa Blog > 2020 > July

Minnie Moo Comes to the Circle D

Posted on July 24, 2020September 16, 2020 by Dave Meek

Uh oh, looks like the Circle D's dairy cow has gotten out into the weeds again. This prize holstein was recently shipped in special, all the way from Minnesota. Her markings are a little unusual and the ranch hands have named her Minnie Moo. Meanwhile, Sam the Eagle surveys his domain from the top of Thumb Butte. Looks like it's a favorite perch of his. As night falls, the lights come on in Walt's Barn. Old Elias must be up working late on one of his projects.

The Problem with Facebook
This post is part of an ongoing attempt to relocate material from Facebook to this website. Unfortunately, Facebook continues to engage in a wide variety of highly unethical practices which I have no desire to support. If you are a fan of my art and/or modeling, please follow them here. I will be posting much more here in the days and weeks ahead, and much, much less on Facebook. Registered users can leave questions and comments on posts so please, join in the conversation!

All the best,
Dave

New Fence at the Circle D

Posted on July 23, 2020September 16, 2020 by Dave Meek

Circle D Ranch got a new section of fence today, along with ballast for the tracks and a start on the ground cover and landscaping. The fence is what's known as an Arkansas Split Rail, but they are also very common in Colorado and Utah. I've always wanted to model one. The ground cover is sandy soil from around Moab, UT and will dry a couple of shades lighter than what is shown here where it is still wet with diluted white glue. Meanwhile, Thunder Mesa's horticulture department is just getting started on the landscaping.

All the best,
Dave

Scenic Painting for Circle D Ranch

Posted on July 22, 2020September 16, 2020 by Dave Meek

Today I finished the scenic painting for Circle D Ranch. This was all done with about 4 different acrylic tube colors. In the overhead view, Homestead Arch and Picnic Table Rock or on the left, Thumb Butte is at bottom rising above Coyote Canyon. The creek will tumble down into the canyon and its source next to the barn will be hidden in some cottonwood trees. Part of the rockwork project for Circle D Ranch involved finishing the tunnel through Mt Yensid. In the world of Thunder Mesa, this is Tunnel #1, southbound from Los Feliz Junction. Just out of frame to the right is the next stop at Rainbow Ridge. In reality, this is where trains enter the layout from hidden staging behind the backdrop. Both the tunnel portal and liner were scratchbuilt from scale lumber and illustration board. The distant views showing Circle D in the background illustrate how I used lighter, more neutral shades in this new scenery to contrast with the red rocks in the foreground and enhance the appearance of distance. Next comes real rocks, dirt, and other details.

All the best,
Dave

Welcome to Circle D Ranch

Posted on July 21, 2020September 16, 2020 by Dave Meek

I've been in the mood for a change of scenery lately, so over the weekend I decided to move Calico Mountain a little farther down the line. That opened up this corner of the layout for a small ranch scene - something that's been missing on the layout up until now. Southern Utah has many little ranches and old family homesteads tucked back up in box canyons and that provided some inspiration for this new scene. There will be a log cabin, a corral and a permanent home for my model of Walt's Barn. Inspiration also comes from the now defunct Big Thunder Ranch and the area will take its name from the home for Disneyland's horses: Circle D Ranch. This is the rough Sculptamold phase here and I hope to get some paint on this tomorrow.

All the best,
Dave

Last Chance Gas from CCM Now Available for Pre-Order in HO Scale!

Posted on July 13, 2020July 13, 2020 by Dave Meek

Jake Johnson and Dave Meek of Crescent Creek Models are proud to announce their first Signature Line Kit in HO scale: Last Chance Gas. Based on a prototype Conoco station that stood in Peñasco, NM, this kit recreates the glory days of the great American road. Laser cut precision with tons of character and dripping with details, this CCM kit will be shipping end of August, 2020.

Precision laser cut parts
Over a dozen white metal and 3-D printed details
Colorful sign sheets with vintage advertising and 3 oil company options: Conoco, Texaco, or Frijolene
Full color illustrated instructions by Dave Meek
Footprint approximately 2.5″ x 3.625″ not including pump island

As a bonus, the first 15 pre-orders will also receive a set of our HO Scale Route 66 road stencils absolutely free!

Please note that this is not a Hydrocal kit! Construction is lightweight and flexible MDF, laser cut and key notched at the corners for ease of assembly and a precise fit. The realistic stucco finish on our pilot model was achieved using CCM's Scale Stucco acrylic modeling paste. Pro tips for realistic painting and finishing are included. See the construction photos for more details.

Included are more than a dozen detail castings and custom 3-D printed detail parts, along with scale lumber and phosphor bronze wire to properly finish your model.

Crescent Creek Models Signature Line Kits are the best of the best we have to offer. Designed by model builders for model builders, these multi-media craftsman kits are meticulously researched, artfully crafted, and released in small batches to assure the highest quality. This allows us to custom tailor products for sometimes limited markets, and to make adjustments as demand fluctuates.

Pilot model and photos by Dave Meek

Last Chance Gas: HO Scale – Pre-Order Now!

Due to the warm reception this kit has already received, S scale and O scale versions of the structure are now currently in development.

Shipping in Late August 2020 - Pre-Order Now!