Category: Bandit Canyon Ry

Thunder Mesa Studio > Thunder Mesa Blog > model railroading > Bandit Canyon Ry

The Sundance Mining Company | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

It’s time to fill that big hole in the scenery below Six Gun Butte! The Sundance Mine is a Western themed mined building along the lines of the 10 stamp mills that once dotted the rugged mountainsides of old mining towns across the American West. Follow along with this step-by-step build as take the structure from rough mock-up to finished model. This is BCRy Part X.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Corrugated siding from Full Circle Models: https://fcmkits.wordpress.com/

Painting Foam Rock Scenery | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Here’s a follow up to my video on carving foam rocks! Many people asked for a more in-depth look at the painting and finishing techniques I use for foam rock scenery, so this time out I finish up “Six Gun Butte” on the On18 Bandit Canyon Railway layout – with an emphasis on the scenic painting techniques I use most often. This is BCRy Part IX.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

On18 Boxcar | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part VIII. Let's build an On18 boxcar! One of the fun things about On18 is the ability to use N scale parts, mechanisms and frames as a starting point for these fun O scale narrow gauge models. This time, I use a 50' N scale car as a starting point for a freelanced 12' On18 boxcar with loads of character. This a start-to-finish build with all steps of construction detailed. The finished car measures about 3" long x 1 1/8" wide x 2" high.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Basic Wiring for Lighting and Accessories | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part VII. As promised, heres a how-to on the 9 volt wiring system I use for lighting and animated accessories on the On18 Bandit Canyon Railway. In this episode, I build a second animated balancing rock with a different technique, then show how I set up the 9v wiring bus step by step.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

9 volt ac/dc transformer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00191WVF6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
DC power bus: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DW2C4ZB?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Animated Teetering Boulder! | Bandit Canyon Railway

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part VI. It's time to add some animation to the On18 Bandit Canyon Railway in the form a a teetering boulder - straight out of the old Disneyland Mine Train Ride! I use a 3RPM DC motor and a simple linkage to make the carved foam rock "teeter" back and forth as the trains pass below. It takes a little trial and error, but the final effect makes for a very fun effect. Follow along as I building the animation mechanism, tweak it 'till it works reliably, then carve and color the polyurethane foam rocks.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 3

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

It's time to finish up our build of Etta's Place and work it into the overall scene on my On18 Bandit Canyon Ry. I also offer some final thoughts on the Creality Falcon2 22w Laser and its usefulness to the hobbyist. I was recently sent one of these diode laser machines for review and this is my third video ascertaining its value to my creative process and possibly yours. I'm very pleased with the way the structure has turned out and have no complaints about the general capabilities of the machine. I received the machine for review, but to be as objective as possible, I'm not accepting any compensation from the brand or its marketing partners. If you are shopping for a laser cutter, I hope this series of videos will help you to make a more informed decision.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

___________________________

Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）
Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Making Etta's Place Part 1: https://youtu.be/l394hqucpk8
Making Etta's Place part 2: https://youtu.be/UUL1oSRflM0
Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY

Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 2

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Welcome back to Etta's Place, my current structure build where I'm putting the Creality Falcon2 22w Laser Cutter/Engraver through its paces. I was recently sent one of these diode laser machines for review and this is my second video ascertaining its value to hobbyists. I'm trying to be as objective as I can and give an honest assessment, free of the usual marketing hype. I received the machine for review, but I'm not accepting any compensation from the brand or its marketing partners. My goal is to see if and how the machine can be integrated into my creative process, and possibly yours. Along the way, we'll talk about safety, quality, and value for the dollar as I take "Etta's Place" from a stack of laser cut parts to an O scale model structure ready for the layout.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）
Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Relate videos:
Making Etta's Place Part 1: https://youtu.be/l394hqucpk8
Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY
Quick Tip on Laser Cutting Materials: https://youtu.be/P5uYP-jez8I

Making Etta’s Place with the Creality Falcon2 | Part 1

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Fun with lasers! I've been provided with a new Creality Falcon2 22w Laser Cutter/Engraver for review and put it right to work on a new structure build. I wanted to see if I could get the same quality laser cut parts from this lower cost machine that I've become accustomed to with my 50w Co2 laser cutter. Follow along as I take "Etta's Place" from a rough sketch to a stack of precision parts ready to build! Along the way, we'll cover design software like Adobe Illustrator and the Lightburn laser driver. Over the next couple videos, I'll be documenting the entire process using this machine and giving you my honest assessment of it as a useful tool for hobbyists.

Note: The honeycomb, stainless steel consumables, roller, and protective cover are NOT INCLUDED with the Creality Falcon2 as it comes "In the Box." I'm informed they are available to be purchased separately at the Creality website. Links below. I apologize for any confusion. The actual purchased product details are subject to the standard "In the Box" provided on the official Creality website.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Links:
Creality Falcon2: https://store.creality.com/products/falcon2-22w-laser-engraver-cutter?aid=ytZBUS Coupon code: Falcon50（$310 Off）

Creality Products Collection: https://store.creality.com/pages/creality-engravers?aid=ZBUS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWJ2LX74?maas=maas_adg_E293166AE9FFEC212F3A25EA91B7EBF3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas

Designing Laser Cut Structures with Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/5pZWQwMsZPY

Quick Tip on Laser Cutting Materials: https://youtu.be/P5uYP-jez8I

 

Bandit Canyon Ry | Building a PWM Throttle for Smooth DC Power

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part V. My On18 Bandit Canyon Railway runs on good old fashioned analog DC power - but I haven't always been that thrilled with the performance of the usual commercial hobby power packs. In this episode, I use a Pulse Width Modulating (PWM) regulator to build a better DC power pack that delivers smooth current for much improved running - especially at slower speeds! And I fit it all in a custom 3.25" x 2.5" case that mounts out-of-the-way below the layout roadbed. Just say no to bulky power packs!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

PWM Regulator

Bandit Canyon Railway | The Blackjack Mine Pt 2

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

BCRy Part IV. Here it is! The second episode of the Blackjack Mine build for my On18 Bandit Canyon Railway project. This time around, I build a steam powered hoist for the mine with all of the machinery visible in an open air shed. Plus weathering, final details, lighting, and a scenicked base for the entire complex that blends right into Bandit Canyon.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Crow River Products: https://www.crowriverproducts.com/index.php?cPath=33_36&osCsid=jtu2jnmd3ep4p2r17m9ntvu555

Blackjack Mine Part 1: https://youtu.be/i3Aw-SBnBkQ

[spreadshop]