Category: Calico

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Building a Western Boomtown Part 7: The Calico Depot

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

I’m back in the saddle again, working on my western boomtown of Calico! This time out, it’s the Calico Depot – built from a wonderful kit by Full Circle Models. I add a few of my own twists and custom details to the structure and chronicle the entire build from start to finish with in depth descriptions of each step along the way.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Full Circle Models

Thunder Cam: Calico Mountain Time-Lapse

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Howdy Folks! This special Thunder Cam episode features a time-lapse on the construction of Calico Mountain. I began the Calico Mountain expansion of the On30 Thunder Mesa layout back in January of 2021, and even though there are still a few things to finish (including the massive underground mining scene), I thought it might be fun to sum things up so far. Enjoy!

Dave

Building a Western Boomtown Part 6: The Calico Jail

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Just next door to Goldie’s Place is the Calico Jail, home to that infamous hard-luck case, Sad Eye Joe. In this installment of Building a Western Boomtown, I build my own version of a slab-constructed wooden jailhouse, inspired by a similar structure at Knott’s Berry Farm Ghost Town.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Building a Western Boomtown part 5: Goldie’s Place Bordello

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Every Wild West boomtown needs a bordello; a place where the lonesome miners can spend their hard earned gold dust on a little female “companionship.” Enter Gold Dust Goldie’s, the classic bordello from Knott’s Berry Farm Ghost Town. In this episode, I show how I built my version of Goldie’s Place, right down to the animated leg sticking out the window! Lot’s of wood structure construction tips in this one, including how to model old, weathered, paint-chipped walls.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Calico Mountain Expansion Part 12: Creeks & Waterfalls

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

The Calico Mountain expansion continues! In this episode, I model Calico Creek and its tall, dramatic waterfalls. Step by step techniques for finishing the stream bed, making waterfalls from acrylic sheet, mixing and pouring clear epoxy resin, and adding ripples, rapids and final details.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Building a Western Boomtown Part 4: The Land Office

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

The wild west boomtown of Calico continues to grow with the addition of the land office! This little false front structure would be the first stop for anyone hoping to set up shop in town and make their fortune. In this episode, I share more laser assisted scratchbuilding techniques for wooden structures, with painting and finishing tips, LED lighting and a fully detailed interior.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Building a Western Boomtown Part 3: Butterfield Stage Depot

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Join me for the first structure build for the wild west boomtown of Calico! In this episode, I build the Butterfield Stagecoach Station from Knott’s Berry Farm, as originally designed by Paul Von Klieben. Step by step techniques and painting tips for modeling and weathering adobe walls and old fashioned tin roofing – plus wiring for LED lighting.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Building a Western Boomtown Part 1: Groundwork

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Howdy folks! Let’s build a Wild West boomtown! I’m jumping in with both boots on my 1880’s boomtown based on Knott’s Ghost Town and the real silver mining town of Calico. In this first installment, I lay the groundwork for the town with a road and some scenic rockwork built from XPF foam and Sculptamold. I also talk briefly about the12 volt DC power that will be used to light and animate the town’s structures.

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

“Knott’s Preserved” by Christopher Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler: https://amzn.to/3n27CnE