BCRy Part II. Work continues on my On18 Bandit Canyon Ry micro-layout! This week, I add risers to raise the plywood sub-roadbed up to the desired height, then it’s time for cork roadbed, laying some Peco flextrack, building a simple manual turnout linkage, and hooking up the DC power. Join me as I bring the BCRy to life for the first time and explain a few tips and tricks learned over the years to make all of these tasks a little smoother and easier.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
I’m always up for a new project when inspiration strikes! This time I’m revisiting the Bandit Canyon Ry in On18 scale. This 2×3′ portable micro-layout will combine spectacular Southwestern scenery with the legends of Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the Hole in the Wall gang. This video introduces the layout concept with plans and drawings, and we begin work on a portable stand and base.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
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I’m always adding new details to the On30 Thunder Mesa layout, and this week it’s a pair of rustic outhouses from Wild West Scale Models. It’s a fun little kit (link below), and an easy way to add realistic detail and character to scenes with these necessities of frontier life. Just don’t forget to watch for splinters and, please, shut the door. Lots of modeling, weathering and finishing techniques in this step by step build.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
Wild West Scale Models Outhouses: https://www.wildwestmodels.com/products/the-outhouses.html
John’s Place from Crescent Creek Models: https://thundermesa.studio/product/johns-place-o-scale/
This Quick Tip is a demonstration of techniques for revitalizing older scenes with modeled water in order to bring back the sparkle, shine, and realism.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
Woodland Scenics Realistic Water: https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/C1211
This special Thunder Cam episode features a run over the entire layout aboard the Thunder Mesa Flyer, providing Mail and express service to each of the towns along the right of way! Enjoy the sights and sounds of Nature’s Wonderland along the way with a POV view from the cab. It’s the next best thing to shrinking down to 1/4″ scale and riding along yourself!
I’m documenting every scene on the layout in these short “Thunder Cam” videos. Each one features Thunder Mesa trains passing through scenes on a typical day (or night) of operations. Supplemental music and sounds have been added where appropriate, but all else is as it might appear on a visit to the layout. Please keep in mind that not all scenes and areas are finished yet. Thunder Mesa is a work in progress.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
Howdy folks! This Thunder Cam episode features spectacular Rainbow Caverns, a subterranean wonderland of waterfalls, fantastic formations, and glowing crystals. Inspired by the original Rainbow Caverns on Disneyland’s old Mine Train thru Nature’s Wonderland attraction. And for the first time ever, get a cab’s eye view of the action with POV Thunder Cam!
I’m documenting every scene on the layout in these short “Thunder Cam” videos. Each one features Thunder Mesa trains passing through scenes on a typical day (or night) of operations. Supplemental music and sounds have been added where appropriate, but all else is as it might appear on a visit to the layout. As new scenes are finished on the layout, these rail fan style videos will act as supplements to the builds and projects. The ultimate goal is to chronicle the entire layout over time.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
Time’s up on my On30 Gruesome Gulch mini-layout! Here is the mad dash to the finish line in the final week before my self-imposed deadline of October 29th (Halloween weekend). Though I didn’t get everything done that I wanted to over the past 4 months, I did managed to get the layout to a level of finish that makes it presentable to the public. In this video I add the layout fascia, build some mock-ups to stand in for yet-to-be-completed structures, and detail the front side of the layout with ground cover, ballast, weeds, shrubs and some 3-d printed details. with a few spooky lighting effects! Realistically, I could have used another 4 months to get everything done that I had planned – like the elaborate underground scenes on the backside of the layout, but all of that will have to wait for a future series of videos on the GGRR. Until then, thanks for following along.
Happy Halloween, amigos!
Dave
It’s time to really set the scene on the On30 Gruesome Gulch mini-layout with a few spooky lighting effects! First I build and install a 9 volt power strip for all of the structure and scenic lighting, then it’s time to improve the layout ambience with some LED RGB tape lights for the background, and a pair of warm/cool can lights for the front of the layout.
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
Jake Johnson is a professional model maker, layout builder, kit designer, and former Senior Dimensional Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. In his last appearance on the Thunder Mesa Limited, we went in depth on the art of model railroading. This time out, we delve more into the science of layout building with a focus on the hows and whys of doing things in a specific order. Plus we get Jake’s impressions from the recent 42 Annual Narrow Gauge Convention in Seattle, WA, and what it takes to build a contest winning model.
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