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Return to Gruesome Gulch! | Building a Themed Stand | GGRR Pt 12

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

Gruesome Gulch returns! With a show coming up this spring, it’s time to get back to work on my spooky-themed mini-layout. To kick off phase 2 of the GGRR, I’m building a portable themed stand that will both make the layout easier to move and to work on. I need a stand that’s sturdy, attractive, and that can break down flat for travel – oh, with castors, room for storage inside, and electrical power too. Follow along as a I build a spooky stand that looks like it might have rolled straight out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab! More Gruesome Gulch to come!

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

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

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Bandit Canyon Railway | The Blackjack Mine Pt 1

Posted on by Dave Meek

BCRy Part III. This is the first of two episodes on the Blackjack Mine, a small complex with loads of character for my On18 Bandit Canyon Railway project. In this installment, I scratchbuild the freelanced head frame and shaft house using some repurposed parts from an earlier project. Lots of info on typical mine construction out west, plus modeling tips for wood construction, using stencils, weathering, and making your own corrugated roofing. Cinefoil “Black Wrap”

Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave

Bandit Canyon Railway | Roadbed, Track and Power

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

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

New On18 Project | The Bandit Canyon Railway Rides Again!

Posted on by Dave Meek

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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Building a Pair of O Scale Outhouses

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

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/

Thunder Cam Special: The Thunder Mesa Flyer

Posted on by Dave Meek

 

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