Like many of you, I've seen 360 degree videos in the last few years. A neat idea, but I wondered if it was pretty much just a neat trick with limited application. Then I saw a video one of the members of our Illinois Terminal Division NMRA made earlier this year. It was of a topic some are also likely familiar with, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR.
I've ridden the C&TS a half-dozen times or so and lately prefer being seated in the parlor car. This provides easy access to the rear platform on the train. It would be interesting to try a 360 camera from there. However, Marcus and his 360 degree camera got lucky as there was a flatcar at the front of the consist just behind 480, the K-36 in charge of his train that day. The unobstructed view to the front makes this video worth a look all by itself.
There's more with the 360 in the video. Click on the video and hold. You can shoft the view all around, a full 360 degrees, at any time. You can also skew it vertically in this manner. So all of the sudden, you can just turn to get a better view than would be the case with most cameras. This allows the modeler a much better view of lineside than opreviously was the case.
Anyway, thanks to Marcus W. for taking this video and allowing me to share it with you.
I had a bit of trouble rewinding the video to the front so it skips the first couple of minutes, but you can pull the slider all the way to the left to see it all.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Very neat,Mike. Thanks for posting!
Mike