Zandoz wrote:Absolutely fantastic. The problem is it makes me want to give up just as I'm getting started, because I know there is no way in _______(fill in blank) that I can come close to that kind of artistry.
Thanks for the compliment, but don't sell yourself short!
I started in the hobby at age 8; I'm now 33. This is my fifth layout. My first work didn't look like this! It's only been through practice, trial, and error (lots of that error stuff!) that I can finally make something look like something else.
Remember, too, as I hope this post has shown, that you needn't be satisfied with your first attempt at a scene; you can always go back and re-do it. That's what I did here.
Good luck!
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Maybe not now, but over time you will develop your skills to produce similar quality work. None of us starts out doing work that good. I'll bet there is not a modeler around who hasn't at some point looked at his early work and compared it to what he is doing now and realized those early efforts need to be replaced. Not only will your skills improve, your eye will become more critical as well. What looks good now likely won't look as good to you in a few years.
Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.
Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.
"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."
Excellent work per usual, Dave. I model the same era but in HO. I'm trying to capture the same feeling on my layout and I use your work as an example. The biggest drawback to HO is you don't get the same depth of scenery you can with N. My scenes have to be more linear.
I've always had trouble getting my roadways the right shade of dirty gray and yours seem to look about right to me. How do you color your?
I see you are moving to Omaha, which is where I grew up. Omaha is a great railroading town. I went through on Amtrak last summer. It was sad to see the old Burlington Station in decay after plans to refurbish it into luxury condos apparently fell through. The old Union Station on the other side of the tracks has gotten a new life as the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Unfortunately it was not open at the time Amtrak rolled through.
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Great-looking scene, Dave, and an effective use of colour, and not just on the house, either. The whole scene just "looks right", with a logical placement of structures and colours that tie everything together realistically. Nice work.
Wayne
shawnee wrote:Dave..looks great, exudes the feel of small town Pennsylvania. I especially like that brick federal style house on the corner, opposite the gas station. Did you scratch build that? Great placement at the crossroads too...like an old-time tavern that has stood the test of time, offers historical depth and context to the scene.
Having been born and raised in small town Pennsylvania, I heartily concur!
Good work, Dave.
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Dave Vollmer wrote: Ryan, I will be at the Novermber show. I just spoke with the Neuse River Valley guys about it. Not sure where in the show I'll be, but I'll be there.
Ryan, I will be at the Novermber show. I just spoke with the Neuse River Valley guys about it. Not sure where in the show I'll be, but I'll be there.
Great! I look forward to seeing you there again! Bringing the layout too?
Oh, a little off topic, but I got a pic I thought you might like:
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Those brick houses on the corner are simply the IHC Colonial House kits. They're made in HO and N (and I think even O) and are patterned after real row houses in Philadelphia. The one with the tan windows reminds me of my dorm at Penn State (Irvin Hall).
Thanks for the compliments!
RT, the USAF in its wisdom predictably nixed my Kirtland orders and is now planning to send me to Omaha, NE next (headquarters Air Force Weather Agency).
JaRRell, my streets and sidewalks are made of styrene painted with PolyScale Concrete and Earth. The dirt driveway is, well, dirt (mined from the crawlspace under my house, sifted, and baked), and the asphalt driveway is Highball N scale cinder ballast, painted with a mixture of PolyScale Reefer Gray and Tarnished Black.
Cox 47 wrote:Great job looks like a neigborhood I'd like to live in....Way to take kits and make them look like they belong not just "plopped" down....Cox 47
Me too! Especially since there's a train track in the backyard!
Dave,
Nice addition, very realistic looking scenery.
J.P.
Dave
Great work as always. I look forward to seeing your progress. Plus it "shames" me into working to make my own layout better.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
You can almost hear a dog bark! What really helps the realism, in my opinion, is the relative scarcity of vehicles and people. Just enough to look real.
Dave Nelson
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
You did a great job on the modeling and scenery and your photography is always outstanding. I have the same houses in HO (lucky to see them in HO at my age) and plan to build them soon.
Doc
Ahhhh... 1956! What a simpler time it was and you capture it very well. JW has already given a 'very nice', so what's there left to say! I like your street and asphalt drive ways, how'd you make them and what colors did you use?
I also like the way the residences make the transition.
JaRRell
The neighborhood is looking up! Great job with the addition Dave!
Will you be bringing your layout to the Neuse River Valley MRR Club Show again this year? It was great to see it (and you) last year.
Cheers,
Ryan
Very Nice Dave !
looks alot like the house i grew up in
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I'm afraid I can't do better than Jeff's big compliment, but I can at least match it.
Dave, your urban areas are fantastic...I mean in the figurative sense. Visually, they are so realistic and this is because of your eye for colour and weathering. But also, your placement and the finishing touches make it all fit.
Congratulations.
-Crandell
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam