I just viewed the slide show on the model160 website and I can't say I've ever seen a better job in any scale, only Rand Hood (also featured in MR some years ago came close). The cool thing is that you can recognize major scenes on the Moffat route from the Big 10 curves, plain/plainview siding and so on right up to the Moffat Tunnel.
I'll also say this, I've always been hungry to see someone represent typical D&RGW trains, especially freight trains in any scale. What impressed me is that Mikes N scale trains have very typical consists! I've viewed more pictures of the D&RGW between 1960 and 1990 that I can remember and he nailed it! TOFC, looks great. He even shows the pre-Thrall gon coal train which was joint UP/D&RGW which used the red Katy coal cars until the "Coal Liner" Thrall gons were delivered. How cool is that? Great job on the scenery and back drops and better yet, great job on the trains!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I bought Mike Danneman's Kalmbach painting backdrops book expressly to see how to do the snow scenes.. What a disappointment!.. The early chapters on clouds and such were helpfully specific as to paints, brushes, and techniques. But the snow scenes were a huge letdown as If he was in a hurry to finish. Like many a great artist, Mike is less than a great teacher. I'm out twenty bucks and still have no idea how he does snowy backdrops. Ranting on: it reminds me of the many "beginner" classes on DCC I've attended. Beginner, my foot. It makes me want to scream, :"What part of beginner don't you understand?" Of course, it's not the author or presenter's fault that I'm basically stupid and a slow learner. Jim here, ignorantly.
I just got my issue today.
OMG that is an amazing layout. Everything about mountain railroading was spot on.
I think he just inspired me for my next layout rebuild project. I don't have enough room though to even come close to what Mike did.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Did a quick google search for Mike Danneman Layout and found some more pics of his layout.
http://www.model160.com/2011/08/02/images-from-mike-dannemans-moffat-route/
The videos are just slide shows, but the pictures are still astounding!
sfb
Haven't gotten the December MR yet (hopefully today), but that video of Mike's layout is absolutely ASTOUNDING, especially for a bonafide Rio Grande fanatic like myself. The Big Ten curves were breath-taking, and the winter scenes around Moffat Tunnel are so realistic that I almost had to run and get a jacket, LOL!
Beautiful work. I'm still drooling.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Medina1128 Doug from Michigan: There's a nice video of it on this site under Layout Visits. I agree, the snowy mountains are fantastic. Doug, you were right! That IS a nice video. Here's a link to it. Mike Danneman's Layout
Doug from Michigan: There's a nice video of it on this site under Layout Visits. I agree, the snowy mountains are fantastic.
There's a nice video of it on this site under Layout Visits. I agree, the snowy mountains are fantastic.
Doug, you were right! That IS a nice video. Here's a link to it. Mike Danneman's Layout
With a little sound and diesel exhaust smell, it would be real!!!
CZ
Doug from Michigan There's a nice video of it on this site under Layout Visits. I agree, the snowy mountains are fantastic.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Stunning indeed. I was also surprised by the photo of Mike at the end of the article. I well remember visiting Herb Danneman's beautiful HOn3 layout decades ago as the two Danneman boys "assisted" in herding the guests around. And here I thought I was the only one getting older ...
Dave Nelson
Danneman has long been recognized in N scale circles for this amazing layout. To me, it's proof positive of the advantages of the scale when it comes to trains:scenery ratio. There is nothing forced or overly compressed about it.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
leighant I am puzzled about the Denver yard lead. It seems to go somehill to staging from the yard-- which means a loco would have to push a cut of cars uphill aroiund a curve. Hmmmm?
I am puzzled about the Denver yard lead. It seems to go somehill to staging from the yard-- which means a loco would have to push a cut of cars uphill aroiund a curve. Hmmmm?
That portion of the illustration is a bit confusing. It's possible the lead stays level while the adjacent main heads downhill, since the lead is shown as a stub after passing through the backdrop.
Rob Spangler
I will be looking forward to when he does Denver.
Hey, that could be a catchy title: Danneman Does Denver!
The plan of the switchbacks and spur crosing spur under the Interstate are one of the few times I thought "switching puzzles" could be realistic.
I would dare say it is the best layout I have ever seen. For the snow scenes, did he apply the snow over the scenery or did he just put down snow?
One of the best layouts I've ever seen...the background or backdrop is very difficult to distinguish from the foreground and the modeler has really captured the beauty and essence of this route. BTW: the video of this layout is as professional as the modeling skills of Mike Danneman.
As a previous poster mentioned the winter scene is just unbelievable and the entire package is nothing short of Spectacular!
Wayne
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
I was actually more impressed with the stone work on the issue cover. The diagonal striation was amazing. I also liked the forced perspective with the smaller and smaller conifers.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
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