Real Model Trains mixed with Virtual Trains

[FJ and G]

Could this be in the cards?

Allow me to give an example of how it could be used:

You live in an apartment and don't have a lot of space for a layout. Sound familiar?

Here's what you can do. Build a small layout or operational diorama. The train disappears into a tunnel or forest or behind a mountain at each end of the layout. As the train disappears, the SAME train APPEARS on a hi-resolution monitor, continuing its journey across the countryside. When the video is completed, the SAME train reappears.

The trick would be the timing/sychronization and the model train would need to look like the one in the video.

But think of the possibilities! You could video the train outside in scenic settings. For example, if you are modeling the Santa Fe mainline, you could arrange to take a vacation from Chicago to LA, temporarily laying tracks in scenic settings beside the mainline. You could pull the train on the track with a fishline. Then, edit the images and presto, your short model railroad has suddenly expanded across the continent.

Having the train appear at the end of the video would make it seem as if it had gone all the way across the country.

Also, if you have some trackside industries, for example a steel mill, you could run the train inside the mill and then run video of the furnaces and other stuff inside the mill, complete with sound.

I don't think this has ever been done or even considered.

[CBQ_Guy]

In a way, this strikes me as kind of an interesting "what if", though I don't necessarily think anyone will actually do it. What I pictured, though, is the computer monitor built into the edge of the layout, smack dab between two tunnel portals, whatever - the train goes "off stage" towards the monitor, you do your virtual thing on the computer, then the train comes back "on stage" as if it appeared from behind or even from inside the monitor.

Amaze your friends and the neighborhood kiddies!

[Puckdropper]

I think something like that is possible...

You get one of those camera trains, a program that displays what the camera sees what a train crew would, and controls the train through DCC. Sounds fun!