Modeling "The General"

[JohnReid]

[richhotrain]

Darth Santa Fe

That models coming together very nicely! I've looked at those kits before, but have so far decided against getting one because I won't be able to use one with my other trains. I do want to upgrade a Mantua General eventually, though.

You mentioned motorizing one of them. Have you figured out a way to do it yet?

If you want a motorized HO scale replica of The General, you are going to have to wait for the Mantua model to be released with the Western & Atlantic road name.

But if you want something close to The General, I see in the latest issue of MRR magazine that Bachmann has introduced two new train sets with 4-4-0 steamers, one being a Union locomotive and the other being a Confederate locomotive.  Included in these sets are rolling stock and even Civil War military figures, plus cannon and horses.

Heck, you can even set up your own Great Locomotive Chase !

Rich

[JohnReid]

Hey Rich I like that idea ! I wonder what scale they are planning for ?

[JohnReid]

Here it is Mobilman in all its glory !

[Darth Santa Fe]

The new Mantua Classics General has been TBA for a few years now. I don't know when or if it'll be released, but I assume it will be a remake of the General they've had since the early 50's. There are plenty of old Generals out there going for pretty reasonable prices, and they look like a decently HO scaled (rather than OO scaled) model of the real one in its current state. Some upgraded detail parts and fine tuning could make a very nice model.

[richhotrain]

JohnReid

Hey Rich I like that idea ! I wonder what scale they are planning for ?

HO scale, John.

Rich

[richhotrain]

JohnReid

Here it is Mobilman in all its glory !

Holy cripers, I'll bet mobilman44 is sorry now that he asked to see that.............work bench.   LOL

Rich

[mobilman44]

Like I said, its been shown that some of the best modeling work has come from some of the not so clean or organized work areas.   MR once had a sidebar on an article about a fellow's fantastic layout.  His modeling was absolutely outstanding.   His "workbench" was two tv dinner tables, that he brought into the living room and did modeling and watched tv in the same session.

 

[BATMAN]

Well that's one way to keep the old "Ball and Chain" from ever opening the door to your Man cave.

[JohnReid]

[richhotrain]

TA462

mobilman44:

Like I said, its been shown that some of the best modeling work has come from some of the not so clean or organized work areas.   MR once had a sidebar on an article about a fellow's fantastic layout.  His modeling was absolutely outstanding.   His "workbench" was two tv dinner tables, that he brought into the living room and did modeling and watched tv in the same session.

 

 

So that's what my problem is, I keep everything to neat LOLOL.    I bet John knows where everything is and if he ever did clean that bench up he wouldn't be able to find anything. 

LOLOL is right.  I can't even find my work bench.

[blownout cylinder]

I have 6 square inches of work space on mine...then again..what do you expect when you are also building synthesizer modules as well ....  

[JohnReid]

This is where I am now !

[JohnReid]

 

In the opening scene the train is going in the other direction but I had to compromise a bit if I want to show the locomotives best (realistic) side.From this view all will look normal but from the other side it will all be movie set.The work that I am doing now on the mock up side of the locomotive will hardly be seen at all in the final version as it will be mostly in front of the station. In the area between the front of the locomotive and the front right hand side of the station will sit Sergio's empty directors chair with his name on the back.Morton's deluxe car in the back will be modified into another movie set somewhat like the station was but will look normal from this viewpoint.On the backside of the station wall I will put up a double sided screen of a view of Monument Valley that will be viewable from both the single front window of the station and Morton's car.Claudia's arrival set will be on the backside end of Morton's car.
I never like to put anything square to the base so the final setup will be at an angle yet to be determined.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

 

From this angle it will be all movie set.The unfinished Bachmann car will be gutted in the mid section.The last two windows and stairs will be retained as will the last 3-4 windows between the cars as that will be where the double sided Monument Valley screen will go.As I noted before the gutted locomotive will hardly even be seen at all but the tender will be another story.This is an abandoned lot so an old poster from the movie could go on the side and of course wood will be piled on top.
I prefer this staggered look rather than the round idea for a layout/diorama at this scale and yet it remains interesting for the viewer when viewed from any angle.The whole purpose of this layout/diorama is educational for kids to know how old movies were made before the modern era of animation etc...When finished I will probably offer it to a museum of science and technology for display purposes.

[richhotrain]

The train sequence starts at 1:50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW-jSa9_k3M

[JohnReid]

Thank you so much for posting the you tube scene !

[richhotrain]

You are more than welcome !

Rich

[JamesP]

John, I've been lurking around here following your thread with a lot of interest!  Back when the General kits came out, I was in my teens and r-e-a-l-l-y wanted one... and our little Wal-Mart just happened to have one on the shelf.  I finally managed to convince my parents to get it for me.  Considering the level of my modeling skills, it didn't turn out too bad.  However, it is great to see what you are doing with the kit and scene!  Very nicely done, can't wait to see more.

I've been to the Museum down by Atlanta to see the General in person... it is a wonderful museum, first class, also has a huge exhibit on the Glover Locomotive Works.  For any steam fan, it is a must-see if you are ever in that area.

I've got a soft spot for 4-4-0's myself, although these days I'm in a little larger scale.  This is a video of my two Americans double-heading a train up a 3.5% grade this summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtlpUcMFspk

Keep up the good work, thanks for sharing it with us.

 - James

[JohnReid]

Thank you James for your kind words about my stuff.Glad your enjoying it. Thanks for all the info,you guys sure look like your having fun in that video.

[JohnReid]

[richhotrain]

JamesP

John, I've been lurking around here following your thread with a lot of interest!  Back when the General kits came out, I was in my teens and r-e-a-l-l-y wanted one... and our little Wal-Mart just happened to have one on the shelf.  I finally managed to convince my parents to get it for me.  Considering the level of my modeling skills, it didn't turn out too bad.  However, it is great to see what you are doing with the kit and scene!  Very nicely done, can't wait to see more.

I've been to the Museum down by Atlanta to see the General in person... it is a wonderful museum, first class, also has a huge exhibit on the Glover Locomotive Works.  For any steam fan, it is a must-see if you are ever in that area.

I've got a soft spot for 4-4-0's myself, although these days I'm in a little larger scale.  This is a video of my two Americans double-heading a train up a 3.5% grade this summer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtlpUcMFspk

Keep up the good work, thanks for sharing it with us.

 - James

James, that is beyond cool.  I envy you.

You need to get a replica of The General and run it while wearing Civil War era garb.

Dress that dog up as a rebel !  

Rich

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[cedarwoodron]

And given, that thru the years, MR has not been shy to publish photos of modeler's one of a kind creations in various scales, I see nothing wrong with the OP's project. Big tent here, right? Cedarwoodron

[JohnReid]

cedarwoodron

And given, that thru the years, MR has not been shy to publish photos of modeler's one of a kind creations in various scales, I see nothing wrong with the OP's project. Big tent here, right? Cedarwoodron

Thank you Cedarwoodron for your kind support Cheers!  John.

[JohnReid]

You know I think that this would make a great model either as a entertainment park scene or a dummy locomotive.Model trains pass many structures on their journeys ,a movie set is just one of those structures that can be depicted in scale.

I have heard that this kit is subject to warping.This is probably true if left out in the sun on hot tracks,sand,pavement etc....I have tested the plastic myself and it is no more subject to this problem than any other plastic that I have worked with.And yes there are options,one of those being to support the structure before assembly.I think that I would try coating the interior of the larger pieces with exopy,fiberglass or some other warp resistant material.Where the plastic touches hot metal like tracks make a section of the wheels in wood which is a great insulator.

For indoor setting I don't see a problem at all unless you were to put it next to a wood stove or other high heat generating source.When I do my 2nd General I will experiment with this a little further.

As far as availability is concerned just do some networking.I am sure that there are lots of Generals sitting in closets waiting to be built.I got the one that I am working on now for the price of the postage.It was partially started (a small bit of the tender) but no harm was done and the parts were still all there.I have also seen many sell on ebay for less than 50 bucks,new and in the plastic packages.

Personally if I was to do a G scale layout I would do it with a movie making theme of which the General would be just one of the structures that I pass along the way.I would do it as a "out of season" amusement park  thus avoiding anything that would move other than the train .Having to make or modify all those figures would also be quite unnecessary.

Sounds like fun doesn't it ?

[blownout cylinder]

mmmm...just wondering here...has anyone seen any figures that can be modified into some form as if they were doing a movie?....that would be an interesting setting in itself I'd think...

[JohnReid]

Sure there are lots of G scale figures around you just have to be careful that they all fit together within the possible limits of the human scale.Other scales ? I have seen lots that could be modified in just about any scale.