Modeling "The General"

[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]

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.

[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

[richhotrain]

You are more than welcome !

Rich

[JohnReid]

Thank you so much for posting the you tube scene !

[richhotrain]

The train sequence starts at 1:50

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

[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.

[JohnReid]

[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]

This is where I am now !

[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 ....  

[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.

[JohnReid]

[BATMAN]

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

[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.

 

[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

[richhotrain]

JohnReid

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

HO scale, John.

Rich

[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.

[JohnReid]

Here it is Mobilman in all its glory !

[JohnReid]

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

[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]

[mobilman44]

Hi!

How about posting some construction photos.   Also, I would love to see your workbench!   I've found that folks that make really good models tend to have their workbench totally organized and focused, or like me, a total mess...........

[JohnReid]

 

I build this locomotive as a movie prop and I am now faced with making it
look more like one.I really over built one side and am now faced with removing some stuff in order to have it better fit in with the storyline.It is time to call in the guys with the blowtorches.
The original idea was that it was to be a half model made of tin on a wood frame and set up as it would be on a movie lot.
In many ways it is hard to do this to such a beautiful design but the story must come first in my view.I have another General kit waiting to be built anyway and of course I will always have the pics.

[JohnReid]

I hate reading instructions !

[richhotrain]

blownout cylinder

 

richhotrain wrote: bc, what kind of camera are you using?

 

Off topic for a moment.  Better get that blog up and running with some content. 

No kidding!! I've got to  find some of my less fuzzy pics and such...my music stuff will be up there as well...in a bit of time...

As for the camera..it is a pretty good little thing..Canon Powershot A530. It's just that I'm still working with my manual on this..

LOL

Someone on another thread recently commented that when all else fails, read the instructions.  My reply is that it takes all the fun out of it.

Anyhow, looking forward to more content on your new blog.  Keep us posted.

Rich

[blownout cylinder]

 

richhotrain wrote: bc, what kind of camera are you using?

 

Off topic for a moment.  Better get that blog up and running with some content. 

No kidding!! I've got to  find some of my less fuzzy pics and such...my music stuff will be up there as well...in a bit of time...

As for the camera..it is a pretty good little thing..Canon Powershot A530. It's just that I'm still working with my manual on this..

[blownout cylinder]

JohnReid

<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/The%20General/?action=view&amp;current=281011032-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/The%20General/281011032-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

There...I extracted the photobucket http code and went to the insert image icon..clicked that..then pasted your photobucket http address on the dialog box then clicked post...and there we be..photo.

This size seems better for seeing with my bleery eyesight as well!