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Modeling "The General"

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 30, 2011 6:59 AM

blownout cylinder

Some years back someone took a photo of their layout through a 1/12 scale dollhouse window.

I love those kinds of shots...now, if I can get non-furry images  I'd be a happy camper.Whistling

bc, what kind of camera are you using?

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

Rich

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Sunday, October 30, 2011 6:38 AM

Some years back someone took a photo of their layout through a 1/12 scale dollhouse window.

I love those kinds of shots...now, if I can get non-furry images  I'd be a happy camper.Whistling

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, October 30, 2011 6:23 AM

<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>

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:58 AM

galaxy

The 4-4-0 American is a relatively popular HO engine for modleing the 1800s and I certainly have a tiny electrified on in Nscale. I once remarked to My Other Half {MOH} that it was "cute" in a trian shop and it appeared later under the Christmas tree. I love that little tiny engine!! Ionly get to run the Nscale stuff at Christmas time when the under the Christmas tree layout is up and has both a circle for HO and 2 for N scale as MOH is into N scale.

 

Hey, galaxy, how about some photos?

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:54 AM

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:52 AM

Sergio Leone was famous for framing his shots using doors and windows either from the outside looking in or like in this shot, the inside looking out.It is a great technique for compositional purposes and one that I use often in my own work.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:27 AM

Stourbridge Lion

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/W%26A_No3.JPG/800px-W%26A_No3.JPG

Photo By:  Harvey Henkelmann

Too bad that The General is no longer operational.  I wonder why they don't restore it instead of just displaying it?

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, October 30, 2011 4:47 AM

Rich,it is not the motorizing that I am concerned about it is more the fact that it is plastic and is very subject to warping when subjected to any heat.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:29 PM

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?

Building it is one thing, motorizing it quite another.

Like anything, I suppose it can be done, but you better have some special engineering skills.

Rich

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 4:29 PM

This will be for static display only but I will light it and add sound for more realism.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 4:26 PM

Thank you Wayne,glad you like my stuff.The General the station and a closed set passenger car will all be part of the same layout/diorama

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Saturday, October 29, 2011 3:53 PM

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?

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Posted by sfcouple on Saturday, October 29, 2011 2:10 PM

JohnReid

I have been fooling around a bit with the camera trying to find interesting angles for future shots.This layout/diorama has a lot of possibilities for telling various stories about the old west.I would especially like to see how close I can come to re-creating scenes from the movie "Once upon a time in the west".I have the movie and I am able to review it frame by frame and thereby learn first hand how Sergio created some of his work.He had a wonderful eye for composition and detail and was a perfectionist in his work.I can feel his influence there with me whenever I am looking through the eye of the camera.

John,

I'm hoping you can clarify something for this ol' guy:  You mention re-creating scenes from the movie "Once upon a time in the west" but haven't you already completed one diorama from this movie?  Can I assume that you will be working on another scene from the same movie for your static display of "The General?"  

BTW: your modeling skills are some of the best I've ever seen, wish I had just a fraction of your talent. 

Wayne

Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 29, 2011 12:15 PM

For anyone interested in the history of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, Chattanooga's first railroad, there is a book titled Railroads of Chattanooga written by Alan Walker.  It includes drawings of The General made by Wilbur Kurtz.  Based on those drawings, Leo Myers built a full scale replica of The General.

Unfortunately, Myers intentionally destroyed his design papers after the locomotive replica was completed. So, if you anyone plans to build a full scale model of The General, he is going to have his hands full.

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 11:13 AM

Years ago somebody started and gave up but they didn't do too much damage !

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 11:10 AM

Hi Mobilman ! You and I go back a long way building models I guess.This model has 330 pieces to it and is molded in four colors and brass plating.I painted everything including the brass parts.I undercoated everything with a coat of black gesso as a primer.I added a little flow medium to the mix to level the paint and brushed it all on by hand.Extra thin super glue was used for most parts.I have lots of pics in my photobucket of this project since the beginning.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by mobilman44 on Saturday, October 29, 2011 10:23 AM

Hi!

I've been building models since the mid '50s, and especially appreciate looking at pics of the model as it is being built - sprues and all.  That MPC model of the General must have had a whole lot of pieces in it and I'm wondering if they are prepainted or all white or whatever.  

Curious about the different materials in the model and what adhesives were used, and also what paints were used, and how they were applied.  

You know, there is an awful lot of work going from "box" to finished model, and to me that is the most interesting and informative part of the project.

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 29, 2011 8:19 AM

In my quest to learn more about The General, I came across this wonderful web site with a very informative FAQ section.

http://www.locomotivegeneral.com/faq.html

Lots of great information on the specifications and operation of The General.

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 7:54 AM

I have been fooling around a bit with the camera trying to find interesting angles for future shots.This layout/diorama has a lot of possibilities for telling various stories about the old west.I would especially like to see how close I can come to re-creating scenes from the movie "Once upon a time in the west".I have the movie and I am able to review it frame by frame and thereby learn first hand how Sergio created some of his work.He had a wonderful eye for composition and detail and was a perfectionist in his work.I can feel his influence there with me whenever I am looking through the eye of the camera.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 7:12 AM

Thank you so much Rick for that wonderful video !

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 7:04 AM

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:54 AM

Here is a video by a guy who built a replica of The General.  It is a live 4-4-0 steam locomotive powered by wood.   Enjoy !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lvbkGM_1cg

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:30 AM

Thanks guys for all your kind comments ! Cheers!

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Montreal Canada
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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:29 AM

Love the park display idea !

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Montreal Canada
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Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, October 29, 2011 6:26 AM

Sounds like a great idea Rich ! glad to hear about the new 4-4-0.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by jwhitten on Friday, October 28, 2011 9:50 PM

Stourbridge Lion

Looking at the real thing and the model I think John is doing a very nice job and I have enjoying reading the efforts it takes to do this type of project.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/W%26A_No3.JPG/800px-W%26A_No3.JPG

Photo By:  Harvey Henkelmann

 

I agree, I am amazed at the amount of detail going into the model! I remember watching the Fess Parker movies too when I was a kid, probably of around the same age I expect.

 

John

Modeling the South Pennsylvania Railroad ("The Hilltop Route") in the late 50's
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Posted by BIG JERR on Friday, October 28, 2011 6:51 PM

I believe the first to break the 100 mph mark was a modern (1900s) 4-4-0 with extra large drivers .I think bachman makes the modern 4-4-0 in spectrum ...nice work John ,an a great movie

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Friday, October 28, 2011 6:45 PM

JohnReid

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/th_281011004-1.jpg

Imagine seeing this roll into your local station !

That, when compared to the real thing shows just how much care and precision was put into that model...wow!!!

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by mobilman44 on Friday, October 28, 2011 6:33 PM

Hi!

On my previous layout (11x15 two level HO), I was preparing a place for my first HO Steam loco, a Bachmann or Tyco 0-4-0 switcher.   This would have been a historical display of an old ATSF loco and I had fencing around it and a park like setting.  The in joke was that the Santa Fe never had a loco like this with the sloped tender.   I believe Tyco just patterned it after the PRR, which did have such a loco.

Anyway, I barely got the set up in place and dropped the thing 4 feet to the carpeted floor - but it still broke in several pieces - especially the shell of both the tender and loco.  

I finally  decided I had to replace it - for I am a sensitive guy and this was my first HO steam loco.   I got one for parts off of Ebay, and pieced together one decent loco.   But, then I realized I was fixing to allow a non prototype loco on the layout, and that didn't sit well - so I ended up selling it on Ebay that next year.

My point - yes, there is a point - is that if you didn't model that mid Civil War or postwar period, you could set up that HO model in a park display - complete with chain link fence.

ENJOY ! 

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, October 28, 2011 5:15 PM

Just out of curiosity, I checked the Walthers web site to see if anyone makes a powered 4-4-0 and, lo and behold, Mantua not only makes a 4-4-0 in HO scale, but one of the road names is the Western & Atlantic - - The General.  The release date is yet to be announced and, ominously, the price is yet to be determined.  That's not good.

 I have no idea if this loco will be DCC ready, but that would be a must on my layout.  Of course, my era is certainly not the 1850s or 1860s, but I could always include The General as a railfain excursion train.

Rich

Alton Junction

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