When someone mentions the words Drive-In Movie Theaters, all sorts of vivid memories race through my mind. Before I start posting my attempts of designing one, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any ideas.
I am modeling in N scale and have come across some interesting idea's and thoughts. My biggest problem is how to design the rows and rows of undulating 'rises' in the asphalt, that assists the viewers in the car the correct level of viewing the screen / movie. How does one go about the design of the rows? And the spacing?
Some generic ways of searching any question like this...
#1
Library of Congress online.
www.loc.gov
then click "American Memory"
Then select Architecture/Landscape... opens 9 collections.
Then select "Built in America: Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey, 1933-Present"
1933 refers to when they started measuring, drawing scale drawings and photographing buildings and works of engineering.
Once in collection, enter your search.
I tried "coke oven" and got 109 items. The ones labelled "Built in America" usually include scale drawings, multiple photographs from different angles and explanatory text for each identified building or complex.
#2
Visit a nearby drive-in theater and measure it. You know where one USED TO BE and doesn't exist any more? Go the location on Google Earth and change from satellite view to historical imagery" for old aerial photos. Estimate from your aerial photos.
#3
There must have been old engineering and design tstbooks and technical magazines "back ihn the day." Look them up in the library of a technical school that has been around since 1950.
Blazzin When someone mentions the words Drive-In Movie Theaters, all sorts of vivid memories race through my mind. Before I start posting my attempts of designing one, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any ideas. I am modeling in N scale and have come across some interesting idea's and thoughts. My biggest problem is how to design the rows and rows of undulating 'rises' in the asphalt, that assists the viewers in the car the correct level of viewing the screen / movie. How does one go about the design of the rows? And the spacing?
Have you considered gluing some small dowels in place, then covering them with plaster cloth?
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Joe Staten Island West
Medina1128 Blazzin When someone mentions the words Drive-In Movie Theaters, all sorts of vivid memories race through my mind. Before I start posting my attempts of designing one, I thought I'd ask if anyone has any ideas. I am modeling in N scale and have come across some interesting idea's and thoughts. My biggest problem is how to design the rows and rows of undulating 'rises' in the asphalt, that assists the viewers in the car the correct level of viewing the screen / movie. How does one go about the design of the rows? And the spacing? Have you considered gluing some small dowels in place, then covering them with plaster cloth?
NO, but now that you mention it, that does sound feasible. Just off hand I'd say you've given me an Idea or two. Off hand, coat-hangers of a smaller size might do the trick as well as you have mentioned plaster cloth. I was thinking along the lines of Putty but plaster cloth could do, perhaps a layer of Party Foam over that to blend it all in. Hmm.. Thank you! Please keep the ideas coming.
Wayne I Thank you for that wealth of information. I can see myself getting lost in there for quite some time.
leighant Some generic ways of searching any question like this... #1 Library of Congress online. www.loc.gov then click "American Memory" Then select Architecture/Landscape... opens 9 collections. Then select "Built in America: Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey, 1933-Present" 1933 refers to when they started measuring, drawing scale drawings and photographing buildings and works of engineering. Once in collection, enter your search. I tried "coke oven" and got 109 items. The ones labelled "Built in America" usually include scale drawings, multiple photographs from different angles and explanatory text for each identified building or complex. #2 Visit a nearby drive-in theater and measure it. You know where one USED TO BE and doesn't exist any more? Go the location on Google Earth and change from satellite view to historical imagery" for old aerial photos. Estimate from your aerial photos. #3 There must have been old engineering and design tstbooks and technical magazines "back ihn the day." Look them up in the library of a technical school that has been around since 1950.
Now I don't know why I said Wayne, but Thank you Leighant for the wealth of information. Fantastic!
joe323It depends how modern you want to be. The wife and I visit the the Drive in Vineland NJ. There is no asphalt only dirt and the white poles which I guess in the old days held the speakers were every 2 cars. Blair Line sells a laser cut drive in kit in HO maybe they have it in N?
I do have the kit, IN N scale. (on right, blue box)
Now I'm sure some of you could make all this from scratch. But in N scale, things become more of a Grand scale, mainly because everything is so small. But all in all, it does have the basics to make a Drive In. A Marque', a Ticket Booth and the back side of the screen mainly because most Modelers would not dare to take up such space. Although, I do have a few surprises for you that have been following this thread. Yes.. More pics to come!
The sad part is, for some reason, I have misplaced the Blair Line instructions. Is there such a place to go to on the Internet to find these instructions?
Here are my basic plans and early beginnings.
Some parts of the kit and the basic outline of things to come.
The actual screen that is painted black is also leaned forward to give the Movie viewers a better shot. (Look good to me~) The size of the box screen is somewhat large, then again I have seen plenty of photos of such large screens in terms of thickness.
But here is the reason why I made the screen so thick. OH yes..! A Sneak Peak .. you gotta love it.
Picked this up off Ebay for $40 US dollars. Melted in the back .. from some hot light bulb no doubt, but the price was right! I sanded down the burnt part, plugged it in and it works. I did have to buy the camera's separately but still I think I've paid more for some buildings!
IN case if you are wondering what this is? It is a Baby Monitor that fits the exact dimensions of N scale modeling. I have the camera's to go with this, and would guess to say I can hook up two camera's and have a screen switching back from one scene to the next.
I have already made the screen trim to go around the outer box of the screen. I'm kind of excited.
I just thought I'd share this with all of you .. and I appreciate the help. Thank you.. all of you, and please give me some ideas. The Marque off hand I'd say, can be improved. Maybe a separate one aside from what Blair Line offers.
Just one follow up pic. I had cut and matched the screen with styrene painted a dark flat black.
As seen at the San Diego MRR Museum, the used a portable DVD player. The rows would be simple to make by just mounding up ballast/gravel/earth and white glue/water.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Saw this one on a modular club's HO layout at the Fostoria (Ohio) Rail Festival a couple times. Would be able to get an even larger lot for smaller scales.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
Geared Steam... Wow.. fantastic. Exactly what I was looking for in terms of designing the Screen. I really like the white lattice work at the bottom of the screen.. that one pic alone helps so much. I was planning on adding some corrugated sheets for the sides of the screen. I was planning on painting them, but now intend to use them as the color they come in. I guess that color would be best described as a Chrome Blue, shiny and bright as it is, it might add some 'Glitzy' look to it.
As far as fencing.. I plan on painting the corrugated sheets a drab light blue.. or drab light green. As I remember most Drive In's, corrugated fencing was the way... all along the perimeter of the lot. How I do this won't be that easy unless someone has an idea of how to make fencing with corrugated sheets. I will follow up with some pics tomorrow morning.
I just want to Thank you again. I knew someone would come up with some ideas. You've made my day, you really have.
Keith
chatanuga Saw this one on a modular club's HO layout at the Fostoria (Ohio) Rail Festival a couple times. Would be able to get an even larger lot for smaller scales. Kevin
Kevin, quote; "Would be able to get an even larger lot for smaller scales." Sure would, sure is! Even though this is N scale, and plenty of room to spare, I will have to chop this down to a respectable size. As you may or may not know, my wife is in on the total layout design. She wants it small, I want it much bigger. Then again, like so many other areas of proposed cities / towns diorama's I've built. I can't determine what will go where until I finish the area next to the Drive In. I'm trying not to paint myself into a corner.
Thank you for the pic. That pic too, also gives me ideas. I like the Red Diamond Trim around the top of the building. The added detail that makes or breaks a setting. Its always the little things.
I do have a Snack Bar and a few other items to give that added touch. What bothers me, Is where do I place the Projection Booth? In the very back? Up towards the middle. Or in front of the Snack Bar, which is also near the back. I really can't remember and believe I've seen some variants of the mix and match.
Now on a side note, I do remember Pick-up Trucks and Campers were at the back. The trucks would park backwards and people would lay in the bed of the truck. Pillows .. blankets.. the works~
Any ideas ?
joe323Yes the larger vehicles are required to park in back so as not to block the screen for the other cars
Joe, and right you are. That's what I remember too. I also remember the Playground, in Kevin's pic, it shows a Playground for the Kiddies~ And that shall be incorporated into this Drive In as well.
Now, I wish I had a better pic, one that shows some changes.. especially that one pic of the Lattice work, in which I also made. Not that you can even see it, but it is time for bed. I've had a busy day, but just wanted to share one pic. One pic only, but its kind of a Sneak Preview,
All of you, Thank you, this is really becoming a fun project.
Great thread, but for some reason I'm craving popcorn right now.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The Particular Drive In we go to does not have a playground. What going though my head is Lets all go to the lobby....
Seriously its a 3 hour drive to go to the drive in we do it about twice a year usually make a night of it since they show a double if not a triple feature.
Geared Steam
How do you separate the display from the DVD player?
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
joe323 The Particular Drive In we go to does not have a playground. What going though my head is Lets all go to the lobby.... Seriously its a 3 hour drive to go to the drive in we do it about twice a year usually make a night of it since they show a double if not a triple feature.
You made me think of a time, when my wife and I were first dating, and fell asleep at the Drive-In. Woke up somewhere past 4:30 AM, I looked around and was amazed to see how many people .. REally did make a night of it. Tons of cars all around, I can only imagine they would wake up at sunrise.
Geared Steam.. I thank you for the input / pics. Here's a pic of my lattice work. Oh not a clean job on the painting as far as some holes being filled up from paint in the lattice work, but keep in mind this is N scale with N scale fences.
In short my screen went from black boring to a semi clean beige. I am sorry for some of the poor pics but I think you can get the idea.
In this pic below, its somewhat blurred or out of focus, well actually it was the battery going dead. But all in all, it does show many colors. I first painted it a dark green... then some gray, then some white and then the beige. Sort of a mottled look, at times I think it looks kind of weathered. A clean crisp paint job on the backing might not look as real. But I like the multi-colors and to me it looks more 'real' in every sense.
In case anyone is wondering how to get the monitor out to turn it on.. ? Well this backing is hinged at the top with the aid of a thin painted strip of Latex Rubber. I use latex to make my own molds. I had some nearby, why not.. might make a great hinge. To keep the backing from inching up and or popping open, I used the Woodland Scenic Tacky Glue to help hold the plate against the wood screen. That stuff really holds.. but not as good as the latex. So.. one type for the hinge, another type to hold it securely but still be able to access the monitor.
From boring black to a pretty beige and a more detailed look. I still haven't added the Glitzy Blue for frills.. but that's coming up later on. Right now, I am in the process of mapping out various areas. Entrances, Ticket Booth, and even an exit. Not to mention, even a 'drive around' in the outer perimeter of the 'inner lot'. If that makes sense. So mapping and mounting of the parts is on my basic list. I'm planning on mounting all this on Foam Board to follow the basic theme idea; that every thing can be removed.
MisterBeasley Great thread, but for some reason I'm craving popcorn right now.
Mister Beasley, coming from you, I take it as a great compliment. Don't think I haven't seen or admire your work. Your creations are a thing of pure study for me. I Thank You.
" .... craving popcorn right now" Well lets not stop. Lets get really hungry. I can see Joe and his wife planning the next 'spring' outing to the Drive-In.
Popcorn anyone?
Craving Popcorn?
Phoebe Vet Geared Steam How do you separate the display from the DVD player?
Dave and anyone else who wishes to know.. lol, gheesh all these new names are confusing. All we need now is Wayne to show up.
Here are some pics.
I painted Woodland Scenic Tacky Glue on the bottom. I also painted rubber latex onto the top. The latex rubber acts as a hinge. The Tacky glue, hold the plate firmly against the monitor.
The black plate is made from styrene which has a 'matte' finish sprayed with black Krylon Plastic paint. The black plate is held firmly onto the monitor's glass face using WS Tacky glue.
The black plate is held in place by the white trim. The white trim was left over scrap wood trim that came from the Blair Line Drive In kit. I thought what a better to do the screen.
Being that the screen was built with a small tilt, only aids for this all to push together and held nicely. The monitor slips right into place.
I hope this clears all this up. Now where is Wayne? lol
Thank you for that much, but where is the DVD player?
I used a 7" portable DVD player for my screen. I then built a small shelf below the layout for my larger DVD player where it's readily assessible. I drilled a hole directly below the 7" DVD, fished an RCA cable up to the DVD's input connection and hooked up the other end to the larger DVD's output connection. I also went online and downloaded an original ten minute ditty they always showed during intermission and burned it to a CD. Impresses everyone who sees it!
Thank you.
joe323Seems to me you could buid a rig for an iphone or a tablet too.
And right you are Joe. All these ideas I was contemplating as I looked at the listings on Ebay. Taking a mental note of measurements of all the options. I was leaning towards the 7 inch DVD player. But for N scale, it would seem almost a tad too large, and if not, it would be more of a modern screen. I did find the measurements of the Blair Line Drive In kit. When I had compared those measurements towards the Summer Baby monitor, it seemed like almost an Exact Match!
Then I found the used Monitor for $40 US dollars. I couldn't believe it. So what if it was burnt in the back, for the price it was a steal, so long as it worked. Now if you had a complete brand new setup, that is, monitor and 3 camera's ... I'm guessing around the $300 dollar range. I wouldn't know, because the camera's I picked up were used also on Ebay.
Let me just say, this is NOT a DVD player. The monitor is the Drive In Movie screen. It is battery charged. No wires, but remote control. The monitor can handle up to 4 camera's. I have 3 camera's right now. The camera's can be placed anywhere in the home. Those camera's do have to be plugged in. Have one focused on the kitchen and I can watch what is going on there, have one focused on the TV, and I've got that.. and one placed outside to watch the kids playing or cars going by. The monitor is a 'touch screen', that can control each camera, the focus / zoom in, turn left or right .. and even the up / down. Its pretty high tech. The most expensive item of all 4 is the monitor, in which I got for $40.
Considering the price, the required measurements, I went with the Summer Baby Monitor. I guess its a matter of preference. Mine happens to be money... or lack of it there.
Now is some of you need to talk about DVD players.. please talk to Geared Steam.
It is Ironic the way we use high tech to reoresent technology in the past. I mean how many of us really get to go to a drive in or ride steam trains on a regular basis. Yet we reproduce the effect on our layouts with DCC sound and baby monitors etc. You have inspired me to look into building a drive in when I redo my layout next year.