Wow, I have to say that's got to be about the most realistic modelling I've ever seen.
This article alone has really helped me zero in on what my modelling focus should be.
Here is a link to a website dedicated to this current layout:
http://www.lancemindheim.com/
I really enjoyed his N scale layout featured in MR a few years ago. But this HO layout is just unbelievably realistic. Wow.
He also has a layout design service. Doesn't surprise me. Someone who does work this good should do it for a living!
Lets make that an active link:
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Agreed. I saw his layout in the recently released 2007 Great Model Railroads issue and thought he did a splendid job.
I grew up in FL for 21 years. He absolutely nailed the look and color of the palm trees frons. All he needs is a few brown dead frons lying underneath a couple of them. (That...and a dead armadillo out in the middle of the road.
Along those lines, here's one of my favorite pics:
It's entitled, "Not my job!"
Anyhow, beautiful modeling.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
In the article he said he doesn't use any mechanism for the MicroEngineering Code 70 turnouts. He just flips them with his finger.
Does anyone have any experience using ME turnouts like this, with no mechanism whatsoever?
I do the same with the ME code 83 On30 turnouts......no problems so far, but don't much like these turnouts....prefer the Peco On30 turnouts.
Michael Hewitt
Hampstead, NC
SBCA wrote:In the article he said he doesn't use any mechanism for the MicroEngineering Code 70 turnouts. He just flips them with his finger.Does anyone have any experience using ME turnouts like this, with no mechanism whatsoever?
I do that with my Atlas Code 100s; the only problem I have is sometimes it drifts open and derails stuff!
Dave Vollmer wrote:Having lived on Florida's East Coast, I was floored by his layout. It was hard to tell if I was looking at a model or the real thing. He nailed it 100%!
It's easy to tell it's a model. NO palmetto bugs!
I love that CSX switcher. I think I have a new favorite layout.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I've enjoyed all of GMR 2008, but this layout definitely stands out!
I love the details of old cardboard boxes and broken banding laying about and his foilage looks incredibly real. The scenery is truly amazing, all around.
A work of art that looks fun to operate!
Thanks for posting the link to his web site.
I agree! I grew up in Miami (Little River section) and lived in Miami from 1935-1964. I really can't believe I was looking at a model!
If that is a model - YOUR WORK IS REAL SHARP - LANCE!
Lance lives in Maryland, and has a business building custom layouts (I think it's called ShelfLayouts.com.) I was surprised that there was no mention of his use of Helicon focus software for the photos. Everything looks crisp and in focus thanks to the software.
It is a good looking layout, no question. I especially liked that weathered CSX geep. Very true to life.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
wm3798 wrote: Lance lives in Maryland, and has a business building custom layouts (I think it's called ShelfLayouts.com.) I was surprised that there was no mention of his use of Helicon focus software for the photos. Everything looks crisp and in focus thanks to the software.It is a good looking layout, no question. I especially liked that weathered CSX geep. Very true to life. Lee
Ah, I could have sworn there was a Mindheim who was featured in MR magazine for doing a Hoosier Line Monon layout featuring southern Indiana.
Love that loco in the "Tropical Evening" photo. I could swear one could climb aboard that engine and go for a ride. Real nice work!
Rob
riogrande5761 wrote: wm3798 wrote: Lance lives in Maryland, and has a business building custom layouts (I think it's called ShelfLayouts.com.) I was surprised that there was no mention of his use of Helicon focus software for the photos. Everything looks crisp and in focus thanks to the software.It is a good looking layout, no question. I especially liked that weathered CSX geep. Very true to life. Lee Ah, I could have sworn there was a Mindheim who was featured in MR magazine for doing a Hoosier Line Monon layout featuring southern Indiana.
He had a shot of his N scale Monon layout looking at the track from a distance with a creekbed as the focal point of the shot. The look of the water, the meandering nature of the creek and the variety of ways it met the shore, the erosion, the surrounding landscape, made it quite possibly the finest model photograph I have ever seen, in any magazine.
The Florida layout article emphasizes a point that I think people lost sight of -- it is the spare, uncluttered look of things that is so real. Not too many figures or vehicles.
Dave Nelson
I have been working on a Nort Florida layout , and Lance's fine job has really inspired me .
What want to know is , where do you get Palm trees like he has on this layout . I could really use some .
Any help will be appreciated .
Thanks
carknocker1 wrote:I have been working on a Nort Florida layout , and Lance's fine job has really inspired me . What want to know is , where do you get Palm trees like he has on this layout . I could really use some . Any help will be appreciated . Thanks
these are the trees he uses: http://www.hartofthesouth.com/
It looks like we'll have more to look forward to in the future.
According to his website, Lance Mindheim has removed his N scale Monon layout (what a beautiful piece of work that was also!), and will be building a new HO layout in its place.
I'm already look forward to what he builds next. That Florida switching layout in GMR 2008 was truly inspiring.
I've been spending my MR planning time the past couple years trying to figure out how to cram as much RR into a small space as possible, and this layout clearly demonstrates how being realistically sparse can be so effective. It's got me thinking in a different directrion altogether.