Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Jim, You're video quality is great! I'm not familiar with the iPhone, so if that is all you can do, don't worry 'bout it. I love the video. I just didn't know if you could get a wider angle. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Keep up the great work! We need a video of the train coming through the cut, through the village and around the bend. That's awesome! 5* job! You rock.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Old #97 provides the traction for an extra and is backing up to the end of the line at Zalma to load up on lumber and cross ties. We're at Greenbrier watching as she sways back and forth over the barely adequate ribbons of rail. The timber business in this area is gasping its last breath as is the branch line serving it since 1887. http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj182/jimjames63/8921c95b.mp4
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) I got the timetable figured out. Not really rocket science. Now I can explore some operating possibilities. I'll have to throw in some extras for peak lumber times and harvest or whatever. I wish track plans existed for the towns along my branch This timetable does show that the only telegraph office along the line was at Zalma and shows how long the sidings were. Lots of good info on this timetable.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Jim's latest and greatest can be seen on Youtube right here: Old #97 provides the traction for an extra Can't wait for more goodies Jim!
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Jim - I have to admit that you have drastically changed my narrow view of what someone can accomplish with a 4x8 "oval" in terms of prototype modeling. I'm especially impressed (and inspired) by the progress you've made in a reasonably short time! Best Regards,
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Thanks, Chris. It's the best for me because I enjoy scenery and period details more than operations. Last night I took a break from scenery ( letting sculptamold dry) and built this 1911 delivery truck. I like this time period with horse drawn wagons and early automobiles sharing the roads.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch ( photo ) Maybe Santa will get you a manure wagon instead of a lump of coal this Christmas!
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Nice trucks! You did a great job. Jordan Miniature's, right? Oh btw, remember, if they're Ford's, you can have any color you like as long as it is black. BTW, Art Griffin makes decals for the Jordan Miniature wagon's and trucks. They're beautiful and add the color of the period!
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Good to know. The decals that came with the kits are not right for me. Tonight I built the 1915-1920 Ford Center Door Sedan. I modeled it with a flat and the car is up on a jack with the wheel off. These kits are a hoot to build and modify.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) So I still haven't ordered my fall tree materials so I've turned my guns on Zalma. I've been itching' to put some scenery around my scratchbuilt depot which is my most ambitious structure so far. My layout is not really a layout but more like several dioramas strung along an oval of track to allow continuous running. I have divided it into 3 seasons: summer, fall and winter. Zalma is in the winter zone. The prototype line ended here at Zalma and tracks ended about 100 yards past the depot. Here's a couple of early phase photos. I still have more scenery and details to add but things are shaping up quickly. This fake fur scenery is very versatile. I may add a bit of snow in a corner or two and ice around the puddles. Any suggestions on modeling ice and snow?
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Jim, Why did you remove your pictures? Also, I can't begin to tell you how many positive comments I am getting on my YOUTUBE account of your layout! People just love it! They want more!
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) I don't know what happened. I'll put a couple showing last night's progress. Hmmmm. Looks like Photobucket is down. I'll try later. Winter is tougher for me to model than summer.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Here we go. The first pic is looking towards the depot from the end of the line. And the second shows the overall scene from the other direction. Where the scenery ends at the curve is where it will change to spring which will be a swamp scene. A line of barren winter trees will act as a view block of sorts.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Someone call the police! I'm drowning in my drool! blub, blub, blub... AWESOME, STUPENDOUS, MAGNANIMOUS, COLOSSAL, FANTASTIC, UNBELIEVABLE. Did I fail to mention GOOD too? LOL...
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) Is a winter scene hard to model because it is basically bleak and depressing (like the view out the window right now)? A spring scene with bright, healthy colors seems like it would create a more positive attitude and inspire more work. Of course, with more growing, there are more scenery elements to fabricate and install, but watching it develop would be more fun, I am sure. It takes a lot of courage to put your masterpiece depot in a winter scene.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) I agree that winter isn't the prettiest scenery but I like to attempt the most challenging options and I stray from the "norm" every now and then. That's why I like to model vehicle doors open, hoods up exposing the engine and cars with flat tires. I find beauty in all seasons and as a modeler I find the challenge rewarding. Some ideas I'm kicking around include the delivery of a new potbelly stove sitting on the station platform, a coal bin with wheelbarrow and some vehicles with canvas curtains hanging over open side doors. A few spots of snow nestled in corners would also be fun. This scene will take a while but keep in mind that this little 4x8 has been a testbed for scenery, bench work and track laying and even operations. This has become one long scenery clinic. It's less daunting to try new techniques on a small portable project like this. I agree that my depot (thanks for calling it a masterpiece) would look better in a greener season but I'm a glutton for punishment. Thanks for the honest comments. That's partly what this forum is for and it helps me along.
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) What are you talkin' 'bout Willis? The Zalma is nothing short of a masterpiece. You are capturing everything so vividly and perfectly! Dang thing deserves to be in a museum thus far. I could look at those pictures over and over again and can find little if at nothing to fault. The only thing I see so far that needs attention are people and horse apples. Oh, and maybe the roads should be rutted more. Maybe even a car stuck in the mud. But dang dude, if you aren't capturing the true essence of early 20th Century America. Bravo!
Re: New Direction for Zalma Branch (photo) That's it Jim! May I suggest a scene where a car is stuck in the mud and is being pulled out by a team of horses! Old tried and true comes to the rescue of new and improved. Also, maybe a gazebo with an old time band playing in it. I dunno. I'm just trying to think of early 20th Century stuff.
