"The General"

[JohnReid]

I am planning to add to the storyline a bit by adding a bit more history to the diorama.This once was an active movie set that was converted into a theme park that has since failed and has been abandoned.This will allow me more freedom for weathering the piece in my own style.For scale I may dress up one of the figures as a mannequin that has also fallen into disrepair.I am also thinking about doing a small scale model within this model for the props yard.

[JohnReid]

Well,I have changed my mind again.It is now back to the theme park idea.The props yard and no figures is just boring,especially for kids and after all this is why I do this stuff,for the kids and of course for the kid in all of us too.
Now I am planning at least 20 figures in this diorama,maybe more and a complete HO scale old west town with a few figures also.
Yesterday I built up my first HO structure in wood,an outhouse(well you gotta start somewhere and every old west town needs them).
1/87 is as small as I have ever gone and I kinda like it for a change of pace.
Miniature towns are very popular in Europe especially in England and Germany and the kids seem to love them.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is where I am as of today.The lower right hand side of the pic is where the HO removable module will be.There will eventually be 15 buildings and facades in there.The future N scale module could be attached to any of the four sides by simply screwing it on.The trains movement should really be an eye catcher.

[JohnReid]

Now where the hell do I start ?

[JohnReid]

I am planning a small N scale RR layout.From what I understand 2'X4' is about minimum.Any ideas on where I could find some examples ? This is my fist layout since I was 10 years old about 62 years ago.Need help ! thanks Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I am planning 3 different modules for this piece.The G scale part will be finished in detail and weathered like an old abandoned movie set or ghost town.The HO scale part will be a removable module of an old west town and modeled to look like a model,in other words not as detailed or lifelike.The N scale part will be an add on module, fastened to one side of the perimeter, but I haven't yet decided which one.It will be an operating ,shelf type, old west train layout made to look like a G scale train(in real life) with G scale figures wandering through it.There will also be a old west movie poster area and a G scale area for a couple of fake horses.The horses will be hollowed out to look like paper mache ones with a sign nearby saying "Don't feed the horses",fake horses were often used as props in old west movies.
This piece has now evolved into a theme park idea (circa 1960's) It is a fantasy piece using lots of artistic license.( but isn't that what movies and models are all about,a suspension of your own disbelief ?) The core story is still about the Italian director Sergio Leone and his love of the western genre and it is dedicated to his memory.

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 !

[JohnReid]

I kinda like this model within a model idea for a theme park.Finishing Morton's car with just furniture would be a little boring for kids I imagine but seeing another locomotive on display would be more fun.Walt Disney did this in his theme park and it was a hit with the kids both young and old.

[JohnReid]