Well after a very turbulent summer filled with buying a house, broken bones and a few other minor ' occurences', I have started on the new Madison Central of Wisconsin layout. This layout will be in HO scale and incorporate the dioramas that have already been built with this in mind. To date there have been three dioramas built; 1) Dachshundeville 2) The Ablemann Quarry 3) The High Bridge at Ablemann I will be posting progress shots and comments on this thread during the construction. These dioramas were all built on 2" thick extruded styrofoam as will be the rest of the layout. Track is Atlas code 83. Layout style is around the wall, double decked with a double track helix and hidden staging. The layout will be based loosely on CNW operations in and around the Madison Wisconsin area from about 1970. Digitrax DCC operated. Hope you enjoy. Johnny
Johnny, They are awesome dioramas, do you have a track plan to post? Look forward to seeing your progress.
Plans?? P-L-A-N-S?? We don't need no stinkin'........ Thanks Colonel! Nah, I don't need no stinkin' plan!LOL Actually, there is really not a plan, my basement is such a wierd shape that I'm just going around the walls and when I need to turn, I turn, and so on. I will post photos and give track sketches as I make progress though. Johnny
The quarry scene is nice, but only in a usual way. The other two can momentarily fool the eye into thinking they're real. I love that shot of the town diorama. Real-life shots are often closer to head-on than broadside, but model shots rarely are. I like it when I see one that is. The bridge shot is just incredible. The well-made trees, the lighting... I assume it was taken outdoors?
The top pic is really awesome. anyone who's spent time in the midwest should be drooling over that scene. I think the crowning touch is the power lines actually being strung from the poles. Very nice.
Hello Triplex, Thanks for the warm comments. It is my goal to photograph the models in a life-like situation. To capture a feeling of 'being there'. Of being in the shot. Your assumption of the bridge shot being outdoors is correct. It was taken by the edge of a lake and I must admit I got lucky with the series of shots that I took. When most see this shot, I am accused of photoshopping it. But it is what it is, the real deal. Thanks again!! Johnny
Thank you Traingeekboy. It's nice to hear comments about the little things in the scene. Those wires were a pain to string, but the results far outweigh the work. Now if only I could find some crows to perch on 'em eh? Johnny
I'm not a raving North Western fan, but after looking at your work I could just about convert. The detail work on the Daschundville diorama is great- my wife hassles me about not stringing line on telephone ploes on my layouts (of course, she never volunteers for the job herself ). The look of the lines is worth all the work you put into it. ALso, the diesels look good, too! Any of 'em off-the-shelf, or did you do a lot of detail & paint work?
That tressle captures the look of bluffs in wisconsin perfectly. I don't think I've ever seen modeled rock/mountains that so perfectly mimiced real life.
Thanks FriscoBob! Yeh my wife is partly to blame for the poles. Asking an opinion of something can get you a little extra work. But I agree it is worth it. After all, how are my little folks gonna communicate without 'em? LOL Yeh, the power is custom painted and detailed by me. I'm relatively new at it but pleased with my early results. I actually enjoy painting myself so I can have fantasy engines. You see, the Madison Central of Wisconsin ( MadCoW ) is my home road, and I will eventually re-paint these in the MadCoW scheme. After a few 'bandits' appear of course!! Johnny
Thanks YoHo, a very nice compliment indeed. I was pleasantly surprised at what a little ole' steak knife could do!! Johnny
THAT oughta get the rivet-counters worked up....... A North Western tunnel motor and F45B.........gotta love it! Now watch the rivet-counters and diesel experts go into a snit (as if it matters) Nice modeling work!! THAT is one of the wonders of this hobby- to paint up what didn't exist in real life just to see what it looks like. Nicely done!!
Yeh Baby...... Thanks Verse!! FriscoBob, If they are paying REAL close attention, they'll get me on GP-35's with DYNAMICS. LOL Johnny
WOW! Nice dioramas! Could you show some more of Daschundville? How is the track arrangement there? Would love to see some more shots of the elevator too. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thank you. Here's a few more for you...... The cemetery One from a few years back.... Lil' Oscar is in town... Signs of the times...... The track is 1 Main line with sidings on either side(both are stub at the river). Johnny
More on Dachshundville A fw more shots around town...... streetside view of elevator Passing freight Couple of local boys doing some 'touch-up' work Thundering through town at 50 MPH Johnny
Following your work and that of others on these forums is providing me with the skills and techniques. Thank you very much for sharing and I'm still lovin' the WT system!! Johnny
