PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[DKS]

Is it just me or do most of the photos in this issue look like HDR photos?

It's not you; I felt the same way myself.

And for those readers not familiar with HDR: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_imaging

[Rich_S]

It's not you; I felt the same way myself.

And for those readers not familiar with HDR: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_imaging

David, I wish I could afford the $3,300 price tag for a Cannon EOS HDR camera  Not to get too far off track or I mean topic,  In the Allen Keller Great Model Railroads video, Volume 46 - Paul Dolkos’ Boston & Maine New Hampshire Division, Paul showed the technique he uses to take model photographs. Basically he had lights pointed in numerous directions for highlighting, fill, backlighting and so fourth. I'm not a photographer, but in my mind his method would kind of simulate what a HDR camera does? It's been some time since I watched Volume 46, but I think Paul uses a Cannon Rebel EOS DSLR.

 

 

 

[Dave V]

I can vouch for his rig involving enough lights to be seen from the ISS.  Seriously, it was like being in a full-scale Easy Bake Oven.

[VonRyan]

Sounds like what I needed to take photos with my mom's Kodak Easy-Share somethingorother. You just about needed a nuclear flash to take a good photo with it. And the flash on the camer was useless as it made everything darker and less like what it actually looks like.
Now with a Canon Rebel T3, I don't need to haul out every work-lamp in the house just to take a picture. One will suffice now, if the flouresents don't do the job.
Needless to say, I eagerly await the day for a camera that actually takes pictures that look like how things actually look rather than making things look strange and nothing like what the eye sees.


-Cody F.

[Bsklarski]

All you need is a good 1.4 or 1.8 lens.

[Rich_S]

Dave, Trying to get back on track  any news on the Juniata Division in your new home? Are you going to use David's trackplan as the new configuration for the Juniata Division?

[Dave V]

Still working on the basement so the layout is still crated in the garage.

[Dave V]

I received my author's copy of GMR 2014 in the mail today.  Overall, I'm very pleased with it.  They made a few edits to my copy and--contrary to my usual feelings--I think their edits made it better.

I usually try to be humble about my modeling but seeing my own layout taking 8 pages in an MR annual (with a double-page photo to boot!) is just freaking cool.

I do see what you're saying about the photography, though, and not just my feature.  They all look somewhat saturated and flat, even if crisp.

To answer the the question about why there were no photos of Enola, you can look at the photo on page 38 and see how Enola was shoved up against the back wall of the house.  None of the rooms in the house were big enough to allow room on the far side of the yard, and the room I used did not allow for the layout to be rotated 180 so Enola could be accessible (without blocking all access to the Spruce Creek side).  As such, it really limited Paul's ability to shoot Enola (its best photo angles are from the run-through track side).  My guess is the two pics he took did not make the cut for various reasons.

[davefoxx]

Dave,

I just received my copy of GMR'14 today, and I must say that your article is fantastic.  It was well written and a pleasure to read.  I hope I get to see the layout in person one day.  Oh, and congratulations on gracing the same pages as the likes of Allen McClelland and the V&O.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Does anyone know if it's in stores yet?

[Rich_S]

Does anyone know if it's in stores yet?

Ed, The cover says "Holiday 2013" I'm not sure when the magazine will hit the hobby shop shelfs, but you can order a copy now at http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/articles/layout-visits/2013/10/great-model-railroads-2014-online-extras

[Bsklarski]

I may have to mail my copy to Dr Dave to sign 

[chicken45]

Got mine before the drive to da Burgh on Friday! Dave! Where'd you get that watchbox kit for your grade crossing?
Also, let me ask you opinion of roadbed. If you had to do it all over again, would you use HO or double stack N scale cork for the mainline?

[Dave V]

I'd use cork versus Woodland Scenics foam, but not sure I'd go double thickness.

The crossing shanty was part of the Walthers built-up 3-pack that included an interlocking tower, speeder shed, and the shanty.  Painting a built-up is finicky work, BTW!

[Dave V]

We still have to finish a few more things before final inspection of the basement...countertops, thresholds, and final plumbing.  Once the inspection happens we can set up the Juniata Division for real.

For now a teaser...  The room was designed with the layout in mind and painted in a very light hazy sky color (Behr "Morning Haze").



To the left is an Ikea tall glass curio case kit...  I plan to display whatever trains are not on the layout.  It will also make swapping eras much, much faster!