"Tour the Line" videos of the Columbia and Western posted

[mark dance]

Hi everyone...for anyone interested I have posted a couple of new videos of the Columbia & Western to the C&W Youtube channel ( http://www.youtube.com/user/markdance63 ).

The first is a 25 minute long video of a Westbound wayfreight running from the Division point of Nelson to the western modelled end of the Boundary sub at Cascade.  Scale speed of 20 mph are observed which is why it is so long however only 3-4 minutes of the 25 video are in unsceniced areas (Nelson yard and Castlegar) so hopefully there is lots to see!

The second is a 15 minute video explaining the Rail-Barge-Rail run over the Boundary, Slocan and Kaslo subs between Nelson and Nakusp.

I hope you enjoy the videos.

thx

md

[Wardie]

I enjoyed both of those, and it was cool to see trains running through scenes we have watched you build over the last couple months.

[jmlaboda]

Really some great modeling!!!  Thanks for sharing your work!!!

[mark dance]

Thank you for the kind compliments.  They mean a great deal as the contributions on RailWire are very impressive (the steam thread going on right now is amazing). 

These are likely the last videos for quite a while as I would like to turn my attention to designing and building the remaining 5 bridges.  However if I can coax Simon ("SirTainly") over with his camera car then that visit might produce interesting angles to explore.

thx again

md

[Cajonpassfan]

Mark,
 simply stunning! I continue to be amazed about how well you've managed to capture the spirit of the place. What a nice ride!
 Regards Otto K.

[rochsub]

Excellent videos Mark.  I really like the scenery in the first video, especially the bridge crossings and snow sheds.  Splendid!

Daryl

[GaryHinshaw]

Reporting live from my brother-in-law's place in the middle of Columbia & Western country (Slocan Lake in this case).  I showed the family several scenes from this video and they instantly recognized all of them, especially the bridge at Taghum (around minute 3:00) and the junction at South Slocan (around minute 4:00).  I think it's a testimony to the quality of Mark's layout that these scenes have been brought to life so recognizably.

-gfh

[PGE-N°2]

I haven't watched them, yet, but I've seen your earlier videos, and I've followed every thread on the C&W I can find. I really liked the previous video filmed live at an ops session. Realistic operations are something I truly wish I could manage to take part in somewhere someday, so it was very inspiring to see it, especially replicating the activities of one of my earliest favorite railways.

[davidgray1974]

Really cannot get enough of this!  Love the videos!  Would love to see this layout in person! 

[mark dance]

Hi everyone...here is the experimental video that Simon and I shot yesterday.  Lots of interference on the wireless camera unfortunately but hopefully it gives you a feel for the layout from track level.

thx

md

[PGE-N°2]

It's so achingly slow! You have to appreciate the prototypical speed. Actually, for the length of your mainline run, it's a pretty fast trip, although that doesn't include the helix.

That scene of the Kaslo wayfreight crossing the Kootenay River bridge in the previous video was spectacular. Everything looks so real in that scene: It would make a prime photo location. The line looks great climbing along those rock walls above Shields, but some of your tunnels seem to be portals to the fifth dimension.

Really spectacular leaving Farron with that pristine snow and distant backdrop, and the snowsheds really are amazing, especially the detail on their interiors, and is it just me, or does that one C-Liner have Canucks flags on it? Hopefully the lockout doesn't last a whole season, or that train may never leave Cascade.

[GaryHinshaw]

Just looking at the "cab ride" video again, and thinking that before too long, it will be possible to have a camera in every loco, streaming video to the operator's smart phone throttle.  Imagine the new dimension that will add to ops as signal indications and meets are observed from the cab.  That is much more enticing to me than on-board sound.

I guess that means we'll have to start lining our tunnels though...

-gfh

[superchief]

Love the cab ride video Mark, layout looks great! agree with Gary this will be the future and great for operations!. Gordon

[mark dance]

Imagine the new dimension that will add to ops as signal indications and meets are observed from the cab.

Hence the working train order signal prototype!   I hope to have the 6 TO semaphores in place within the year (for Vanrail 2013).

I think a micro camera at caboose cupola level with a view simulating the conductor's looking out over the top of the swaying box cars would be very cool.  Food for thought.

md

[GaryHinshaw]

What's a caboose?       (Agreed though, that would be sweet, as will the TO semaphores.)