Mackinac Northern - a Z scale T-Trak layout

[Hawghead]

Errrrrrr, yeah........... 

Small updates.  Z scale. small.......

Scott

[keeper]

Ah. Now I get it..... 

I thought you were referring to same house in both pictures.

Thomas 

[keeper]

Got a bit of work done...




I'm trying to model a freshly ploughed field, well a part of a field. Still needs some texture.

Thomas 

[keeper]

Let's talk about cows.
On one of the modules I think I'll set up a field, well a part of a field, with cows. I have zero knowledge about cows so I thought I ask.
From the images I found I get the impression that in the upper midwest you'll find all sorts of cows, black and white, brown and white and completely brown either light or dark brown.
All these colour combinations are available from Noch in Z scale.
Does someone of you might suggest what is the most common of these?

Thomas 

[wazzou]

It generally would depend on if the cows are Dairy cows or raised for Beef.

Typically, in the PNW anyway, Dairy cows are more often than not, but not always Black/White. (Holstein), though there are the odd Red/White ones.
Beef cows are generally all Black (Angus), all Brown or Brown with White faces (Hereford).

As always, there are exceptions.

[Philip H]

All of the above.  Farms tend to specialize in one or two breed based on what they produce (beef, milk) but you see all the color variations to some extent in both.  There are 7 popular milk breeds in the US:

https://www.midwestdairy.com/sustainability/farm-life/dairy-cows/

Many of those are also popular for beef:

https://www.agdaily.com/livestock/top-10-cattle-breeds-united-states/

[nickelplate759]

It generally would depend on if the cows are Dairy cows or raised for Beef.

Typically, in the PNW anyway, Dairy cows are more often than not, but not always Black/White. (Holstein), though there are the odd Red/White ones.
Beef cows are generally all Black (Angus), all Brown or Brown with White faces (Hereford).

As always, there are exceptions.

And "Beef cows" are often not cows (often steer), whereas "Dairy cows" are always cows.   Don't want your miniature farmhands trying to milk a bull!

[wazzou]

And "Beef cows" are often not cows (often steer), whereas "Dairy cows" are always cows.   Don't want your miniature farmhands trying to milk a bull!

In the first lesson, I didn't want to get into the politically correct nature of identifying bovines.   

[keeper]

Thank you all for your input. That helped a lot and I think I will go along with the Holsteins black and white ones.

Thomas 

[keeper]

....   Don't want your miniature farmhands trying to milk a bull!

But wouldn't that make a funny scene? 

[peteski]

But wouldn't that make a funny scene? 

Yes, especially if you animated it to have the "milker" flying through the air after getting kicked by the bull.

[keeper]

Yes, especially if you animated it to have the "milker" flying through the air after getting kicked by the bull.

Now that would be something! Cows and bulls are available, need to check the other figures....
Does our chief animateur has an idea? 

Thomas

[keeper]

No luck so far in finding figures milking a cow, at least not in Z scale.
But I did find figures trading cattle:

https://www.preiser-figuren.de/preiser-88544-1:220-viehhandel-preiser-88544,art-18615

One could imagine the cow kicking the guy second from the right....

Thomas 

[keeper]

Another small update....




This is the right endcap. In the foreground will be the part of the field for the Holsteins.

Thomas 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Damn man. Now you're making me think I need to make a module or two. Hmm