Weekend Update 10/31/10

[sirenwerks]

There was a fire module?! Wow, that's original! Next thing you know Ntrak enthusiasts will be putting DPM towns on the modules. Or maybe someone will put a circus on a module?

[seusscaboose]

There was a fire module?! Wow, that's original! Next thing you know Ntrak enthusiasts will be putting DPM towns on the modules. Or maybe someone will put a circus on a module?

yeah!
or maybe a Zoo!!!
that's original!

 ;D

Refrain from generalizations, there are N-Trakers amongst us that do admirable and astonishing work.

 ;D

[wazzou]

I think that the Drive-In movie theater has become increasingly more popular here on the West Coast, particularly on corners. :

[Bob Bufkin]

There was a carnival scene but don't remember seeing the obligatory drive-in.

[John]

I don't believe anyone in BANTRAK has a drive in ..  I don't mind that kind of stuff at all .. its the space ship and godzilla modules I am not fond of

[DKS]

I don't mind that kind of stuff at all .. its the space ship and godzilla modules I am not fond of

I'm in full agreement here. Since NTrak's audience is the general public (for the most part), festivals and zoos are good eye candy for them, and whatever might attract their interest is fair game (save for space ship/Godzilla ones--I'll agree that fantasy stuff ought to be avoided). Those who don't care for such modules can simply ignore them and concentrate on the ones of interest.

I think that the Drive-In movie theater has become increasingly more popular here on the West Coast, particularly on corners.

Actually, if I was to build a module for fun, I'd be tempted to do a drive-in. The difference: it would be super-accurate, and the picture would be projected on the screen just as in real life, instead of using the mini-LCD displays that folks usually try to pass off as a screen. So, I hope that I wouldn't be shunned--or take too much flack--from RW members for such a breech of conduct.

[sirenwerks]

Refrain from generalizations, there are N-Trakers amongst us that do admirable and astonishing work.

I do judge individual work on its own merits. Yet Ntrak has pigeon-holed itself in many respects, it's taken on this crowd-pleasing role and I think that shows up in the conceptualization of modules.

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer trains running through well-crafted, believable scenery and amid realistic industry, over cutesy ooh and ahh generators. I readily admit that I am quite amazed by some modular work. The N scale Modutrak group's work is very inspiring, IMO. Every time I hear they're setting up I consider driving halfway across country to see it in person; and I'm very hopeful of seeing Bernie Kempinski's local-to-me C&O group's product as well. The photos I have seen to-date are incredible. I also like the concept of both of those - being based on reality. Not true to prototype necessarily, but created with a critical eye and featuring something 'local', that people can identify with.

Speaking of drive-ins... (I probably shouldn't admit this but) there was one N-Trak module that struck me as noteworthy - I vaguely remember a scene that was designed to mime the O. Winston Link shot of the N&W mallet passing the drive-in (it even had the same movie image on the screen and reasonably situated parking lot. It got art-imitating-life points from me so, even though most people passing by probably didn't get the reference, I allowed the three over-sized tracks in the foreground to not spoil my admiration. I also vaguely remember it being next to yet another DPM town module, which quickly brought me back to reality. Sure the towns always have unique names, but there's no denying I've seen those buildings before (probably only a few modules back too).

Less track, more modeling. I think that would help N-Trak.

[sirenwerks]

Actually, if I was to build a module for fun, I'd be tempted to do a drive-in. The difference: it would be super-accurate, and the picture would be projected on the screen just as in real life, instead of using the mini-LCD displays that folks usually try to pass off as a screen. So, I hope that I wouldn't be shunned--or take too much flack--from RW members for such a breech of conduct.

You would do an admirable job, I'm sure David. There was an article done, in one of the N scale-specific rags I think, on how to construct an under-the-module mirror rig to have real-time movies.

[sizemore]

There was a fire module?! Wow, that's original! Next thing you know Ntrak enthusiasts will be putting DPM towns on the modules. Or maybe someone will put a circus on a module?

Actually the fire module is pretty good, age has taken a toll on it, techniques used are dated but overall it's very neat. I think a revamped version would really be appealing to the fans of DKS creations from a scale model standpoint.

The S.

[artpics]

Really enjoyed the movie. Gotta say thank you for just the effort it took to take 100 hoppers out of their little cases, run the train, and them put them all back in their little cases. From a historical perspective was the 'Laurel Valley' absorbed by CR and then folded into NS? Looking for the rationale to run them in my NS unit hopper train with an occasional rusty RDG relic.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Maybe it's just me, but I prefer trains running through well-crafted, believable scenery and amid realistic industry, over cutesy ooh and ahh generators. I readily admit that I am quite amazed by some modular work. The N scale Modutrak group's work is very inspiring, IMO. Every time I hear they're setting up I consider driving halfway across country to see it in person; and I'm very hopeful of seeing Bernie Kempinski's local-to-me C&O group's product as well. The photos I have seen to-date are incredible. I also like the concept of both of those - being based on reality. Not true to prototype necessarily, but created with a critical eye and featuring something 'local', that people can identify with.

Less track, more modeling. I think that would help N-Trak.

Your philosophy is similar to mine. I would be happy to show you and any one else that wants to visit the modules. The modules are in my garage. It would be a simple matter to take them down and set them up for a visit. Just pick a date, come on down (or up) and help me get them down and set up.  I've been focused on my O Scale layout lately, but a shot of N is always a good thing.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Bernie
Would you want to set them up (maybe with some help from the brigade here) at the CRHS train show in November? It's a single day affair, and we could use the layout.

Shoot me an email if you're interested.

[Ian MacMillan]

Where are the photos to Bernies new C&O modular group...I'd love to see them!

[chuck geiger]

Ian: Page 44 of GREAT MODEL RAILROADS 2011.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Where are the photos to Bernies new C&O modular group...I'd love to see them!

Also look at our blog http://mountainsub.blogspot.com/

It's been quitet of late but we are still alive.