1:29 Photo Diorama

[tom mann]

People were asking about this in the Crew Lounge. This is my status as of tonight.

I thought it would be more fun to weather in such a large scale, but it's complete boredom for me.

I put a little N scale 50' car on top of that hopper to show you just how massive this stuff is:

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At the rate I'm making progress with this stuff I'll be ancient.

[ednadolski]

Why is it boring?

(got any more detailed pics?)

Ed

[nscaler711]

All I can say is amazing... I have a few pieces I need to weather just hard to start.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So... where did you find this stuff?

[milw12]

What did ever happen to Mister WTF 

Is that a bandit GP in the back? Even if it is a bore it's still fantastic weathering all around

-Lucas

[tom mann]

Why is it boring?

(got any more detailed pics?)

Ed

It's just that its more tedious and that leads to shear boredom. For example, look at the surface area compared with the N scale car. You're making rust streaks until you can't take it anymore. It's way longer from the time you start until you have results, so you don't have the constant gratification that you get when you can finish "steps" and see results.

You can't just paint on paint and call it rust - the models are too big and it's noticeable. 

So... where did you find this stuff?

Ed I’ve been collecting off and on for years.  The freight cars I picked up when they were on clearance from anywhere from $40-$80.  I had three turnouts custom built.

What did ever happen to Mister WTF 

Is that a bandit GP in the back? Even if it is a bore it's still fantastic weathering all around

-Lucas

Yep! Thanks!
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[nscaler711]

Hey @tom mann if and when you want to downsize the G stuff let me know I could definitely use some hoppers.

Also, tutorial please!!! 

[unittrain]

Excellent work, but I agree the smaller trains can give the right balance between realisim and the time needed to obtain that level of detail. For me N scale has a decent balance. I think anything bigger than HO requires way too much detailing, at least for me I'm not really into the nuts and bolts of freight cars but still like reasonable amounts of detail without going overboard.

[ednadolski]

Why is it boring?

It's just that its more tedious and that leads to shear boredom. For example, look at the surface area compared with the N scale car. You're making rust streaks until you can't take it anymore. It's way longer from the time you start until you have results, so you don't have the constant gratification that you get when you can finish "steps" and see results.

Yes I can certainly appreciate how something that size would take a lot longer.   G scale is 5.5x N scale in every dimension, so area-wise one G car is equivalent to ~ 30 N scale cars -- a whole train for most folks.

Plus it's all one car.  With those 30 N cars you will have a lot of variety (unit and intermodal notwithstanding).

(Edit: so you have about 3 or 4 N-scale trains worth of weathering in those pics.)

You can't just paint on paint and call it rust - the models are too big and it's noticeable. 

In addition to scaling textures, there simply is more weathering to do in terms of the details which becomes apparent at the larger sizes. The G seems more akin to military modeling, where the single model is the focal point and it's all about detailing rather than running and operation.

What gets me about the larger scales is how OOTB the details are often surprisingly coarse and chunky.  If you want scale & accurate details then you have to scratchbuild a lot of it yourself - unlike say HO where you can walk into a hobby shop and find a wall or two covered with parts that you can buy.


Ed

Additional edit:  Do you have any pics of those large models out in the sunlight?

[ednadolski]

I agree the smaller trains can give the right balance between realisim and the time needed to obtain that level of detail.

"The right balance" is of course subjective and individual.  A guy with 14,000 freight cars likely will have a different idea of balance than someone with a handful of cars for a photo diorama.   That's the good thing about this hobby, it can be whatever you want it to be.

Ed

[nkalanaga]

Off topic, but since this seems to be where the large scale experts are, here goes:

Why are standard gauge models, built to run on 45 mm track, built to 1:29, instead of 1:32, which would be the correct scale?  I'm sure it isn't because the British needed more room for motors...

[tom mann]

Why are standard gauge models, built to run on 45 mm track, built to 1:29, instead of 1:32, which would be the correct scale?  I'm sure it isn't because the British needed more room for motors...

Standard gauge models are built to run on 45mm track, and that is 1:32 scale.  1:29 models are different and also run on 45 track.  They exist because of a idea that they could be used with 1:32 and 1:24 models and still look "right".

[nscaler711]

If I had the time, money and knowledge, I would probably figure out a way to have a Proto 1:29 set up.
It would require widening the track gauge and wheelsets of rolling stock and locomotives.

For standard gauge equipment, 1:29 scale is more populated with models from multiple manufacturers; from Aristocraft(now gone) LGB, Piko, AML, Bachmann, and USA Trains. In 1:32 though MTH seems to be holding their own...

[ednadolski]

If I had the time, money and knowledge, I would probably figure out a way to have a Proto 1:29 set up.
It would require widening the track gauge and wheelsets of rolling stock and locomotives.

Not sure about a Proto:29, but the NMRA does list a Proto:24 and a Proto:32: https://www.nmra.org/rp-3-proto-fine-track

In practical terms tho it seems that Proto:scale in anything other than 48, 87, or 64 would essentially be uncharted waters.

Ed

[tom mann]

What gets me about the larger scales is how OOTB the details are often surprisingly coarse and chunky.
Additional edit:  Do you have any pics of those large models out in the sunlight?

Ed,

This stuff is designed for Christmastime display layouts and running outside, so it's not surprising the details are coarse (and it some cases, 'odd' in that they aren't on the prototype -see USA Trains hoppers).  There was one guy who started to get into $250+ 1:29 scale craftsman kits, but that is too much for the enjoyment that I would get out of it.

I'll get some better photos up shortly. 

Hey @tom mann if and when you want to downsize the G stuff let me know I could definitely use some hoppers.

I would rather it all go at once to someone who can pick it up. I have 10 cars (6 hoppers, 3 boxcars, 1 tank), 1 loco (GP38), 3 handmade turnouts, and 36' of track.