Sep-Oct N Scale Railroading. way to go MiNi-ModuTrak/Skibbe

[SAH]

I just got a copy too.  I must say I've seen some of the modules firsthand.  Many times the mag photos look great but when I finally see a layout in person it loses some of the luster.  NOT the case with the MiNi Mod set-up.  The photos do not compare with seeing these beautiful modules up close.  There's so much to see and it's so well done.  You guys definitely push me to do better.  Keep up the great work and the terrific how-to posts.

Steve

[lashedup]

Oh yea .. I'm gonna be in Milwaukee Wisconsin in December .. whats there to do other than freeze .. railroad wise .

Drink Milwaukee's Finest and eat cheese?

You going to be in town for the holidays? Last year we set up a sizeable portion of the modules here in the Chicago-area for a few weeks over the holidays, so if you've got time on your hands and want to make the trip down (about an hour and half) you can run trains and meet some of the crew.

-jamie

[John]

Oh yea .. I'm gonna be in Milwaukee Wisconsin in December .. whats there to do other than freeze .. railroad wise .

Drink Milwaukee's Finest and eat cheese?

You going to be in town for the holidays? Last year we set up a sizeable portion of the modules here in the Chicago-area for a few weeks over the holidays, so if you've got time on your hands and want to make the trip down (about an hour and half) you can run trains and meet some of the crew.

-jamie

I am flying in on the 5th of December, taking in a Bucks vs Lebron/Shaq game, then driving up to Green Bay on Sunday, to watch the Ravens play Monday night the 7th .. back out of MKE late afternoon Tuesday

[AlkemScaleModels]

I just got a copy too.  I must say I've seen some of the modules firsthand.  Many times the mag photos look great but when I finally see a layout in person it loses some of the luster.  NOT the case with the MiNi Mod set-up.  The photos do not compare with seeing these beautiful modules up close.  There's so much to see and it's so well done.  You guys definitely push me to do better.  Keep up the great work and the terrific how-to posts.

Steve

Interesting point. The only layouts I can recall that looked better in person than in photos were both of Mike Danneman's N Scale DRGW layouts. The photos don't do them justice.  I have a feeling the photos of the Mini Mod do the same, but I haven't seen them in person yet.

[SAH]

I just got a copy too.  I must say I've seen some of the modules firsthand.  Many times the mag photos look great but when I finally see a layout in person it loses some of the luster.  NOT the case with the MiNi Mod set-up.  The photos do not compare with seeing these beautiful modules up close.  There's so much to see and it's so well done.  You guys definitely push me to do better.  Keep up the great work and the terrific how-to posts.

Steve

Interesting point. The only layouts I can recall that looked better in person than in photos were both of Mike Danneman's N Scale DRGW layouts. The photos don't do them justice.  I have a feeling the photos of the Mini Mod do the same, but I haven't seen them in person yet.

I wonder if it's because the composition of the photos in the mags are the same regardless of the modeling scale.  When you see HO & larger layouts the trains overwhelm the scene.  With N the trains fit better.  I suppose it follows that all Z scale layouts look fantastic in person.  Not.  The skill of the modeler and execution of his/her vision matter most and the MiNi Mods are at the top of their game.

[AlkemScaleModels]

I wonder if it's because the composition of the photos in the mags are the same regardless of the modeling scale.  When you see HO & larger layouts the trains overwhelm the scene.  With N the trains fit better.  I suppose it follows that all Z scale layouts look fantastic in person.  Not.  The skill of the modeler and execution of his/her vision matter most and the MiNi Mods are at the top of their game.

I think there are two factors at work.

First is that a layout photo is a carefully controlled view of the layout. All the distractions, unfinished sections, piles of junk are not visible. In some cases the backdrop edges, visible fascia and even mistakes have been photoshopped away.  When you see the layout in person, it's harder to remove those distractions. Thus the photos provide a better look at the layout.


The Second factor works the other way. It's hard to take good photos of N Scale models due to depth of field, hyperfocal effect, out of scale hand rails, couplers, etc.  When you look at an actual N scale layout, these factors tend to disappear as you take in the whole scene.

But in most of the layouts I have visited, factor 1 is more dominant than 2.  In the case of Danneman's layouts, the perfection of the colors, the excellence of the modeling, layout lighting and the neat appearance of the room do not provide the normal distractions. He even uses Peco code 80 and you'd never notice. The Reed Bros is another N Scale example, while Paul Dolkos old layout is an HO example.   When I took my wife to visit Paul's layout, she looked around and said, "Ohhh, so this is what they are supposed to look like."

[Sokramiketes]

There's not much to compare to Danneman's artistry (though I think he uses Peco Cd 55, so it's not complete magic, and black ballast hides a lot more).  Danneman has put so much effort into blending his backdrops into the foreground scenery.  The effect in person is outstanding as has been mentioned.  But in photographs he has to spend a lot of time trying to take pictures in a way that shows this, and doesn't let the flat face of the backdrop stand out.  So yes, better in person.  Being a fixed layout with fixed lighting, Danneman is doing crazy stuff like tinting the shadows in his snow scene with a blue wash.  He's a poster boy for what an artistic touch can do to scenery when you follow the mantra that everything can be painted!

The Reid Bros layout, and Bill Reid will complain about this, tends to look brown and dried out in magazine photos.  It's fantastic in person.   (Bill Denton's recent photos/article in NSR were finally green!)   Again the backdrops add most of the ambiance.

So, I'm a little surprised to hear the compliments now, considering our modules don't have backdrops and in person don't have that overall big world distance ambiance thing going.  Probably our presentation has more to do with it... not as big a patchwork selection of module construction types as some other modular layouts, unified theme, etc.  Just having some open scenery must help too.  I dunno...  Bernie, come out to Chicagoland and give us a fresh critique!

[SAH]

So, I'm a little surprised to hear the compliments now, considering our modules don't have backdrops and in person don't have that overall big world distance ambiance thing going.  Probably our presentation has more to do with it... not as big a patchwork selection of module construction types as some other modular layouts, unified theme, etc.  Just having some open scenery must help too.  I dunno...  Bernie, come out to Chicagoland and give us a fresh critique!

The unified theme has a lot to do with it IMO Mike.  It looks great and runs well too, which keeps the eye focused on the layout, not the surroundings.  What I've learned from my adventures in operation here in central NC is that when you're concentrating on operating the trains the rest of it goes away - the backdrop, the fascia, even the scenery to some extent.  Add well done scenery, prototypical rolling stock and the unified theme telling a story and you're sucked in.  The MiNi Mods are good enough that even if you're just watching the action, you're sucked in.  These days you can always photoshop in a backdrop for the mag glamour shot.  Something I'm trying to stay cognizant of as I move forward with my project.

[BOK]

Well done, Bill, Mike and all. You boys are a credit to N scale.

Bill, your New Lisbon module is a good example of simple modeling done well with realistic track layout. I am always a sucker for wye junctions and having been there on freight and passenger trains I know you have captured the feel of the place.

Mike, you seem to be the "glue" ( I'll bet I will regret that word) that helps keep the group together and  in focus. Good friendly, organization pays off when trying to get everyone together for a show and you do a good job of it. I really like the open country modules as they look like the upper midwest/Wisconsin and the continuity between modules heightens the realism.

Any chance of a magazine article describing your module construction techniques?

Keep up the good work guys, you are an inspiration to us all.

Barry

[Ali Kenneth]

My copy arrived in the latest Chuck pack and wow!

This sort of modeling is the reason i ditched British 'OO' modeling for American 'N'. The modules are beautifully made and a credit to the group. The website is a great source of inspiration as well.

Alasdair

[lashedup]

Any chance of a magazine article describing your module construction techniques?

We're going to work on more magazine articles,  but if you want some basic info you can find it in this discussion topic:

http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,17191.0.html

And yes, I *do* plan to pick up where I left off on that build thread.

[BOK]

Thanks, Jamie for the heads up on the previous construction posts.

I'll enjoy reading the material.

Barry