New Videos Posted - Grant Eastman's SAR

[mark dance]

Hi all...

I was fortunate to attend SuperTrains in Calgary a few weeks back to speak about the move of Brian Pate's KMR layout to Dawson City.

I was doubly fortunate to be able to spend a very enjoyable afternoon with Grant Eastman and his stunning Southern Alberta Rail layout.  Grant's work has been published several times in N Scale Railroading and I have been a fan for a long time.  I also got to operate on the SAR several years ago as part of the Northern Rails 2014 op event and it was truly unique experience.

With Grant's blessing I have posted two videos: one an "interview" with him about his layout design objectives and the second a video following a train over the line discussing his modeling techniques.

I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I enjoyed shooting them.

1) Introduction

2) Tour the SAR

md

[Scottl]

Thanks for taking the time to put these videos together Mark.  Grant has built a great layout and your tours and discussion were very interesting.

[basementcalling]

38 minutes on #2 went by in no time. Probably have to rewatch.

Love the detail about the initial in the paint scheme. We need more of these type features. Mark, you run a tight interview.

Have to say I was very surprised at the sheer size of the open spaces and lack of towns or major switching areas. I've read all the NSR articles on the SAR, but seeing is more impactful than reading I guess.

Did Grant say why he used lower case lettering on his engines? I've always wondered.

And did you persuade him to join here?

[milw156]

I am envious Mark! I would love to see it in person, but my wife says it's too far to go JUST to see a model railroad. Thanks for the questions you posed also, I appreciate his work even more now that I know more about how he got to where he is!
Rick

[mcjaco]

Grant is truly one of the good guys in the hobby.  Great fun!

Thanks for the videos!

[Chris333]

Wow guess he expanded! I remember when it was just a small room sized layout.

[basementcalling]

Wow guess he expanded! I remember when it was just a small room sized layout.

He does say something about moving a staircase to make room for staging.

[Chris333]

He does say something about moving a staircase to make room for staging.

I think it was in MR years ago and it was just a small room, all one level.

Oh you know what. I'm thinking of another layout. The diesels were a dark blue color with something "Grande" in the name, oops. "grande road" Paul Brennecke

[John]

I think I will just quit modeling now . 

[Missaberoad]

I think it was in MR years ago and it was just a small room, all one level.

Oh you know what. I'm thinking of another layout. The diesels were a dark blue color with something "Grande" in the name, oops. "grande road" Paul Brennecke

Paul Brennecke's grand road still going strong he was in MR again recently....

[Angus Shops]

Wow, big trains, BIG scenery. Just nailed that Alberta foothills landscape. Great trees, and imagine weathering all those cars to proto photos! What a huge commitment to bring a project like this to this level.
Geoff

[jagged ben]

Was he really talking about tearing out some of that scenery to rebuild it? 

[James Costello]

I really love the museum look to the layout space with the black fascias and the bookcases etc underneath.

The solid black staging areas is a neat look too. I'm going to have to look at his track plan again.

Thanks MD for the videos.

[Seligman Sub]

Mark-

Thank you so much for posting these spectacular videos. I've been dying to see more of the SAR and I wasn't disappointed.  Very inspiring!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is great. Grant is great. We gotta get him here!