The Donner Pass in Z

up mike Feb 4, 2011

  1. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Looks great so far. I like the UP sd-40, it is one of the best running Z loco's made. Very impressive.
     
  2. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks Joe!!
    Yes the SD40-2 is a great loco but just think how it would look with a pair of MT Dash 8's in front of it.
    My SD70's are in the shop right now can't wait to get them back and get a few video's of them on the Pass
     
  3. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    I was thinking how neat an E-8 would look pulling my passenger cars in UP...but I get where you are going :D

    I wonder if Joe D is reading this thread. :)
     
  4. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Let's hope he is........... Next year I will try my Luck with tunnel motors

    Here is a quick video with a sound track from Donner

    http://youtu.be/cls_6KpFEQM
     
  5. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Mike, are you planning to kitbash a tunnel motor from a MTL SD40-2?

    Your layout is comming along very well! I like the river and bridges part.
     
  6. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike,

    Nice video, but where's the dirt? Those are much too clean if you ask me.........oh, you didn't did you. Never mind then. :eek:)
     
  7. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks Frank
    No kitbashing here I will leave that to you pro's and MTL after I get my Dash 8's lol......
     
  8. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    lol.......... Loren they made a trip through the Wash Rack before making the trip over the Hill :p

    I posted another video and this one has dirt.............
     
  9. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Just a few pic's of the layout now just over a year old.......
    I spent the last two days working on getting the sides done so that I can now start to work on the scenery.
    I had a order come in the other day and got my switch machine's for the MT Turnouts I must say David Smith did a Great Job on those :thumbs_up:

    Now question for you Guyz......
    I can't make up my mind if I want to add a few more rocks on the side of the snow shed next to the tunnel portal or just fill with trees..........
     

    Attached Files:

  10. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Mike, good to hear you're working on it still.
    My take after searching for prototype pictures is more rocks with some scattered trees. But either way its coming out nice.
    -JamesTraction
     
  11. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike,
    Consider the fact that the steeper the terrain, the less likely you will see many trees of substantial size on the steep slopes. There will be some for sure, but not likely densely populated. You're more likely to see small scrub brush type trees mixed with a few legitimate trees here and there. Your rock doesn't have to be solid, but can be a mix of loose talos like rock along with outcroppings of solid rock.

    Study this example of a bit of everything....... pst 7x.jpg

    Maybe this will help you decide.
     
  12. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Yuuup still at it James so will you be joining Lindley and I @ Fullerton??

    Loren I see what you are talking about so how is that Mod of yours do I need to Bump It or will We see a update?

    Here is a shot I got leaving Truckee I pulled off the highway at a reststop so I really don't know what they call this area but you can see from the picture it is steep and looks like tons of trees to me.......
     

    Attached Files:

  13. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Good top see an update. Again, what I like is the power of creating a big scene in a small space with Z. Well done so far!
     
  14. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike,
    That picture offers yet more evidence of mixed rock and greenery found in our areas of modeling. It's amazing how trees sometimes seem to grow right out of solid rock. You have to wonder how much root system they have and would they hold up in a strong wind? I think the mixture of solid rock, trees, shale, shrubs and the like will add interest to your module.

    Bill Hoshiko long ago told me that if you make your modules look as close to real life as possible, folks will walk away after viewing your work and say to themselves, 'there is something familiar about that scene'. I think that is the highest compliment a modeler can receive.

    As for my mountain module, I have been so busy since October that I have not touched my module. That is the lament of any modeler, "too busy to touch it".
    I long to work on my module and with a big WGH show in two weeks, the guilt of not touching it drives me nuts.

    Life........gets in the way of fun too often.

    But as Macarthur once said....."I shall return" Count on it.
     
  15. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks Joe!

    Loren looking forward to your progress report when you get back to your Module.
    I was looking back on some pic's that I took and I think I have a better idea of what I want to do now.
    Still thinking about adding a few small solid rocks to the area but that can change........
     
  16. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sadly Mike, I will miss Fullerton this year - going to Denver for the NZS convention.
    -James
     
  17. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    James,
    How many ZoCal boys are going to Denver?
     
  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike, You have done a fantastic job so far. The river turned out great! Now to buy stock in a company that makes trees.... :)
     
  19. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

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    Loren, between 7 and 10 boys and girl, I think. Too bad UPMike and this layout won't be there.
    JamesTraction
     
  20. Lindley Ruddick

    Lindley Ruddick TrainBoard Member

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    I think only John D., Bill H. and I (and maybe UP Mike) will stay in southern California that week end to uphold the ZoCal banner at Fullerton. We might get a few other "stragglers" but we are not counting on iy. We have OT been confirmed for Fullerton and even if we are, the area will not be very large. I doubt if we will have a tent to ourselves like we did at Brea a couple of years ago.
    Lindley
     

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