https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1149023_666024106760133_798869180_n.jpg The Museum has no Z Scale on display. Until ZoCal took six Z Bend modules down there last month, there had never been any Z Scale there. So Steve Williams of ZoCal, and a member of the Museum, and I came up with the idea of creating a diorama for permanent display. About 34" long, it will hold two trains on the two tracks with the front track on a lower level so both trains can be seen. Steve or I can go down and replace the trains periodically to keep the display different. So I just finished it up (although I just found some JTT beech trees to add) and will eventually get it down there. Having trouble trying to upload pictures to Trainboard. No problems uploading with Facebook or the Yahoo ZoCal sites.
Pink rocks are real rocks I found in a back yard of a house in Pahrump, NV. Gray rocks are Paper Mache rock castings. Track is Rokuhan sectional track, rails sides painted Boxcar Red and Woodland Scenics fine grain gray blend ballast. This will be locked inside of a glass cabinet at the Museum so it will not be "disturbed". Rob Kluz has donated an AZL Coaster (local commuter between San Diego and Oceanside along I-5) for the display. Joe Amato is donating some MTL cars and engine. There will be signs in the display case telling who donated the trains.
We are aware that something has glitched, but have been busy trying to prepare for the server move. As soon as a few bugs fom the move are worked out, this is on the list of "to do" items. Please hang with us, it might be a little while yet. We're all volunteers, with lives, wives, etc, to work around.
David, Nice job. I'm not sure I'd add any trees, except possibly a couple of palms. To me all it needs is a good backdrop. If you can add a model of some local attraction ("come look at this tiny Marineworld") or animation (bells & whistles) they go a long way for attracting peoples' attention. Mark
Trees are only 3/4" high. I put them in the back edge as I agree in not drawing attention away from the train with too much scenery. And I will see about a backdrop. Just some clouds in a blue sky would work.
Really, really nice presentation of Z scale. You guys did a great job. Congratulations all you Z ambassadors.
That is some really great work. Looks convincingly real even though I know just how tiny that is. If they ever wanted an around the room layout I think you might need a telethon to fund it though, I was shocked at how pricey Z is (I know you guys are aware of this), and then add to that the fact that you need way more to fill a given area and the price skyrockets.
Excellent news! Congratulations for the fine work folks. It was really a shame that this otherwise awesome museum didn't hold any Z scale. But rather than a static display that doesn't show what Z scale is able of, you guys didn't have any possibility to set a fully operational layout? Even a small one, for example a point to point switching layout? dom
Take over the party room, build Tehachapi, make fun of La Mesa. This is seriously cool. Just a diorama, but I'm excited to see it next time I'm down there.
We have discussed this in the Southern Division of ZoCal and have come up with some concepts. The problem is operations. We have no one who can be there every day the Museum is open to run trains. I even came with an idea of a hand crank powered layout (thanks Jim Manley - king of hand cranked trains). The train would only run when someone was cranking a handle. But I need to talk to the Museum about what space we could use. The Diorama is a way to get a display in there now - probably next week.
