Given the lack of activity on the forum I may be writing this to myself. Either way, here we go:
When I decided to stop publishing (because it no longer makes sense, not because I lost interest in modeling) I promised to keep this forum open as long as people continue to post and visit. My final book is still in stores, yet nearly all the mail, e-mail, and phone calls I used to receive have stopped. Worse, many modelers eager to post here before last December seem to have wandered off.
One wonders whether the reason might have something to do with self-interest: "Westlake isn't around to publish my stuff so why bother with the forum?"
If that's the case, the forum won't be around, either. I won't keep it if nobody uses it. It costs money I could spend on something else and takes time I could spend looking for the quality of modeling we used to see here in abundance.
It's not just a seasonal dip; it's a drought. Will somebody please explain what is going on?
Russ
Hey Russ
How ya been, it's already been months since I saw you, again thanks for all the great stuff you brought to the meet, it's always a pleasure to see you and speak in person.
I was just visiting with Darryl Huffman, my neighbor, and he asked me, what I had new to show and tell, well I brought out two items that I had been working on all summer, neither model related. After he left I started to look around at all the projects I had started, and asked myself why are these still unfinished? Was it a lack of interest? I was so gung ho to get them started, do I have too many projects going on at the same time, is it bad time management ? Do I just don't care anymore?...................
When we were together last we spoke about how we both check out the forum each morning, and for me I check it out every morning and every evening. I love the forum, I love to see peoples work and read their posts, I would deeply miss the forum if it were to go away. All I can say for myself is time just gets in my way, even with my son long gone from home, and my life is 100 times more simple, there just never seams to be enough time in the day,........... I turned off my TV subscription so I would force me to do other things, It hasn't gotten any more models done? Maybe it that damn Facebook? I want to model more, I think about it every day, but thinking and watching is not doing, I hope this winter I get more modeling time,...................
Thanks for all the great time I have spent on this forum and thanks for hosting it.
Gil Flores
Russ, and all -
I too would miss the Forum, and have been wondering where everyone went.
My reasons for not posting are, first, that my models are not strictly prototypical (there are freelance elements), and second, I model in 1" scale, which seems not to be small enough, considering others on the list. Finally, my work is nowhere near the finescale, museum quality efforts which usually appear.
I do, however check it every day, so as not to miss bits of prototype info, innovative modeling techniques, and inspiring modeling I see here.
Please keep it going, and encourage all the "regulars" to start posting again.
Regards, Carlo
I am on two other fine miniature forums suffering from the same fait. I think Carlo may have hit on something. Many modelers/miniaturists are overwhelmed--intimidated with the high quality and high standards put forth by severely excellent modelers and feel they re not adequate enough to post their work. Many just lurk and get educated but rarely post any thing even to comment on a post.
Bill Hudson
Russ,
I'm on here every day, and there are times it's the best part of my day.
I haven't had much time lately to model, so catching up on the goings-on here is my "fix."
You've created a world here that matters to me - the people, their knowledge, their approach, and their attitudes.
Don't lose faith.
Eric Zabilka
Wilmore KY
I have no idea why, but most of the MRR forums seem to be lacking. Well, a couple have hardly any administrative input and one has none what-so-ever. I can't even renew my password and no one will respond to my emails. I gave up. Some forums can be a pain in the butt to upload photos.
I think some of it may be from using Facebook. That place will suck you in. On the other hand, you can link up with anyone about anything you want to rather quickly. And, you can upload your pics quickly and send them to your subscribed groups. Blogs used to be more popular, but a lot of the owners seem to have let them slide and or have gone to the FB. Paradigm shift?
Maybe it's a bit of burnout. I'm like everyone else who has an excessive amount of projects collecting dust, but I have to admit that I have recently been knocking out a bunch of them. Sadly, it requires me to get away from my computer and actually go work with my hands.
I hate to see the forum close. I've learned a bunch here. Particularly that there are people way better at modeling than me. I try and give my input, however slightly related it may be to the subject. I have a model that I've been planning on building and putting it up here, but between the regular job and wife's health issues, a lot things have been getting back burner-ed.
Oh, and I stop in on a daily basis.
I check in here at least once a day, and usually several times a day. Unfortunately I've had a lot of "real world" stuff going on the past few months that have prevented me from getting any modeling done. And right now, what little modeling time I have, is being used for things that are worth posting about, such as converting my diesel to battery power (finally!) and converting the grain-of-rice bulbs in my buildings to LEDs.
I look in pert near every day. I used to post on RR Line and here. Then just here, strictly because of the time it takes to maintain a topic. I have also slowed down maintaining my Fotki album because of their unreliability. I do now post here and on Facebook, but rarely in as much detail over there. It really isn't set up for detailed descriptions, more just pics, so I am still posting more detail over here when I finally get something done. I will say that I have been exposed to a whole lot of really fine miniature work over there, but rarely with descriptions, just pictures and maybe a link to a website. A lot of modelers are promoting contest entries, books or selling products too, so no sense in giving it away for free.
I think there is good info here and I wish more builders would take the time to make detailed topics. The end of your mag has had no effect on my interest in posting here, I am just abnormally slow.
hi all
where else offers what westlake offers.the hits from non members seems to be really heigh,
russ worried by the expense why would you not be.just charge a membership you are giving away really good stuff for nothing.myself i would be only too happy to pay a membership fee i just like posting.i do not usually get a reply. ray is always there i just like posting my stuff.comments are optional
kind regards kim
I would like to add that this forum is of great value to me, for the same reason that the mag/book was: It features a lot of high end modeling, of subjects that either aren't accepted or don't readily fit in anywhere else. In fact this forum is even more precious than ever now that the mag/book now defunct.
Hi all
As a fairly new member I would painfully miss that forum. I check it every day too, and you got right: lurking around for years it took quite a long time until I dared to post my own project. May be it is just because of the high standard here (It brings together some of the best modelers!)
What I particularly like above all - no flattering words, just constructive and objective criticisms.
I also find hardly time for my modelling between my regular job and my family, and indeed, after a long working day it's much easier to stare at the screen then to work with my own hands. So it takes quite some time to post an update but I will do as soon as possibe, even more the "language barrier" has already been melted to a tiny hill ...
Regards,
Peter
Russ,
personally speaking ... closing the Forum would be a great loss to me!
In fact I do not login every day, but I'm stopping by at least 2 oder 3 times a day, apart from still contributing frequently though only in mid-term or long-term-intervals ...
I can't explain what's going on, just making a wide step in the dark: I noticed, that meanwhile almost every forum suffers from a lack of activity (i. e. Buntbahn as well) and I suspect there is a large variety of reasons - not only one. To name a few, IMHO ...
... modelling costs have increased
... to little (or none) spare time for modelling
... fed up with modelling (burn out)
... to little "old school modelling" with a manageable amount of tools
... being too old (or too young) for modelling
... too many modelling projects going on
... modelling (or any other creative, non digital activity) seems to get out of style (as an example I as well feel attracted by digital arts like concept art performed by Ian McQue and others)
I agree with Kim, that the number of visitors here is already rising quite a while, which seems to be a good sign of interest
Just my $1,45 ... 2ct ... ;)
Cheers
To each of you who has replied, thanks for the input. Don't worry, I'm not thinking about shutting things down anytime soon. I was just wondering why so many seem to have abandoned us.
Just as many of you, I have done no modeling for a while. Between nearly a year of renovating my house, garage/studio, and front and back yards and the time I have devoted to writing music and practicing, modeling has taken a backseat. I hope to get to it again before the end of the year. Months ago I posted a SketchUp drawing of my next project (in 1:32 scale).
My friend, Marc Reusser, whose ideas and colleagues created this forum, now checks in about once a month. Some of his friends seem to have abandoned us, too. Kim and Volker (who talked to me on Skype a few days ago) and Helmut and Mad Gerald and Gordie Birrell and Chuck and John Tolcher and some others continue to post brilliant work. Summer is ending and modeling tends to pick up around November so let's see whether anybody returns.
I check this forum twice a day. I know exactly what happens here. I suppose if only two dozen of us manage to keep it alive it will be worth maintaining for at least a couple of years. And those of you too "intimidated" to share your work, get over it! Just put up some images (no matter what the scale, Carlo) and show us what you're doing.
Russ
It is happeing on all fora i visit not only the modeling ones
I think a certain saturation level is reached in the way we communicate with this type of medium.
Jacq
I too look in on a near daily basis. Obviously I don't post much but this forum is one of the few (perhaps the last) where you can get genuine, useful feedback. I don't think you do too bad as its a small community really as I saw some interesting stats from the uk's biggest forum the other day.
They claim about 23,000 members, of those half have never even posted. Only 5% have posted more than 300 posts and most of those are 'thats nice mate' type posts, wishlisting posts or arguements for the sake of arguement. They recently held a national event to much fanfare with traders there reporting it really was a ghost town (less than 30 people in the queue on the first day) and most pics of th event show it to have been deserted. Of course loads of members said they would go and the post mortem thread was quite entertaining as the excuses rolled out. I did smile at the assault on one member who went but didn't like it but several members who didn't even bother to go themselves!
I guess what I'm saying is new posts aren't everything, as someone once said, never mind he width, feel the quality!
Cheers
Jim
hi
hey russ if you get really broke you could take in ads for russian brides.it could be a great hit for us old boys who are good with there hands
regards
Still visiting every one or two days to see what is new. Not particularly busy modelling wise myself, as have been busy planning and building a new shed/studio space in my backyard to be my own dedicate modelling man-cave, and 1:1 holes in the lawn for stumps and bearers doesn't quite fit with what I'd expect to come to this forum for :). Perhaps once I have my studio completed and can spend time in a space I can be more creative in, I'll have something or more interest to post.
Cheers,
Dan
I guess I better chime in before Russ pulls the plug!
Like most of the guys I have a ton of excuses!
1) working all summer on side-jobs to do some work on the house
2) 1,000 sq. ft. of tile to get replaced
3) with a daughter in her first year of HS I am very involved making sure things go as they "should"
4) I honestly have not wanted to model lately, BUT I look forward to getting back
5) broke my foot last month and have been miserable at times (part of #4)
I too check in every day, no matter what.
I am still working on the shay, just didnt get a lot of input with my in progress shots.
Before i pack up everything for the tile job I will take a picture (and may be revive the forum) of where the shay is.
I'm not surprised about your initial post here Russ though.
Jerry - I told you!
Mj
Hi Russ,
I am very happy here in this forum and if I may and can write I also like to continue here.
Not everything that I'm building fits in this forum.
I've been working on lately for example very much on the electronics and control of my mine.
Also, I am working with so that in a small car radio remote control to build one.
Then we lost at the beginning of the year within 4 weeks 2 dogs, but in 7 weeks we get a puppy again.
Then calls health also take a break, in which I then so much rather watch here.
In any case, there is a very high level, which may also deter some.
But here I still get, in terms of number of clicks, much more resonance, as in other German forums.
By resonance I mean questions and criticism and not only praise.
My biggest problem is I never had English at school and so is it for me twice as complicated to write a contribution.
In any case, I have learned more in this form, as in many others.
If you want I can also be reached via Skype, to simply deny via PM or email.
Like most, I am here every day, sometimes twice. I enjoy and envy the superb modeling shown on the forum and hope to achieve a bit of that when I build something.
However, we are currently involved with selling our home and doing many neglected repairs, so no time for modeling. I have many plans after the move to South Carolina but I'm not sure they will be up to the quality required for this forum.
But I will continue reading along with an occasional post when i see something that i can offer a comment on.
However, when I saw the title of this thread I thought it might have something to do with Ray's summertime travels around the Southwest. ::)
Keep it going Russ.
8)
For some reason, I did not realize that this thread was not about real ghost towns, but a metaphorical one!
I check the forum at least once a day. But I have not posted in a while as I have felt that too many of my postings has been work in progress and air castles.
I would really miss this forum if it disappeared. Hope to contribute more in the future.
Avery important forum for me. I get stoked when following a progression thread and find my self wanting to get back into my studio. Much going on outside the shop/studio, health issues, wife's upcoming surgery ( I have had to take over many of the household chores; I think she is getting tired of my cooking) Then there is getting the yards in shape for winter etc. I check in several times a day and read through many of the articles, some many times over. My time reading through the forum is my relaxing time. I contribute once in a while and make comments but find most of the time I really don't have too much important to say. What would be nice is to have "like" button to click just to register that someone has looked at the thread.
Thanks for your efforts to keep the forum going.
Bill Hudson
I too got the wrong end of the stick looking at this thread Title
I joined this forum not long after I got back into serious Modelling and have learned so much from it , that to use the modern vernacular , if it was not here I would be devastated
If the NSA for this forum(Russ) checks I have posted occasionally in the recent past and I certainly look in most days, if only to blown away by the latest German micro engineering
I am probably one of the worst here for posting half completed builds, although no one has really shouted at me over this fact ...... Apart from maybe one , but he won't see this comment until next month , so I will get away with it.
Now it has been mentioned before , by me and others, but I really wish there was a "donate button" here so at least a percentage of us could show our appreciation ....... But I know the response I am going to get from our owner, but just maybe he could modify his stubborn stance on this ???
And I really like the idea of a "like" button being added as well!
I am working on various things, and will do some full threads shortly , but in the meantime here is one shot of a finished piece :P and the current project ...... Next week it's back to the boats
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi232.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee275%2Fgfadvance%2FAAA%2520SBS%2520Project%2520Sept%252014%2F301e89ef-7019-4284-aaea-55edbf087092_zpsb951d120.jpg&hash=f426489da1ace6843479e69e9428332bcfa159ae)
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi232.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee275%2Fgfadvance%2FVW%2520Rusty%2520wreck%2Fe431b015-afe8-4b6f-939e-fb8439640ebc_zps95532d80.jpg&hash=49c4b5d3b3691914be9abeaef0d54c6bf4686e0f)
I will join the others as having "misread" the subject of this forum. I am a long time lurker and the only things I've ever posted here are questions. I do check here daily and have received good information.
I am slowly getting back in to model making. I am intimidated by the quality of modelling shown here BUT also inspired by it. I am indeed one of those railroad modelling people. I finally, after several decades abscence, picked up a can of spray and primed one of my 70mm figures and laid in basic area washes. Carried away I have cut out the basic waterline outline of a Hog Islander cargo vessel in 1:48 scale despite many dire warnings that it just will not do for my railway. Additionally being intimidated by how much armour kits have changed ( it seems now one MUST have all the additional PE ) I acquired a plain old plastic kit delivery truck and will finally try all the techniques for rusting and wear and tear. So no I don't post my "work" here as in a very real sense I am a returning "newbie". Heck I just opened the plastic bag on the manual for my long ago purchased Unimat DB 200.
So for us new folk I hope this forum remains.
Cheers from the Heart of North America
Will
I like that finished piece, Gordon. What scale is it? How did you do the trash cans?
I to would miss this Forum as I do check in everyday. I have not did to much modeling this year...have a few projects sitting around collecting DUST that I would like to finish ;) I moved to a new house this year and been busy with doing stuff on the new house....I have been putting together some bench-work this week on a On30 mining/logging railroad I been wanting to get started on for Years ??? now that I have a Basement now to build a Layout. Hope the Forum stick's around.... ;D it would be a great loss if it didn't.
Warning these writings are long-boring but I hope it is not too depressing.
First the excuses – I like several people on the forum have just moved house a long drawn out affair and totally out of my control just a load of legalised parasites leading us up the garden path! Still we are here now and getting the place how we want it – but the big but is "No Workshop" it's only weeks away now but thoroughly Peed off watched every Midsummer's Murders –Poirot and Colombo series and to end with several weeks of the Great British Bake Off
now I ask how sad can one get!!
The other great excuse is the total lack of inspiration at shows especially model railway shows when they advertise the very best of Narrow gauge railways or whatever – exhibition halls that are dull dingy sad places and the complete lack of trade selling all the "goodies" and bits and to top it all was told by "the expert" in air brush names "never heard of an air eraser – no such thing" all these things add up to one hell of a depressive state and not much encouragement to the modeller who wants to achieve something different.
I did wonder what's going on the forum is it me no one speaks any more where can I find inspiration and share thoughts from all over the world.
Since I joined the forum a few years back I can honestly say it's what gave me inspiration and a new way of looking at the hobby. You could say I was thrown in at the deep end and at the time not really into computers or things like the internet it was a new world to me so when I was told of this forum and told to look at some guy called Chuck Doan I remember the "informants" very words "think he has built some old tractor thing" Well need I say any more but I think it was the very -very deep end I was thrown into – how does he do it –is it a model? from then on I just wanted more it was all just inspiration "big time" some people I spoke to found the forum to be intimidating and have given in – but I still get enjoyment from finding out how modellers achieve these fine scale models of art even now I still end up having two or three attempts to get things right the bin is always full.I often spend hours on a small part only to bin it after the next morning's viewing.
So all you guys and girls out there just keep it coming don't despair –don't feel intimidated just have a go and enjoy the hobby – in my mind I don't care if it never gets finished or you are a freelance non prototype person but just keep sharing your ideas and your methods of building miniature works of art.
Barney
Humbrol Enamel Rules
Yup!! You were right Marty!!!
Can't believe how everyday life gets in the way of modeling.
I think everyone was waiting for Sir Nick to come forth with his newest project.
Jerry
Barney, we've all suffered from too little inspiration this year. Some of the guys have done terrific work on small projects but I guess most of us, including me, have stayed away from the modeling bench. As we approach shorter and cooler days I suspect many of us will spend more time building.
Thanks to each of you who has written something on this thread to help me understand what's going on. To those who haven't yet, including Marc and Nick, GO STAND IN THE CORNER!
Russ
Russ, This is a great forum. Lots of folks including me think this place is rough as critiques are cut and dryed in your face candid. If modelers want to spend a zillion hours planting grass in a one square inch area that is fine. IMHO. the other forums seem production based blow by blow of what I'm doing. Hey I laid this track..see my nails or watch me put this kit together and this is all fine. Here we get it straight as most projects are started as a sketch. I do wish for more of the 48th scale projects.
Many who chimed in said facebook is a distractor. yeah...plus yardwork..honey do's..home repairs...life..and summer.... Soon the usage will increase! Keep your head up! ;D
I'd bet a dollar Marc and Nick are ankle deep in construction projects?
Philip
Quote from: Juke Joint on October 10, 2014, 04:58:51 AM
I'd bet a dollar Marc and Nick are ankle deep in construction projects?
Philip
There ankle deep but I don't think its projects!! :D
Jerry
Hi all,
I'm stopping by every day and do still think (and hope) that this is going to remain the best modeling forum for a very long term. My projects slowed down a bit because I have to solve some space and occupational problems. Unfortunately response to us contributors ceases all the same as the number of readers increases (same at buntbahn, seasoned with weakening quality ...). I feel really bad for not answering in every thread I do read myself, but always only saying 'well done' without any contentual contribution is a bit too less on far sight. Sometimes I'm a bit astonished that questions in my threads remained unanswered although a lot of people read them. Maybe I'm writing too much :-\? So a 'like button' may be a good way to express approval at least. But I think everyone here is contributing contentually if he can. Maybe quality deters some people, but should or could this be a reason for not posting anymore? The result would be weakening quality. And we all started as bloody fumblers, didn't we?
To go one step further: The 'like buttons' are a typical social media symptom. And social media seem to be one part of the ghost town problem to me. Social media is based on contribution, but much more on consumption. And that bothers me. I found out that increasing click rates seem to result from pinterest, where I didn't post anything, but found my pictures (I'm no social media fan for different reasons). A lot of people enjoy my and your work. And expense. The 'reward' in terms of response gets less and less. To ask heretically: What about having the forum open to everyone, but to offer paid content with hi-res pics and step-by-steps? Or having those 'results' open to everyone, but make the discussions paid content. Not for the contributors. For the readers. Ask all the photographers and artists over the world. I'm quite sure that social media and 'sharing' maybe destroyed a lot of imagination of the worth of pictures and any other artistic workmanship.
Call me sermonizer :D.
Cheers,
Volker
One thing I like about this forum is that we are the "anti-social" media!
I really don't care whether a lot of lazy dilettantes visit this site and I don't care whether such people like or dislike my own comments. The number of "hits" we get also is unimportant.
On the other hand, if you or I inspire only one person, and if that person tries to become the best modeler he can, this forum would be a success.
Nobody has asked to join in almost a year. I would guess we have intimidated rather than inspired.
Anyone who finds great models intimidating is not worth our time.
Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on October 14, 2014, 01:54:46 AM
One thing I like about this forum is that we are the "anti-social" media!
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.folk-rovere.org%2Fmj%2Fbilder%2Fthumbsup.jpg&hash=b4e23b4b637afca96e61a9f4863f6bbba34cd336)
:D
Good one, Hauk!
Great words our Russ - still the best forum with total inspiration
Barney
Russ, That's really SAD that no one has asked to join this Forum in almost a year???? and how did you know I was ANTI-SOCIAL ??? have you been talking to my Head Doctor.
There is a lot of activity on Facebook, but little nourishment. Very much designed for short attention spans, and then on to the next thing.
Not that I intend nitpicking, but shouldn't this ...
Quote from: finescalerr on October 14, 2014, 01:54:46 AM
One thing I like about this forum is that we are the "anti-social" media!
Quote from: Mobilgas on October 14, 2014, 02:18:14 PM
how did you know I was ANTI-SOCIAL ??? have you been talking to my Head Doctor.
... better be called anti "social-media" ...?! ::) ;) (even though so-called "social media" IMHO is more or less anti-social)
Cheers
Quote from: TRAINS1941 on October 10, 2014, 12:51:58 PM
Quote from: Juke Joint on October 10, 2014, 04:58:51 AM
I'd bet a dollar Marc and Nick are ankle deep in construction projects?
Philip
There ankle deep but I don't think its projects!! :D
Jerry
Well, I've been up to me neck in 1:1 building projects this year , mainly our house . So modelling has not been very high on the agenda for the last 6 months . The mine project that I posted pictures of earlier in the year has hardly moved forward at all . However , I have had a couple of parcels from Australia and am awaiting a third due any day now which may well give me some impetus to get back to the bench . I will be off to Brussels on Friday to catch up with Jacq and the boys , so hopefully might have some pictures to post .
I have been thinking about posting some photos of my finished Remora Island ( yes , I say again , finished ! ) but hadn't got around to it yet . Maybe tomorrow .
Nick
Nick, old crumpet, you could always pop by from time to time and grace us with your verbal presence. No need to wait months. -- Russ
P.S.: I never said you can come out of the corner. How are you getting your work done?
Sorry to come a bit late into this discussion, but just to say that the forum has been/still is inspirational. As Barney said the "shows" around here in the UK are becoming depressing - very little to "get to juices going", so the forum acts as a catalyst for ideas that keep us all going. Modelling is sometimes a slow gentle process (after all it is our hobby, we do it when feeling like it) and often 1:1 things get in the way (work, family, kids, house moves etc) so keep 'em coming as and when - its all good stuff.
Les
Well...since my name has been bandied about, bent, spindled and tossed out into the street :D.....
Due to time constraints (work and mountain-biking) I have pretty much packed up my bench and projects. I had done so previously and then a while back was coaxed into pulled it all out again to build a project for publication...but that became such a train -wreck of setbacks, problems, frustration and exasperation, I binned it and basically quit modeling. I am burned out,...tired of creating, tired of photographing SBS's....the whole lot. Maybe/likely at some point I will get over myself and start again....but for now I need/prefer to spend my time playing in the dirt.
I don't check in here often, because it just frustrates me by pulling me back to the bench, which is not where I want to be...and would only result in one more started, and unfinished, project.
Despite my lack of participation, I would miss this forum if it disappeared, those rare times these days that I do look in, and despite the frustration it brings....it still feels like a comfortable hearth to come home to; it's comfort food and a good drink on a cold night. The work by those posting here is always great to see; it inspires, educates and intrigues.....and I hope people will continue creating and posting here.
Marc needs to speak with a fellow burnout victim. I'll phone him. -- Russ
Marc, Since your burned out on modeling....and sounds like the forum won't be around to much longer :( I'm willing to pay 10cents on the dollar for all your modeling STUFF ;) out of sight out of mind!!!
Well, we probably all go through periods of burnout. I hope you'll "recover" soon and return to delighting us all with your masterful modeling.
I've been on the road in Nevada looking for fresh ideas to add to my pile of "never get around to building" ideas.
My GPS took me to a little town called Nelson.
Not much there so I kept going a few miles and found the real Nelson which was really great.
I took a few photos knowing that Ray Dunakin would have lots more on his site.
Ray has none of Nelson.
When I get home I will post a few of mine.
Stopped by to visit my old friend Brian Block and struck gold.
I had only seen the small dioramas Brian had brought to the Narrow Gauge Conventions.
I had not expected to find a 9 by 6 foot diorama being built in the back room of his apartment.
This one is too large to transport but will eventually be half of a large dio-layout in his living room.
I took a few photos which can not begin to do justice to this large project.
Brian lives alone so he does exactly what he wants to do and his whole house looks like my train room---stuff stacked every where with half built projects laying around here and there.
Like many of us, I had hit the doldrums of the open sea with little wind at my back to make any real progress.
But Brian's approach of having a huge, semi-immovable diorama fill the center of the room so that it could be worked on from all sides really resonated with me.
Having the diorama at elbow level for ease of working, rather than the "correct" eye-level really made a great impression on me as well.
Now if I can just follow-through with my new ideas I may well regain my model building gusto.
Time will tell.
Far too ambitious a project. Suggestion: Build another little diorama about the size of that boat shack you did some years ago. Then build another. Eventually you may fill four square feet and that would be pretty impressive. -- Russ
Darryl looking forward to seeing some of those picture.
Jerry
Quote from: TRAINS1941 on October 27, 2014, 08:44:51 AM
Darryl looking forward to seeing some of those picture.
Jerry
Indeed, and a certain no name project...hint hint! ;D
phil
I don't know why, but I just felt the urge to log in and reply to this, maybe it's just to give a somewhat different perspective. I've been a member for a long time but have rarely posted, it been quite a few years since I even posted my own modeling project. It may be that I've been suffering some of the burnout that Marc is talking about since I seem to have little desire to actually build any models. I do however enjoy looking at photos and reading about high end finescale modeling, especially the kind that is usually posted here, (don't really care for the military stuff.), however I really don't have the desire to take modeling that serious myself so even when I do some modeling it's nothing worthy of this fine forum, so that's why I don't post, but I would certainly miss this forum if it went away.
David
David,
If I could step back in time to 1980 which was long before I discovered the internet, I produced many more models and enjoyed myself immensely.
Today I model less but I really enjoy the free exchange of ideas and photos these forums offer.
I did not contribute photos and articles to the magazines back in 1980 as I had nothing worthy of publication.
I think the same remains today.
The standards of the modelers on this forum are so much higher than mine are that I need to be very selective in what I post.
Which is why I rarely post photos or articles.
But I would really hate to see this forum go away as the ideas and photos presented are exceptional.
Not particularly burned out here. Just not very inspired as of late with a lot of personal stuff occupying the space between my ears. But I moved my workbench and have a lot of projects already started so perhaps soon I will have a bit to show. Modeling has always been such good therapy, I can't imagine I will abandon it.
Good to hear Chester. I can only imagine what you're going through but sure do enjoy your modeling.
Just been thru 5 months of acute depression due to a number of reasons.
Not sure why, but today was the best day, clear head.....
It's been a long time since I visited this forum and nice to read some of the comments.
Recently for some mental therapy, I played around with my web site.
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_miniature_world1.html
Maybe there is something there for members to look at and pass the time away for a few minutes.
cheers everyone
Mario Rapinett ( downunder )
Here are a couple of projects I actually finished this year.
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_swakhammers_fsm.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_baileys_fsm.html
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_josselyn_dock.html
Maybe the fact that I finished these projects, drove me crazy ;D
cheers "M"
Thats a heck of a "done" list!
Good seeing you post Mario!
-Mj
Quote from: finescalerr on October 27, 2014, 12:31:10 AM
Far too ambitious a project. Suggestion: Build another little diorama about the size of that boat shack you did some years ago. Then build another. Eventually you may fill four square feet and that would be pretty impressive. -- Russ
This local Aussie guy started with a few shacks and end up with a small layout in a small spare room.
Just updated this web page.
Maybe a few ideas here for some mental therapy
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_richard_grinyer.html
cheers all
regards Mario Rapinett ( Australia )
Mario, now you've made me depressed! Your work and Richard's remind me of why I took up this hobby in the first place and the great feeling I have when I see a terrific model. (That is why I have this website, after all.) Please feel better yourself, retain your clarity, and continue to depress me with your artistry and that of others. -- Russ
"M"
Just great to see you posting again. That was why so many people keep trying to do better because of your modeling.
And a joy to have your website for all to see the many talented people.
Jerry
What he (Jerry and Russ) said.
Those are some fairly large and complex kits you finished! Nice work.
I've always enjoyed your website. Your photos of great models from all over, have been a great source of inspiration!
A few more modeling ideas.
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_richard_grinyer_models.html
It's a pleasure to share my "Miniature World " web page
enjoy
Thankyou for your comments
cheers "M"
Hi there Mario, great to see you back and wonderful projects you finished. Thanks for keeping the "Miniature World" accessible to us, it's a great resource I use frequently. Updates are always welcome.
Regarding one of the updates, the Richard Grinyer one: I love the trees and I'm building a home layout (H0/H0e) which will need a lot of Maritime Pine Trees (Pinus Pinaster). I think the material Richard used to represent his trees might work for me, do know what material did he use? Is it an australian only specie? Would it work in H0. Thanks a lot for your help.
Hello Russ, hello guys,
I would like to tell you all some of my thoughta, even I'm a lousy outside modeller ...
First of all, I like to hear Russ saying "Most satisfactory" - and I think this is the salt & pepper of this forum.
For me, this forum is No. ONE across the (all) nation. Learned here a lot of tips & things and seen truly masterpieces. The level is so high,
the highest ever, but is the only way to learn good, useful things. Even most of time I was "green of envy", in the good way, of course.
I know most of you guys - your works of course, is impossible for me to know you in person, for many reasons.
Closing this forum will be a great loss for everyone, even maintaing it is difficult.
Now, about me: I use to live at country for some years, life is different here than in a city and there are a lot of things to do. My parents-in-low
are old and I have to give some hands of help. So, less time to do other things, like modelling.
No adequate space to work, but this is the smallest issue. I'm 58 now and I no longer have a good sight, I have my glasses and I use all the time
a magnifier to work.
But ... the mood is here, and I'll be back with some things.
Not long ago, in our romanian modelling forum, after an argue regarding a photo, a guy told me to go back to the ... Cloud Number Nine ... Universe.
And this because I started some sci-fi models and others, considered by "real modellers" not being the good old modelling. All in all, I think that's
my spirit right now, I wish to make experiments and do not common subjects. As I have seen here.
Hard to explain, hard to understand, even for me.
Why guys are not coming here?
I think that you have to be gifted with some talent to reach a good skill level. And some good hands, brain, eyes ... Young guys goes to the virtual
world, much easier to manage, to deal with.
Took the liberty to copy/paste what Mad Gerald had said, some good reasons
-modelling costs have increased
-to little (or none) spare time for modelling
-fed up with modelling (burn out)
-to little "old school modelling" with a manageable amount of tools
-being too old (or too young) for modelling
-too many modelling projects going on
-modelling (or any other creative, non digital activity) seems to get out of style (as an example I as well feel attracted by digital arts like concept art performed by Ian McQue and others)
Things nowadays are quite challenging. I like new technologies - like CNC, 3D printing or others, but ... When I see what can be done ... it comes to me
to throw away all my modelling stuff and start doing other things. Achieving machinery level is very difficult by hands and new modellers could be afraid
of doing and showing things.
Well, I hope not disturbing very much and being understood.
Cheers,
Alex
Quote from: nalmeida on December 03, 2014, 02:42:03 AM
Hi there Mario, great to see you back and wonderful projects you finished. Thanks for keeping the "Miniature World" accessible to us, it's a great resource I use frequently. Updates are always welcome.
Regarding one of the updates, the Richard Grinyer one: I love the trees and I'm building a home layout (H0/H0e) which will need a lot of Maritime Pine Trees (Pinus Pinaster). I think the material Richard used to represent his trees might work for me, do know what material did he use? Is it an australian only specie? Would it work in H0. Thanks a lot for your help.
Hey Man. Good to hear from you.
I forget the name of the Australian weed that Aussies use for large scale trees.
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_australian_modelers.html
Alan Rockett started using the plant many years ago for his layout
http://www.modvid.com.au/html/body_alan_rockett.html
Dan Pickard has made many beautiful trees using this Aussie weed.
I think not suitable for HO scale
regards
Mario
Thanks Mario, I will investigate further!
Alex -- a most satisfactory post.
There is no such thing as "no time" for modeling, only "less time". Burnout lasts only for a while (like Marc and me; we'll be back).
Here's a thought about the "high" cost of modeling: It doesn't have to be. Remember Marc's great little brick shed on the cover the of the December 2013 Modelers' Annual? It was paper. The materials cost almost nothing. Paint doesn't have to be expensive, either. And his tools consisted of a knife, a straightedge, and some paintbrushes. Chuck builds his masterpieces from pretty much the same basic tool kit.
When people used to complain that model railroading is "expensive", I would laugh. I could build a top-notch switching diorama, including loco and cars, on a child's allowance.
It is true that working with your hands has gone "out of style" ... along with everything else of value. It also is true that at some point we'll be too old to model. But by then we'll also be too old to visit this forum! In the meantime, I think the reason people don't build things is that they are just plain lazy and uncreative.
Russ
Quote from: finescalerr on December 03, 2014, 11:33:20 AM.
In the meantime, I think the reason people don't build things is that they are just plain lazy and uncreative.
Russ
Or too busy ogling bikini clad beauties on the promenade .
Quote from: nalmeida on December 03, 2014, 02:42:03 AM
Hi there Mario, great to see you back and wonderful projects you finished. Thanks for keeping the "Miniature World" accessible to us, it's a great resource I use frequently. Updates are always welcome.
Regarding one of the updates, the Richard Grinyer one: I love the trees and I'm building a home layout (H0/H0e) which will need a lot of Maritime Pine Trees (Pinus Pinaster). I think the material Richard used to represent his trees might work for me, do know what material did he use? Is it an australian only specie? Would it work in H0. Thanks a lot for your help.
The trees are essentially shaped and coloured dried "Sedum" flower heads, and fairly specifically the "Autumn Joy" variety (there are about 600 different types of Sedum plants available). Its a succulent plant, fairly drought hardly. Check a good garden supplier who might be able to order them for you.
Hope that helps,
Dan
Thanks for the additional info Dan.