[johnfrum]

When the train left the station
He had two lights on behind.
The blue light was my blues
And the red light was my mind.
All my love's in vain.

-Robert Johnson, 1937

-JF-

[captain_bazza]

Great atmospheric shot there and accompanied by very apt words. Great looking pax cars, too. I see stuff like this and I know MSTS will be around for a while yet. :)

Cheers Bazza

[Coonskin]

Hi John:

Good picture. Very evocative.

Where did you get the nice looking figure? Is it your work? Is it 3D or a 2D "flat"?

[johnfrum]

Thanks, guys.

"Jack" is a very lifelike 3-D figure courtesy of Wayne Campbell. When seen from the front he appears very robust and self-confident, but from the rear I think he looks sort of stoop shouldered and depressed. Modelling people certainly must be the most difficult thing to get right in MSTS, so Jack is an amazing piece of work.

Incidentally: the coaches and combine are the work of Jon Davis (originally for Andre's St. Louis and North Arkansas), marker lamps are Tim Muir's, the gaslight at platform end is Paul Gausden's.

This is really the main reason why MSTS is not likely to disappear anytime soon. The software itself may be flawed and dated, but it's flexible enough to successfully display the works of art created by the abovementioned gentlemen and many others -- not forgetting Coonskin and Captain Bazza!

-JF-

[Coonskin]

Boy you've got that right: Modeling people is one of the hardest things to do in MSTS. I should have known it was Wayne's work! He is just flat out good at anything he does in MSTS!!

John:

Being an avid TO(19)C enthusiast yourself, you may be interested in seeing my latest project I'm enjoying. The circa for my Coal Belt project is 1908. You can view specific threads concerning it at my VSC forum. Amid my blithering you can find pics of the prototypes and WIP screens. Here's some direct links:

http://www.3dtrains....showtopic=16800
http://www.3dtrains....showtopic=16814
http://www.3dtrains....showtopic=16835
http://www.3dtrains....showtopic=16840
http://www.3dtrains....showtopic=16843

[johnfrum]

Andre,

Wow, looks like a major undertaking.

That's an interesting mix of locomotives. I'm surprised that there were Camelbacks working in that neck of the woods.

I'd sure like to see more small standard gauge steam locos for MSTS like the ones pictured there.

Same goes for small standard gauge wooden truss rod vans with archbar trucks. There's Tim Muir's classic caboose model, but even that one I think was originally built for narrow gauge.

To an old guy like me, a train without a quaint-looking little caboose just isn't a train!

-JF-

[Coonskin]

 johnfrum, on 27 November 2009 - 08:01 AM, said:

Andre,

Wow, looks like a major undertaking.

Actually, I guess it is. By some standards, huge, even. BUT... seeing as I am not building it as a commercial endeavor per se, I can kick back, enjoy working on it when I'm in the mood... and have, and will continue to, push back from it when it becomes unfun. One thing that helps to recharge my batteries for this is that the entire project is local to my home. Just today I spent almost all day aboard my Harley over in the areas I am recreating in MSTS. So far, it never fails to give me renewed vigor for this concept once I'm back to the house.

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That's an interesting mix of locomotives.

It is, isn't it? Wish I could tempt Jon Davis into producing a pack of 'em!!!

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I'm surprised that there were Camelbacks working in that neck of the woods.

ME too! In fact, that was quite a shock to me when I unearthed that tidbit.

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I'd sure like to see more small standard gauge steam locos for MSTS like the ones pictured there.

Yup... hence my opine for Jon's magic touch.

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Same goes for small standard gauge wooden truss rod vans with archbar trucks. There's Tim Muir's classic caboose model, but even that one I think was originally built for narrow gauge.

The Frisco used some very distinct cabeese during 1908. Even the Midland Valley's was somewhat unique. Sure wish I could build decent equipment. However, this hobby is so vast, you just can't seem to do it all... unless you're Wayne Campbell!

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To an old guy like me, a train without a quaint-looking little caboose just isn't a train!

I understand completely. ;)

[ericmp]

Amazing screenshot and nice poem to go with it. ;)

[charlie]

 ericmp, on 27 November 2009 - 05:21 PM, said:

Amazing screenshot and nice poem to go with it. ;)

Even better when sung correctly. :) Click on the little black button to try #12 here.
http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B0001HAHXW

Amazingly, the Rolling Stones have done a fairly good job. Hear the whole thing, #11.
http://www.wolfgangs...ly-06-1978.html

regards,
charlie