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MikeC
Administrator
Premium Member
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 Posted - 11/29/2006 : 5:17:10 PM
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Well, I have pretty much finished up my woodcutter's diorama. There are still a couple of details I'm working on, but this is essentially it.
For those who didn't follow the construction thread (http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11322) in the Scratchbuilding Forum the past several months, the diorama is based on historical Library of Congress photos as well as actual 1920's silent film footage of tie hackers and rafters at work in the Ozarks. So the diorama is basically a "composite" of the various scenes I drew on for inspiration.
Both the cabin and the shed were scratchbuilt from stripwood left over from other projects. The cabin's stone foundation and chimney were carved from plaster of Paris. The windows, shingles, and corrugated roofing all came from Rusty Stumps Scale Models. Most of the detail castings are left-overs from past projects and kits.
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Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man. I have a railroad to run.
Visit the Central Missouri & Southern
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Country: USA
| Posts: 21584 |
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k9wrangler
Fireman
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 5:49:39 PM
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Excellent sir!
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Karl Scribner
H.M.F.W.B.I.C.
Kentucky Southern Rwy & Associated Lines
Sunfield Twp. Michigan
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 5:59:29 PM
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All I can say is
Wow!!!!!!!!!
It has been fun watching this develope from a simple "A few sticks and a chunk of wood" into a spectacular diorama.
I think you have captured the look of the lifestyle that existed during this era in the location you modeled.
The simple structures and the rustic condition of the structures is perfect.
Yet, while this scene depicts a time when life was much simpler you have also crated many mini-scenes that keep the interest of the person viewing the diorama from all the different angles.
Again of all the dioramas you have created over the years I feel that this is your best work.
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13054 |
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Peterpools
Engineer
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 6:26:28 PM
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Mike
Simply: A Wonderful Diorama. Carefully absorbing each photograph, the details and quality of the scene comes shining through. A Masterful job
Peter 
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Country: USA
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nalmeida
Fireman
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 6:35:13 PM
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I see you haven't lost the touch Mike, wonderful work all around, the overall composition is top notch, the subtle curve on the road breaks the straight lines and helps to set the mood, speaking of mood, the color choices are great, I know you were concerned about the grass being to green but, it's not always autumn!
The little scenes also look great, specially the guys cutting the wood, they really look busy and the poses are dead on. You also spoke about the ebay possibility, in all honesty keep this masterpiece to yourself, I think that you achieved a fantastic diorama and the chances of someone scouting on ebay really understand the thought and love you have put on this creation are slim.
As a side note, if you made this question on the end of your post: "Do you think there's something missing?" I would say, we need a tractor or a car or something that moves in order to make it complete! But then again that's just me, in your post you said you were still working on some details and that's probably one of them :)
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Nelson Almeida [Portugal]
My home at the web: http://www.modelismoartesanal.eu |
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Mike Hamer
Engineer
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Bbags
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 6:46:09 PM
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Just to add to Nelson's something missing comment.
I think you need a Missouri Mule somewhere in the scene.
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John Bagley
Modeling the Alaska Railroad in HO in Wildwood Georgia. |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 13054 |
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Dutchman
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 6:59:56 PM
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Mike,
You done a terrific job of capturing an occupation and time long gone. It has been a pleasure watching this come together!
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Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 23277 |
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MikeC
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 7:03:30 PM
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Thanks, guys.
Actually, the "missing details" are a horse/mule/ox drawn wagon and a log load for the wagon. The "wagon" is actually just a white metal frame that I got from Brett's online store a few weeks ago. I have it primed but that's as far as I've gotten with it. I still have to make a wooden bed and seat for it and then add the logs. Once that's done, it will be going on the road between the shed and the tie hacker's work area.
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Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man. I have a railroad to run.
Visit the Central Missouri & Southern
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Country: USA
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Rick
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 8:13:12 PM
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Excellent modeling and photography Mike! 
Have you decided to sell it on ebay?
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Country: USA
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Marken
Fireman
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 8:37:08 PM
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Very, very nice Mike
Really like the second pic. And the first, third...
Amazing what you put into a small space.
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| In memory of Mike Chambers |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 2894 |
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mikethetrainman
Fireman
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 Posted - 11/29/2006 : 9:26:57 PM
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Mike you have created another great diorama. All the little scenes add up to a wonderful story from the pass. The workmanship is excellent as always. The weathering is very well done just the right amount. I would not sell it but find a place on the layout for it.
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Mike Mace
Northern Division of the Santa Fe |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 1634 |
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essodee
Fireman
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 9:45:43 PM
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Mike,
I've just got to add my ataboy to all the above. I've followed your build from the git-go and really enjoyed the ride. That porch and steps really captures the essence of the photo, from way back, of those depression era people posing on the steps.
I really like the worn dirt paths, the half-done shed floor, the many SW castings in a new context, the great stream bed, rusty roof tin, wood shakes, and so on... Definitely a contest quality diorama, if you're so inclined in that direction.
It's great to see you, once again, put your fantastic skills to work on a scratch build.
Stevie O'
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Country: USA
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Cigarguy
Fireman
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 10:11:35 PM
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Wow! I'm blown away. That is one great diorama. The water in particular really caught my eye (scenery is a favorite of mine), but it is all very well done!
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Mike
D&B Lumber Co.
"The Best Wood You Ever Saw!" |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3877 |
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KVRailfan
Crew Chief
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 10:12:31 PM
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I've only been a member of this forum for a very short time but I sure have to say that after following the original thread on the woodcutters shack and cruising around in a number of other discussions, I'm absolutely in AWE of the workmanship and skill that abounds here!
It seems that every day brings another level of craftsmanship and more new and remembered techniques than you can shake a stick at.
I started in this hobby back in the late '70's and early '80's when almost nothing could be found in the local hobby shop if you wanted to have much in the way of realism. Built a few buildings from balsa blocks, trimmed to approx. size for dimensional lumber, corrugated aluminum foil roofing and straight pins for lightning rods (still a good standby) and.... well the list goes on and on.
I've been away for a long time and BOY! do I have a lot of reading and practicing to do. Mike, your work is amazing, and not to take away from all of the others, I have to say a great big Thank You to everyone who contributes here with their techniques and ideas and motivates the rest of us to excell in our attempts at what we do!
Steve in Kelowna
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Country: Canada
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MikeC
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 11/29/2006 : 10:17:02 PM
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Again, thanks, guys. I looked back at the first page of the construction thread and realized that it's been close to a year since I started work on this. Of course, I didn't work on it steadily all that time - in fact, I got almost nothing done on it in June and July - but it's been a long time nonetheless.
Rick and Mike, right now I'm not planning to sell it. I've pretty much backed away from the idea for the time being, mostly because of the packaging/shipping issue.
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Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man. I have a railroad to run.
Visit the Central Missouri & Southern
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Country: USA
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