Thanks for the plug, Den!

Thanks for the plug, Den! There will be another new post on bridges and trestles this Friday.

@ Dave

I follow your blog closely.  Your efforts bring the "fun" back into model railroading for me.  I didn't know you were a member on the forum.

Den

Thank you. I've been a member

Thank you. I've been a member here for awhile but don't post very often. Perhaps I'll remedy that in the future...

I've noticed a lot of traffic to my blog comes from this site and that's awesome.

Bridges on the TMMC

There's a new post on my Thunder Mesa blog today, showing how I built the three bridges over Big Thunder Creek. Hope you'll stop by and check it out:  http://thundermesaminingco.blogspot.com/2014/09/big-thunder-creek-part-ii-bridges.html

@ Dave

Went over to the blog.  Looked over and read the updates.  Impressive as always!

Den

Thunder Mesa

There's a new post today on the Thunder Mesa Mining Co. blog! Halloween season has arrived and today's post begins a new two part series on the construction of the "haunted" Never Mine. Hope folks will stop by and check it out:  http://thundermesaminingco.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-never-mine-part-i-shaft-house-and.html

@ Dave

I had a feeling something was up.  Yesterday I noticed a change in wallpaper on the blog to a Halloween theme.  At first I didn't notice it until I increased the size on my iPad.

I decide to rename the original post title to the Thunder Mesa Mining Company.  That will reflect the subject better.

Den

This is kinda weird

Thanks!

Awesome, Bremner! That was a fun little plan to build and I kind of regret never finishing it. Now I can live vicariously through your efforts. Here's an old video of the VT&S that I started: 

Balsa Foam

Balsa Foam is the consumer version of the same, dense polyurethane carving foam (often simply called "gold foam" by industry people) used by Hollywood special effect guys and Disney Imagineers. It carves easily with hobby knives or other hand tools and will not pill or tear like polystyrene foams. It's available in 1" thick sheets or thicker blocks from better supplied art and craft dealers. I get mine from Dick Blick. It can be pricey, so I wouldn't build a whole layout with it, but it's perfect for unique rock formations, simulating stone, brick or adobe walls - heck, I even make cactus with it. I like the harder density for strength and detail (Balsa Foam II) and the softer stuff for ease of carving. This rock formation was carved from it and painted with acrylics.

Balsa Foam

Arizona Dave where do you get your supply of Balsa Foam ? I've never heard of it.

Balsa Foam

I order mine online since I can't find it at local craft stores. I use dickblick.com but Google should show you many other sources. The price doesn't seem to vary much. 

Balsa Form

Thanks for the info, I will check it out.

Modeling Water

There's a big new post today on the Thunder Mesa Blog describing how I created the water effects for Big Thunder Creek. Hope you'll all check it out. 

Great work!

Dave,

Last night I was watching Lex Parker's YouTube series of trestle construction and waterfall construction. This morning I awake to find your waterfall update.  Very interesting to see two different methods used, but with similar results.  Keep up the good work!

Den

Track Plan Change

Thank you Den!

I've made a small change to the track plan that should really make running trains more fun on the TMMC. More on the blog today.

Water Tank

There's a new post on the Thunder Mesa blog today describing how I modified a Banta Modelworks tank with a new roof and other details. Thanks for checking in, amigos!

Thunder Mesa #6

Is the TM affiliated with the E&SG, the locos bear a family resemblance? .DaveB

The E&SG

Not affiliated per say. The Estrella & Sonora Grande is Verne Niner's wonderful On30 layout. Verne and I are friends and swap ideas often. We're both members of the Arizona On30 Desperados. Thunder Mesa equipment has been known to show up on the ES&G from time to time and visa versa...

Wondeful!  On30 is well-known to be a "fun" scale and the two of you have certainly demonstrated that!  Makes me want to visit Arizona ...  

Thanks for sharing, always watching for more!  

 "On30 is well-known to be a

I thought the similar red paint schemes on the locos was interesting and wondered how both railroads came to use it? ....DaveB 

To be continued...

I want to thank Den for starting this thread and getting me over to this site more often. Loads of great stuff here! I've decided to go ahead and start a blog on this site to continue updates on the TMMC and other projects. Hope you'll follow along there:  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/whats-new-on-the-thunder-mesa-mining-co-12198259