Update 3-23...!! A video trip on the Texas Special...Lionel's new passenger cars team up with Williams E units!!

Very nice video Alan!

WOW great video, You can tell your hard work and attention to detail really makes it seem real life like. One of the best I have ever seen in person or on video. You and your family should be very proud of what you have built!

Alan,

I think the video is great!  The shots taken standing trackside are impressive!  Why do I like the Texas Special?  Normally I like Appalachian roads, and I do not like red!  Funny, my PWC Texas Special is the only train I have that doesn't fit in.  

On another note, Have you ever posted a track plan of your layout?  I don't recall ever seeing one, and am curious.

Thank you for posting!!

Alan,

What a great treat! Thank you for sharing. The reds look like a very close match. I admire your train collection and your layout. What a huge investment of research, money and hard work! Nicely done!  How do you keep everything so clean? 

Santafay

Not only do I like the video, there were several instances of convincing wheel and rail sounds...how is that achieved?

GOOD JOB ALAN - one of the best videos ever and what a great layout!!

Very nice video, enjoyed watching it.

Impressive video! I especially liked the bridge featured early in the video. That train sounded like the real thing as it rumbled over it.

Alan, that was fantastic.  Only today when Captain John was at the house we talked about a road trip to see your layout.  This will be talked about York week when we go out to eat on Tuesday.  Fantastic layout, fantastic video, and thank you for posting.

Marty

Alan, I am at a loss for words each time I see pictures or videos of your layout. The architecture is truly magnificent. The framework & makeup of buildings, bridges & water scenes is just plain incredible.

Marty & I had a good discussion today of a possible road trip. It even became more real this week as my oldest son now lives in Hot Springs just under 4 hours from you. Will get to see your masterpiece one way or the other.

Thanks for posting another great video.

Looking good Alan!

Absolutely beautiful!

Mike

Very neat, Alan!

What material did you use to cover the abutments - saw it in a few places, such as under the Lionel Lift Bridge - looks like large stone blocks? I am trying to find a suitable material to cover a large pier on my RR.

And, what video camera are you using - and is the software difficult to use and does it come with the prototype RR sound effects that I heard, or how do you dub them in? This would make an excellent article for the magazine IMO.

ezmike posted:

Absolutely beautiful!

Mike

Ditto, from another Mike!

Alan,

Very nice video, and it shows your beautiful layout well. Good job!

Alex

Beautiful video i love that set !!!!!!

Do you want to sell the E units ?

Alex

Thanks guys!  Let me answer those that had questions:

Mark:  I have posted my track plan a couple of times...it is just a hand sketch since I have never really drawn it using any of the available software.  I will try to find my post and re-post it.

Santafay:  oh...if you could only see the layout in person.  It is not near as "clean" as you think...plenty of "natural dust" weathering..LOL!!

Rob:  the sound effects were free...just Google:  "free train sounds" and you will find plenty!  Using Windows Movie Maker, I was able to download the different sound clips where I wanted them.  Not an exact science when I do it..LOL!

Marty and John:  We will talk about you all coming down for a visit when we see one another at this York...it would be an honor to have you guys here!!!

Paul:  The covering of which you speak is printed from an online source.  Because of the lack of room (thickness) for a traditional covering, I had to find something that looked 3-D and as you can see, it is fairly convincing.  E-mail me and I can forward the source.  The camera I am using is a ION Pro-wifi and I really like it.  I had one of the best Go-Pro cameras but for a variety of my own reasons, I returned it and a few months later found out about the ION line of cameras.  Takes great pictures and videos...!!  I used Windows Movie Maker (latest edition) to put together the clips.  I got an email from another member that suggested I used too many transitions...hey, I didn't know and will improve over time!  Check my response above to Rob about the sound.  Movie Maker is very easy to use...anyone can do it..!

Alex:  I paid 99.00 for the A-units when all of the Williams stuff was put on sale years ago...bought from one of our sponsors here on the forum.  They run like a charm and as you could see pulled the set without any problem.  They do have the latest True Blast sound but I didn't use the sound in the video since I knew I was going to dub in train sound effects....I think I will keep them my friend!!...  ;>

Thanks,

Alan

Alan which Lionel cars are those?  21-inch?  I've always thought my E units looked okay with the Lionel 15-inch cars but now I'm having second thoughts.  

Mike...they are the latest release from Lionel...the 21" cars...

Alan

Nice. The sound effects adds to the video. The Lionel cars look really nice. Funny while watching my attention was drawn to the cameo appearance of the Empire Builder, even if its the Big Blue scheme.

That's a nice train, and very nice video of it.

Thanks again guys!  I talked to Rich Melvin who is giving me his expert advice and he kindly mentioned that my transitions take away from the video.....so......in just a few minutes, I was able to replace them with a fade/over transition and then updated the video.  Looks a lot better!  Unfortunately, YouTube will not allow one to replace a video with a new one so I will likely just add the updated video to my list....  The new transitions make the video look much better!!

Alan

leavingtracks posted:

Thanks again guys!  I talked to Rich Melvin who is giving me his expert advice and he kindly mentioned that my transitions take away from the video.....so......in just a few minutes, I was able to replace them with a fade/over transition and then updated the video.  Looks a lot better!  Unfortunately, YouTube will not allow one to replace a video with a new one so I will likely just add the updated video to my list....  The new transitions make the video look much better!!

Alan

Alan, just delete the old one and publish the new one. By the way did you notice CB&Q E unit that photo bombed your video towards the end?  

It just keeps getting better Alan!! The sound effects were a nice surprise. It took me a minute to figure out where they were coming from, but it really adds to the beauty of that set on film. 

Makes me want my new 21" Lionel UP cars now!!!! Thanks!

Great video Alan. Love always seeing your tours of your layout. Very impressive. 

The Texas special is incredible. 

Thanks again!...OK....here is the version of the video with the fade/over transitions....I think the less busy transitions make the video presentation better....

Alan

Alan, really enjoyed the video and your fine layout. One question, are both A units powered or is one engine doing all the work?

Pete

Excellent!!!!!!! That is a sharp set and I have a soft spot for city scenes! Thanks for sharing!

Great show Alan!!

My question about the wonderful sound affects was answered. I was wondering if you may have ended up with that PFM sound system that was on the West Tennessee Central .

And as always your layout looks great, and now, at least in the movies, it sounds great.

Take care,

Richard

Thanks again!...to answer Pete's question:  The Williams units consist of one dual powered engine and one non-powered.  It has the latest "True Blast" sound horn and bell...

Alan

Alan,

\Gorgeous layout and excellent video.  

Is the train shed shown in the first few seconds scratch built or commercial?  If commercial, manufacturer?

Keep up the excellent modeling.

dav3

Dav3 (David)...thanks,....the train shed was made for me by Jim at Bridgeboss.  He advertises with us and has been a sponsor on our forum at one time.  Years ago when he was developing his line of train sheds he and I got together and I suggested some changes to the design which Jim was open to so at that time I had a custom model so to speak.  Later Jim offered the train shed in the configuration/design that mine was as well as the color.  Jim used a CNC to cut out the design and then shipped it as a kit.  I elected to do the sanding and painting which in retrospect, I wish I would have had him do...it was a full weekend of work!!  Regardless, it is the highlight of my layout!!

Thanks,

Alan

I talked to Rich Melvin who is giving me his expert advice and he kindly mentioned that my transitions take away from the video

What the Boss said.  Very nice.

,....the train shed was made for me by Jim at Bridgeboss.........Regardless, it is the highlight of my layout!!

"the highlight"???  One of many.  Your layout in person is awesome.  I see that you have put some ballast down.  How many tons will be required?   Regards,  Pat B.

leavingtracks posted:

Thanks again guys!  I talked to Rich Melvin who is giving me his expert advice and he kindly mentioned that my transitions take away from the video.....so......in just a few minutes, I was able to replace them with a fade/over transition...

That "fade/over transition" is called a "dissolve." One image "dissolves" into the other.  And the video looks MUCH better with that series of dissolves instead of all the effects.

Good to hear from you Pat!!  Been too long!  You two need to come back up and visit....  As far as ballast, it is going to take a lot!!  I didn't realize how much ballast one can go through until I started putting it down a few months ago...WOW!!

Thanks Rich....I think your advice on the transitions was right on.  Alex Muller also emailed me with the same suggestion.

Alan

Alan,

Your modeling talent is remarkable!  Thanks for sharing your video with us.

Frank

Great looking train. Ordered the UP Excurstion set. Now I can't wait to see them.

Terrific video Alan.  In terms of architecture and bridges your creation is one of the most remarkable I've ever seen.

Thanks again guys!

Frank...good to hear from you!  Hopefully we will be able to come visit the group after York!

Matt...I think you will be very happy with these new cars.  I think in today's market, they are well done and priced reasonably..

Alan