Calling Rich Battista

Yes, he is going to York.  You can see the link and a map of his location on his website.

http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/

Rich will be at York and yes he finished his video.  Should be available in Blu-ray and DVD next week in the Orange Hall.  I can tell you that this is his finest work to date and you will be blown away at the additions Rich made to his layout.  Well worth the wait.  BigRail

Rick,

   I'll be there with at least the Blu-Ray version!  I got them yesterday (photo below).  The DVDs are in production now and are supposed to ship Monday, and I should have them no later than Wed, probably Tuesday.  Yeah.. talk about cutting it close.  I was unable to work on the video as planned this summer and worked tirelessly in Sept to get it done which is why its so close.  It turned out better than I hoped for.  Even my wife watched it without falling asleep!!  She even shushed me when I talked during the city scene at the end.  That should tell you something. She'll be there on Friday b.t.w.  don't tell here I said that.  

This is the first video shot entirely in HD.  The Blu-Ray version is simply spectacular.  The images are crisp and clear and by far the best quality of all three.  Even the DVD is quality is better using the high definition raw video clips as the source.  The content is also better than ever.  All the train action was taken on the layout in its best condition with all the construction and detailing complete including the new city.  The construction scenes and story line productions are also improved after two videos worth of expericence.  We'll let you be the judge, but I couldn't be happier with it.   My buddy BigRail previewed and reviewd it for me, he can tell you more about it.

Hope to have a preview up and running by Sunday

The pricing is:

     One DVD:          $20

     Any two DVDs:   $33

     All three DVDs:  $45 

     Plus $5 for the Blu-Ray (available on Part III only).

In case you don't know Blu-Rays are much more expensive to produce due to size and licensing cost. 

These will be the same prices on my website.  Don't forget if you buy at York you save on shipping costs. 

If for some unforseen reason I don't get the DVDs in time, I will let you all know.

Thanks for the interest, see you at York!

. 

Rich

www.toytrainsontracks.com

rich,

will miss york because of work, how soon to buy on the website.

ps. just saw your spread on the other mag.... congrats.

Rich,

Please save one Blu-Ray for me at York.

Eliot

I will be in line to get my 3rd Battista DVD . See you there.

Rob

Us too. Looking forward to it. Now I just need to talk you into coming to Indianapolis and helping with scenery. 

Pete,

  Internet sales will start Sunday the 21st.  Since I am at York or getting ready for it, I will not be available to ship until the following Monday anyway, so to make things easy I'm waiting until then even if I get the DVDs on Tuesday.  Sorry, it will be worth the wait.

Eliot,

   I have 200 Blu-rays for the show, it should be enough, but I'll save one for you anyway.  I have no idea at this point how the Blu-rays will sell over the DVDs.  It just depends on how many people have Blu-ray players and HD TVs.  Once I know I will order more.   

Rob, see you at the show.

Mr. Muffin,

   What?? You mean the videos didn't help?  Just, kidding.  You can always send me an email if you have any questions. 

Thanks, Rich  

Rich, I have a feeling you are going to sell out of the Blu-rays at York.  I am not going to the show, is there any way to set one aside for me to order on the 21st.

Thanks Ralph

Between this video and the new OGR video, it looks like it may be time for me to go Blu-Ray...

Andy

Now is DEFINITELY the time to purchase a Blu-Ray player. What with all the great RR DVDs on real railroading, especially steam, out now, plus the new OGR DVD due out at York next week, you don't know what your missing. 

Rich, first, congratulations on finishing this project.  It sounds like you are more than satisfied with the results of your effort.  Count me in for one blu ray.  See you at York.

Gentlemen, thank you and see you at York,

Ralph,

   Its hard to save one for the internet sales.  I hope you understand.  It will be first come first serve.  If you want you can send me an email and I can reply when they are about to go on sale.  Thats true for anyone, again first come first serve.  I wouldn't worry though, even if they do sell out, plenty more are on the way and will be available at the end of that week, so maybe an extra 5 days. 

Andy,

 Definitely time for Blu-ray.  The Blu-ray players are cheap enough, its the TV thats the problem.   The HD TVs have gotten much more affordable in the past few years. Its worth the investment though. 

Hi Rich, I want to pick up a copy at York. I have the first and second, now I must have the third. Pleeeeeeeeease !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Alex

Hi Rich. You know all to well that I will want one of each also.

jim r from bridgeboss.com

Rich......if you get the regular DVD version, I'll certainly be there on Thursday to get one!  

Peter

I have one more layout on the bucket list and Rich's layout is what I intend to emulate.  I have one of his DVDs and will order the other two soon.  Great stuff, thanks Rich!

Well for those of you going to York to get first dibs on the Black Diamond Railway Part III, all I can say is you are in for a treat.  Rich has truly outdone himself with this video.  Rich made some amazing changes to his layout, primarily in the "city" area of the layout, and transformed it into a double EL, matching the green paint from the real deal in New York City (ok Queens for you nitpickers).  The final product looks so amazingly real that you will have trouble distinguishing real from model as Rich so abtly transitions back and forth in the video.  Adding to the realism are the many MTH buildings that make up the city but in this case, most have been upgraded in height by adding additional floors or combining several buildings into one tall one.  Add some really innovative LED spotlights and the city lights up the night more beautifully than most real cities.  Rich takes the right amount of time to show you some of his tricks of the trade like how he did his very real looking streets and sidewalks and how to make a custom double cross-over from MTH Scale Trax.  Rich also walks you through how to assemble and detail a beautiful Elevated Line using Bridge Boss products.  The final product is nothing short of spectacular.  Adding an EL does not have to take up a lot of space and can be added to layouts on the smaller end of the spectrum.  As Rich shows, with a little effort, time and determination, outstanding results can be achieved.  The Black Diamond Videos have been a kind of blue print for me as I continue the slow pace of working on my own layout.  Hopefully in the not to distant future I'll have something that I can show off as well as Rich.  I hope you enjoy what I had the priviledge of previewing as Rich made the final tweaks on what I believe to be his finest work.  See everyone at York. BigRail