The Black Diamond Railway III

Watched it this evening. Absolutely fantastic video. Nice job Rich!

I watched the blu-ray in it's entirety when I got home Thursday night.  Spectacular!  Nobody in their right mind will be disappointed with this video.

 

Thanks for producing another motivational video, Rich.  If this doesn't get folks working on their layouts, nothing will.  

 

David

It was great seeing and talking to Rich at his booth on Thursday. I bought 2 DVDs of his latest video, one for me and one for TrainPop who was so busy working at Vince's Trains that he couldn't leave the booth!

 

I'll watch my video over the weekend. I was also talking to a gentleman who I had met that morning at the Blue Hall at Rich's booth who had never seen any of Rich's videos. After watching some of it on the video monitor he told me that he was interested in buying all 3 videos.

 

Steve Tapper

I have 1 & 2 and had been asking Rich when # was coming...glad you guys said something!!!

I looked at it Friday night when I got home from York.  Rich has definitely outdone himself again!  If you have Volumes 1 & 2 you are REALLY going to enjoy Volume Three, "The Last Stop".  Rich, Thank you so much for providing so much high quality information and enjoyment. 

 

...keep the rails polished...

I posted the below in an earlier thread:

 

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

Rich did a terrific job on this build and video.  The scenes where he has transitioned from real footage to model footage is really amazing.

I just returned from York, and Rich's new video is among the "bounty" I just unloaded from the car (mostly small items this time).  I look forward to viewing it later today after I retrieve my pooch and get her settled.  I'm absolutely certain I will not be disappointed (I also have the two previous videos).  It was great chatting with Rich at York, and we discussed a couple of new projects with potential for the magazine.  The Black Diamond Railway may be complete--or as complete as Rich wants to make it at this time--but he's a man with many ideas.

I picked it up Friday at York. I watched the video this afternoon and I really enjoyed it. Rich did a phenomenal job adding an elevated subway and a city to his layout. I grew up in Brooklyn,NY and it is amazing how he captured the look and feel of New York City. I love what he did with the MTH Police station. The one sad thing is this is the last video. All 3 of his videos are excellent and I totally recommend them to anyone planning or in the process of building a layout. 

OK Rich!!! It's the 10/21 let us Non-Yorkers get our copy on the way!!!!

I popped the Black Diamond #3 DVD into the player this evening and watched a thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully done program.  Those interested in subway modeling are in for a special treat.  The "night" shots are particularly spectacular.  I just wish I had 1/100th the modeling ability that Rich so amply demonstrates on his fine layout.  

i will be ordering it as soon as the website allows i enjoyed the first two and looking forward to the third.

heading home from a nice week in Lancaster area highlights of the trip were meeting Tom Groff at the Choo Choo Barn and a visit to Roadside America and spending our 50 th anniversary in amish country.

looking forward to getting home where the OGR 8th layout video is waiting.

 Working on it right now!  Give me a few hours.  I'll post when the website is ready.  Thanks.

I have all three of his videos and I must say I really enjoyed them all but number three really stands out. Thanks Rich for the videos, the tips on building and just watching your trains going thru the realistic scenery you have built. As Allan has said I just wish I had a tiny part of your talent, it is truly amazing.

I watched it late last night.  I must say totally awesome, I enjoyed every minute of the video. Thanks Rich.

 

Alex

 

 

where does one find these?

 

never mind, i found.

 

 

The website is up! 

 

 

 

 

Part III is now available for purchase in both DVD and Blu-ray.

 

RickC and everyone thanks for the nice comments.  It took a while but I think it was worth the wait.  Many people asked a the York show "whats next" and I didn't have a good answer.  I certainly enjoy the video work since its a big part of the hobby for me.  But there is nothing left to do on the Black Diamond Railway.  I know what people say, but "my layout is DONE!"  I know I will be enjoying the layout more and keeping up with my website.  I have been too busy to keep up with the photography and trying to fill in the how-to sections. 

 

I know I will eventually have to satisfy the urge to b

 

uild something.  One idea would be to show how to build a smaller layout like a 12'x8' that can fit in an average bedroom.  I could video how to do the whole thing, then sell the layout.  If that happens it will not be before I take a break.  Any ideas on what I could do next would be more than welcome.  Again I love to both build layouts and video them, its that rare combination that has made the Black Diamond Railway series successful. 

 

Thanks everyone and enjoy!

 

Rich

 

 

Hi Rich!  Just watched the HD YouTube preview of Part 3 on your website and immediately ordered the BlueRay version!  What a crowning achivement for you as you have completed your layout!  The cityscape/subway night shots just blew me away!  Congratulations on your layout and videos as you have truely been an inspiration to us all!

 

Tom

Thanks Rich,

 

   Heading to your website now to order vol. 3 Have the first two and have watched them many times, great stuff.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

Hi Rich, great video, an inspiration to get started on my layout.......

I was the guy who bought the first DVD(s) on Thursday noon at York.

 

Mike

Hey Rich...........you have done it again.......another fabulous video!

 

Peter

Rich, I was so blown away by the Orange hall I forgot to stop at your booth. I'm still kicking myself as I only remembered on the drive home. I will order from your site.

I love the other 2 CD's.

Rob

Just ordered my copy, I already have I & II.  My son and I have spent countless hours watching I and II and the YouTube preview looks great.  

 

Rich,

When my son (he's 6) keeps asking why our layout is not finished and does not look like yours I tell him because we spend all our time watching your videos - 

I am watching this video right now with my family. This is a great video.   My kids saw Rich's layout at his open  house a few years ago.  We enjoy seeing the changes and getting new ideas to use on my layout.

 

Placed my order on your site Rich.....will be sitting by the DVD player waiting eagerly!!! Thanks

Everyone, thank you for the nice comments.  I am getting a little bummed though.  I feel like I'm retiring.  I'm going to have to move or tear this one down so I can start a new layout.  I'm going to tell my wife now, and if I'm not back by tomorrow you'll know what happened.

 

Dave,  I hope you were not up all night waiting, you'll be too tire to watch the video. 

 

Thank you all for purchases, the orders from the website are shipping today.

 

Again, thank you, and enjoy!

 

Rich

 

rich,

 

I tried to order the third dvd last night from your web site, but it told me to use a different cc. I tried the two I have, and it still would not let me order with the other cc. I got the same error message for both. I will try later this week, maybe your website had overload yesterday...

 

I saw the preview on youtube, can't wait for #3.

Rich....what was the name off the El color you came up with from Home Depot. I think you hit it right on. I may try it to color my subway posts.

 

Peter

DL&W Pete,

 

   If you are at the point where you are entering a cc number then you are on the PayPal website which has nothing to do with my website.  I suggest you call PayPal at 1-888-221-1161.  The customer service has been surprisingly good.  They can tell you the exact reason for the error.  If it does turn out to be related to my website please let me know, however everyone who has bought so far has gone through the same process.  Send me an email directly if you have anymore problems using the contact button on my website and I will help you figure it out.

 

Peter,

 

   The color is "sea smoke" from Behr paint.  I found this link which has the part number http://www.myperfectcolor.com/...ehr-2B51-6-Sea-Smoke .  Take that number to home depot and they should be able to produce it for you.  If you don't have an air brush or compressor you can just use a regular paint brush.  It is a good match, I just wish it came in a spray can. 

 

Rich

It was a real pleasure to see you again Rich. My little guy couldn't wait to get home to see the new dvd! I'm glad to see your work so well recived. So, What is this, your thinking of tearing it all down and starting again? Maybe 2Rail this time? Your going to disapoint alot of people.LOL

Again it was great to see you again best of luck on what ever you decide.

Gizzmo 

Thanks, Rich

 

Peter

 

 I am not far from you.....I volunteer to come by and 'remove the trash' for you!! I hope you leave the layout intact and explore the new compact layout project idea.

 

Got my shipping notice today...can't wait! Thanks

Rich,

I cannot imagine the hours that went into this.

Do you have a life?

 

Truly about the best model railroad video I have ever seen.

 

Why do I say this?

 

My father worked for the transit authority and I went to school every day on the Lexington #4. Rich's scene looked just like my neighborhood. I cannot say here what I exclaimed when I viewed it.

 

Holy ****

 

Scrappy

Hi Rich,

 

I finally got a chance to watch BDRIII tonight.

 

After each of the first two, I thought the layout and the next video couldn't get any better....and each time I was wrong. This one was spectacular. The editing of the prototype/layout scenes was incredible, and the how-to sections always inspire .

 

The only bad part was the subtitle - "The Last Stop". It will be a tough act to follow, but you know we will be lobbying for at least one more production.  

 

Jim

 

 

 

 

Rich I would assume that you set up a layout under your Christmas tree. How about a video that shows the creation of a modular Christmas layout, something that you can take down and store during the off season?

Tonight I had my first opportunity to watch Rich's third installment of the Black Diamond Railroad and quite frankly I believe that this is the best of the series.

 

I really enjoyed the format of showcasing Rich's train collection in action on his highly realistic Black Diamond Railroad in between sessions on how he built his elevated railway.

 

Rich is the king of realism as he has mastered the art of creating a minature world that mirrors the real world. Truly a world class layout!

 

Steve Tapper

Gizzmo,

 

  Same here, it was good seeing you and your son as well at the show.  Also, good to see you posting on the forum.  We need the input from a talented individual like yourself.  Of course I was just kidding about starting over.  I'll be enjoying the layout for some time before I start thinking of that. But if I do, Dave you'll be the first to know.

 

Eliot,

  I didn't have a life but now I do.  More work than you can imagine.  But I had to finish what I started and I'm very glad I completed the trilogy and documented the construction of the entire layout.  The videos should be useful for a long time.

 

Jim,

  Thanks for the comments, but please don't lobby too hard just yet.    Good talking with you at the show.

 

Zett,

  Great idea, we actually talked about a variant of this at the show.  Building a modular layout that could fit in an average size bedroom of a house.  I could build and video the construction, then take it to the show, show it, and sell it.  Ideally I would like to have a buyer first.  Something to think about

 

Steve,

  Glad you enjoyed it, and good seeing you at the show. 

 

 

Thank you for your patronage.

 

Rich

Help!!  Rich's first two videos (DVD) played fine...can't get this one to play...get some error message about "Codec".  Suggestions please.  Thanks.  Jim