TORNADO QUESTION

I've never done it, nor have I seen one.  But if I were trying to make one for myself, I think I would try this.  Maybe take a plastic funnel, like you would use to add motor oil to your car or some other type of funnel.  Wrap some strips of steel wool around it in an irregular shape , maybe you'd have to glue some of it to the plastic...I don't know exactly but fasten it somehow.  Then if you wanted to you could maybe spread some gray or black color paper machie product over it, depending on how detailed you'd want to get.  

And to place it on your layout, maybe insert a small dowel into the layour surface so it sticks straight up.  Maybe you'd have to drill a hole and insert the dowel or glue it in, whatever.  So long as it's sticking upright.  And then place the small opening of the funnel over the dowel.  I imagine that would hold it up okay.  And you wouldn't see the dowel or rod, whatwver, so long as the part "above-ground" was shorter than the funnel itself.

Like I've said, I've never done this!  LOL  So this might not work at all!    But it might be worth a try.  Good luck with it.  Would love to see a picture when it's done.

- Mike

Here's one:

Tornado

Jim

Do remember to include Margaret Hamilton on a bicycle,

Don't forget the flying cow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...;v=uJlPTU_kmk8#t=35s

Thank you for the quick responses, gents.  The funell idea sounds good.  I was thinking a black stocking shaped with foam core or stiff wire into a tornado shape.  Mr

Policastro, that video was inspirational.  When this project gets done I will post a photo here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfmZsIwCwQw

Would be neat to inclosed a full scene using the TORNADO in a Box.

Plus you can add a strobe light effect for lighting.

If you want one that moves maybe you could use a fan driven inflateable like those gas station, tire store dancing men. Those inflateable holliday decorations are another example.

OGR's Great Layout Adventures vol 7. DVD . Terry Johnson's layout has a tornado and thunder and lightning.

Gee, Dave. I knew I had seen another tornado in a video somewhere. You would think that I would have remembered that particular DVD!!!  

Jim

Here's one on a HO club layout in Indio CA.

Gotta ask.  How did they do that?

Funny thing, Rich sent me the video to see if it worked here. I knew it would, so I got a free video! I will try to sell them here. I have not seen previous videos, but this one is terrific. I sat there with a smile fixed on my face, the video was so well done.

I loved your layout and your interview. You know, the personal contact, the way this hobby is presented by OGR, the way all us folk on this forum meet, here on line, in person, through videos, it's a beautiful and very unique place. I think us folk on this OGR forum, are the very luckiest in all of this hobby.

Hi Dave,

Glad you liked the video. It was really exciting being part of the production.

As you say, we are very lucky. OGR has done a lot to create a real family atmosphere among staff, forum members and readers. It's a unique situation that everyone in those groups has the opportunity to get together in person at York as well as here on the forum. Plus, the OGR management and staff make themselves available for so much behind-the-scenes information while maintaining professional-quality productions. 

Looking forward to seeing you again on your next trip over here.

Jim

I think it used cotton and fiberglass

If it is not fiberglass, it could be fish tank filter material.

If you used a parachute/nylon type of material like you see those holiday yard blow up decorations, you could used a small 12v fan from computer, and inflate your tornado on demand. After it deflates, you could lay it down behind a house or other backdrop, eliminating the 24/7 funnel cloud. I mean, what would be the property value in THAT neighborhood! 

You could also incorporate a mobile home that flips on its side near the tornado area!

You could also incorporate a mobile home that flips on its side near the tornado area!

and Don't forget the "exploding Boxcar" too!