My other hobby

[Ray Dunakin]

I have a couple other hobbies besides camping and exploring off-road. My main hobby is a 1/24th scale, outdoor model railroad. Here are a couple articles I've written about it for an online magazine:

Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

 

[Hepar]

Are those models in the pictures ones that you have built? If so, the detail is amazing.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Wow Ray, I am not Dr. Sheldon Cooper but that is great work no doubt.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks, guys! Yes, I built all the structures, bridges, trestles, etc. Also created the scenery, the scale plants, a few people, and some animals.

 

[Bigshankhank]

Thanks, guys! Yes, I built all the structures, bridges, trestles, etc. Also created the scenery, the scale plants, a few people, and some animals.

And what pray tell do you do with these people you've built?

 

[Hepar]

Do you have any wider shots? I didn't see any in the articles, but I could have missed them. Was just wanting to get more of an idea of the overall look.

And how long did it take to build? I mean the bulk of it. I'm assuming it's one of those projects that's never truly finished.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

And what pray tell do you do with these people you've built?

They occupy vehicles and populate the towns -- although it's a pretty slim population so far.

Here is a scratch built Model T rail bus with three figures I sculpted. These are replicas of my dad (the driver), one of my sisters, and my wife's grandmother:

Here are a few in one of the towns. These are based on myself, my wife, and one of my brothers:

One of the locomotives is manned by an engineer and fireman, patterned after my father-in-law and our son.

Eventually I plan to add more family and friends into the layout.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Do you have any wider shots? I didn't see any in the articles, but I could have missed them. Was just wanting to get more of an idea of the overall look.

And how long did it take to build? I mean the bulk of it. I'm assuming it's one of those projects that's never truly finished.

Here's a wide shot, but it's a couple years old so there are some newer items that aren't in the scene:

I started construction at the beginning of 2006. It took two and half years to get it to the point where I could run trains. And yes, I still have lots more to do on it!

 

[Hepar]

I take it you have no plans of moving anytime soon!

 

[Hepar]

Being outside, how does it stand up to weather? I mean, of course it's roughly the same as its larger counterparts, but a tiny piece of wood will rot far quicker than a larger piece.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Being outside, how does it stand up to weather? I mean, of course it's roughly the same as its larger counterparts, but a tiny piece of wood will rot far quicker than a larger piece.

The only real wood items are the trestles, tunnel portals, and ore bins. These are made with Western red cedar which is very durable, and are painted for extra protection.

The "wooden" buildings and details are actually plastic which I've textured and painted to look like wood. Some are styrene, but now I mostly use an extruded PVC board called Sintra.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

BTW, here is a video taken with a camera onboard the train:

https://youtu.be/MhLOskIuqDg