TOPIC: Halloween Time

Welp - due to a messed up back I am way behind on my Halloween fun - but that doesn't mean I can't type about it.<br /><br />Typically I have Halloween set-up in the house by the 1st of September - but this year I am attempting to re-build my diorama for Spooky Town.  For those of you who did not see the PIC I posted for a few days - just do a Google for Lemax Spooky Town...you will get the idea of what one of my other collections is.<br /><br />Welp anyway since the back is better - I think this weekend will see me getting down all the Halloween stuff and trying to get the majority of the "ground" work done on the diorama terrain.  I met a cool dude on the internet/eBay that sells model train scenic stuff for 25% less than most places so I have tons of new cool stuff to try on the new plaster base I am planning on building.<br /><br />Just wanted to ramble on about this - and by all means if anyone has experience or tips to share on making a model train or other type landscape diorama - please do share.<br /><br />I may post pictures to a site if anyone is interested in the progress...just PM me for a link - and don't expect that site up anytime soon - as I would much rather be getting the actual work done rather than build a site for the pics...<br /><br />HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I would love to see your progress.  It sounds like you really get into it.  I would love to set up miniature city in my backyard, but I would probably opt for pre-rail times like a medieval city--not sure Mrs Widseth is with me on this one.  When I was a kid I saw a miniature city in the Netherlands with streets, neighborhoods, parks, an airport, rail station, and port with ships and docks.  It must have covered a couple of acres.  I was fascinated.<br /><br />Hope the back holds up.<br /><br /><br />Widseth

<br />When I was a kid I saw a miniature city in the Netherlands with streets, neighborhoods, parks, an airport, rail station, and port with ships and docks.  It must have covered a couple of acres.  I was fascinated.<br />

<br /><br />Madurodam!<br /><br />I loved going there as a kid, too! The thing which I recall best was the working set of canal locks. I also remember a houseboat bursting into flames and a fire-boat coming by to douse the fire.<br /><br />Fascinating indeed.

Widseth,<br />        Just how big is your back yard that you are considering such a project?  By the way, I think building such a thing would be so cool.  <br /><br />Kim

Legoland mini US layout is pretty cool - could never do something that cool in the backyard...so we go there from time to time to enjoy it.<br /><br />Spooky Town is just the center-piece decoration we do for Halloween inside the house - I don't think I will be doing ouside this year...but hey you never know.<br /><br />I'll get a site going one of these weeks.<br />Thanks,<br />Gary

I would love to go back to the Netherlands and see how that city has changed since I saw it--it was probably 45 years ago and it was amazing then.<br /><br />I have a terraced back yard that is in a lot of ways very natural with ferns and wild flowers--only one terrace has some grass.  There are about 4 and a half levels ending in a stand of old growth fir trees.  I just think one of the levels would look really cool with a city and castle--maybe with a dragon on a hill or coming out or a cave or something.  Don't know if I have enough ambition, but I think about it a lot.  If I did it I would lay out an area of maybe 10 feet by 15 feet, and do it on a scale that I could use lead figures from D&D.  I would have to search a lot of sources and I know it would take years.  I used to paint a lot of lead figures, and I made a couple of dioramas (or is it diorami) that turned out well.<br /><br />Anyway--Spooky Town sounds great.  I would love to see some pics in progress and when you are done.<br /><br /><br />Widseth

Sounds like a great project to me.  I'm a big believer that those are the types of things that keep a person young.<br /><br />Kim

See - that is my secret - if Spooky Town turns out pretty good - then it will be on to a D&D type terrain with castle ruins and maybe some Dwarven Forge stuff...<br /><br />Hey Jeff- did I win that give-away contest???  I did - right?  =D

If'n you're gonna get into it, check out www.hirstarts.com <br /><br />This guy supplies one of my artistic fixes. And already scaled to mini's Takes just a bit of work, but well worth it as you make what you want.

Great link.  Thanks.  Oh boy, from the mind to reality.  How am I gonna 'splain this to Mrs. Widseth.  She always told me I could build castles in the sky as long as I didn't move in.  Maybe I better call the moving van.  I can tell her it is Gary and Shaman's fault.<br /><br /><br /><br />Widseth

<br />If'n you're gonna get into it, check out www.hirstarts.com <br /><br />This guy supplies one of my artistic fixes. And already scaled to mini's Takes just a bit of work, but well worth it as you make what you want.<br />

<br /><br />Was that the mold you got at INDY?  I checked that booth out and was tempted...very cool stuff indeed.<br /><br />Thanks for passing that along Roomie!<br /><br />G

<br />Great link.  Thanks.  Oh boy, from the mind to reality.  How am I gonna 'splain this to Mrs. Widseth.  She always told me I could build castles in the sky as long as I didn't move in.  Maybe I better call the moving van.  I can tell her it is Gary and Shaman's fault.<br /><br />Widseth<br />

<br /><br />I can see the GLARE I am going to be getting next time I see our trusty Paladin.