MiniMe in G

Two years ago at the Amherst show, I was scanned by the Bernard of miniprints. I have since ordered HO and N from him, but he doesn't print G scale - I think because the print time is out of sync with his production of the smaller scales. So I sent off my rescaled model to Shapeways who has been my 3D printer of choice since 2012! 

I chose extra fine detail clear, and got a warning that a wall was too thin on the stack of waybills I'm holding. I said to print away - a new feature they have - and it came out just fine. It's even a little better because there is some roll to the paper. The resolution is fine enough to see my bald spot. They were $19 each, and I got several for family distribution.

I can see this becoming yet another side quest in the hobby. Scanners are good and getting less expensive all the time as are printers, so modeling specific figures at home for your layout is possible. Acquiring clothing, tools, and equipment is another reason to buy things, and doing the research on all of that is yet another aspect to add to the long list of things to do in the hobby!

FreemoN module for Evantson 24

I've begun work on an 18x48 module for the FreemoN meet in Evanston, Wy this summer. I have used the constraints of time to choose a quirky prototype scene on the Union Pacific outside of Marfa, Tx near the community of Valentine.

The scene is the Prada Marfa art installation by artists Elmgreen & Dragset. It is a freestanding Prada store complete with handbags and shoes that is just on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Built in 2005 on land of Eagles cover artist Boyd Elder, "the 'sculptural intervention' can be interpreted as criticism of consumerism, luxury branding and gentrification, but whether intentionally or not, it is also argued it reinforces the capitalist values it criticizes." (1)

My interest dates back several years to when I first visited taking graduate design students to view it, and then again visiting later with friends and family. It's a great roadside artwork up there with Cadillac Ranch, which is also in Texas and perhaps my next Freemo module? Aside from the quirkiness of the subject, it satisfied my modeling situation of limited time with a real deadline of the Evanston meet. 

To meet this deadline, I decided to do a minimalist module with as few elements and complexity as possible. After a couple of iterations of thought including locations in close proximity to my house, I arrived at Prada Marfa. The scene includes one mainline track with no turnouts, a single road, a single building, and minimal other features including a barbed wire fence, utility poles, a windmill, and lots of dirt and grass. I will also have longhorn cattle and a group of miniprints MiniMes of friends and a mini of me, too!

I've built the base so far, and am ready to start laying roadbed. Due date is end of June to test run it with other modules before the mid-July meet!

1. Nicky, Ryan (April 2, 2009). "From New York to the Congo via Marfa: Branded Occupation" (PDF). Proceedings of the Conference held at the University of Brighton. Occupation: Negotiations with Constructed Space. pp. 3–4. Retrieved February 27, 2014.