From the Dome Car: Train 5 Track 4 (August-September, 1995)

 

Morgan takes readers to South Africa, courtesy of a model railroad magazine from that country. He mentions a section in that magazine about the prototype; it would be a few years before CRM would include Proto Report—with yours truly as the author and compiler. In the last issue Morgan enthused about this new thing called DCC; in this issue he notes how computers are enhancing model photography—and wonders if it should be seen as acceptable for model photography contests. We’ve come a long way since then! 

Many readers will remember the advertisement for the Schreiber Heritage and Tourism Committee that appeared in Train 5 Track 2. The Canadian Pacific model of the ML W S-3 was won by Ken Haun of Kitimat, BC., who told us it's the first thing he's ever won in his life! Congratulations, Ken. I have no doubt you will be very pleased with your prize. 

Organizers of the draw informed me that well over 1,000 tickets were sold and that over half of them came from the advertisement that appeared in the Canadian Railway Modeller magazine. I want to thank all those that participated by buying a ticket or two; you should know that the funds collected are being used to cosmetically restore the real CPR S-3 6539 in Schreiber, Ontario. The Committee will be sending us updates as the restoration proceeds and we will be visiting the site periodically ourselves. Again, congratulations to Ken and to the committee for their efforts. 

The other day I received a letter and a copy of a magazine published by the Railway Society of Southern Africa, S.A. Rail. It only took three months to get to Canada! It's always very interesting and informative to see what modellers in other countries are up to, especially those that seem so far away. 

Interestingly enough, there is a lot of steam still being used in Africa and most of the articles deal with modelling some pretty old relics. The magazine also includes a column called 'Round and About' which is a roundup of railway news, views and events pertaining to Africa and an update dealing with new diesel power being brought 'on line'. Especially interesting was the two-photo colour spread that appeared on the back cover. The top photo shows a Class 24 steam engine highballing down the mainline with the day's mixed to Knysna on a sunny, blue-sky day in July, 1994. 

By contrast, the bottom photo pictures the Metroblitz Express, a modern electrified passenger locomotive with matching passenger equipment heading for Johannesburg with the city of Pretoria in the background. Quite a contrast! 

On the modelling scene, we finally have a one-two punch article coming on GO Transit, and more CP heavyweight passenger car articles being produced by Fred Shannon. I've been asked by a couple of our N scale readers to make a pitch for more N scale articles, especially those dealing with trackside structures and buildings. 

Of course, all of these types of articles that we have produced over the years can all be scaled to suit any specific scale, but I must agree that it would be great to represent the needs of N scalers with some specific N scale material. 

As with any article in any scale, getting good photos of the subject is usually what prevents modellers from submitting material. This problem can be overcome by asking a fellow modeller for a hand, or looking for someone to assist who isn't a model railroader but knows something about taking pictures. 

Again, I'll put in a pitch for a very good book written especially for model photography called, what else, Model Photography by Bruce Nall and published by Rocky Mountain Publishing of Denver, Colorado. This 64-page book covers every aspect of model photography and is a 'bible' when it comes to taking model shots. 

And, while I'm on the subject of model photography, I received my latest issue of the NMRA's Bulletin where Art Cominio shows what can be done with computer-enhanced model photography. Boy, is that impressive! The big questions now are "Is your computer really a camera?" and should computer enhanced model photographs be considered as legitimate entries in a model photography contest? Now, that's another whole can of worms, isn't it? If you have an opinion, let us know.

So, until the next issue, take care if you're at trackside and we'll continue here.



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