Point to Point Operations on the Thunder Mesa Mining Company

[@RobertBohnen]

You are quite the storyteller, Dave. Not only in the images you create but also in your narrative. I especially liked it when you entered the "Land of Unfinished Scenery."

[@pennsy6755]

Fact you turned the Disney theme park rides into actual functioning layouts with op sessions is _chef kiss_ I may hate the modern company and some of their crazier fans, but never stop doing this! This is amazingly detailed on par of the Salem HO layout

[@Shipwright1918]

I love the atmosphere of this line, all the names of the various spots, not to mention the sound effects (telegraph sounder was a nice touch at the station). Bit of a sucker for 19th century equipment, back when steam engines were works of art with all the shiny brass trim and bright colors.

[@kylewalker2160]

Fun and imaginative, breath of fresh air for the hobby. Thank you.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

I’ve been enjoying watching videos of your happy little railroad 👍🏽

[@JenHamon]

All the rock work and cacti look like they were super fun to build

[@waynehawkins2157]

Great show it's always great too see a railroad with a reason to be there than running around in circles.

[@Harrisonidk]

Love the design and overall colors of the layout!, it’s really a beautiful piece of work

[@mistered1397]

Absolutely amazing work on your railroad. Love your story about the travel from one end to the other.

[@boutellejb]

This made me smile! Thank you!

[@frankallen8440]

Wonderful video. Your craftsmanship is amazing. It's nice you weave a story .

[@jbponzi1]

Love the highball on the return trip. Crew must be behind schedule for happy hour.

[@N-Scale]

Beautiful , Just Beautiful. I simply love the work and layout. Reminds me of Malcom Furlow.

[@1800clyde]

Rainbow Caverns sent a chill up the spine just like a Disney cave ride would. Gorgeous work!

[@chriskodani2543]

And Dave even got the music right! Very authentic!

[@normanrowe2831]

Wonderful and beautiful. Thanks.

[@benpiffero]

Everytime I watch one of your videos, I walk away amazed and inspired. Thanks

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you!

[@stevemellin5806]

Very nice . I would like to ride .ha ha iam short but not that short .. great layout . Looking forward to seeing more

[@drick1280]

WOW, what a great video. I love your town of Calico. As a matter of fact I worked at Knotts Berry Farm for over 20 years. I was the senior blacksmith and then became supervisor of Calico Ghost Town until just a few years ago when I retired due to health issues. While there I lived the old west every day even getting to ride in the cab of old 41 which was a dream come true because my Grampa worked for the Denver and Rio Grand railroad and assisted getting the rolling stock and the two engines to Knotts. It was a dream job. Your video makes me want to build a layout and was in awe of your Ideas from both Knotts and Disneyland. Great job.I know this was made over a year ago but just now discovered it and glad I did. Keep up the good model building and story telling. I just subscribed and look forward to seeing more!

[@JohnJohnson-wt8zc]

A very beautiful layout with such great detail !

[@matthewcragg3607]

Outstanding! I see I'm not the only one who spent his childhood reading and re-reading "Model Railroading with John Allen".

[@vincenthuying98]

Very cool narration Dave. Love the way you follow the tracks and the different aspects of your layout.

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for share detailed video on your operation

[@silverfox5319]

This is as real as it gets in a model railroad. Outstanding!

[@Perfusionist01]

Lovin' it! Very creative and beautifully modeled. This is what my family THINKS I am building instead of a dirty HO industrial area :-)

[@Vinyl_guy]

this is probably one of my favorite layouts i love the narrow guage and western theme, you earned my subscription

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you!

[@Cutelatinguy2]

That was awesome! I love how you combined all the rich history of the Walt Disney Empire and also include Walter and Cordelia Knott!! Looking forward to more episodes of the Land of Unfinished Scenery!!

[@tomschmidt3165]

I did enjoy the ride. Thanks Dave.

[@Stussmeister]

A very nice video. I was aware Walt Disney was fascinated and inspired by steam locomotives, but wasn't aware an actual railroad also served as an inspiration; I'm guessing the Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster in Disney World was inspired by the Thunder Mesa. Additionally, while it's been a very long time (over two decades) since I last visited a Disney theme park, I've become more involved in model railroading, and have found that (like here) model railroad operations are very much like putting on a show or telling a story.

[@vonyinzer]

Thank you so much for what you do.. For the first time in many years I am actually inspired to get back to the hobby.. not to mention touching on how your RR has touches from all the classic california theme parks, I love the mix of Whimsy and themeing... May have to get some stuff out and give it a go again..

[@davevan8864]

Your story telling is almost as good as model skills. I hear a hint of Knott's in there too. Growing up in SoCal and blocks from Knott's....that was my hang out. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@h.p.oliver8666]

Terrific concept, great layout, and a professional quality presentation, including the Knott's reference. Thanks!

[@sru1436]

That was really cool. We loved it.

[@richwhite4331]

Enjoyed that a BUNCH Dave !!! Pass on some howdees from the Payless Mining Boys!!

[@ekapus]

Ok, so I've always been a "serious" model railroader. My most recent stuff has been centered on Philadelphia in the late 1970s. I've always been against "cutesy" modeling, punny names, etc... So it would stand to reason that when my friend said "You've gotta check out the Thunder Mesa" I was about to start hate watching the video. And I've gotta say. I love it. What you have built is awesome. It's fun and captures all of the opposite side of the model railroading coin from what I do in a way that is refreshing and entertaining. I now must resist the temptation to get a bunch of On30 stuff. Awesome work. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you so much.

[@vollmerdp]

I'm the "friend," LOL.

[@dexecuter18]

Well that's mostly because when most of us see the whimsy and wacky it is almost always followed by an air of people using it as an excuse for not even following simple advice for the sake of improvement. This is amazing because its so well executed. Everything has a kooky backstory with a golden nugget of reality. The exaggerated and cartoony scenery is backed up with an obvious mark of somebody taking pride in the craftsmanship of it. Its a breath of fresh air seeing something like this and having it not be old Bachmann models lathered in craft paints with antlers and gears hot glued haphazardly on as it bumpily trundles through neon orange marscapes.

[@chriskodani2543]

Dave, your model railroad art and cinematography continue to amaze and inspire! Thank you for sharing!

[@WasatchWind]

Easily one of the coolest and most unique model railroads I've ever seen! Subscribed!

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you!

[@stevenstaley4557]

Love the layout though

[@rescueraver]

Thank you for the drawing of the rail line as it exist in your mind. It would be a little crowded to go inside and take a look myself I have often wondered how the railroad ties in with the rest of the world

[@charlesmorschauser5258]

Really cool fantasy layout

[@chuckmaddison2924]

And I thought Thomas was good. This is pure brilliance, the layout and story. Just want to take my shoes off and sit a spell. Why I came I'm considering a point to point but without loops. Keeps kids happy and wife .

[@charlesmoore4606]

Good video

[@robertshufflebotham5192]

Thank you for the video. From ranchers feeding cattle in the rain in Oklahoma. The Shufflebotham family

[@tomcollins5895]

Love love love the story telling and since I’ve been with Disneyland for 40 Yrs I love all the buildings even the knotts Berry Farm ones. I share your videos with my Cast Member friends and they all thank me... Looking forward to more story telling and you just made my new Fairy Garden Planter more detailed with a story before its planned out... Thanks Again for all that you do TC.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you, Tom

[@mapit07]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@MrPhoenixQuill]

Man I wish I had the space and budget for something this cool

[@Scale.Model.Craftsman]

Nice work and beautiful layout !

[@eriksapp505]

Love these videos!!! They take away to another place and time.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Oh dang! Suscribed instantly, I followed your blog for years, lost track of it and wow is it neat to see it in a video, thanks for sharing it I love this layout and your graphics design work. The junction named Kimball is a nice tribute to a great Disney artist and toy train collector😁👍

[@crownironman]

Great job, it’s been fun to see it evolve and come together over the years

[@SignalLightProductions]

Dave, this video is outstanding! I've already rewatched it a couple times.

[@fredcotterell3369]

Love the video. You have a really awesome layout.

[@burrhubbell7769]

Yensid Mesa - I see what you did there!

[@kenlynch6332]

Great presentation & narration 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@prowordsmith]

Really enjoyed the tour. Way too much scenery and detail to catch; perhaps more tours of the individual towns and businesses up close? Please?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Good idea!

[@uptrains]

Super job.keep up the good work.

[@dkaustin98]

Still my favorite model railroad. I am not an artist, but my wife is. Hopefully, I can convince her to help me with the scenery on my my SE Arizona model railroad. Can you tell me the brand and colors of paint you use for your engines? You seem to be sticking to a color scheme. I do not remember if you ever discussed this in one of your videos. Thanks!

[@marknowels37]

Thanks!

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Welcome!

[@pacokrikotania1523]

Soo beautiful!

[@RivertownCountry10]

Great!

[@mmotox2620]

This is sick I would love to have this

[@mickeysmemories581]

Great layout wonder would you ever put a haunted mansion / phantom manor onto your layout?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thanks. I have plans to add Ravenswood Manor in the not too distant future.

[@boxcar69]

4:40, you blow that dynamite, right there is your 13 steps!,,,,or in this case 10!

[@pbyfr]

Great, nice to see such simple operations well explained. Shouldn't the combine stop at the depot level? The locomotive crew should do more maneuvers to spot the combine, and if needed, any box car for charging/discharging. I'm always amazing by your nice graphics. But was the layout started with this general plan already in mind? The video quality is also good, just the on camera sound (voice) is a bit low (but off camera voice is perfect).

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

You are correct, of course. My simple operations were simplified even more for the sake of video length. As for your second question, the answer is, kind of? Things have evolved as the layout has grown. For example, the river was originally much farther from town on my imagination.

[@pbyfr]

@@ThunderMesaStudio Thanks for answer. Sure, video about operations seem hard to do, a normal pace might quickly become boring for the viewer. But yours had enough pace to prevent that. I though that the crew rushed quite a lot with the dynamite car, but real slow speed would have been too much. By the way, how are the operations directed? Do you use waybill, other papers or software to generate the traffic? Or just the feeling at the moment?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

@@pbyfr Right now it’s seat of the pants. In the future I’ll be developing a waybill system.

[@pbyfr]

@@ThunderMesaStudio Thanks for the info. This development would be interesting to see, as I don't have anything yet on my small narrow gauge industrial layout.

[@garyruxton5226]

I haven't found a video on your construction of the cavern.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

There are some posts on the old Thunder Mesa blog but I don't think I've done a full video on the caverns yet. When I work on them again, I will.

[@gardenrailroading]

Hi Dave, I'm a new subscriber after watching Dale Angell's toy man television show on your RR. Curious what sound system you use for background sound affects?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you for subscribing! I use sound systems from ITT Products and from Jim Well's Fantasonics Engineering.

[@mikebodell5397]

Ware do you buy your track, yet again great video

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you. I get most of it from different sellers on ebay.

[@joshuahoot1365]

Dave, what is the origin of the shorter boxcar? It’s a super neat car, reminds me of a Cairo and Kanawha 22’ boxcar.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

The short Thunder Mesa boxcar was scratchbuilt atop a shortened Bachmann frame.

[@joshuahoot1365]

@@ThunderMesaStudio Very cool car indeed!

[@rowan4772]

Is this On30? It looks great, but I’m not sure if I have seen those types of tracks before.

[@thomasfrench2012]

Is it my imagination or is there a dip there at Horse Thief Canyon? 3:17

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Good eye. There is a slight dip there.

[@thomasfrench2012]

@@ThunderMesaStudio I admire all the details - I could write a book on all of them. However, perhaps, just maybe, mine subsidence is going one station too far. 🙂

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

😂@@thomasfrench2012

[@stevenstaley4557]

Too bad ON30 isn't available anymore I'd love to get me a couple small porters and start me a little small layout

[@geraldstewart]

Bachmann still makes On30

[@dimensions2and324]

ARRTT

[@crockett11000]

Cool layout, nice work and one of a different look and theme, but most of names you use are just way too corny 🌽, Disney toyish. Don't get me wrong, I'm not even close to one of those "Nit- Pickin Rivit Counter jerks, And I also didn't say the word prototypical either, I'm just a little closer to realisitic as it goes.. That's the beauty of our hobby, You can do and make whatever you want!. Just saying.. Oh, great scale choice, On30.. I just got into it a year ago, that is after 16 major layouts and every scale from Z to 7 1/2" ride on! I'm loving this scale (Narrow Gauge) the best in my old 60+ years of model railroading and hand making mostly everything.. Thanks for the videos, thumbs up on all too!...Dave