Welcome to Gruesome Gulch

New project! Join me as I kick off a new, small, portable On30 layout project with a haunted ghost town theme! The Gruesome Gulch Railroad is a pure flight of fancy, where ghost trains travel from an abandoned western mining town to the haunted underworld realm of Cadaver Caverns. I was inspired to build a small themed layout of my own after visiting some amazing mini-layouts built by friends. I'm a huge fan of spooky season, so I've set myself the goal of finishing most of this by Halloween this year! That means I'll be dividing my time between this project and the Thunder Mesa layout over the next few months. Should be fun!
Thanks for watching, amigos!
Dave
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Al music courtesy KZbin Audio Library, attribution given where available.
"TipToes" - KZbin Audio Library
"Happy Haunts" - KZbin Audio Library
"Spooky Ride" - Twin Musicom, KZbin Audio Library

[@tonyharwood8408]

I agree the coffin idea is inspired. I look forward to seeing this project progress. Good Luck.

[@ChrisK-LTC]

This will be fun to watch.

[@patrickfrawley6656]

Oh boy hunted ghost railroad

[@tomt9543]

Loved the skeleton dance! Ha!

[@OtterCreek]

So looking forward to this! What a wonderful concept for a stand alone railroad!

[@chrislambert5249]

Wonderful, fun ideas. It will be fun watching this project. Don't forget the graveyard 🪦

[@AJScola-cq2ec]

Terrific idea! can’t wait to see it.

[@sru1436]

So awesome! Halloween is my favorite holiday so I’m really excited about this layout, the 3D 1/8 inch model is amazing too. Great job!

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

A great guide to building a model train in On 30. Thanks for sharing.

[@ejamesl]

This new Gruesome Gulch is going to be fantastic!

[@johnrothus1264]

If anyone can pull this off in a 117 days, it's you Dave. 🎃

[@midnightrambler3583]

The quality and detail of your creations are amazing as are your videos. It takes a lot of time and dedication to do what you do. I wish I had half your talent.

[@davevan8864]

A model of a layout is a great tool. I did it for my 20 x 36 O3r and I ended up changing a lot of stuff!!! Looking forward to this project. Kinda funny as I am working on a haunted house for my layout now!! THX

[@williamdickman7917]

Very interesting idea 👍

[@protendi]

Why am I only just finding this absolute gem of a channel now?

[@NScaleDystopia]

Wonderful video; fun project; amazing production! I'm looking forward to this series - it's close to my heart!

[@zackariahmayhew8324]

Great, now we need is Phantom manor

[@humphrey_bear_MDC]

Good luck. I hope you finish in time for Halloween.

[@CJ-ts1ys]

I can’t wait to see the theming you achieve with this! Great job on all of your projects so far, they’re very inspiring!

[@bryanch3549]

This got me thinking about a song by Merle Haggard called the Miners Silver Ghost. Might be a nugget of inspiration in there for you. :-)

[@nelsoncreekfarm]

Following with Great Interest

[@edwardblieka8411]

Two of my favorites together , Trains and Halloween !!! I can't wait !

[@patrickfrawley6656]

Same here!

[@ekapus]

I take my modeling very seriously. Like, I pay attention to the dates on freight car reweigh dates. And I absolutely love this. It's so different from what I do but so so cool. I can't wait to see it come together.

[@MichaelGanschowGreen]

Superb! Happy Haunting.

[@getaway7417]

Looking foward to watching this project come to life. Just like the ghost 👻

[@NYCJDClark]

Very cool. I cannot wait to see more.

[@frankbernard6819]

Love it. Very ambitious project. Looking forward to following along.

[@normanrowe2831]

Oh boy! Very exciting. A wonderful new layout and a deadline. Awesome. The popcorn is already cooking.

[@allenbarnes7202]

Looking forward to the build videos

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

You have a beautiful imagination, Dave. Very enjoyable video, thank you.

[@scottrobertson56]

I assume you will have ornate brass handles around the coffin to “transfer the coffin to it’s resting place” 🤪

[@bumpingpost]

Love the coffin shaped layout! "Story-based layouts" I love it... looking forward to seeing the progress, thanks for sharing!

[@AzraelThanatos]

It would be neat to kind of have it built into a full pseudocoffin display...backdrop on a raised lid and cutouts to see into parts

[@bobwallace2244]

I really enjoyed, and looked at the program on your L.E.D. Lighting. Thank you!.

[@j2themac778]

Awesome concept, i always thought a spooky model railroad would be cool. I can visualize it but not execute. Can't wait to see how the Gruesome Gulch turns out.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Dave, love the footprint of the ‘Gruesome Gulch Layout.’ Very cool to see how you made the scale 3D model of your project. Am definitely gonna use that idea for my new layout!!

[@oonwing]

Wow!!!!! 😎

[@davebrown6598]

Looking forward to this new creation!

[@sammisworkshops3762]

the coffin base is awesome, Ya know if you "wrap" the payout in say 1/2" oak plywood, you could then add some ornate handles and it would look like a real casket and it would be protective of the foam layout inside as well as be easier to move it around, say in and out of a car when you want to travel to a mini layout gathering or train show. just a thought. love the whole concept, have been trying to envision a micro layout myself. For the stand you could use one of those elevating 4 wheel carts from harbor freight with a ply/wood/mdf top and a curtain to hide the mechanism, reduces the space needed inside your vehicle when transporting it. just another thought.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Casket handles are part of the plan!

[@sammisworkshops3762]

@@ThunderMesaStudio very cool!

[@crockett11000]

@@sammisworkshops3762 Sammi, I think you came up with the idea first, then he took credit for it, saying it was in the works or that he thought of it first!. This guy is too Arrogant for me to watch anymore. He walks and talks like he's the know it all type and his crap don't stank.

[@chrislambert5249]

@@crockett11000 Simple solution...Please DO NOT WATCH ... Don't let the Caboose hit you in the back. We enjoy these videos. Good bye

[@sammisworkshops3762]

@@crockett11000 I just want to see it in action, we all "borrow" ideas from one another. It's all good!.

[@ordoarchitectumhobbyworksh9738]

Nice work and Great idea for a project !!!

[@Jay2646]

I understand why you probably won't, but considering Thunder Mesa has that area where you were planning to put Phantom Manor, it would be neat to have a little spur which could connect to the coffin if it was "parked" nearby. I doubt you have room over there though.

[@markclelland3510]

Great concept Dave. Can’t wait to see the progression. Thank you for sharing.

[@patturner5015]

Great video Dave, this may prompt me to build a small one myself~!

[@raymondrussell500]

Looking forward to watching this build. Please consider decking out the layout with handles so that a couple people can carry the coffin shaped layout just like a coffin. Thanks for sharing.

[@rescueraver]

Kinda catching up to TMS videos,been busy with getting ready for our annual Fireman's carnival after a 2 year delay. I love this idea I am looking forward to this build. Everyone knows you will make the "Dead" line

[@kevinmaloney2391]

Dave-looking forward to your build. But dont rush-as you build more ideas will come to add to the layout. If you dont make it by Halloween no problem. Theres always next year. Every time I see your videos it gives me more ideas to build my On30 Vulcania layout.

[@n6nvr]

More of a catafalque than a stand. (I'd say bier, but saying anything that sounds like beer around modelers, and who knows might happen.) Definitely need coffin handles for carrying it.

[@ulec-han]

Wow gruesome gulch is also a neighborhood in South Philly

[@swamphdaddy]

When done I hope you can borrow a camera for a flatcar and give us a track view run through of the Gultch..

[@timothyboles6457]

I forsee a lot of burning the midnight oil

[@AppalachiaRRlover]

I understand what you mean about having way too many projects and then having a brilliant idea!! On top of the fact that I have at least 10 paintings started but not finished, ( which could keep me busy in itself) and getting ready to start two more, I got way too much to do on my N scale and Ho layout and now I’m planning thanks to you my On30 the Duckburg and Toontown RR as I’ve mentioned before!!

[@jvanamb]

Ghoul idea. Try using lift locking casters for better transport to shows and DEMON-strations. Large construction grade makes for better stability in motion. And retractable, inside the base, when stored in place. Then you can avoid spectator's "Bumps in the night."🤡 For that extra kick why not scratch build three or four broken spoked Wagon Wheels. They could be placed along the base for visual interest.👷 The skeleton's arm and leg bones could be used as😊 header and footer handles to push the coffin around. Though they may need internal strength and support.☠️ The last thing may seem a "ghostly over kill".👻 Cut your access panel into the viewing side of the base. Inside the base add shelving for those on the " Out, out damn" "bloody" spot tools and alternate insane locos. Inside the access hang a painted canvas curtain, with an eerie scene. Then on the base, outside of the access, attach, or even hinge, faux wrought iron gates.🗝️ As for your concept and design a perfectly Macabre Mashup.👹 You might even call it a BUCKAROO MONSTER MASH.🤠 I can't wait to "Come AGAIN!"😰🙏 Jim in NY.🥶

[@chuckrodgers5268]

This is Going to be Awesome, I can hardly wait for the next installment.

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Death Vally? Now we're talking my backyard (neighborhood). Sort of. Love the idea.

[@codyking9392]

Fantastic as always Dave! Would you ever consider a video about your process for concepts and side evaluations? Probably a bit of a niche subject, but I think it’d be fun to learn!

[@Jay2646]

This is so cool! How are you planning on doing the river? I have a similar diorama with lava. I put warm white LEDs under a picture frame and coated the glass of the frame with caulk. Then I stuck cork to some areas of the caulk while it was wet for "hard" lava and painted exposed caulk reds and yellows and oranges. It came out really well! I wish KZbin would let me post pictures, but if you didn't already have a plan for that in mind I'd recommend it (with modifications!).

[@johnbusby215]

I hope that's going to have a nice polished finish with brass handles and name plate to make it look just so. E mail sent I really like this idea but Halloween seems to be more of a US rather than AUS celebration save some candy for me LOL This is going to be interesting to see the effects used. A three headed dog may prove useful to protect the layout LOL Perhaps Spook Hill rather than Boot Hill for the cemetery. regards John

[@vicdohar]

May I please be a pallbearer to help carry it to your next road show?

[@brianrooney2970]

If I'm seeing this correctly you will have 3 separate track levels? Love the design and creativity in this, it'll fit in great with your friends portable layouts too.

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Thank you. There will be two track levels.

[@greyfoxtrains3244]

I am really looking forward to seeing this layout completed. It looks like a challenging and fun project.

[@jeffreyholmes4287]

Love how you use story to create these layouts. Very inspiring! You said the original idea was for a dark ride; Have you created Dark Rides or model dark-rides before?

[@dkaustin98]

Dave, Seeing those guys having so much fun in your report from their meet and the one Gary posted, I too have considered building a layout for such a meet. It is doable, but nobody puts on train shows or meets around here to show it off at. I would have to drive four hours to get to one and plan to stay overnight. I like your ideas. I will be watching as this develops. Maybe I will build one for the future and just store it. Perhaps develop new skills at hand laying track while I am at it. Come up with something to load into the truck bed. I do have two ideas in mind.

[@gregsmith1719]

Great idea! But -- How are you going to transport it? The layout will fit in a van -- BUT, but the base is too big to fit in at the same time! Maybe it should have fold-up legs? I like the base on wheels idea. Also, maybe 39" is too low, especially trying to look into the caverns. Maybe a little higher. -- Great project! Go for it!

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

It's 49.5" The stand will fold up.

[@johnbusby215]

@@ThunderMesaStudio That's a relief I thought you where going to say transport was a hearse

[@zackariahmayhew8324]

U forget to add phantom manor. I mean the reavenswood manor

[@kevinfinkel5536]

Can you include a running total of the cost to build this layout?

[@vegasmobydick]

This has a very "Knott's Berry Farm Halloween Haunt" feel to it...by any chance is that part of your inspiration? I'm in the middle of building a backyard G Scale layout, and plan on "dressing it up" each Halloween season much like the annual "Halloween Haunt" at Knott's.

[@jewlz72]

How bout I come up air..

[@MLIW265-FAN]

What’s your opinion about if I should get a on30 porter and customize it should I ???

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Yes!

[@Mindmartyr]

You have very feminine eyes

[@MichaelStVitus]

WTH?

[@Mindmartyr]

@@MichaelStVitus dude it literally looks like he’s wearing mascara look at him