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Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: ancientsociety on May 24, 2014, 05:17:09 PM

Title: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on May 24, 2014, 05:17:09 PM: About 5 years ago, I had planned on starting terrain for Old West gaming, based on the the real-life town of Canyon Diablo in Arizona around 1880. But I could never devote the time to finding out more and bringing it to life in miniature...until now.

Located about midway between Flagstaff and Winslow, the actual geological feature of Canyon Diablo was the biggest obstacle to the completion of the main East-West line of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad. Like the Union Pacific, the A&P built the line from both directions, hoping to meet somewhere in the San Fransisco mountains east of Flagstaff. The canyon would be crossed by a steel truss bridge assembled off-site and delivered in 1880. But, someone measured wrong - the bridge turned up short - and westward construction of the line was halted overnight. This was the genesis of the shantytown of Canyon Diablo....below are a few of the buildings I've started. The largest will probably be "The Cootchy Clatch" (under construction), the 2-story will probably be the Dry Goods Store, the large 1-story will be "The Road to Ruin", the small pitched-roof will be the Grocer, and the smallest will be one of the "houses of ill repute".

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClI5NOxHpzw/U4DCCGy6WZI/AAAAAAAAGLE/Q176UzxfCdg/s800/DSCN0001.JPG)

You can read more about the town and see a map below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2014/05/canyon-diablo-recreating-deadliest-town.html
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Elbows on May 24, 2014, 10:42:32 PM: Lovely lovely...do post updates.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Mason on May 25, 2014, 03:51:01 PM: That background and map is very interesting.
It has gotten me thinking a bit more about exactly how to put my own town together.
8)

Looking forward to seeing the progress on this.
:D
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on June 12, 2014, 09:55:43 PM: Progress on the first batch of buildings is slow and steady. Most of these are Gamecraft buildings which, while cheap and easy to assemble, had badly under-scale doors on both main and side entrances. As such I had to rebuild nearly all of the doors. For example, on double doors below, the window section is actually just about the height of the actual door (minus transom) on the original Gamecraft kit!

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBdZvXzAajw/U5oPyu5PPpI/AAAAAAAAGOU/tzynS9wO5dM/s800/DSCN0033.JPG)

More below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2014/06/canyon-diablo-wip-hell-st-buildings.html

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMBydR4okRc/U5oPylKLdII/AAAAAAAAGOc/oVUeMmKFKcI/s800/DSCN0031.JPG)
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Constable Bertrand on June 22, 2014, 01:40:51 AM: Nice detailing so far, I like the pot stoves especially, a very nice touch. (don't forget the chimney on the outside ;) )

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: von Lucky on June 22, 2014, 04:34:53 AM: Nice work, I look forward to seeing how these builds paint up.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on June 27, 2014, 03:57:06 PM: The General Store is almost complete. I added a small addition to the side of the building which will become a dry goods storage area which will include bushels, sacks, and barrels. Dry goods storage was almost universally unheated with bare earth floors at the time, as abrupt temperature and/or humidity changes caused by indoor heating could easily spoil the contents. Speaking of which, I added a stove, stovepipe, and bed to the back room for the owner's comfort.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSl0hOUIrDU/U61-kSdo6UI/AAAAAAAAGPo/2Gmm11HqHj0/s800/DSCN0002.JPG)

.....this is the first 100% scratchbuilt structure - the Chicken Merchant. It's a big guess, but meat and animal by-products would have been in high demand locally. Even with the railroad's ability to deliver consumer goods far and wide, meat and food production was still fairly localized in the West, even by the early 1900s; so I figured I needed some food sources for Canyon Diablo. The chicken coop itself is based on a real design from 1910 - it's large enough to accomodate a good amount of poultry and a small storage area for feed and tools. It's elevated and screened to keep out predators - Coyotes were (and still are) a problem, and it's possible Mexican Gray Wolves would have roamed this area of Arizona at the time. There will be a fence as well.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SCn4WMJsUmk/U61-o8mvVMI/AAAAAAAAGP8/_n5_IA4pK28/s800/DSCN0007.JPG)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1Juk_TwuB8/U61-pBwBDwI/AAAAAAAAGQA/r1Yg4xynxD4/s800/DSCN0008.JPG)

More info and pics below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2014/06/canyon-diablo-wip-general-store-chicken.html
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Driscoles on June 27, 2014, 05:09:43 PM: Beautiful project . Looks very promising.
Björn
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Turbo-Ben on June 27, 2014, 06:34:31 PM: When I first saw the laser cut stuff I thought this would be quite boring, but know as we see what you did to improve it I'm impressed!
I like the chicken coop best!

Where did you buy that chair and oven?
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Black Burt on June 27, 2014, 07:43:51 PM: I like the way you are customizing your buildings, especially the roofs which seems to be a weak point on all MDF buildings they all need some attention (even the 4ground ones).
Like the way you are detailing the interiors, have held off that myself so far but might take the plunge and do a couple of interiors.
Look forward to seeing who this project carries on.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on June 27, 2014, 08:06:04 PM: Quote from: Turbo-Ben on June 27, 2014, 06:34:31 PM
When I first saw the laser cut stuff I thought this would be quite boring, but know as we see what you did to improve it I'm impressed!
I like the chicken coop best!

Where did you buy that chair and oven?

The rocking chair is from 4 ground, the stoves are from an awesome little model train supplier called Wiseman Models (http://www.locopainter.com/store/category.php?id=4). I use both the O (1:48) and S (1:64) Gauge detail parts. I'm currently shopping around for an On30 locomotive and cars as well.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Heisler on June 27, 2014, 09:18:46 PM: I may have some extra On30 passenger cars. I was a little over exuberant when I started looking for equipment. Nice work on the buildings so far!
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Constable Bertrand on June 27, 2014, 10:44:23 PM: :-* :-* :-*

I value your time consuming construction method, I really like how you have built the frame (and braces) before cladding. It looks amazing.

That dry goods store and chicken coup may have given me the kick up the butt I needed to modify my own general store. (Good thing it's not finished yet hey ;) )

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Digits on June 29, 2014, 07:21:03 AM: Ideas worth copying here fella...really great work. This is the detail I love to see.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on July 11, 2014, 01:13:03 AM: Work continues on the buildings of Canyon Diablo, slowly but surely. First up this week is the Dance Hall (described in the contemporary literature as "little more than houses of ill repute"), as such I started adding a large moonshine still to the rear of the building. Don't be alarmed by the bright red fire hydrant look, the shape will be half hidden by dried earth along the bottom half (shown sometimes on old stills to contain heat), piping will be added, and the entire thing will be painted an aged copper color. The fence framing has been added and I'll be adding the boards after painting the groundcover.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pFK1pEMQT4g/U78lfV7OL_I/AAAAAAAAGQ4/EbXFWwQJfz8/s800/DSCN0001.JPG)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZlBWrhGVDc/U78liZxKVEI/AAAAAAAAGRM/kshtfYG37Is/s800/DSCN0006.JPG)

More pics and info below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2014/07/canyon-diablo-wip-dance-hall-livery.html
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Elbows on July 11, 2014, 01:22:02 AM: This is rapidly becoming one of my favourite town-builds. Very cool!
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: FifteensAway on July 11, 2014, 04:10:52 AM: Hey, somebody's been reading my blog - I have all those detail bits listed there as items to add except for the still. Not sure about mixing a still with a house of ill repute but I guess you can. Just never heard of them being mixed together before - unless you count the greased lightening. Or, would that be "oh, be joyful"?

Libations and "ladies", now there's trouble.

I must get to work on Anachronism - but not until I finish the French and Indian War collection. Resolve, resolve, resolve.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: sean_68333 on July 15, 2014, 07:24:40 PM: I have scratch built several old west buildings and have a few of Game Craft Miniature's buildings as well.

Very well done. I love the little details.

I also think adding the bases with some exterior details really puts these on a different level.

I will look forward to seeing how these progress.

Sean
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on August 07, 2014, 02:46:33 PM: Well, they won't win any awards but this was a quick project. More pics and info below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2014/08/canyon-diablo-citizens-and-wanderers.html

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alMYJAXwvcc/U-OAnD2_HII/AAAAAAAAGTo/t6StTWURXOo/s800/DSCN0006.JPG)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvfbXUZ61Rg/U-OAliLNZGI/AAAAAAAAGTU/cQd99CMVXAY/s800/DSCN0011.JPG)
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: pocoloco on August 07, 2014, 02:56:38 PM: Wonderful, both the buildings and the minis :-*
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Mason on August 07, 2014, 05:39:05 PM: The Citizens of CD look mighty fine to me, sir.
:-*

Now I am just looking forward to seeing some paint on those buildings.
:D
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Constable Bertrand on August 07, 2014, 10:01:38 PM: Loads of character in the figures, I like the guy wobbling along with beverage and shotty. Very nice :*

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Elk101 on August 07, 2014, 10:32:58 PM: Great blend of off the shelf kits and scratch building. I might steal your chicken coup idea, if I may? :D
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on August 08, 2014, 01:27:40 AM: Quote from: Elk101 on August 07, 2014, 10:32:58 PM
Great blend of off the shelf kits and scratch building. I might steal your chicken coup idea, if I may? :D

It's based on a real-life contemporary coup, so sure!
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Dr. The Viking on August 08, 2014, 03:05:56 PM: Even as the bare wood (now now gents) this is looking blindingly spectacular!!!

I wish I knew where to start! lol
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: CPBelt on August 08, 2014, 07:37:11 PM: A very nice project with lots of inspiration. I've been meaning to re-kickstart my Western project as well.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: White Lion on August 11, 2014, 01:11:10 AM: Quote from: ancientsociety on June 27, 2014, 08:06:04 PM
The rocking chair is from 4 ground, the stoves are from an awesome little model train supplier called Wiseman Models (http://www.locopainter.com/store/category.php?id=4). I use both the O (1:48) and S (1:64) Gauge detail parts. I'm currently shopping around for an On30 locomotive and cars as well.

Thanks for this website they look to have some nice stuff. Do you recommend the O scale over the S scale though?
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Heisler on August 11, 2014, 02:10:29 AM: Quote from: White Lion on August 11, 2014, 01:11:10 AM
Thanks for this website they look to have some nice stuff. Do you recommend the O scale over the S scale though?

For the trains themselves, I would definitely recommend O scale, but specifically On30 as was mentioned above. There are a couple of reasons why. First On30 runs on HO Scale track so finding track is never an issue. Second, the n30 means we are talking about O scale narrow gauge equipment, which is roughly 2/3rds the size of regular standard O gauge, now people remain the same size but the equipment is all smaller which makes it fit much better with our 28-32mm miniatures. It has the right "feel" to it. Third, its commercially available by a big name manufacturer, Bachmann in this case. So there should be a reasonably ready source of equipment. You can even use On3 freight cars, just swap out the trucks (wheels).

O scale itself is to large but the narrow gauge equipment is just right. Trying to find anything in S Scale is difficult and will very likely break the bank as there is so very little available.

I also freely mix O and S scale detail parts especially doors and windows (although I do modify S Scale doors to be taller). In the end if it looks good to you and your happy with it that's all that matters.

Here are some more of my thoughts on the matter:
http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/03/railroads-for-old-west-in-28mm.html (http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/03/railroads-for-old-west-in-28mm.html)
http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/04/s-scale-vs-on30-for-calamity.html (http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/04/s-scale-vs-on30-for-calamity.html)
http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/04/calamitys-railroad-shifting-to-on30.html (http://wargamesandrailroads.blogspot.com/2013/04/calamitys-railroad-shifting-to-on30.html)
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Harry Faversham on August 11, 2014, 10:33:07 AM: Get a proper trayn, in 'big boy's' scale...

:)
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on August 11, 2014, 01:53:25 PM: Quote from: White Lion on August 11, 2014, 01:11:10 AM
Thanks for this website they look to have some nice stuff. Do you recommend the O scale over the S scale though?

I freely mix the O and S gauge Wiseman parts. IMO, S looks a little more realistic, but O may look better to most gamers because of the chunkier proportions we're used to.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on July 26, 2016, 10:36:02 PM: It's been two long years almost to the day that I posted anything for my "Canyon Diablo" Old West project. It's been a real scorcher around here this past week, and when the weather gets hot and nasty like this, I always sit around with a cold beer and listen to The Refreshments and RCMP a lot...which inevitably leads to me wanting to pick up some western miniatures to paint.

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ousjxMI2L0/V5bfzyLeFuI/AAAAAAAAJAs/w9Z9ZVls7nwmLz2JAZWiO3LNEvlf8kFdACLcB/s600/DSCN0502.jpg)

More pics and info:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2016/07/canyon-diablo-mexican-banditos.html
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on July 27, 2016, 06:43:57 AM: Nice to see Canyon Diablo coming back to life, nice Mexicans.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: pops on July 27, 2016, 01:54:03 PM: Really nice figs!
Love the bases as well. Would like to know how you texture the bases. They are top notch
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on July 27, 2016, 03:16:58 PM: Quote from: pops on July 27, 2016, 01:54:03 PM
Really nice figs!
Love the bases as well. Would like to know how you texture the bases. They are top notch

This was sort of an experiment with less "cluttered" bases.

Normally I glue the mini down, add any extra scenery (cactus, etc), and build up the difference in height with some premixed vinyl spackle. Before it drys, I pour a mix of sifted sand/model railroad talus/pebbles over it, then gently shake off the excess and put aside to dry.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: pops on July 27, 2016, 03:27:46 PM: Thanks!
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: ancientsociety on October 19, 2016, 01:43:55 AM: It only took several years but I'm happy to say I've completed many of the Hell St. buildings for Canyon Diablo.

More pics and info below:
http://empireofghosts.blogspot.com/2016/10/canyon-diablo-completed-hell-st.html

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CRS5hiVmrV8/WAa-F2Xg6XI/AAAAAAAAJWY/cYg6BMY4hNIV_JDHd_3GMrkkr9vzdxjDwCLcB/s600/DSCN0012.jpg)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yqw6O9Af2c/WAa-GtHN0hI/AAAAAAAAJWg/MVp_e7MMIcUbxEwnvWyxRbtArdW0JffuACLcB/s600/collagecd1.jpg)

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_J-jWgN_e8w/WAa-GnUJDZI/AAAAAAAAJWc/snwBWSIAbqA2buEkDvPkuswPWBtCN8AzACLcB/s600/DSCN0017.jpg)
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Mason on October 19, 2016, 09:08:02 AM: Brilliant.
Well worth waiting for.
8) 8)

I like the way that you did the livery, I may well go down that route when/if I do mine.
:D
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: Black Burt on October 19, 2016, 09:14:45 AM: Looking good, love all your detailing.
Title: Re: Canyon Diablo - Recreating the deadliest town in the West
Post by: d phipps on October 23, 2016, 06:45:19 PM: Great looking project! :-*