Author Topic: Project 31 (Final two model videos posted # 17 and a reminder) (Read 2395 times)

KCForce · « **on:** Mar 20, 2011, 08:09 »

Hi everyone. I've been a lurker here for a little while now, thought I'd introduce myself. I worked at WOF in '84 and '85 and '95. In '84 I worked in merchandising at Norseman's Niceitys and in '85 I worked in Operations starting out as a test rider (with Saturdays off, how lucky was I?) and Le Carousel and Flying Dutchman. Towards the middle of the season, I got my "dream" job when I managed to get transferred to the Orient Express. In 1995, in addition to my regular job, I worked in Casual Pool for Operations, usually ending up at the Orient Express on those days.

I hope it's okay to do this, as I think folks at CC in particular will be interested. I build working model "O" scale (1:48) roller coasters, and have a website showcasing them. Project 31 is a special project I've been working on and I've posted the "reveal" video: Project 31 Reveal I think in particular Jennifer will dig this!

I will have a showing of these models sometime in early May, I hope, and everyone at CC will be welcome to come and check them out in person!

Peace! KC

Jason · « **Reply #1 on:** Mar 21, 2011, 07:07 »

Very cool indeed. You've built some pretty incredible models.

Thanks for sharing.

zztop · « **Reply #2 on:** Mar 22, 2011, 02:54 »

Looks amazing can't wait to see the finished product

AyTrane · « **Reply #3 on:** Mar 24, 2011, 08:35 »

Did you have any blueprints to work off of? Looks like a great start! I remember your one for the Screamroller was quite great.

KCForce · « **Reply #4 on:** Mar 24, 2011, 12:16 »

Quote from: AyTrane on Mar 24, 2011, 08:35

Did you have any blueprints to work off of? Looks like a great start! I remember your one for the Screamroller was quite great.

Well, I *might* have copied the overhead layout of Zinger a certain well known modeler on here used for his Zambezi Zinger No Limits recreation.

Other than that, I used Google Earth to get the overheads of the Screamroller (via Busch Gardens Python) and the Orient Express (I love the time line feature!). The Schussboomer I found an over head layout for a Wildcat on line. For the side profiles, I looked at tons of pictures and my memory for the side profiles.other coasters (I love the time line feature!). I'm glad to see folks here are excited about it. I look forward to having my showing of the models probably in May, and I'll invite all the folks in the KC area who'd like to come. Okay, back to my models, I have a lot to finish! Oh, and I'm building an all new Screamroller, this one will be more accurate for the scale heights of the lift. The original Screamroller model I built was about 30 scale feet taller that the actual ride...I wanted to make sure it worked and have enough momentum to get through the layout. I built a "junk model" that's to scale of Screamroller, and it works wonderfully.
Peace

KCForce · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 4, 2011, 08:52 »

A slight delay in getting the "Orient Express" model video up. Probably be out in a couple of days. Still have a few finishing touches to put on the model and then shoot and edit the video. Peace! KC

KCForce · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 7, 2011, 04:57 »

Hi everyone. I am proud to present to you all in particular here at Coaster Community (as you're mostly the "local" folks) the first model in my "Project 31" series - the Orient Express! Enjoy and let me know what you all think. Enjoy!
KC Force's Orient Express Model

Peace

Jason · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 7, 2011, 06:13 »

That's incredible work.

What is the track? Those trains really rip through the course.

KCForce · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 7, 2011, 12:42 »

Thanks Jason. The track is styrene plastic. It comes in 4 X 8 sheets and I hand cut the track.

Prowler182 · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 7, 2011, 05:37 »

This looks good! Thank you very much for sharing this. I never grew up in Kansas City and went to the park for my first time in 2008 so a lot of rides I never got to see. Orient is hard to see because not only is it gone, it was set in the woods so pictures are rare. This is great. Thank you! Track work looks like it could be challenging to build. Does the plastic shape up easy?

KCForce · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 7, 2011, 05:53 »

Quote from: Prowler182 on Apr 7, 2011, 05:37

This looks good! Thank you very much for sharing this. I never grew up in Kansas City and went to the park for my first time in 2008 so a lot of rides I never got to see. Orient is hard to see because not only is it gone, it was set in the woods so pictures are rare. This is great. Thank you! Track work looks like it could be challenging to build. Does the plastic shape up easy?

Thanks! The track is .030 mils thick (think about 2 or 3 sheets of regular poster board put together. The styrene plastic is very flexible, like poster board. The edge of it is thicker as I said, and that's how the combination side friction and upstop wheels (they do double duty serving as both) grip the underside of the track because of the slight ledge. If it was thinner, the train would have a harder time not flying off the track. Peace! KC

AyTrane · « **Reply #11 on:** Apr 10, 2011, 11:22 »

Looks amazing; great work!

KCForce · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 18, 2011, 05:44 »

Well y'all, here's the next video and model...enjoy Schussing! Peace, KC

Schussboomer Model Roller Coaster Video

KCForce · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 23, 2011, 04:50 »

I'd like to invite everyone at Coaster Community to the Grand Opening of "Project 31". I hope you can make opening night, which is during First Fridays in Kansas City. Come say hi and see this one of a kind exhibit at it's debut! Though the gallery isn't located in the Crossroads Arts District, it is nearby in the West Bottoms. If you can't make opening night, I'll be there again on May 15th.

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Bonus, what are receptions without Wine, Beer, Coffee (and soda and water for those who don't drink)?

After it's debut and exhibition at Blue Djinn, the exhibit will move to Kansas City's Union Station from June 1st through August 11th, during regular business hours. Both exhibits are Free and open to the public. Please note the models are NOT for sale.

Looking forward to meeting you and having you see the exhibit. Oh, and I will be featuring some pictures from worldsoffundotorg, and will be showing some pictures they haven't shared on their website!

sawblade5 · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 24, 2011, 02:37 »

I have to go check it out. I haven't been to Doc's Caboose in years. Need to get up earlier on my way to work when this opens in the next 2 weeks Doc's is not that far off my route to work.

zztop · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 24, 2011, 07:21 »

I might try and make it when it's at union station

KCForce · « **Reply #16 on:** May 7, 2011, 11:17 »

Hi all. Well the opening reception was last night and we had a great turn out, about 150 people in 3 hours. It was a pretty constant crowd all evening, even with the somewhat out of the way location. Just a reminder that next Sunday the 15th of May will be a "Meet the Builder" reception. The Gallery is normally closed on Sundays, but as a lot of my friends weren't able to make it on a Friday night, we planned this second event. If you haven't been out yet, please do come. It turned out better than I even imagined, thanks to all those who contributed items for the exhibit. The Silly Serpent will debut and the finishing touches should be done on the Screamroller and Zambezi Zinger....speaking of which, here's the latest Project 31 video...

Zambezi Zinger Model Roller Coaster
and just a few pics of the exhibit. I hope you can make it, please come up and introduce yourself, I'm not hard to miss, I'll be wearing the "Project 31" t shirt. Had two from St. Louis who came over specifically to see Project 31. (Yeah the went to WOF after, but they normally don't come over on Saturdays!)

The Zambezi Zinger model. Okay, I've GOT to get me some gallery lights in my coaster cave, the lighting is so cool!

The Orient Express model in all it's "glory". : )

Peace,
KC

KCForce · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:52 »

Well all, here are the last two Project 31 videos: Silly Serpent and Screamroller. As a reminder, this Sunday, May 15th the gallery will be open (normally closed on Sunday's) for a "Meet the Builder" reception from Noon until 5 p.m. We will again have complimentary wine, beer and bottled water. I'll be available to answer questions about the models and my particular style of model building in particular. It will be at the Blue Djinn gallery in the West Bottoms in KC. I'd also like to let everyone know, that once the exhibit moves to Union Station, it is a real possibility that not all of the pictures and artifacts will be able to be displayed with the models due to possible space constraints. Also, the models WILL NOT be running the entire time they are there, it will depend on volunteer staffing. When the models are not running, they will have the videos up, so this is another good reason to come out Sunday. The space is really nice and the exhibit fits it well. If you came to the opening last Friday, the Silly Serpent model is running, and my problem child, Screamroller is finally and hopefully fixed for good now. It only ran for about 45 minutes at the opening reception. I hope you come out, and do let me know you're from Coaster Community! Peace, KC
Silly Serpent Video
Screamroller, 1980/Project 31 Version
I'll be posting an walk through video of the Blue Djinn Gallery Project 31 exhibit towards the end of the month for those who weren't able to make it, showing each item briefly, so if you want to pause and look at it in more detail, you can. I hope you all have enjoyed Project 31, and thank you for allowing me to share it here on Coaster Community. I promise I won't be going anywhere, and will get in on some of the conversations about non-coaster model items (if there is such a thing

) soon. Peace, KC

Jason · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:21 »

You could probably build an entire park pretty soon.

Ben · « **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2011, 05:22 »

That is some really cool work. Makes me want to strap a camera to the cars for some pov action :-) well done!

KCForce · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2011, 09:39 »

I'll post this, but spoiler alert, you may not want to watch yet if you're going to come see in at Union Station, Kansas City. It's free and opens June 1 and runs through August 11th. It's located just to the left of the main entrance of Science City. Enjoy! Oh, and I'll be there June 1st to dedicate the exhibit at 9:30 a.m., so call in sick to work and I'll see you there! Peace, KC

Project 31 Exhibit Walk Through