|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 18, 2014 2:22:03 GMT -8
Fine art, folk art, it's all art. In fact, the idea that there's a difference between what a Picasso does and what your grandma does -- quilting, needlepoint, etc -- is now considered to be an elitist concept. I'm sure Picasso's agent, were he still alive, would be disappointed by how that might impact sales, but that's not the point of art. Nor is the point to be pretentious. Nor is the point to go to school for years to "learn" art when everyone's an artist already anyway. There are no "secrets of the masters" that one has to be admitted to by some insider handshake. Here's some background info most of you don't know. I guess you could say I am "officially" an artist. I spent five years studying graphic design, drawing and installation art at York University and I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts. And I am also "officially" an art historian. I have a Masters in Art History, so I spent two years looking at art. And I spent three years towards a PhD in art history before abandoning it to start Rapido, so that's three more years looking at art. But despite all that, I agree with everything Mike just said. It's all art, and we are all artists. If we set out to express something through a creative act, it's art. Will plonking that Rapido model into an art gallery command "art world" prices? No. Well, sometimes - www.diazcontemporary.ca/Artists_Adams1.htmlBut the art world does not define what is art unless you are a member of the fine art community and you subscribe to those definitions. And model railroaders generally aren't and don't. At some point down the line, maybe when I'm retired, I would love to organize an art exhibition of model railroad dioramas in one of those hoity-toity galleries. My prediction based on my experience in the art world? It will be a hit and very well received, and a lot of people will say it isn't art. It will generate a fierce debate, basically what we've been talking about here but on a much larger scale. The McMichael Collection here in the Toronto area did a folk art exhibition in 1996 and got into a huge public fight with the donors. The gallery said it was art. The McMichael family said it wasn't. I saw the show and LOVED it. There will never be a consensus on this. But the discussion is very interesting. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 17, 2014 13:35:34 GMT -8
I've really enjoyed this discussion and I'm glad I started it. I think that any creative output that tells a story is art. Many model railroads do just that - they tell a story. They recreate a specific time and place (even if that is imaginary) and give you a glimpse into that world. The builder/artist may not be aware that they are making art, and may end up telling a different story to the viewer than they originally intended. You can call me post- postmodern, but I don't believe that art is only the purview of established artists or people that a select group of "experts" have agreed are artists. You don't need an Academic background to be an artist. You don't need to be a highly-skilled painter, sculptor or draftsman. Everyone is capable of artistic expression and I believe that a lot of model railroads fall into that category. Another, related category is photographs of model railroads. The framing and atmosphere created by a photograph of a really amazing model railroad can tell its own story and become an independent work of art in and of itself. That's why I love Fred Lagno's photos so much. They tell a story. Check out the one below. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 16, 2014 13:01:35 GMT -8
Jason Really nice sound!!!!!! Living in Northern California and since I have ridden the Wine Train 4 times, will I be able to get a set??? We get the dome diner ticket and watching those units run around the train is amazing. Thanks Larry Hi Larry, Thanks for the kind words! They are still available to order here: www.rapidotrains.com/fpa4.html#napa-Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 15, 2014 15:55:04 GMT -8
Realistically what is worth more and considered by the vast majority to true art. A model railroad or rolling stock no matter how well done or painting by Salvador Dali? I guess I can see where we create things from scratch, like a painter applying paint to a blank canvas. But, most items in even the best model layout or model is based on a manufactured product. True, but it's what we do with the manufactured products that creates the art. Numerous "high art" installation pieces and sculptures involve manufactured items - it's what the artist does with them that makes them art. This isn't new. Check out Marcel Duchamp's works in the 1910s. There were some serious art people walking through my basement last week and because I defined the space as an "installation" they had no problem regarding it as art. Had I not had the ability to speak about the basement in art terms they probably would have seen it differently, maybe as an eccentric curiosity. My main argument is that the only reason great model railroads aren't regarded as art is because the modellers don't define them that way. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 15, 2014 6:14:40 GMT -8
Howard Zane's layout IS art--simply the best I've ever seen. I've been privileged to have visited it on multiple occasions, and he has also been most generous to those railroad hysterical societies (even for western roads he does not happen to model) who have contacted him about hosting an open house. Agreed about Howard's layout, though I've only seen it in books. I would say the same about Fred Lagno, certainly: The Magic of Fred Lagno-Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 14, 2014 19:03:50 GMT -8
Hi all, Here in Toronto we are wrapping up an international arts festival called Luminato. I had the privilege of being a part of it... or more specifically my model trains were! Both HO and 1:1. I've always been interested in the intersection of model trains and art, as I have an art background. So many layouts I have seen would be given pride of place at the National Gallery were they created by an established "fine" artist as opposed to a guy in his basement. And so many layout builders that I regard as artists never see themselves as such. I've often heard "well I'm not much of a landscape painter so ignore the badly-painted backdrop" as I'm looking at one of the most phenomenal photo-realistic paintings I've ever seen, blending seamlessly into the foreground scenery. So two aims of this post. First, I want to share with you the whole experience of merging art and trains in the Luminato Festival. I was part of an event called The Lost Train, in which we brought in "passengers" to the full-size train in my basement for a five-star meal by a famous chef (who loves trains) while a famous DJ (who also loves trains) was spinning train-themed discs. It's the last part of the latest Rapido News, which can be viewed here: www.rapidotrains.com/rapidonews57.html Secondly, I'd love to hear your experiences of model trains as art, or your experiences encountering model railroads that really should be considered art but the builder has no clue. Best regards, Jason In the photo below: Chef Fred Morin tells passengers about the thoughts behind the meal they've just eaten... in my basement!
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 14, 2014 19:01:05 GMT -8
You should be able to see the full-size one by going to our YouTube page: www.youtube.com/rapidotrainsWe've extended the deadline to the end of this month so people have time to watch the video and hear the sounds. So far the orders are looking pretty good! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 11, 2014 13:15:37 GMT -8
Not bad, not bad at all!! Can't wait for your first American diesel project, as it would be awesome to have some of that Rapido greatness in something I can use! ;-) Dave *AHEM* and *AHEM* My huge telephone sales staff is waiting for your order with bated breath......
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 11, 2014 10:36:22 GMT -8
Hi all, I've just uploaded a new sound video of the FPA-4 and FPB-4. To give everyone a chance to watch this and be really impressed, we've decided to extend the ordering deadline to the end of this month. You can read more about the models by clicking the link below. www.rapidotrains.com/fpa4.htmlThanks and regards, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Jun 8, 2014 9:16:46 GMT -8
Hi guys, The Meat Reefer was reviewed in the current issue of Model Railroader. So we've decided to extend the order deadline until the end of this month. Please reserve yours today! www.rapidotrains.com/reefer3.html Thanks, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on May 17, 2014 18:49:27 GMT -8
Those Canadian Pacific passenger F's in Action Red are damned sharp!!!!! I'm intrigued by the Confederation Train. I'd like to learn more about the prototype. The train makes think of the Montreal Expos. For those not familiar with Major League Baseball. The Expos were named after Expo '67. The expansion team entered the National League in 1969 playing at Jarry Park Stadium. They have since moved to Washington D.C. and are now known as the Washington Nationals. The Confederation Train is absolutely cool. When I saw the graphics Jason provided, it brought back memories. Of course, 1967 was also the last year that "Canada's Team" won the Stanley Cup! BTW, Jason; Your "Habs" need to do much better than they did today, eh? The FP9/F9B are awesome, as are the Alco Cabs. I also second Jerry's request for PRR P70s, although I would prefer P70FBs . Joe Thanks for the kind words everyone! Today was a warm-up for the Canadiens. They'll win in five. (praying) -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on May 16, 2014 14:43:51 GMT -8
Hi all, The latest Rapido News went to subscribers yesterday, and now it's online: www.rapidotrains.com/rapidonews56.htmlNew announcements include: - FP9A and F9B locomotives in CPR and US roads - The Confederation Train If you want to read the newsletter a day or two earlier next time, please click the link at the top of the newsletter to subscribe. It's free. Thanks for looking, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on May 11, 2014 10:52:50 GMT -8
Nice to see that old girl running again.Even though I can think of no reason for owning one in West Michigan I do think think those are neat looking locos. These things regularly ran through Michigan: So when can we expect your order? -Jason www.rapidotrains.com/scllrcloco.html
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on May 10, 2014 18:09:42 GMT -8
Add to that "OWWW!!! MY EYES STING!!!!!" Yes, it's an Alco 251. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on May 9, 2014 10:37:08 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 28, 2014 8:26:41 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 22, 2014 18:41:28 GMT -8
Nice! I liked the way it started off very smoothly and even the guy standing there did not move!!!! Walter has a nice looking layout.. Larry Thanks, Larry! Actually if you look closely you'll see a cobweb between that guy's raised hand and the platform. I guess he's been standing there a long time... This was a very early sample from the factory. It has no guts except for a motor, decoder and one speaker. No lighting circuit boards, so no headlights. I had to put the music on because with only one speaker the engine sound was too quiet and you could hear me moving around. Our production model will have two speakers. The F40 sound you hear at the start is from our F40 recording that is being used on the decoder. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 20, 2014 9:51:21 GMT -8
Hi guys, The order deadline for the new VIA F40PH-2D is next Monday. Here's a video of it in action on Walter Pankratz's layout in Winnipeg: You can order it here: www.VIAF40.caThanks and regards, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 16, 2014 19:09:15 GMT -8
Jim, That would also be much appreciated. Rapido's website has been struggling today. Jason must be uploading videos again... I was offline for two days, and the #1 thing you want to find out when you come back from two days away is that your web site is down. I've contacted our IT guys so hopefully it will be fixed soon. There was a server upgrade a couple of weeks ago and they seem to have upgraded it to a Commodore 64. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 10, 2014 8:01:10 GMT -8
Jason, they sound good to me! By the way, what are the radii of the curves on your test and demo layout? Space-challenged model railroaders would like to know! Steve Wagner The radii are for testing only. I wouldn't go that tight on a passenger-themed layout.... They are 18", 22" and 24". You can't run trains on the 22" and 24" radii at the same time. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 10, 2014 7:18:07 GMT -8
First sound-equipped samples of the FPA-4 and FPB-4: Enjoy! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 10, 2014 6:36:56 GMT -8
Thanks for the compliments! We won't be at the National, I'm afraid. We plan to start doing more shows in the US starting next year, but I'm in two minds about the National. We used to do it every year and we watched as attendance dropped lower... and lower... and lower. After we watched tumbleweed roll through the aisles in Milwaukee in 2010 we then heard the announcement that 15,000+ people had attended. I don't know where they got their numbers as there was really nobody there. The trouble is the timing. In the height of summer, many model railroaders are playing golf or are otherwise occupied. And it's a really expensive show. It costs us almost $10K to do it including travel, shipping, etc. We can tool up a third of a freight car for that amount! We'd like to start doing Trainfest again, possibly in 2015. This year we have an event a couple of weeks later so we will have to give it a miss. I get more satisfaction out of doing meet & greets at hobby shops, even though I meet fewer people than at a show. After we announce our American locomotive, I plan to visit a bunch of hobby shops around the USA - taking the train most of the way, I hope! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 10, 2014 6:28:05 GMT -8
Thanks for the information Jason. I ordered my F40PHs yesterday. Also, I'm encouraged to read there have been roughly 400 requests for the Canadian. Doing the math I would think that could justify another re-run someday and I would certainly spring at the chance to get the VIA version. Happy Railroading! You should be able to get the whole train piece by piece. We've already released the Skylines, Parks, Chateaus and Diners through VIA, and we're bringing out the Parks in general release. Eventually the whole train will be released. The factory has flatly refused to do the complete Canadian again. It takes up the entire production line for months! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 8, 2014 2:40:59 GMT -8
Hi guys, Yesterday subscribers got the latest issue of Rapido News. In this issue: - three silly videos (two of which you've seen already) - new Steam Generator Car announcement - project updates - trains and daughters You can read it here: www.rapidotrains.com/rapidonews54.htmlThanks for looking! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Apr 2, 2014 7:03:48 GMT -8
A few days ago on the Yahoo CanModelTrains forum Jason Shron, head honcho of Rapido Trains, stated that quite a few of the "zed braces" had come off the model gons, apparently because the container they'd been in was outdoors in extraordinarily frigid cold -- even for Canada -- for a considerable period. He also advised recementng any loose ones. Indeed, though I recommend using white glue as you can't screw up. The trouble with these parts is that we can't slop a tonne of glue on them like is normally done. Most parts on RTR model trains are designed for the mounting pins to go all the way through and then glue is applied from the other side. Capillary action ensures the glue secures the part very strongly. But because our gon has an interior, the glue needs to be added to the mounting pins and then the pins inserted. We can't use too much glue or it will ooze out and spoil the finish. Minimal glue + -25C temperatures for three weeks = risk of loose bits. We're looking at ways to minimize the risk of falling braces, but if it is a choice between having a couple of braces possibly fall off in transit or seeing glue splotches all over the model, I'll take the occasional falling brace. So far we've only had a handful of complaints about the braces, and these have been from collectors rather than modellers, understandably. Modellers just stick 'em back on. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Mar 25, 2014 16:55:13 GMT -8
Did I see a German ICE train in the secret test room? :-) How did it get there? Cornelius. VIA is testing high-speed equipment for use in Canada. BWAA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Sorry I think I just had an accident. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Mar 25, 2014 16:53:23 GMT -8
That was one of the funniest posts I've read in a long time... Live long and prosper, Al! -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Mar 24, 2014 18:55:05 GMT -8
Here's the latest one, about our new gondola models: If you like Star Trek, you should probably watch this. Also if you like penguins. More info: www.rapidotrains.com/gon.htmlThanks, Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Mar 19, 2014 13:24:22 GMT -8
Jason, is this the F9B with 2 48" cooling fans ? or the earlier F9B with 4 cooling fans of 36" ? isn't that 4 fan version close to the late F7Bs ? Edit: the picture is up here now,looks like the right side porthole window is closer to the end, and only 2 instead of 3 porthole windows. were they built that way,or modified by CN ? cant really see the roof fans from the angle of the shot. looks very nice,if not good for Erie's PHS-2 F7B. Spikre Hi Spikre, The version in the photo is the one with two 48" fans. It's a CN prototype with the two portholes. They came that way. CN always liked to do things differently. The F9B comes in four variations: - as built A class with huge intakes on the end, 36" fans - modified A class with plated over ends, square intakes in the roof, and large winterization hatch - C/D class with rounded intakes on the roof, 36" fans, funky end details, and small winterization hatch - E class with rounded intakes on the roof, 48" fans, funky end details, and medium winterization hatch On top of that we have two different versions of cooling coils and Steam Genny vents on the roof. I should be locked up. -Jason
|
|
|
Post by rapidotrains on Mar 19, 2014 13:08:03 GMT -8
And they look "verra nice." Here's a YouTube video of us taking the first one out of the box: -Jason
|
|