Gotham Subdivision

The RDI Building
This series was taken on a standard 35mm SLR camera- my first attempt at model photography. I was originally hoping to submit some of this series to the Walthers catalogue. I had originally started a layout and then stopped when I read about the F&SM. I was so amazed. All I did for a long time was study Sellios' work. This was the first model I built after studying George's techniques and photos. I'll post a picture of my old layout soon, and you will see the amazing difference before and after studying George's work. This is the Rubber Development Inc. (RDI) building, a custom rubber manufacturer. RDI is actually our family business, so all of the signs etc. are made from business cards.


Here is the starting point for the diorama- a DPM kit. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't built it as per instructions, but at the time this was the largest most difficult kit I had ever attempted to assemble.	A view of the front with SP 8102 peeking through the loading bay. The bay has complete interior detail with a concrete dock and is fully lighted (my first foray into lighting...).	A good overall shot of the street and building. The fence has definitely seen better days- but hey, at least no one has spray painted on it ...yet.	The building from the front. The foundation stones were carved from plaster slabs.


An older SP U-Boat idles out front. This engine is showing major signs of wear- imagine that on the SP! This is the oldest engine on my roster.	The same shot with a newer Dash-9. This was the first engine I detailed. It's an Athearn- and as such- I had a lot of detailing to do...	Shot of the parking lot and a box car waiting to be moved into place. You really pay a lot now for good model vehicles, but they are very worth it!	The front porch area was my first time working with wood. I found a few photos of stairs on the FSM and tried to replicate what George had done. Overall, they came out okay- I wish I would have known about Central Valley stairs though- as these are all stripwood.


A shot of the backside of the plant, with an old shanty in the foreground. The little building is used mostly for storage by the SP now.	Ahh- grafitti. Makes me think of California- and the SP, of course.	The small shanty is a heavily reworked Atlas kit with a new roof and a lot of other details. It is modeled after a crossing shanty on the F&SM.	Another overall shot. The large windows were a problem, so I detailed the interior by modeling a couple of rubber inject presses. The interior is also lighted.


My favorite engine idling in front of the small SP shanty.	Another shot of the shanty and modified Bachman track.	A parting shot.	I hope you enjoyed looking at my first real diorama!