TRAINMASTER BY WERNER MEER  US-RAILROAD-SHOP KILCHBERG
HOCHWEIDSTRASSE 3  CH-8802 KILCHBERG (ZÜRICH) SWITZERLAND (founded 1977)
PHONE *41-44-715-3666, FAX *41-44-715-3660, E-MAIL trainmaster@bluewin.ch
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added: March 13, 2013 (Part 1)  /  updated: January 5, 2016 (Part 2) / updated: 4/20/20

(Part 1) Rocky Desert Diorama in HO Scale
 by Lucien Wiss, France
This Diorama was built in 1988 by Lucien Wiss (France), who was an extraordinary landscape builder already 25 years ago. He was one of the "Magic Three" from France: Lucien, the realistic diorama builder (unbeatable at that time), Mike Fritz, the weathering expert for rolling stock (his models were on display on Lucien's modules), Bernard Frontanau, who built the old Sullivans Curve (before the SP track was built). These magic 3 gentlemen partizipated with their models and dioramas at the Conventions of the American Railroadfans in Switzerland.
Lucien Wiss aus Frankreich hat dieses Diorama bereits 1988 erbaut. Er war Teil der "Magic Three" aus Frankreich und war der grosse Meister des realistischen Landschaftbaus. Dieses HO Diorama ist 100 x 60 cm gross.
Very sorry to tell, but Lucien Wiss died at age 85 on April 14, 2020.
In Memory of the "Master of Landscaping"

 

Rocky Desert Diorama
17: The rock formations are very realistic and they go from front to rear in a diogonal angle.
22: The rocks are made out of plaster. Just before the plaster was trying, he was scraping the contours with a tool.
18: Here we can see these unique rock formations up front.
21: The tracks are slightly elevated 19: The tracks do not have normal double tracks spacing
23: How the wind formed the sandy hills in front 20: At the back is a small valley
24: Nice weathered tracks 25: All scratchbuilt rocks
26: All bushes are made out of real hair ! 38: The rock formations are all having the same angle
28: Now, we can see how it looks with a train 37: Like the real thing
27: Again, rocks in front are corresponding with the rocks at the rear 29: UP 4528 = EMD SD70M (Athearn Genesis)
32: UP 8317 = EMDSD70ACe (Athearn Genesis) 42: Wonderful rock formations in front
41: Great rock formation at the rear 31: Landscapint at its best
43: UP Box Car (Exact Rail) 34: Once again, all bushes are made of real hair
40: The diesels look great on the diorama 30: Nice detailing of the ground surface
39: Very realistic landscaping 46: Rocks, dirt road, valley
44: Most bushes are down as there could be some water 45: The decent track elevation can be seen well

all photos copyright by Werner Meer
Please note: This Diorama above is on display in the US-Railroad-Shop Kilchberg.

(Part 2) SP Go West Diorama in HO Scale
 by Lucien Wiss, France
This modular Diorama was built in 1986 and 1988 by Lucien Wiss (France), who was an extraordinary landscape builder. He was one of the "Magic Three" from France: Lucien, the realistic diorama builder (unbeatable at that time), Mike Fritz, the weathering expert for rolling stock (his models were on display on Lucien's modules), Bernard Frontanau, who built the old Sullivans Curve (before the SP track was built). These magic 3 gentlemen partizipated with their models and dioramas at the 4th and the 5th Conventions of the American Railroadfans in Switzerland back in 1986 and 1988.
In the meantime, Manfred Luft (Germany) was able to purchase these outstanding Dioramas from Lucien Wiss. On January 3, 2016, there was a Train Exhibition near Ulm in Germany. Mr. Luft was able to display all modules and on top, Lucien Wiss (81) was able to participate with Bernard Frontanau. No question, Lucien was proud to see his modules on a train show after almost 30 years. He was able to answer all questions of the visitors "how to do" realistic landscaping.
Very sorry to tell, but Lucien Wiss died at age 85 on April 14, 2020.
In Memory of the "Master of Landscaping"

for bigger size photos just click on the 3-digit number under each photo

SP Go West Diorama as seen on January 3, 2016
Overview of all modules as it was on display during the exhibition - MAL-005
View from above the tunnel. MAL-007 Waterfalls as real as it can be. MAL-108
People were impressed about this high level modules. MAL-001 How did you do this and that? MAL-002
another view of the whole complex. MAL-003 Bernard can be seen under the bridges. MAL-004
Many visitors wanted to talk to the builder. MAL-006 Lucien was always busy in giving information. MAL-011
Bernard is discussing with Lucien. MAL-009 The Master of Landscaping: Lucien Wiss. MAL-010
The new owner: Manfred Luft. MAL-013 Manfred, Lucien and Margaret. MAL-015
Realistic road underpass. MAL-103 Santa Fe truck passing under the SP main line. MAL-104
Old Timer leaving the tunnel. MAL-008 Is it real or model? MAL-101
Nostalgic look with a steam work train. Same rock formations as on the Diorama "Rocky Desert" MAL-102
Modul with SP Train. MAL-106 another Modul ready for the show. MAL-105

 

Manfred Luft added some background or douplicated some landscaping
The result is outstanding (thanks to modern computer technology)
Perfect matching background let's you think it is real and not 87 times smaller  -  MAL-110
on top is the end of this module  -  MAL-111 after adding some look alike rock formations  -  MAL-112
on the left side there is no module in the corner  -  MAL-113 now, it is filled with perfect matching landscaping  -  MAL-114
how it looks during an exhibition - MAL-115 after 25 hours of modifying it looks fantastic  - MAL-116

all photos copyright by Manfred Luft

Canyon Highway Diorama
in HO Scale

(Collection of Manfred Luft. Germany)
Built by Lucien Wiss (France) 1982

in Memory of "Master of Landscaping"
Updated: 6/12/22
 
Busy Highway - 461 See all photos - click here Early 20th Century Train - 468

 

Mountain Highway Diorama
in HO Scale

(Collection of Manfred Luft. Germany)
Built by Lucien Wiss (France) 1989

in Memory of "Master of Landscaping"
Updated: 6/12/22
 
Busy Highway - 429 See all photos - click here Early 20th Century Train - 437

 

Mini Highway Diorama
in Z Scale
actually smaller (1:500)
 


(Collection of Manfred Luft. Germany)
Built by Lucien Wiss (France) 1991

in Memory of "Master of Landscaping"
Updated: 6/12/22
 
approx. 12 x 12 cm - 402 See all photos - click here Truck, Car and People are 1:500 scale - 416

Go back to our diorama main page - click here

Links of my (W. Meer) finished Desert Layout Project (inspired by Lucien Wiss and Pelle Soeeborg):

0  Track Plan
10/20/07		 1  Underframe
1/17/08		 2  Track Laying
4/12/08		 3  Track Laying
9/24/08		 4  Track Laying
10/03/08		 5  Landscaping
1/29/08
6  Streets & Buildings
3/23/09		 7  Streets & Buildings
10/30/10		 8  Streets & Crossings
11/28/11		 9  Landscaping
4/27/13		 10 City of Percyville-1
1/29/14		 11 City of Percyville-2
3/26/14
12 City of Percyville-3
5/10/15		 13 Landscaping Cajon
7/27/15		 14 Cajon & Hill 582
11/19/15		 15 Finished Layout
11/19/15		 16 Werner Ent. Terminal
12/27/15		 17 Percyville 2016-1
2/20/16
18 Cajon 2016-2
2/26/16		 19 Details 2016-3
4/08/16		 Buildings made by
Pelle Soeeborg		 Same Buildings
located in Mojave, CA		 20 Werner 53' Cont.
5/29/16		 21 Trains are rolling
10/30/16
22 UP Big Blow
11/17/16		 future future future future future

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