This years parade float - Finished Photos

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

As some of you know, I build a float for the "Grand Illumination Parade" each year. This year the theme is "Lights-Camera-Action" and is about Holiday movies. I am building "The Polar Express". I took the roller coaster from our earlier float and am converting it into a steam locomotive ,tender, and five cars. I thought I would post a few shots of the early conversion. It will have a lot more detail, with steam pistons, wheels, the front boiler access plate and headlight ( currently removed in the photo),and a lot of piping,train bell, whistle, etc. The train will be done up in several thousand lights and animated.....with the wheels turning, the connecting rods pumping, and the cow catcher strobing out and in from the center. The tender car will be filled with presents instead of coal. The tow vehicle will be illuminated,too. It will be made to look a bit like a smaller train engine.

Here are a few shots so far. I will finish it next weekend, and have it ready to go on the 20th:

 

[Robert Dark]

Looking good so far. Maybe a bowl of dry-ice inside the smoke stack for effects.

Robert

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Smoke generator does that, along with the steam venting from the pistons.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Here are some of the photos of the finished float. I will take some tomorrow with the lighted tow vehicle,too.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

More....

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Last ones

 

[Burl Source]

Very cool float. It looks like a lot of work went into making it. Well done!

 

[Larry D. Davis]

If I'd found this thread I'd not asked if how this was built in the other thread.

Stacy, your creative process is impressive in whatever art project you take on. For me, the genesis and "ah ha" moment of a creative idea is most satisfying. What would you consider your most satisfying point of a creative project?