(Steam)Punk'd Model Trains

The blogosphere is abuzz over the steampunk-influenced model trains devised by artist Chris Walas, and no wonder. They just may be the coolest thing ever.

Shown here is Captain Nemo's "Seafood and Saltwater Salvage Railroad" with submersible locomotive, which Walas created from "the boiler from a Bachmann ten-wheeler" and "an Aristo-craft motor block." I have no idea what that means, but I know genius when I see it. (Plastic Easter eggs, a brass anchor, a drinking straw, and a seashell were also involved.) Its salt- and barnacle-encrusted exterior was created from sand and glitter mixed with acrylic paint.

From Journals of GMM: "Chris Walas makes model trains and creatures in his own alternate universe, consisting of vampires, terminators in rail wheelchairs, Victorian steampunk locomotives, Halloween skeletons, early sci-fi lunar rockets... I give up, if it is cool, Chris has modelled it."

From Table of Malcontents: "When steampunk crashes in head-on collision with model train enthusiasm, you get Chris Walas' rusty, corroded, and incredible creations. Walas' creations exist in a fictional micro-realm called Rogue County, where 19th century Americana meets the super-science villains, protagonists, and inventions of Victorian literature. Captain Nemo has converted his submarine into a locomotive in this universe, and someone appears to have captured Oz's Tock and put him on rails."

From Brass Goggles: "What that man does with blue foam, mustard seeds, and a hefty lick of paint puts a whole new perspective on what can be done with some ingenuity and inspiration! Please also take a look at the collaborative effort that he was part of to create Futuropolis - complete with ‘Verne Engine’ and a flying copper airship. More steampunk than a brass bucket of goggles."

Shown here: The "Jules Verne" engine.