One way to blend post war accessories into your landscaping

[Frank53]

I have a number of post war accessories that I enjoy having and that add a wow factor to a layout for visitors. However, having determined to go to a more realistic "non-toy" theme on my layout, I am going to be limited regarding how many of these I can use without them standing out like a sore thumb.

So, I took a shot at working in this Colber Water Tower into the future landscaping.



One of the challenges of this is the fact that it is close to the wall, and there is a sharp O31 curve, which makes me have to take into consideration the train could bump it on the leading or trailing overhang.

Also, this corner slopes downhill, a little more sharply than I would like.

First, I built a framework around the base of the tower to serve as a holder to disguise the red plastic base.



Using the frame as a support, I built an angled base beneath it to level the tower, as the corner slopes at about a 2% grade.




Part of the redo on this is building a structure around the tower, which will conceal part of the plastic look of it.

On top of the support frame of quarter square, I built another platform:



Then some crossmembers for support around the tower:



it drops over the bottom base so it can be removed at a future time:



cut some floorbards and I have a wooden platform around the tower base, yet I retain the illuminating features of the base and the bubbling effect.



This chopper made cutting the floor boards to uniform lengths easy




Here's the basic structure:





Now I have to do some weathering and I need to build a barrier of ties along the bottom to keep the light from shining through under the platform. Once these are done and I find the right backdrop and fini***he cork roadbed in this area, I can lay down some ground cover, add some trees and undergrowth, and it's a wrap.

By adding this base, which will blend the item into the landscaping is going to make a big difference, and it lets me use more traditional post war accessories.

[pbjwilson]

Looks great!

[Roger Bielen]

Frank -Looks like it'll fit right in when finished. I've used a couple of PW accessories on my layout and once you eithe recess or hide the base they don't look all that out of place.

[HopperSJ]

Wow, that's great. Pretty realistic looking base and scene. Good job.

[cheech]

that is one fantastic job of modeling!!!!! I sometimes which i could do what you have done, but i am challenged even when presented with a laser cut kit.

that said. If you were a mind, you could sell the base you built, assembled or as a kit on ebay for 30-40$ each....but don't give up your day job just yet.

again...great job from an envious train buff

ralph

[Frank53]

hmmm, that is somewhat of a universal size - the same base will exactly accommodate a post war rotary beacon..

[ChiefEagles]

Great job "riceman" [;)]

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Great job "riceman" [;)]

[:D]