New Blight as Yard Art

[ttrigg]

This project brings an entirely new meaning to the phrase "Yard Art". Here in the States "Yard Art" is normally used to describe the plastic flamingos, gnomes, and other such things people use to clutter up their yards.

Every GRR Yard needs a "Yard Office". Having acquired several New Bights on Christmas Clearance Sale, at a tidy sum of $5.00 each plus tax. I have been meaning to do something with them. Now is the time. Start with a Caboose:

Separate the body from the under carriage, pull the wheels off the carriage. Apply gray primer paint to the body, and a red oxide primer to the undercarriage. Add a speckling of black weathering to both for good measure

Raid the lumber stash. Grab the saw and a bottle of TB-3. Find a tape measure and a couple of pencils.

Wait a minute: I've got these cargo handlers looking for employment. Snatch the boxcar, take it apart, paint it. And continue with the project.

Conductor Sam waves with approval from his new Yard Office.

Two new flat cars await their loads.  I'm sure that what ever loads I come up with will cover the holes in the deck.

The International Brotherhood of Railroad Freight Handlers once again has gainful employment.

More New Bright waiting on an abandoned siding, waiting for future assignments.

Birdhouses do indeed have a place in the garden railroad. At least until such time as the budget allows for future development.

[ttrigg]

Sorry Guys:  I originally put this post in the wrong place on the forum so this is my feeble attempt to correct my "Senior Moment Brain Freeze".

[ttrigg]

Tom:

Very nice pieces of work there.

Those birdhouse fronts gave me a bit of inspiration. I'll have a good deal of blank wall when I start. Not to mention IMHO, they look quite good. I bought one in a garbaage sale for 50 cents, new. Got it home and studied it and the biggest drawback is the very thick (speaking in scale terms) roof. Tried (but not with my heart in it) to get the roof off. Wonder where one can get glue like that? Anyway, nice pixes and thanks for posting 'em.

Les W.

Just moving Les's comment to where it belonged.

[ttrigg]

  Tried (but not with my heart in it) to get the roof off. Wonder where one can get glue like that? Les W.

You WANT to seperate the roof??????????  Just set it in the garden and let mother nature take its course.  It will easily come apart next year.  The good thing about birdhouses is that they give a lot of visual effect real cheap.  The draw back, is the required yearly rebuild.  Don't go trying to invest a bunch of loose change into one of them.  The wood will split, the glue will decompose, the base will rot off.  I get mine with the 40% off a single item coupon from Michaels.  Some cheap paint (Wal~Mart at 96 cents), and plop into the garden for a total cash outlay of ~$6.

[imrnjr]

Tom -- I really like what you've started here... like it so much I may have to go do a little of the same for my road!!  Really nice ....

Mark

[hoofe116]

  Tried (but not with my heart in it) to get the roof off. Wonder where one can get glue like that? Les W.

You WANT to seperate the roof??????????  Just set it in the garden and let mother nature take its course.  It will easily come apart next year.  The good thing about birdhouses is that they give a lot of visual effect real cheap.  The draw back, is the required yearly rebuild.  Don't go trying to invest a bunch of loose change into one of them.  The wood will split, the glue will decompose, the base will rot off.  I get mine with the 40% off a single item coupon from Michaels.  Some cheap paint (Wal~Mart at 96 cents), and plop into the garden for a total cash outlay of ~$6.

Uhh, yeah. Well, not really. I'll work on disguising the thick parts. My layout will be indoors, not a fact that should stick in your mind, but where details--or lack thereof--might leap out more readily.

I got a tad disgusted with myself last week: being Sub Flunky and handyman in a growing business which is located in one's house, and also trying to recover from water damage last spring, and neglect from being ill for months leaves me not a lot of strength or cope, so my RR has been stagnating for want of focussable energy.

I decided that, starting Monday, I will work in the morning on whatever project is to hand, but after lunch and a possible nap, I am going to begin seriously bringing my RR to life. I've got a half a notebook of sketches and notes, piles of 'neat stuff', and only one project even started.

I'm not getting any younger.

Les

[ttrigg]

Who stole my beer?

Miss Nickey went to the loading dock today to check on the first shipment of beer for her new beer hall that is under construction. After arriving she was heard to scream "Who stole my beer? Why is there a bottle of beer missing from this case?"

I did some of this yesterday, as posted earlier. While rummaging around in my "spare parts bin" I found a few interesting items. The unused floor panels from Chateau de Vic, along with a couple of wooden barrels, a flowerpot (now a water bucket). A few unused parts from the Gazebo (another Pola structure) like benches and seats. A couple of cotton bales acquired at the Train Show at San Diego Fairground two years ago. And of course the New Bright boxcar. So I modified yesterdays yard art project.

Since I modified one, might as well upgrade the Yard Office.

A reclaimed New Bright caboose, with some new additions. Table and bench seat came from the gazebo project. Chateau de Vic project left over items include the deck, milk pail, water pail (flower pot), the stack of firewood.

Oh Yes! Don't forget the Flagpole

Guess I'm gonna have to start looking for a flag. Anyone have an idea where I can find a flag of 46 stars? Remember that my GRR is dated before the last few states were admitted to the union.

[ttrigg]

Uhh, yeah. Well, not really. ..............

........... I've got a half a notebook of sketches and notes, piles of 'neat stuff', and only one project even started.

I'm not getting any younger.

Les

Les, I don't think any of us are getting younger.  In the modifications I made to the "Yard Art" today, I used some stuff that has lain around gathering dust for the last two or three years, because at the time I though, "Gotta have that, just in case.........."  The time spent constructing these "Yard Arts" was down time waiting for the paint to dry on my hotel project.  How can a simple task like painting some plastic take any time?  Simple, one coat of black primer, two coats of off white then one overspray misting of seven differet colors for weathering.  The paint was probably dry enough in about ten minutes but since I've been known to gum up the works by trying to do something too fast I waited an hour between coats, just to be sure I didn't mess up the project.