Blazzin. What kind of building is this?
Cheers, the Bear, (who’s known to be wrong on many occasions).
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good things its Sunday for most of us. This is almost starting out as a very long boring story. I'll do my best not to. Researching many articles and images I came across one.. and only one I liked. I had typed in for a search; Old Wild West Brick banks. Sure enough I found one. I had done some research to find dates and places.. things that only meant it was built some time ago.
Its called First National Bank of Cedar Rapids Nebraska. Althought the story starts out as the very first banks of Nebraska. Taken from Wikipedia.org; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_National_Bank_of_Omaha
"Two immigrant brothers from Ohio, Herman and Augustus Kountze opened Kountze Brothers Bank in 1857. Omaha's first bank opened its doors and started trading primarily in gold dust and buffalo hides. "
So now, getting back to the brick bank.. I came across an old photo of First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. That is the photo I have used for a scratch built bank.
I wanted something to appear 'Strong' 'Defendable' and that your money would be 'Safe'. Such is the appearance of a brick bank. Strong upward pillars demonstrating Strength. Whether I can do that.. well I'm off to a good start. The trim coming up will be the real test of my skills.
I plan on following up with more pics. Take Care
Keith
If anyone has any pointers of using what kind of glue to glue Plastruct styrene to Evergreen styrene.. well I'd like to hear it.
Today I shall finish up on painting the brick. I try to practice on the back wall of any building, and then if I like the results.. do the other 3 sides. The only problem is getting the other three sides to match the back wall. Actually, I've lined up the colors used and hopefully can duplicate it again. Take a look. Just the back wall only.
Nice work, but...
The LION *likes* his city!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Blazzin If anyone has any pointers of using what kind of glue to glue Plastruct styrene to Evergreen styrene.. well I'd like to hear it.
Depends on the Plastruct product. They use several different plastics depending on the product.
Any styrene cement will work on their styrene products but a lot of their products are ABS. They sell three types of Cement to accomodate bonding different materials. See the Plastruct Cement guide:
http://www.plastruct.com/pages/CementGuide.html
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Broadwaylion, I do too. Something about buildings stacked closely together. I built this building in sections held together by Party foam, in which holds it very tight. My problem is if I go too high.. they might end up higher than my mountains. So I might have to reduce this down to something just a tad lower, one reason why I built the building in sections. Now, on a side note.. I do have King Kong scaling this building. (wasn't easy to find an N scale King Kong)(see my Drive-In Theater diorama)
Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. I was beginning to think no one would respond.
TC Keith
Thank you so much, you have no idea of what my mind has been going through. After I posted the question.. I gave it a laugh and said; "Let it be known.. I'm a dummy and using CA gel" Thats all I've been using. I do have the Plastruct Plastic Weld. And quite frankly it was drying before I could attach both pieces. Whether its the weather.. or me just plain slow now, I was left to use the CA gel. At times I feel like if I were to drop this Scratch built, it would shatter into pieces. Well, using CA gel does give me time. It would seem using CA gel, well if you make a mistake and have to pull off the newly glued piece, well it takes off the paint, and the part to be glued.. now has residue of CA gel .. and quite frankly you either have to scrap off the old CA gel or just throw that part away and cut another. It would seem CA gel.. does NOT glue to CA gel.
Here is exactly where I am right now. Plenty of work to add to what I've already have done. But I thought it was a time to stop and start making the Cornice of the very top of the building. I'm trying (with the various sizes available) to make sure all three Trim areas are the correct proportions to one another. With, the over-all look of 'strength' and your money 'secure' look. ON a side-note, my wife thought it was a jail, certainly secure enough.
OK...right where I am.
This is.. the best I can do. I have learned so much building this particular building, I could do it faster and better. I am left with various limitations in building N scale. Available sizes and money is always an important factor. I did have plans on adding more Cornice trim, but now I am taking on a 'wait and see' attitude.. and go from there. When reaching an impass, I'd rather wait.. and go slow, as well as try to figure out.. what to add next.
Here is where I am right now.. and will be adding windows and doors to the building this morning. Also keep in mind.. this is supposed to be something out of the Wild West.. well sort of. I do have a picture of the original building. At the end I'll post that.
ON a side note..I do wish some of you Asked some questions.. I'd love to have a shot at them. Plenty to things to talk about too. Ok..here's some pics.
Blazzin - my lower jaw dropped south, looking at your pictures. It seems to be locked there
How on earth can one handle all that diminutive detail? Even HO scale is too small for my big hands of thumbs!
I thank you kind Sir. I gave it some thought about your post. If I had known how much detail was involved, I might not have even started it. It seemed so easy at first. (know the feeling?) The more detail I wanted to give it, gave rise to more thought. I knew basically what I wanted. Knew most of the steps to take, but honestly that very top trim threw me a curve. I had no idea on what I was heading into. I do have some pics, and prepared to post a few. But since the photos of 'white styrene' don't show up to well, I guess most readers wil have to count on my descriptions. LOL
"How on earth can one handle all that diminutive detail?"
Well I can't either. Fat fingers.. and fingers that don't work too well..even hands that shake. Heck my eyes got cross eyed for a few seconds just trying to glue the pieces. I kept telling myself as it got harder; "This is good for seniors and their dexterity" I'm sure if we all look at some models, we'll find many mistakes.. or just plain 'off' here an there'. Such was the case as I moved along.
If you look close enough you might see a tad of "waste" .. I can't be that exact. I had to apply the pieces by 'both ends' Both hands.. 'steady.. easy there.. ah.. almost'
And afterwards.. you glued it on.. but its bowed, as well as cracks here and there. Well.. keep movin on ..I guess.
Some of these pieces are HO scale. The fancy notched trim is from an HO ladder kit.
Some of the pieces actually broke off. Decision time.. do I glue it back on.. or start again?
OK>... talking about the very upper cornice.
Adding trim.. was OK.. only a matter of figuring which piece goes first.. and Why.. and if done correctly.. it seemed to cover various jointed openings. (areas around the multi layered corners)
Making this story shorter.. I started the trim. And when I was done.. I said to my wife. "You know why men do this for a Living? .. Cuz they can do it"
I gave it a try of 45 degree cuts.. making nice cornered trim, but it was hard. Did I even mention I had 'opened my big mouth' on this thread? LOL.. committed. Determine to finish it.. and give it my best shot.
Would you believe there is more detail to add... no not kidding.. just some small stuff.. according to the original picture...in which I have not posted.
Thank you so much for responding to my thread. I do have many pics to share.
Wow, great work, especially considering the very small scale! And it's a very interesting, eye-catching structure too!
PS -- I just went back and looked through the whole thread. Really interesting stuff you're doing. I'm a big fan of old Western towns and buildings. I've also spent many years exploring and documenting ghost towns and mining camps, mostly in Nevada, and have a ton of photos online. You might find some of them helpful for reference.
http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/Ghost_Towns_and_Mines.html
Blazzin If I had known how much detail was involved, I might not have even started it.
BlazzinThe more detail I wanted to give it, gave rise to more thought.
Ja Bear, I thank you for the kind words. It is an inspiration for me to do more. I would have responded sooner.. but was pretty much laid up. Since you can Identify with some of the things I have stated. Well.. ya know..the human head is about the size and weight of a Bowling ball. Well doing all that small detail, under a light left my head hanging, cantil levered my neck. Well I woke up with a sore neck like you wouldn't believe. Well maybe you can. Since then, I have re-adjusted my light according to my sitting position.
Ray, I thank you for your help. I really appreciate the effort some have placed in recording and saving this sort of material. I feel once its all gone..its all gone. I've always been a fan of the sorts, down to looking at various buildings in Disneyland. Anything and everything.
Now on a side note.. I haven't seen the thread in some time. And quite sure its in one of the other magazines here at Trains.com. Something called the Sunset line? .. Anyone care to help? I shall look for it. But as I was going through the many photos posted, I noticed all the old buildings and sorts. I remember telling my wife .. "This is like a Road Trip"~! I enjoyed just looking at the old pics.
Searching the internet can be fun. AS mentioned earlier reading up on the First National Bank, and its earliest beginnings. I had came across a site http://www.oldpostoffice.com/postcards/
in which you may find some interesting tid bits and maybe something worth buying.
But I did come across this particular photo / postcard of First National Bank of Cedar Rapids Neb. Take a look.
There is where my search started and came across another photo of the very same building.. but upgraded so to speak. Take a look.
And lets compare it to my version.
Ray, well this is the link of was talking about, here at trains.com. called Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updating. Its not for everyone, but some find it interesting. Mostly pics of southern California and the rails that run through.
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/120779.aspx
Now.. for why I am on today. I NEED HELP. I need input. I need ideas. I would imagine most modelers feel you don't need the space with N scale compared to HO. But I am running out of space. No matter how small I make these buildings, there still isn't enough room.
There has to be some idea(s) as to How to make room for buildings and sorts. Aside from making just a one / two sided building. Please feel free to post anything.. any pic.
Right now, I'm considering possibly of stepping down the terrain in hopes of adding a retaining wall or a jagged cliff to add on some space. Perhaps its just the opposite.. just make the area FLAT.
Maybe make a one-sided street. Row of buildings.. and a street.. forget the other side of the road.
I feel like I'm going to have to fore-shorten everything.. including some mountains. Any Ideas will be greatly appreciated.
I'll thank you in advance. TC
These buildings all look great! Can you post a pic of the layout where all these buildings are going? I think you've mentioned the most common things and you're just going to have to decide how to move forward based on your personal preferences and priorities.
Well that pretty much sums it up. I thank you for your reply. ".... you're just going to have to decide how to move forward based on your personal preferences and priorities". WEll I struggle with making those decisions. lol
Lets talk about it.. (aS my wife might say) and it might help me clear things up .... (I will eventually post a pic) ... and help me visualize this.
Immediate Problems?
1. I am faced with a mountain range that is pushing into my said Town.
2. There isn't enough room for even the town unless its one row of buildings and the road.
3. Possible extensions of land for the town might encroach on the train yard. A trade-off I presume. One reason why I didn't finish the train yard tracks, is because of a compromise of space. (of all the things to cut into .. the train yard)
4. The debate of 'building' ..starting from the top and working down.. or at the bottom and working up. I fear I will have to start at the bottom and work up.. mainly.. and to me most importantly.. I know where the 'bottom' is.. and can work up to the 'any' level. If I were to start at the top.. I might be faced with the problem of trying to match to the bottom level in terms of roads and actual level. (I do hope that all makes sense).
Solutions?
1. As far as the mountain is concerned, well one I don't like it ... to paint a murel of some sort.
It just wouldn't tie into the surrounding background(s). An 'in between' might be some sort of 3D mountain.. with 'fake' ranges fading into the distant. A proposed idea might include wire and use of plaster cloth.
2. Extention of land encroaching upon the train yard and various other train track areas..? .. well I'll have to seriously think on that one.
3. I have not started in the actual building in this. I'm not one to ask..then go ahead.. and not really pay any attention to the replies... and then show you what I have got. No.. what you will see .. is in the actual making.. well all laid out as best as I can.
Right now I am considering laying out the town.. that perfect view of a corner, showing as many buildings as possible..but break it down into various streets and corners.. with houses perhaps up up in the hills so to speak. Streets and corners all etched out taking up the least amount of room. What will be left is where the mountain ranges come down upon the town and buildings.
4. Aside from placing only the best shots of streets and buildings.. limiting the streets and laying them out in an 'L' fashion I might be able to come up with something. I plan on working on the top and making small neighborhoods over-looking the town and see how they lay out on the proposed area.
5. In the back of my mind.. well I had read once that one of Armstrongs creations looked like a mountain.. and then the train/tracks were added. Perfect and naturally done. Well I don't want this to look like some monster that it can surely happen if I let it. I want it to look flowing and natural. So at times.. I do wonder if I should look at the over-all looks of the layout and look to see how 'natural' it looks.
".... you're just going to have to decide how to move forward based on your personal preferences and priorities". WEll I struggle with making those decisions.
I've given it some thought thanks to you... and I appreciate it. More to follow.
Paint the mountains on the backdrop. Put an embankment/rock cut about 10-30 scale ft high and about 1/4-1/2" thick against the backdrop and trees on top of it. then put a row of buildings that back up to the embankment/cliff/cut with a road in front of them. If the road is above the yard, then put it on a combination of stone/timber retaining walls and cliffs/embankments. You want the look that they dug out the hillside to make room for the buildings and used the material to fill for the road.
I don't recall you ever saying how much space you have for this scene.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Dave thank you, it makes sense. It also gives me an idea to keep on with the central theme in terms of mountains and their respected levels. I think adding trees will hide or distort this 'condensing' of land. And / or at least give the illusion of 'distance'.
You are the second one to ask for a pic of the proposed town. Well I'll eventually get there... today. I feel like I have to turn on the 'Way Back Machine' several yeas ago when I first started this.
In short this layout is two 4x8 sheets of plywood.. shaped in a 'L'
Its big enough to be placed in the corner of the Living room. My wife first made me building the table in which the whole layout is built upon. She said it had to look nice. So I gave it my best in terms of making it look like nice furniture.
The entire layout is made up of various diorama's. Each diorama comes out. I always joke.. and say.."When I pass on, the kids can take this whole thing apart and take what they want.. maybe make a lamp out of this one". Everything can be lifted up and out, mainly and also because if some train derails I want some fairly easy access to get at the train. Everything lifts up.
One reason for making diorama's is mainly because I am old. I could never bend over.. reach across straining my back and neck. These diorama's can be lifted moved to my computer desk and I work on them with ease and plenty of light.
The diorama's are most made with foam board. Plain simple foam board you buy at a Arts and Craft store. I like the foam board because its easy to cut, re-add more board and for its weight or lack of it.. still has some strength.
I like to use Gorilla Glue.. (white /semi clear) mainly because it fills holes.. with foam. Yes, you heard / read correct. Liquid Gorilla glue will expand and fill holes.. and leaves a 'foam like' glue. Using Painters tape you hold the pieces together while glue sets. Even if you still have some gaps.. you can re-glue with the Gorilla and Painters tape.
This particular diorama will have to made with exact dimensions mainly because it is actually resting on the existing wooden raised area so trains can run underneath.
Ok.. lets move around here.
Here is a pic of my diorama's in which I was faced with the same set of problems. I actually foreshortened the mountains but had much more room to work with.
As I said before each diorama lifts up and out. Each diorama connects to another.
Now with the help of Dave's advice.. I feel like I am now learning something.. and can advance to another level. Like I said earlier.. Dave's idea.. adds more thought of how I would like the colors and mountains flowing and continue with the same color scheme as in this pic below.
Well How big is this area of the proposed town and train yard? As big as I can make it? I have left many things partially built mainly because it has to all tie in. I can change it.. with very little doubt on what I need to do...especially using foam board. For instance.. here is a pic of the proposed train yard and town area. From the dinosaur to the very tip in the background of open space. That represents two Mains and the train yard.. to the left.. and above is the proposed town. Like I said, using foam board gives me some latitude. More pics to follow.
Ah yes.. the “the slippery slope” gets ya every time. Well.. lets see... I gave it some thought. Even some more thought, and decided I was going to continue on with even smaller than the 'slightly smaller than N-scale. Just a little each day.. well you know.. we'll see how things work out. So here some pics. I don't mind me sharing some dirty pics for various reasons. I want some of the beginners to know and see my messy work... amature work and just 'plain and guess and hope for the best' Besides it may be cold outside with nothing to do, so sit down a spell and 'Thank you for inviting me into your home'.