Have two done. Not fixed down yet. Drilled throwbar hole in base. I found my tortoises. Close.
Old soldering iron was intermittently cold/hot. finally broke. Got new iron so joints will be better on next. Life is good!
Tom
Looks really good!
For what its worth, I would consider painting the roadbed (color similar to ballast to be used) before installing the track. It will make ballasting easier for "full coverage".
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44For what its worth, I would consider painting the roadbed (color similar to ballast to be used) before installing the track.
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I think it is easier if the roadbed is darker than the ballast. Dark gray works well, but the natural cork color also works well in most circumstances.
This way, the little bit of roadbed that might peek through will look luike a deeper shadow and add to the realism.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Thanks for suggestions on ballast. I plan on painting entire base - cover the pink foam.
For now just getting practice laying track and building turnouts.
Did get some power to tbe new switches. Train advancing !
Yep, unpainted roadbed really adds to the realism, especially those little pieces of cork that are dislodged or semi-dislodged from the edges!
mobilman44Yep, unpainted roadbed really adds to the realism, especially those little pieces of cork that are dislodged or semi-dislodged from the edges!
That is a great point. The rough edges can be a positive feature that can help out.
Those turnouts look great. Might I respectfully suggest add a piece of flex track at all ends, so you can check train movement in all directions. Much less frustating to fix two turnouts than thirty.
You are two hand built turnouts ahead of me. Well done.
Dave