Pickled fern

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys first time talking on the computer for me. Picked up enough courage! I am from "down Under" and am trying to model australian Tree ferns on my logging layout. Can someone tell me how to "pickle"?. I think asparagus fern on trunks of wire dipped in glue and rolled in sawdust could look good.

[rolleiman]

One method used sometimes here in the states (I'm sure elsewhere as well) is a mixture of glycerin (sp?) and water. It Will eventually dry out though.

Good question, I look forward to reading the Real answer (I don't think mine is what you are after).. Oh, By the way, Welcome to online talking [:D]

[Anonymous]

Thank you rolleiman, for talking to me and giving me something to work on.I will try it and get back to you

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] Kay

What scale is your layout?
I think an asparagus fern might be too delicate for glycerin It would be too droopy and sticky, but it wouldn't hurt to try that route. There are several other ways to dry plants and flowers.

Have you looked for dried ferns at flower shops, craft stores or on line?



(click on highlighted words for links)

[Anonymous]

Hi gsetter
I have just looked up your link on dried flowers and your tree fern is very different from ours.If you would like to see a picture of an Australian tree fern go to www.abcmaps.com.au/Tree%20Ferns.htm [sorry I don't know how to make that link autamatic] I have got my glycerin thing happening and I will try dring the fern thanks for the tip Kay

[rolleiman]

Let us know how it works out..

[Anonymous]

I just found out, it is autamatic!! and my layout is a DCC run HO .
I am a grandma with a train room. this is my 3rd layout [2nd DCC] there is so much to learn. I have just bought a 2 truck Climax and am putting in a sound chip,it will look good on the "Puffing Billy" line I am trying to copy. This line is only 1/2 an hour away from me and I often take a walk on the path next to it. You can find out more on www.puffingbilly.com.au/ I love living were I live! Kay

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kay Hoefs

.... there is so much to learn.

That's one of the best parts of the hobby, learning. Teaching too. Are you grandchild / children interested in the hobby? Do they help too? It's more fun than making cookies! [;)]

Speaking of learning, if you want to find how to add images, hyperlinks, format text and all the other fun stuff to your posting, find FAQ. The link is at the top of all forum pages. If you need help, feel free to e-mail me.
We're waiting to see a photo of your trees.

QUOTE:
..I have just bought a 2 truck Climax and am putting in a sound chip..

Which brand model Climax do you have Kay? Which sound module are you installing?

I have an HOn30 class A Climax kit yet to build.

In case you haven't stumbled across it, here a link to Geared Locomotives.

QUOTE: ...it will look good on the "Puffing Billy" line I am trying to copy. This line is only 1/2 an hour away from me and I often take a walk on the path next to it. You can find out more on www.puffingbilly.com.au/ I love living were I live! Kay

It sure makes it easier when the prototype is close by. Or does it? Do you find youself wanting to add every little detail you see?

I have never been there but from what I've seen and heard from folks who have been there, Australia is a beautiful country. And I here photos just don't do it justice.

I often receive shipments of parts and autos from Australia. I'm told everything from there is fumigated and quarantined, but I'm still leery about finding a stow-a-way spider or snake. We occasionally find such surprises in vehicles that were stored for some time out in the dessert and elsewhere.

[nucat78]

Hmmm. "Pickled" is archaic American slang for intoxicated and and I know a woman named Fern, so I'd say pump her full of Fosters.

[Anonymous]

I have a Bachmann Spectrum Climax [thay are restoring a climax for the "puffing Billy" 28 klm line. the story is on the web page.have you looked at it? It's no Thomas. I have a sound tracks decoder for it,I have been told will go well with my Digitrax Zepher. I took one look at it and thought it wont fit, so it's gone off to the experts. they know me well..and I walked into the shop saying "Hi guys , will you put sound in my climax!! " well!! did I go red, but we all had a laugh.

[Anonymous]

I have an 11 year old grandson who is learning lots,and having fun. I'm teaching him wireing...and he's teaching me SPELLING! I have been up in the hills and paced out a station on the prototype called "Menzies Creek". Made sketches of everything and was so disapointed it wouldent fit my space.Never mind it was fun going up there. Not a sound ....only the birds.

[Anonymous]

I have found a pickling mix and might try it on moss too.
1.Ingredients: 1 part glycerine,1 part acetone, 1 part denatured alcohol [methylated spirits].
2. Immerse in warm water, soak for several minutes, remove and gently knead.
3. After water is removed soak in pickling solution for 24 hours.
4. Remove, Dry and colour.
5. Note. Add more glycerine to the solution as more plants are processed.
***
I'v Had a go at 50/50 glycerine,water but think this will be the way to go.

[Anonymous]

I know that the mixture would not be safe Kay. Acetone is highly flammable. It is also toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. Denatured alcohol is flammable too. Add to that Glycerine burns like a candle. The result would be a toxic fire hazzard.
Maybe try Isopropyl Alcohol with glycerine. It's a little safer but still flammable. Or distilled water.

I would also recommend finding a Fire Retardant Spray For Fabrics to spray on the finished product.

Just for the heck of it do a flammability test. Take a sample outside, set it in the barbe or on a piece of concrete and light a match to the sample.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kay Hoefs

I have an 11 year old grandson who is learning lots,and having fun. I'm teaching him wiring...and he's teaching me SPELLING! I have been up in the hills and paced out a station on the prototype called "Menzies Creek". Made sketches of everything and was so disapointed it wouldent fit my space.Never mind it was fun going up there. Not a sound ....only the birds.

It probably won't be long before he's installing decoders in all your locos and for other folk too. Could be a better job than a paper route! No early hours and if dead beat don't pay up, he can keep their loco.

Maybe you could "compress" the size of the Menzies Creek station by making it a little narrower and shallower to fit your space. As long as it has the main design elements, such as gables, roof windows, doors and siding, most folks that been there will recognize the character of the station and not notice it's a little out of scale. We won't tell if you don't.

Think about recording the bird sounds to play softy in the background of the scene.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kay Hoefs

...... they know me well..and I walked into the shop saying "Hi guys , will you put sound in my climax!! " well!! did I go red, but we all had a laugh.

Yea, I bet they were thinking "I can make that bird sing" [:I]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kay Hoefs

....they are restoring a climax for the "puffing Billy" 28 klm line. the story is on the web page.have you looked at it?

Yes I did. If I lived there and even though it's about $950 usd, I would quickly go broke booking the 861over and over. Have you taken the 861 footplate experience course?

I hope the 1694 project will able to complete it 3rd phase.

[Anonymous]

YOU'V STOPPED ME!! thanks gsetter. I take note. and as I am working on a foam base,I will use the retardant spray on all my trees. The tree ferns I tried to make arn't worth looking at. if I can buy plastic H.O. palm trees and cut them up, reasemble and glue a sprinkle of "turf" on top and spray a light green??.. I'll see how I go... Does anyone know where I can get palm trees?

[Anonymous]

Noch makes Plastic Palm Trees in two sizes,15cm and 19cm

Preiser also makes them.

Have you visited a craft shop or flower shop to see what they may have?

[Anonymous]

Gary and Kay

Can anyone else join in?? Only joking, don't take it to heart.

Kay, would you let us know how that concoction works please? I might give it a try too.
Do you have a digital camera, or do any of your kids have one? Take a couple of snaps of the result and stick them on here so we can have a look.