I'm putting together a trash train, using 45' containers, and for a few of the containers, I would like show tarp covered, as the proto-type. I'm looking for ideas for modeling the tarps. I've read about using tin foil, and tissue, and I was wondering if any of you guys have done this, and your experiences. I'm also open to other ideas.
I was inspired by videos of "trash trains" running daily out of the Seattle area. The trains on the East coast tend to be of the "specialized" 20' containers on 85' flats. Atlas makes models of these, but they are practically non-availiable, and when found, are very expensive, that's why I decided on modeling the Seattle trains, that use standard containers, in well cars. I have plenty of those.
Thanks,
Mike.
My You Tube
Hi Mike:
I used tinfoil to hide the motor for the critter in my avatar:
Sorry, the picture is a bit out of focus. I like the effect but if I was modelling larger, heavier tarps I think I would explore other options. The foil allows for lots of detail i.e. wrinkles and folds, but I suspect that the tarps used for garbage containers would be a lot thicker and therefore stiffer. They wouldn't show a lot of wrinkles except where they are tied down. My suggestion is to experiment with something heavier than regular tin foil. Something like this might work:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/colorfoil-economy-tooling-foil/
If it can be tooled then it must be reasonably thick - at least thicker than regular aluminum foil. Caveat - I have never handled the stuff but it might be worth investigating. Here I am, the ultimate arm chair expert!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hello,
First, I'd like to clarify something for those not familiar with this opperation. These are containers that are pretty much standard, except that they have no roof, and a tarp instead. They are double stacked.
Mike, take a look at this earlier thread for ideas:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/219063/2418382.aspx#2418382
Gidday Mike, since my post in the thread that NorthWest refers to, I have made these tarps out of tin foil.
A little delicate to work with, but I will use foil again. ( Not saying that other methods are inadquate though.)
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
On a modeling project many years ago I needed a tarp to cover some heavy equipment on a flatcar. This was before there was any internet, even before I could get a drivers license. I used a piece of really thin cloth that would drape over the object. It was the sprayed a number of times with spray starch to stiffen it. It worked but care has to be taken with handling such an item for even though it's stiff and will hold it's shape it will also break easily.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Thanks guys for the ideas and links. I'll do some experimenting. Pictures will be coming. Right now it all looks to "new". Clean, red, unused well cars, and new undecorated 45' cans. I finished adding weight to the bottom containers last night, and took the train for a test spin around the layout for a few trips, to make sure it handled my curves and switches ok. The first "stack" train I've run. Now for the fun part, detailing, painting and weathering.
I notice the dates on the link of previous disscussions on tarps, was back in July. I was waist deep in old garden tractors back then. My "other" hobby !
Have you thought of using plastic "shopping" bags, They are quite thin will stretch if needed and can show wrinkles at the tie downs. Some stores use the light tan rather than white. It may b easier to paint/ dry brush w/ the acrylics.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
My first thought would be clear plastic wrap. The grocery bags would seem to be too thin and delicate, and foil likes to bend rather than drape with a nice curvature. Once in place, use several coats of rattle-can paint to get the color you like.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Tarped machinery, not trash. These are made with tissue paper and paint. They are supposed to look "well used". This is also a viable method but the paper gets very fragile when the paint is wet. Fine when dry. Just another method to consider.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
I got good results using a tissue (Kleenex) and brushing on a 50/50 mixture of white glue and water. The weight of the mixture gives it a realistic sag, and then it hardens that way. You can paint it after it dries. Sorry, I don't have any photos, but it looked great.
Steve S
I am a little surprised nobody has mentioned the very recent article on a tarp-covered contaminated dirt load in a gondola, by Matt Snell in the September 2013 MR page 52. Snell used a plain white plastic trash bag, without ribbing or reinforcement. Of course he was modeling a tarp made of thick plastic and as he says, the actual plastic bag leaves creases that are realistic.
Dave Nelson
Sounds like an interesting article. Currently, I'm not subscribed to the magazine, and let Video Plus go, so I have no way of accessing it.
I'll look around and see if I can find it "through the back door".
Thanks Dave.
I tried thin cloth, paper and thin (cheap) aluminum foil but got the best results with tissue paper. Several coats of paint make it stiff and strong enough to shape and then a few more coats of paint to get it to hold its shape.
I apply it while the paint is still damp so that it holds it shape better.
The folded tarp on the grain trailer was made with the tissue paper method outlined above.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
I've always used plain old typing paper and Elmer's white glue, then after it dries paint it what ever color you would like with flat brush on paint. I've got a couple of flat car loads that I used this method on and they turned out real well.
These tarps are thick canvas, probably about an inch thick. I'll try to post a picture soon, if I have one.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3715739
I can't insert one with the new software, but here it is. Note holes for posts.
Northwest:
Interesting project. I noticed that there were puddles of water on the tarp in your picture. That would be interesting to model as well.
I have taken toilet paper and seperated out the layers. Take a single layer and soak in 50/50 white glue. Like already stated, it is fragile but dries ok and looks realistic.
Thanks NorthWest, thats a great picture, showing the tarps and empty cars. Excellent.
Well, I have the 10 well cars that I'm using for this train complete, new wheel sets, couplers, paint and weathering. Eventually I want to get Plano detail parts, like walkways and stanchions. I tried to make my own using Plano scratch builders sheets of "Morton" style material, but I'm not happy with the results. Its hard to cut with any precise accuracy. I ended up using the plastic walkways supplied with the cars for now.
Now for detailing the containers, and making the tarps.
I took the 10 car empty train on a test run Saturday night, and have a link to the YouTube video. I tried to post using Photobucket, but the videos are "choppy" and out of sync. YouTube worked alot better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IkWM-L2UGc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MfXnRK6XO8
Hopefully I did this right.
Did the same search for "tarp" materials and my wife came up with toilet seat liner material. You can crumple it up to make it wrinkled, it takes paint and weathering powders well, and is quite strong compared to others we tried, most of whom are documented above. We have two 10 car "garbage" trains, one loaded and one empty. Stopped just short of outfitting them with the appropriate odor that on a warm Seattle day can be detected a good ways off the mainline.
Hey Rod
I have always said that smell is the next thing to come in DCC! Iffn you're gonna model a garbage train or a livestock train or stock yard why not get it right! Then there are those who have tanning factories on their layouts. How about a sulphur mine? Heaven forbid!
Thanks for the laugh!