Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Pidgeon Creek structures from scratch

10408 views
122 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 4:06 PM

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 4:05 PM

Lighting for the entire Pidgeon Creek section will be controlled by the operator through the geothermal plant. In some cases, like the Barite Processing Plant's utility shed, a dedicated battery power source will be remotely controlled.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 7:40 PM

Used a different decal application method on this second boxcar.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 7:35 PM

Ground radio antenna array installed on the shed. Also experimenting with decal materials from a new family graphics business in my neighbourhood. They made a few sheets of WR&MR and I bought scraps of various colours to play with, like this white boxcar roof. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, August 12, 2017 5:31 AM

Starting to add detail and technology to the utility shed today.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 11, 2017 2:35 PM

Decided to go with a Cape Blomidon red sandstone roof.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Thursday, August 10, 2017 7:09 AM

Graph paper also useful for laying out the driftwood roof. Once the glue dries there will be sanding and finishing to do.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 5:38 PM

Working on the shed's roof and auxiliary equipment, both inside and outside.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 5:48 PM

Brand new family graphics business recently opened up about 5 minutes from my home. I dropped in today to talk HO scale decals. They printed my Walton Rock & Mineral Railroad text decal (WR&MR) right then and there. They are going to do all my decal needs including the red lion, custom WR&MR mining logo, even all the road numbers that I want. I left them sample commercial decals and three rail cars to look at For ideas.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 4:30 PM

Worked on the door hinges today and now have a way ahead for using eyeglass hinges. Also, from Cape Blomidon sandstone I have investigated flooring and foundation applications.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, August 7, 2017 1:07 PM

Found a few pair of wire eyeglasses at the community recycle store this morning. Hacked off the hinges and will see what I can do with the door.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Monday, August 7, 2017 5:41 AM

Embedded a metal staple completely inside the driftwood door. Used a piece of brass rail as a door footing. Working on miniature hinges today. May use modified hinges from eyeglasses.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, August 6, 2017 1:10 PM

In case you are wondering, the window is offset from centre to allow for equipment installation (inside and outside) at a later date.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, August 6, 2017 12:43 PM

The scoring tool and large glass piece that I cut the window from.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, August 6, 2017 12:41 PM

Glass was scored and cut with special tools.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, August 6, 2017 12:37 PM

Stained glass window installed. Although the glass is transparent, it distorts the view like the letters PSI on the tanker behind the wall.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Sunday, August 6, 2017 5:03 AM

Fourth wall complete, working on the door.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, August 5, 2017 6:12 PM

Fourth wall's inside surface will be completed this evening. Black CP tanker now a white and black industrial tank with red lion rampant.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, August 5, 2017 4:46 PM

Fourth wall treated with sandstone filler. Roof cuts and sanding next. Corner trims will be made soon.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,444 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Saturday, August 5, 2017 5:59 AM

They sure looked solid, but I went back to previous posts and enlarged the pic where they are mounted on a piece of green foam.  The openings were apparent.  I've had aquariums for decades, and a typical air pump and tubing will surely do the job.

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, August 5, 2017 5:51 AM

Mobil: they are not solid. They are t-joints for aquarium air lines. I have all the gear: specially-designed quiet pump, many types of joints, standard air hoses, and control valves. Many of these items are only available in Asia through Amazon.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,444 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Saturday, August 5, 2017 5:30 AM

The conduits - through which you will be putting wires and compressed air - apparently are solid.  What will you use to hollow them out?

I've done a project in the past wherein I used a Dremel tool with a small size (1/16 inch or less) bit and worked it back and forth.   The trick is to not bust through the sides/end of the pipe where there is an elbow.  That takes skill and patience and care to not drill ones fingers.

Using compressed air to power animation is something I've never seen.  I can only imagine the challenges in getting that into play - and I look forward to your display.

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Saturday, August 5, 2017 5:21 AM

Third wall's exterior complete. A door will be installed with hinges and manual magnetic door handle later. Fourth wall will be constructed soon.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 4, 2017 5:51 PM

Second wall's interior painted and drying. Third wall under construction. Picked up another tanker at the hobby shop today. The first CP tanker has it's first coat of white paint. Valves, conduits, tanks, piping, and much more are parts of a geothermal plant that supplies electricity to the barite processing plant through the utility shed. The geothermal plant is located beside the shed.

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 4, 2017 3:05 PM

Rich: My railroad, my way, my fun.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,076 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, August 4, 2017 12:58 PM

OldSchoolScratchbuilder
 
chutton01
 
OldSchoolScratchbuilder
I like to add pieces with knots - adds character.

Hmm, that's a rather large knot in proportion to the remainder of the plank it's in, large enough that it would cause some structural issues if translated to the real world. Gives you an excuse to put a wood 'patch' over it, though. 

Lots of things won't be to scale or prototype on my layout. Stained glass too thick, sequoia sized knots, Kadee couplers that don't exist in real life, plastic trains and rolling stock, electric rails, etc. I'm not following rules, not entering contests, just having fun the way I want to have fun. DJ 

As a fellow modeler, I would encourage you to observe certain protocols when it comes to building structures, particularly when it comes to scale. If items like piping and conduit and even knots in wood are grossly out of scale, they just won't look right and can spoil the overall effect of what you are trying to present.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 4, 2017 12:16 PM

Primer applied to tank.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 4, 2017 12:14 PM

Third wall under construction.

 

  • Member since
    April 2017
  • From: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 1,585 posts
Posted by OldSchoolScratchbuilder on Friday, August 4, 2017 11:53 AM

chutton01

 

 
OldSchoolScratchbuilder
I like to add pieces with knots - adds character.

 


Hmm, that's a rather large knot in proportion to the remainder of the plank it's in, large enough that it would cause some structural issues if translated to the real world. Gives you an excuse to put a wood 'patch' over it, though.

 

 

Lots of things won't be to scale or prototype on my layout. Stained glass too thick, sequoia sized knots, Kadee couplers that don't exist in real life, plastic trains and rolling stock, electric rails, etc. I'm not following rules, not entering contests, just having fun the way I want to have fun. DJ

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 3,139 posts
Posted by chutton01 on Friday, August 4, 2017 11:09 AM

OldSchoolScratchbuilder
I like to add pieces with knots - adds character.


Hmm, that's a rather large knot in proportion to the remainder of the plank it's in, large enough that it would cause some structural issues if translated to the real world. Gives you an excuse to put a wood 'patch' over it, though.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!