First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, Now my question is this, I have some Atlas telephone poles that I would like to make a bit more realistic, I know Rix's models make some realistic ones, but I"m working in N scale and at last look they do not make them in Nscale, so I"m wondering is there a way to make them look there best,??? thanks All, and again have a blessed Thanksgiving. Trainsrme1
This is my fomula for weathered wood:
.
First paint with Vallejo #821 German Camoflage Beige.
Then add layers of Citadel Agrax Earthshade until it looks like you want. More layes of Earthshade actually make it look newer, so it is kind of like weathering in reverse.
Be sure to allow 1 hour of dry time between each layer of Earthshade.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I also use Atlas poles in N and HO. I give them a quick coat of inexpensive brownish or grayish craft paint, then I dab the insulators with greenish craft paint. You don’t have to coat the poles thickly or evenly; let some of the lighter color of the plastic show through to give it a mottled or streaked look. It is quick, easy, and cheap, but the results improve the looks remarkably. Good enough for the 3-foot rule.
Bubbytrains
In HO we take a fine toothed saw (Zona for example) and rub it up and down the pole to give it a bit of texture. That might overdo it in N but perhaps if followed by a very light rub down with very fine grit emery cloth it could capture the same effect.
Dave Nelson
That's what I'm really looking for, is texture to the poles, I want my line poles to look like they have been weather beaten for years, the beige and brown would add to the aging of the poles also.
For N scale cut off some of the arms and insulators, then rattle can the pole. Next stain the paint with India ink wash or other and then paint the remaining insulators.
I've painted the power-, telephone-, and telegraph poles, but haven't done much in adding texture to them. Gunze Sangyo offers a nice metallic green paint which looks pretty decent for representing the old green-glass insulators...
I have some of the Rix clear green crossarms which I'll be using on the upper level of the layout.
Wayne
What era are you modeling? The linemen used to climb the poles using spurs that rounghened up the poles and as Dave noted, a razor saw does a good job of that. For the recent past they mostly use bucket trucks, no roughing up the poles.
Also, they used to soak the poles in creosote. new poles, very dark, older poles, shades of gray. Whatever they are soaking them in now is a much more reddiish brown.
I found a green, rather irredescent nail polish that really looks good for the older, green glass insulators. You could use a clear polish for the clear glass ones.
Have fun,
Richard
dknelson In HO we take a fine toothed saw (Zona for example) and rub it up and down the pole to give it a bit of texture. That might overdo it in N but perhaps if followed by a very light rub down with very fine grit emery cloth it could capture the same effect. Dave Nelson
I don't know where all these scenery gurus came up with texturing utility poles, the come from the plant smooth, a lineman does not want to go up a pole with rough areas with his hooks. And contrary to a previous post the hooks don't do enough damage to a pole that it would be seen in HO or N Scale.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
The texture is to kill plastic shine primarily but also to capture the verticle cracks that appear as the poles age. Line poles carrying electricity to homes and businesses tend not get that aged before they are replaced, although you see some real veteran poles in small towns and out in the country, but poles along rail lines got very aged even when they were still in use, and the verticle splits are very deep. Those poles showed no remaining evidence of creosote treatment - they were silvery gray like driftwood.
The only line pole near my house that looks anything like what railroad line poles routinely looked like is an isolated one that carries cable TV lines. I assume it was left in place by the electric utility at some point. It looks ready to reduce itself to splinters at any time.
I'm modeling modern era
Modern era, I'd leave them smooth and paint an appropriate reddish brown. If you want to get rid of the shine of the poles before you start you could scrub them with very fine sand paper.
Good luck,
If they are modern era, I agree, leave them more smooth. I did some poles that are along the CN line, and have been unused for decades, and have been left standing, downed lines and all.
They still stand along the main line, as relics from the past.
I don't remember the exact technique I use, but the razor saw blade was part of it.
Mike.
My You Tube
That's a nicely-done representation of ones similar to what I've seen, Mike, both here in Ontario and in Pennsylvania and Ohio, too.
Thanks Wayne!
Mike - Those sure look like the ones I see along the old NYC in my area. Good job!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Those are great looking poles, thanks for all the infomation on line poles guys!!!!!! more pictures would be welcomed!!!!
Utility poles are different colors and textures north sice vs soputh side of the pole.
North side is a greyish worn color with much weathering and deeper grain marks.
South side is newer looking, still has its tanish color, the grain is closer.
Ice coats the north side of the poles and ages it much faster.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Some more ideas. This is currently NSC territory. It is north out of Frederick MD.
South view:
Serious weathering
I noticed they were short poles, but didn't think to guesstimate how tall they were. They are certainly less than 15'
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley