General Discussion (Model Railroader)

LocoMtnMom wrote:

I couldn't resist this forum question because one of the things I think most layouts should have is an American flag (if appropriate).  ...

I've got one on mine!

doneldon wrote:

You could always have a causeway or viaduct.

On a model of UP's LA&SL route through the Dessicated Desert?

Or maybe a model of present-day Kinzua Viaduct (flattened by a tornado...)

Or maybe not.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with short bridges and long tunnels)

LocoMtnMom wrote:

I couldn't resist this forum question because one of the things I think most layouts should have is an American flag (if appropriate).  Does anyone have any ideas about finding or creating a N-scale American flag (circa 1950)?

Creating a 48-star flag is easy, since the stars were eight wide and six deep.  It's the 50-star version that's a pain.

Do any of the pre-1912 modelers have accurate (46 or fewer stars) flags flying from their flagpoles?

My own modeling is much simpler.  No stars, no stripes, just one big red polka-dot on a white field.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

CSX_road_slug wrote:

LocoMtnMom wrote: I couldn't resist this forum question because one of the things I think most layouts should have is an American flag (if appropriate).  ... I've got one on mine!

That's a pretty natural looking flag.  Good job!

Excellent ideas, people! I'm saving copies of the lists into a file to go into my 'Details' folder (under my "MRR stuff').

Since my (fictional freelance/bridge line) 1950's RR is set in the Four Corners area of the Southwest (UT-CO-NM-AZ), my 'water feature' will be a dry creek bed with (possibly) a small trickle down it, plus some low (piling) trestles (built fairly sturdy so the flash floods don't wash them right away). 

Other things I will likely have:

• trackside details as mentioned (telephone/utility/telegraph poles, turnout switchstands, etc.)
• hints of a mesa or two in the background (I have several photos of wind/water eroded cliff edges to use for coloring and texturing details)
• various tumbleweeds, cacti, and ruts leading off to that prospector's shack up on the mountain
• a small flock of sheep with a shepherd (and where can I find some mongrel sheepdog figures? The ones I see in catalogs look to cityfied for my tastes)
• some well-rusted pickups and cars (with the cars maybe having 1 tire whitewalled and the others plain black)
• assorted junk piles a bit back from the roads/highways
• tires in ditches
• driftwood pieces at the edges of that dry creek bed
• some hawks, and maybe some vultures, if I can find a suitable HO scale figure
  

I also will need to learn how to make the clothing on figures look rather weathered and worn... Hey, I like Southwestern rural style!

Jim in Cape Girardeau

JimRCGMO wrote:

Excellent ideas, people! I'm saving copies of the lists into a file to go into my 'Details' folder (under my "MRR stuff'). Since my (fictional freelance/bridge line) 1950's RR is set in the Four Corners area of the Southwest (UT-CO-NM-AZ), my 'water feature' will be a dry creek bed with (possibly) a small trickle down it, plus some low (piling) trestles (built fairly sturdy so the flash floods don't wash them right away).  Other things I will likely have: trackside details as mentioned (telephone/utility/telegraph poles, turnout switchstands, etc.) hints of a mesa or two in the background (I have several photos of wind/water eroded cliff edges to use for coloring and texturing details) various tumbleweeds, cacti, and ruts leading off to that prospector's shack up on the mountain a small flock of sheep with a shepherd (and where can I find some mongrel sheepdog figures? The ones I see in catalogs look to cityfied for my tastes) some well-rusted pickups and cars (with the cars maybe having 1 tire whitewalled and the others plain black) assorted junk piles a bit back from the roads/highways tires in ditches driftwood pieces at the edges of that dry creek bed some hawks, and maybe some vultures, if I can find a suitable HO scale figure I also will need to learn how to make the clothing on figures look rather weathered and worn... Hey, I like Southwestern rural style! Jim in Cape Girardeau

Hey Jim,

That is the area I am interested in after the Midwest. After Steamboat Rock in Iowa I think Mexican Hat is the coolest placename in North America. I hope you post pictures sometime.

Don't forget to make a cliffdwelling or two.

Also, don't forget the native americans living in the area.

Maybe a couple of Mormons trying to convert someone?

greetings,

Marc Immeker

JimRCGMO wrote:

Excellent ideas, people! I'm saving copies of the lists into a file to go into my 'Details' folder (under my "MRR stuff'). Since my (fictional freelance/bridge line) 1950's RR is set in the Four Corners area of the Southwest (UT-CO-NM-AZ), my 'water feature' will be a dry creek bed with (possibly) a small trickle down it, plus some low (piling) trestles (built fairly sturdy so the flash floods don't wash them right away).  Other things I will likely have: trackside details as mentioned (telephone/utility/telegraph poles, turnout switchstands, etc.) hints of a mesa or two in the background (I have several photos of wind/water eroded cliff edges to use for coloring and texturing details) various tumbleweeds, cacti, and ruts leading off to that prospector's shack up on the mountain a small flock of sheep with a shepherd (and where can I find some mongrel sheepdog figures? The ones I see in catalogs look to cityfied for my tastes) some well-rusted pickups and cars (with the cars maybe having 1 tire whitewalled and the others plain black) assorted junk piles a bit back from the roads/highways tires in ditches driftwood pieces at the edges of that dry creek bed some hawks, and maybe some vultures, if I can find a suitable HO scale figure I also will need to learn how to make the clothing on figures look rather weathered and worn... Hey, I like Southwestern rural style! Jim in Cape Girardeau