Sunday photo fun 070225

[ChiefEagles]

Nope.  Been asleep in recliner.  Now getting caught up on all the posts.  Everyone is doing a great job on scenery.  Frank, I'll be Frank.  I have a spare guest bedroom.  Do you do scenery for hot dogs?  I make good hot dogs [red Brightleaf hot dogs, hot dog chilli, mutard, onions and slaw]. 

[FJ and G]

Thanks, guys, in answer to question, O scale (I also have G scale). These small homebuilt cars I'm doing will run on O scale 2 and 3 rail track. The 3-rail track is my next project I'm likely to get going this week.

 New refinements: used bandsaw to cut a slot for the coupler; in this case a chain device that I've seen photos of on the real deal. The chain and hook will of course need to be weathered. The strap iron bumpers will rust by themselves. Builders throw these out by the droves. I've seen railroad ties wrapped with these bands in the right of way and the steel bands last for years despite rust. It's rather hard to drill thru them. I was gonna epoxy them but once in place I couldn't easily pull them off so I left them in place. They are very difficult to bend. I used duckbill pliers and hammered the square U shape that you see. The track you see is just some indoor test track, not configured to 7/8n18 (ties way too small).



As you can probably tell, I'm having lots of fun jumping from project to project and rarely ever finishing any.

[Wes Whitmore]

That Big Boy (MTH?) has a very interesting whistle.  It's also weird to hear the two 8 wheel drive sections run independant of one another.  I would love to have one.

Wes

[Anonymous]

Everyone,
Great pics as usual!

As usual I'm behind the gun in getting pics taken of the new stuff... not having a layout to run the new stuff really is a downer!

Wes,
Benchwork looks awesome!  Where did you land the 2" foam and how much was it?

Brent

[Wes Whitmore]

I got the foam from Home Depot.  It's in the insulation isle.  It was 26.55 a sheet.  I used 2 sheets, but I have a 2x8 left over.

Thanks for the complements!

Wes

[Jumijo]

Great photos, everyone! Lots of talent here!

Jim 

[Wes Whitmore]

-Edit- Replaying to a previous post-

I got mine at Home Depot in the insulation isle for under $27 a sheet.  i know our lowes has it, and I think it's blue instead of pink.  Home Depot carries the Pink Panther Owens Corning brand.

It should work out well for you as many people use it.

Can't wait to see progress!  Also, I don't know from personal experience, but I would get rid of the plywood and any screws anchoring the foam to the frame.  Screws do a good job of transferring noise from the ply to the frame.  I used liquid nails to attach mine.

Wes

[Anonymous]

Can't wait to see progress!  Also, I don't know from personal experience, but I would get rid of the plywood and any screws anchoring the foam to the frame.  Screws do a good job of transferring noise from the ply to the frame.  I used liquid nails to attach mine.

Thanks!  I didn't even think about the noice transfer with the screws, I think I will definitely use the liquid nails. 

BTW, I've heard everyone talking about homasote on their layouts, and when I went in and asked the guy at Lowes well, he looked at me like I just sprouted a 3rd ear.

Oh, and my father has had his "in progress" display under plastic for a couple years due to the fact that his job has made him a stranger in his own house, but this weekend he took it out from under wraps and ran them around.  He's gonna send me the pics, and when I get them I'll be sure to post.

[Frank53]

Frank, I'll be Frank.  I have a spare guest bedroom.  Do you do scenery for hot dogs?  I make good hot dogs [red Brightleaf hot dogs, hot dog chilli, mutard, onions and slaw]. 

Frank:

Your frankness is, as usual, frank.

As for working for hot dogs, or as they are occassionally refered to -- franks -- I avoid them, as to be frank, I know how, and of what they are made.

Nonetheless, I will give some consideration to your offer if you can work up a suitable food substitute.

Did you get indoor plumbing yet?

Frank

[cnw1995]

Frank53, can you tell me a bit about the 'whistle stop' building near the track on your trolley shot showing the new cliffs - did you scratch build that or is something like that available commercially? I've been browsing for some small shelters for my trolley passengers.

[Frank53]

Frank53, can you tell me a bit about the 'whistle stop' building near the track on your trolley shot showing the new cliffs - did you scratch build that or is something like that available commercially? I've been browsing for some small shelters for my trolley passengers.

Here you go Doug. This is an Ameritowne kit. It's next to nothing to build and lots of opportunities for enhancing details. It's like 12 pieces including trim. You will however, need a small file to get a good fit, as each wall interlocks to the other. I really had to do a lot of filing because I wanted the light not to seep through the seams.

It's also inexpensive - $12.95 according to this link:

Flag Stop Station Kit

[cnw1995]

Thanks, Frank! How did you get the stone effect on yours? Is it painted?

[Anonymous]

Frank, I'll be Frank.  I have a spare guest bedroom.  Do you do scenery for hot dogs?  I make good hot dogs [red Brightleaf hot dogs, hot dog chilli, mutard, onions and slaw]. 

Frank:

Your frankness is, as usual, frank.

As for working for hot dogs, or as they are occassionally refered to -- franks -- I avoid them, as to be frank, I know how, and of what they are made.

Nonetheless, I will give some consideration to your offer if you can work up a suitable food substitute.

Did you get indoor plumbing yet?

Frank

WOW!  You travel too!  My menus are bit better than Chiefs...  And we have heat as well as indoor plumbing!

LOL!!!

[Anonymous]

Tom, good to have you back.  

John, I can see your photos now.  The Chief is going to love those John Deere tractors.

After three years of seeing people use all sorts of photo services, Shutterfly has always worked at CTT. 

Buckeye, looks like Ol' Bessie made the break again!  Better call the hands to get her rounded up 'fore the Chief arrives!

[Frank53]

Thanks, Frank! How did you get the stone effect on yours? Is it painted?

The Reader's Digest version:

I painted several very tight coats of Testors "Olive Drab" for the base color. The build up of many light coats gives a much better finish than a couple of heavy coats.

I then used drywall joint compound to get the mortar lines. JUst applying it with my finger and then wiping off the excess with a damp paper towel. Be sure to let the building set for at least a day after painting before doing joint lines.

The windows, doors and other trim are Floquil Roof Brown, and the roof is floquil primer.

I used an N Scale street light for the light by the door - which is just a bit big. I removed it from it's base (it just twists off), and then bent the malp portion to 90 degrees and drilled a small hole for mounting.

The windows are done with teh materials that come with the kit. I cut acetate to a size larger than the window and then cut a piece of the tissue paper they use to protect the acetate just a bit larger. I spray mounted the tissue to the acetate to give it more of a frosted look. I then applied it from teh inside using scotch magic tape - which gives the window more opacity.

I built up the platform using some softwood to show teh crossmembers beneath, which also gives a high base for running the lighting wires. I sparyed the entire base roof brwon.

 Once complete, I used black eye shadow applied with a foam brush that eye shadow comes with to darken areas and weather the roof lines.

Two final steps. When it is all put together, use a can of floquill grimey black - DO NOT USE TESTORS and from about three feet away, lightly shoot some mist into teh air. It will settle on the building adding some grimyness to it. Test the distance before you shoot. This is somewhat of a leap of faith, but trust me, it works great. Lastly, I went through the same misting process with floquil "instant weather" which is more of a creamy color. The combination of black with the instant weather over it give the building a nice old look.  

 

[Frank53]

Here's another one Doug. This is downtown deco. I really like their kits. They are well made and have excellent instructions for adding realism. It is much pricier though - $69.95:

[Jumijo]

I've long admired that whistle stop depot myself. I've thought about buying it for our layout's outer loop. But where to put it...

Jim 

[Frank53]

I've long admired that whistle stop depot myself. I've thought about buying it for our layout's outer loop. But where to put it...

Jim:

 If you are referring to the one of my layout, the footprint is tiny - 3" x 4.5".