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Home made scrap metal loads...

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Home made scrap metal loads...
Posted by Tracklayer on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 1:10 PM
A friend of mine bought a couple of MTL scrap metal gondolas recently, and paid about $25.00 for each one. I very much admired them, but couldn't see turning loose of that much cash just for a couple of cars. So, the first chance I got, I went out to my work shop/train room, and started looking through all of my bags and boxes of junk parts that I'd saved up over the years from broken trucks, broken wheels, tiny model car parts, broken street signs, etc, and super glued them to a piece of poster board that I cut to fit one of my MDC Roundhouse gondolas. I then spray painted the junk and board they were glued to silver, then mixed red and black paint together to create a rust colored paint and using a paint brush, added a rusty look to the junk leaving a bit of silver to show through here and there. I was very pleased with the results and it didn't cost me a dime because everything I used I already had on hand...

Just thought someone might be able to use the idea.

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    April 2003
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 1:15 PM
Tracklayer,

I'd love to see a pic of it, could you put one up for us all to see, an inventive use of spare parts... [tup]


Peace.
Coyote
  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by Tracklayer on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 1:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpacoyote

Tracklayer,

I'd love to see a pic of it, could you put one up for us all to see, an inventive use of spare parts... [tup]


Peace.
Coyote



Thank you grandpacoyote, but I have two things against me. My camera's on the blink, and I have as of yet to figure out how to post pictures on the forum...

Just to give you an idea of what kind of person I am. When Star Wars first came out back in 1977, I thought Darth Vader was the coolest bad guy in the galaxy, so I made the entire outfit using an old football helmet, poster board, black pray paint, etc, etc, etc, and after about a month, I was the only kid on the block with his own custom made Darth Vader costume-all of which was made from recycled items that most people throw away. I still have pictures of it around here somewhere.

Back in 1992, I built three large scale train engine models (3 feet long each) to show the progress of trains from 1870 to 1920 to modern times. I've since then donated them to my county museum.

I just like doing things like that. It's in my blood...

Tracklayer
  • Member since
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Posted by tatans on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:52 PM
I found ripping apart old(empty) BIC lighters a great source of parts for scrap or parts for mow or a gear, spring, nozzle, hose, part ,also take an old VCR or any old electronic discard and unscrew some amazing things to use on your layout, old alarm clocks are a great find too.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 6:58 PM
You're such a tease....
  • Member since
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  • From: Nebraska City, NE
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Posted by Marty Cozad on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:04 PM
Good topic.

another cheap way is going to a machine shop and asking for a small can or shavings.
Sorry for the old photo.


I siliconed it onto foam to keep the cars light and make it removeable




heres a bad shot of a bad weathering job on the caboose. the gon behind is better.

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Hot'lanta, Gawga
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Rotorranch on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpacoyote

Tracklayer,

I'd love to see a pic of it, could you put one up for us all to see, an inventive use of spare parts... [tup]


Peace.
Coyote



Thank you grandpacoyote, but I have two things against me. My camera's on the blink, and I have as of yet to figure out how to post pictures on the forum...


Tracklayer


Tracklayer...posting pics here is too easy! Do you have webspace with your ISP? If so, all you have to do is put your pics on your web space, then copy the url ( properties ) to the pic. Click the little button for "add images" just above the "color" menu here on the "add post" page, and insert the url between the bracketed img's. Bang Bang, you've posted a pic!

If you don't have web space, try some of the free pic hosting places. If you need more help, let me know!

Rotor

 Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...

  • Member since
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  • From: Nebraska City, NE
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Posted by Marty Cozad on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 7:25 PM
Also if you click on properites over some ones photo you can see how they done it and where its hosted.

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Posted by Tracklayer on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 8:34 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Rotorranch

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpacoyote

Tracklayer,

I'd love to see a pic of it, could you put one up for us all to see, an inventive use of spare parts... [tup]


Peace.
Coyote



Thank you grandpacoyote, but I have two things against me. My camera's on the blink, and I have as of yet to figure out how to post pictures on the forum...


Tracklayer


Tracklayer...posting pics here is too easy! Do you have webspace with your ISP? If so, all you have to do is put your pics on your web space, then copy the url ( properties ) to the pic. Click the little button for "add images" just above the "color" menu here on the "add post" page, and insert the url between the bracketed img's. Bang Bang, you've posted a pic!

If you don't have web space, try some of the free pic hosting places. If you need more help, let me know!

Rotor



Thanks Rotor and Marty, I'll give it a try as soon as I get my camera fixed - or buy a new one...

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    February 2005
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Posted by underworld on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:10 PM
My first attempt at a junk load was putting different bits in a gondola....but I wnted it to look like rain had accumulated. I didn't want to use water because I figured it would slosh around too much....so I used a liquid floor wax. It looked great! I never realized that the wax would harden all the way....but that made it more permanent!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 10:49 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by underworld

My first attempt at a junk load was putting different bits in a gondola....but I wnted it to look like rain had accumulated. I didn't want to use water because I figured it would slosh around too much....so I used a liquid floor wax. It looked great! I never realized that the wax would harden all the way....but that made it more permanent!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]


Mr Underworld

Do you have a picture you could post, I have been thinking of using floor wax for a wet surface look, but have yet to see how it looks.
  • Member since
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  • From: Southeast Texas
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Posted by Tracklayer on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 11:13 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by underworld

My first attempt at a junk load was putting different bits in a gondola....but I wnted it to look like rain had accumulated. I didn't want to use water because I figured it would slosh around too much....so I used a liquid floor wax. It looked great! I never realized that the wax would harden all the way....but that made it more permanent!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]


Mr Underworld

Do you have a picture you could post, I have been thinking of using floor wax for a wet surface look, but have yet to see how it looks.


You might also try using Mod Podge. Be sure to get the gloss finish if you do. It dries clear and fast. I use it for various things like water puddles, ice and things like that.

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 11:19 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by underworld

My first attempt at a junk load was putting different bits in a gondola....but I wnted it to look like rain had accumulated. I didn't want to use water because I figured it would slosh around too much....so I used a liquid floor wax. It looked great! I never realized that the wax would harden all the way....but that made it more permanent!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]


Mr Underworld

Do you have a picture you could post, I have been thinking of using floor wax for a wet surface look, but have yet to see how it looks.


You might also try using Mod Podge. Be sure to get the gloss finish if you do. It dries clear and fast. I use it for various things like water puddles, ice and things like that.

Tracklayer


I have some of that, seems a little thick, should it be thinned? If so with what? I remember working in some scrap yards and the gondolas always seemed to have puddles in them, stunk too but I think I will not get that detailed [:O]
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Posted by exPalaceDog on Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:47 AM
QUOTE:
another cheap way is going to a machine shop and asking for a small can or shavings.



A quick warning, steel filings and permanent magnet motors are NOT a good mix. If you use them, be sure to sercure them well.

Have fun
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  • From: CSXT/B&O Flora IL
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Posted by waltersrails on Thursday, September 15, 2005 11:30 AM
The weathering job looks great on the caboose. I as well make my own loads.
I like NS but CSX has the B&O.
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  • From: Mp 126 on the St. Louis District of NS's IL. Div.
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Posted by icmr on Thursday, September 15, 2005 12:16 PM
[#ditto][#ditto]



ICMR
Illinois Central Railroad. Operation Lifesaver. Look, Listen, Live. Proud owner and user of Digitrax DCC. Visit my forum at http://icmr.proboards100.com For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Dream. Plan. Build.Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin
  • Member since
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Posted by Tracklayer on Thursday, September 15, 2005 12:34 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by underworld

My first attempt at a junk load was putting different bits in a gondola....but I wnted it to look like rain had accumulated. I didn't want to use water because I figured it would slosh around too much....so I used a liquid floor wax. It looked great! I never realized that the wax would harden all the way....but that made it more permanent!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]


Mr Underworld

Do you have a picture you could post, I have been thinking of using floor wax for a wet surface look, but have yet to see how it looks.


You might also try using Mod Podge. Be sure to get the gloss finish if you do. It dries clear and fast. I use it for various things like water puddles, ice and things like that.

Tracklayer


I have some of that, seems a little thick, should it be thinned? If so with what? I remember working in some scrap yards and the gondolas always seemed to have puddles in them, stunk too but I think I will not get that detailed [:O]


You can mix a little water with it to thin it out, but if you get it too thin, it'll become runny.

Hope this helps.

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Posted by Tracklayer on Thursday, September 15, 2005 12:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

A friend of mine bought a couple of MTL scrap metal gondolas recently, and paid about $25.00 for each one. I very much admired them, but couldn't see turning loose of that much cash just for a couple of cars. So, the first chance I got, I went out to my work shop/train room, and started looking through all of my bags and boxes of junk parts that I'd saved up over the years from broken trucks, broken wheels, tiny model car parts, broken street signs, etc, and super glued them to a piece of poster board that I cut to fit one of my MDC Roundhouse gondolas. I then spray painted the junk and board they were glued to silver, then mixed red and black paint together to create a rust colored paint and using a paint brush, added a rusty look to the junk leaving a bit of silver to show through here and there. I was very pleased with the results and it didn't cost me a dime because everything I used I already had on hand...

Just thought someone might be able to use the idea.

Tracklayer


Another thing you can do is take little green pea size balls of aluminum foil, and using a small wooden block or something, ma***hem into brick looking cubes to replicate crushed automobiles. Then glue them to a piece of poster board with super glue that is cut to fit your gondola, and using a mixture of black and red paint, create a rust colored paint and apply it here and there to each block with a brush, but as with the scrap metal load, be sure to allow the natural aluminum color to still be seen here and there.
You can also spray paint drinking straws silver, cut them into sections, glue them to a piece of poster board and give them the rust paint job as well. There are all kinds of things that you can do this with to create inexpensive junk or scrap metal car loads...

"Have fun"

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Nebraska City, NE
  • 1,223 posts
Posted by Marty Cozad on Thursday, September 15, 2005 5:40 PM
Again its what you have access to. As Dogplace said, besure to glue or silicone it all down.
heres a better photo


I left this load out in the rain to get it to rust naturally but it would not because of the cutting oil they use, so I aided it along.
There are many types of scrap loads.

Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?

Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 1,821 posts
Posted by underworld on Sunday, September 18, 2005 10:59 PM
dthurman I'll have to find that gondola. Most of my HO stuff is in boxes right now. I just moved in not too long ago. When I find it I will post something for you.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
currently on Tour with Sleeper Cell myspace.com/sleepercellrock Sleeper Cell is @ Checkers in Bowling Green Ohio 12/31/2009 come on out to the party!!! we will be shooting more video for MTVs The Making of a Metal Band

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