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Backdrops for your Layouts,how to....

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  • Member since
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:51 AM

secondhandmodeler

 Keep in mind that this is all G scale construction, not HO or N.

It is?

If so, is everthing in G scale scratch built "stick by stick", to steal a general construction term?

Rich

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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:48 AM

richhotrain

 JohnReid:


The sill is made with a square piece of wood to which glue was applied and then rolled in sand.The header was made in the fashion of the day.It is nice to work a bit of design and color into a wall this large.Check your references for ideas.

 

Can we step back here for a moment?

Are you telling us that you built this structure, stone by stone, brick by brick, and the window frames by constructing individual components like sill, sash, jamb, grilles and panes?  What about the porch?

We need to know more about what is going on here.

Rich

Keep in mind that this is all G scale construction, not HO or N.

Corey
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:35 AM

JohnReid


The sill is made with a square piece of wood to which glue was applied and then rolled in sand.The header was made in the fashion of the day.It is nice to work a bit of design and color into a wall this large.Check your references for ideas.

Can we step back here for a moment?

Are you telling us that you built this structure, stone by stone, brick by brick, and the window frames by constructing individual components like sill, sash, jamb, grilles and panes?  What about the porch?

We need to know more about what is going on here.

Rich

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, November 27, 2011 7:19 AM


The sill is made with a square piece of wood to which glue was applied and then rolled in sand.The header was made in the fashion of the day.It is nice to work a bit of design and color into a wall this large.Check your references for ideas.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Monday, November 21, 2011 7:04 AM



A good modeling bud of mine has done a great picture tutorial on window making.See my albums "KH pics".
Unfortunately I haven't had time to put the text and the proper pic to go with it in order however the pics themselves are pretty much self-explanitory.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by JohnReid on Monday, November 21, 2011 5:25 AM

Thank you Corey ! glad you like my stuff.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by Geep Fan on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:06 PM

Checked out your photos John on the photo bucket. Some very nice modelling here!

Corey

Railroading In Council Bluffs

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Visit my caricature carving website:

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 4:07 PM

mobilman44

BTW, a Chicago trivia question of many years ago was:  "what are the three Chicago main streets that are laid on an angle?"  

 

Hmmm, are we talking about Archer, Milwaukee and Ogden?

OK, let's drop back to back drops.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 4:01 PM

sfcouple

 

mobilman, can't answer your question but a few years ago my nephew, brother and I visited that great city and rode what I guess is called the "El."  Anyway, we were just amazed at how close it got to buildings/apartments.  If the windows could have been rolled down we could have carried on conversations with some people.  

I know my response is a little off topic, but we had a ball in Chicago---a wonderful city with a rich history.  There is also a fantastic HO Scale Model Railroad in their Science and Technology Museum that was fascinating to watch.  

Wayne 

Wayne,

Check out the Chicago layout thread elsewhere on this forum.

Rich

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Posted by sfcouple on Sunday, November 20, 2011 2:25 PM

mobilman44

Richotrain,

   That is soooo cool!    Being from Chicago I recognize the "Lee" sign, as it is a well known and obvious landmark.  You really did it justice. 

So, that is obviously Dearborn station, and its a really good likeness and very impressive.  You did good! 

You know what really hits me?   Its the fact that you show the gaps between the buildings!   Chicago laid out a nice gridwork of north/south and east/west streets, and your layout/backdrop really shows that.

BTW, a Chicago trivia question of many years ago was:  "what are the three Chicago main streets that are laid on an angle?"  

mobilman, can't answer your question but a few years ago my nephew, brother and I visited that great city and rode what I guess is called the "El."  Anyway, we were just amazed at how close it got to buildings/apartments.  If the windows could have been rolled down we could have carried on conversations with some people.  

I know my response is a little off topic, but we had a ball in Chicago---a wonderful city with a rich history.  There is also a fantastic HO Scale Model Railroad in their Science and Technology Museum that was fascinating to watch.  

Wayne 

Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.

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Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, November 20, 2011 11:47 AM

Richotrain,

   That is soooo cool!    Being from Chicago I recognize the "Lee" sign, as it is a well known and obvious landmark.  You really did it justice. 

So, that is obviously Dearborn station, and its a really good likeness and very impressive.  You did good! 

You know what really hits me?   Its the fact that you show the gaps between the buildings!   Chicago laid out a nice gridwork of north/south and east/west streets, and your layout/backdrop really shows that.

BTW, a Chicago trivia question of many years ago was:  "what are the three Chicago main streets that are laid on an angle?"  

 

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

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

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 10:46 AM

blownout cylinder

 I am  incorporating those ABS things as PART of my backdrop.

An example of one of my backdrops using a variety of materials.

Alton Junction

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, November 20, 2011 8:42 AM

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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    August 2010
  • From: Montreal Canada
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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, November 20, 2011 8:39 AM

These are old style hand made bricks that were made in molds but were not always the exact same size or shape.The gray blocks are limestone.
This is an early piece of work when I had lots yet to learn about bricks walls.I am happy with the amount of relief given by this thickness of watercolor paper.The color of the mortar between the bricks is another story.I would now suggest that you paint the foamboard nimbus gray before laying any bricks at all.The limestone blocks were done this way.
I incorrectly thought that I might save some time by putting on the first coat of paint after gluing on the bricks to the foamboard.Actually there is no simple way to do it .Each brick must be painted by hand one by one.Do not use an airbrush for this operation.The surface and all four edges must be covered and be super careful not to get any glue on the paper as it will stick out like a sore thumb.
I use a soft round brush for this and a paint called JoSonja gouache acrylic that dries absolutely flat ( no shine) .It is called gold oxide.This first coat of paint will become the lightest shade on your finished wall,unless of course you choose to darken it later.When applying your paint strive for even coats otherwise you will end up with blotches.Water color paper is not very forgiving of mistakes in this regard.
Try to think of each wall as you would a painting and make it interesting for the viewers eye and that means do not try to be too perfect.Vary the mortar thickness as well as the point where the edges of the  bricks meet. etc....
Every wall has a history,so try to build some of that into your wall.They all weather differently,are modified over time ,as well as used for advertising.For dioramas they can be essential for helping tell your story.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

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Posted by ChadLRyan on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:55 AM

What if the house looses the furnace? or the project is placed in a non-conditioned environment space?   I would consider a rubber based cement, like Barge, Goop etc.  It should be more tolerant to temperature changes.   Just a thought & another viewpoint... 

Chad L Ryan
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:49 AM

blownout cylinder

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/doh.gif  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

OK...now I am looking for a glue idea for ABS half cylinders and foamcore backdrops...what would work?  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

Ahh, OK, I see what you are asking now.

How about hot glue because plastic glues are going to melt the foam core board.

Rich

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:46 AM

blownout cylinder

 richhotrain:

 

 blownout cylinder:

 

ABS=plastic pipe...http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#definition

I took a small section of pipe and cut it into 2 sections...along the long axis of the pipe..hence 1/2 pipe

 

 

BC,

I'm confused.  What does that have to do with OP's photo?

Rich

 

I am  incorporating those ABS things as PART of my backdrop. That is why I am posting here..maybe you have an idea? Not to mention..who asked what ABS was?  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_hihi.gif

Cool, how about some photos of your backdrop in progress.

Rich

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Posted by blownout cylinder on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:40 AM

richhotrain

 

 blownout cylinder:

 

ABS=plastic pipe...http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#definition

I took a small section of pipe and cut it into 2 sections...along the long axis of the pipe..hence 1/2 pipe

 

 

BC,

I'm confused.  What does that have to do with OP's photo?

Rich

I am  incorporating those ABS things as PART of my backdrop. That is why I am posting here..maybe you have an idea? Not to mention..who asked what ABS was?  

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:19 AM

blownout cylinder

ABS=plastic pipe...http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#definition

I took a small section of pipe and cut it into 2 sections...along the long axis of the pipe..hence 1/2 pipe

BC,

I'm confused.  What does that have to do with OP's photo?

Rich

Alton Junction

Moderator
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:17 AM

ABS=plastic pipe...http://www.ppfahome.org/abs/absgeneral.html#definition

I took a small section of pipe and cut it into 2 sections...along the long axis of the pipe..hence 1/2 pipe

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:16 AM

mobilman44

IMHO, I think a dirty white wash on the bricks would bring out the mortar lines.   Also, that center stone is just a wee bit out of alignment.

Nitpicker !

Alton Junction

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:12 AM

blownout cylinder

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/doh.gif  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

OK...now I am looking for a glue idea for ABS half cylinders and foamcore backdrops...what would work?  http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

What are ABS half cylinders?

Alton Junction

Moderator
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Posted by blownout cylinder on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:08 AM

  

OK...now I am looking for a glue idea for ABS half cylinders and foamcore backdrops...what would work?  

Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry

I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...

http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/

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Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:06 AM

Looks like someone is up against a brick wall!   IMHO, I think a dirty white wash on the bricks would bring out the mortar lines.   Also, that center stone is just a wee bit out of alignment.   Otherwise, that's a good looking wall !

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

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

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Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, November 20, 2011 7:01 AM

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Montreal Canada
  • 1,048 posts
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, November 18, 2011 8:17 AM

 

Windows 1 : Window framing from outside.In this case the frame edge is level with the face of the foamboard.

Bricks 1 : Horizontal,level lines are now added on to the foamboard as a guide for keeping our bricks straight.

Bricks 2 : Watercolor paper can be picked up at any art store.Get a good quality paper,thick enough to give your bricks some relief.

Bricks 3 :A very handy tool for cutting out bricks.You could use a steel ruler and blade but this is so much quicker.

Once Upon a time.........

My photobucket:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

I am a man of few words but lots of pics

 

I quit drinking beer because the download was taking longer than the upload !

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,184 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:41 PM

tomkat-13

Here is a link to some background flats that I made, feel free to to copy these buildings for your own layout. 

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/190349.aspx

tomkat, this is great stuff.

How about some urban skyscrapers, some downtown buildings from the 1950's?

Rich

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Posted by ChadLRyan on Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:37 PM

tomkat-13

Here is a link to some background flats that I made, feel free to to copy these buildings for your own layout. 

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/190349.aspx

WOW, I was away that week & what a miss!!!!  I totally 'second the motion' of MobileMan44!

Those are incredible, tremendous artwork, & should be in stores near us!!!    Thank you TomKat!!!!

Chad L Ryan
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Posted by mobilman44 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:32 PM

Tomcat,

   I missed these the first time around - and I'm glad you posted them again.   These are really nice, and many are just perfect for my late '40s - '50s era.

Nice Job !!!!

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

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

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Posted by tomkat-13 on Thursday, November 17, 2011 4:36 PM

Here is a link to some background flats that I made, feel free to to copy these buildings for your own layout. 

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/190349.aspx

I model MKT & CB&Q in Missouri. A MUST SEE LINK: Great photographs from glassplate negatives of St Louis 1914-1917!!!! http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/kempland/glassplate.htm Boeing Employee RR Club-St Louis http://www.berrc-stl.com/

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