How A*** Rentenive is this? (Pic of Finished Building added Page 2)

[SpaceMouse]

The interior walls are rather bare, but I'm going to add a few details once it's in place.

[Junctionfan]

I really wish I had your patience for that kind of detail; I really do. I rarely can exibit the patience to put together an Athearn kit never mind something that cool that you have done.

Well done.

[cefinkjr]

Mouse (and other equally screwy people like me):

I've got the perfect solution for all that detail being too far from the viewer to be appreciated: a security camera (just a little out of scale) with the monitor where everyone can admire your work.

If you want to spend just a little extra time and money on it, you could use the parts from some surgical instruments to build the security camera. That way you would need only a fiber optic bundle into your engine house and the security camera could be closer to scale.

[:D] [:D]

And remember: The whole world's crazy but me and thee and I'm not too sure about thee.

[:D] [:D]

Chuck

PS: Nice job (not that you really needed me to tell you that).

[Anonymous]

Regarding those stains on the floor, AIM Products has a Stain and Spill Kit. You can reproduce spills and stains of old crankcase oil, fresh oil, anti-freeze, and brake or hydraulic fluid.

[Anonymous]

Chip I'm glad to see you finally got those rails to stick to the base. Last time you and I looked at it we discussed you taking it home and trying to do something with it. It worked... I like the painting of the inside. Adds class to any structure. I guess you haven't looked closely enough at my structures on my layout to see the extra detail added to them. See you at club next week. B.

[johncolley]

Ya know, for a real chance at the AR award ya shoulda put in an overhead hoist an' a machineshop. Oh, well something on the to do list for the next rainy evening...

[JohnT14808]

Hey SpaceMouse...another suggestion on your wonderful work in the Engine House.
Since you say it is in a part of the layout that is hardly accessible, I think the earlier suggestion of half roofing the structure with a regular roof to show some roof detail, then add the lighting suggested, then hang a mirror above it and angle the mirror so that visitors looking in that general direction can see the interior of the engine house.
Then all your great work would be seen by those observant enough to notice.....

Keep up the excellent work!
(At our club we have spaces like this as well, and I was wondering what to put in them, if we could figure out how to get in there......I don't know if we will be as successful as you, but it's something to shoot for!!)

[Casey Feedwater]

Thanks for the compliment, Dale. I appreciate it.

You are correct: I am nuts!

But there are all sorts of things in our modeling that can stand a little detailing. For example, how about our rolling stock? Perhaps an old MOW car.....

[Anonymous]

I thought the engine house was a good thing... nothing wrong with a little detail. I put on a jewelers eyepiece and painted lightening bolts on the helmet of a 1/72 scale F-15 pilot and though that I (emphasis on the I) was nuts but Casey takes the cake!! That is absolutely the most phenominal detailing job ever! Kudos Casey.[:D]

[easyaces]

Nice Job Mouse! But what about large side windows to let in light? Will the whole thing be lit from inside at all? Adding interior scenes/details such as maintenance stands, signs, parts, maybe an overhead crane could really snazz it up and make the model really interesting to view.

[Casey Feedwater]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

How does it work with the details? Do you scratch build those as well? I could see where a barrel might be easier than say, a lathe.

Mostly I buy the detail parts or use the leftovers from kits. Sometimes I "kitbash" the detail castings to make new detail groupings. Sometimes I make my own, as with the packing crates in the photo below. By making my own crates, I can actually put other details in them, which adds more interest, rather than just having a piece of solid white metal or resin sitting there.

For these particular crates, I used scale 1" X 6" boards and 2" X 4" 's. For one of them I used black alcohol to stain the wood. For the other two I used black ammonia. All three crates were deliberately constructed to look rough and used. Later, I put some "rusty" gears and junk castings in them when they were placed with a structure.

[SpaceMouse]

How does it work with the details? Do you scratch build those as well? I could see where a barrel might be easier than say, a lathe.

[Casey Feedwater]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mikebonellisr

Sometime it's the trip and not the destination....I too,find myself super-detailing the rear of structures that I know will never be seen.I've included power meters,cats,dogs,garbage(even clay,ho scale rats)Well....I know it's there,ENJOY!

I absolutely agree with this, Mike. I love building highly detailed models and scenes. The fact that some or even many of the details may never be seen doesn't bother me. For me, it's the fun of planning the scene and actually pulling it all together. In other words, the journey and not the destination.

Here's an example: this little garage is on the backside of a large diorama I built a couple of years ago. Because of the scenery and larger structures in front, the garage is not easily seen. Yet I had a blast scratchbuilding it and then painting and adding the details.

[Anonymous]

I added stained wood floors, and cows, to the interiors of not 1, but 6, HO stock cars. But, I kept the roofs removable.

Alvie.

[Anonymous]

Is there anything more fulfilling than knowing every possible detail (many ethereal) left entirely to your imagination has been included on your Pike? As many of you have stated (paraphrased): "Regardless if no one else sees the detail; I know it is there!" Perhaps that uncompromising extra "stretch" makes the difference between fine modeling and "creating." Is there a "point of deminishing returns?" Probably to a pragmatist, there is such a "point." But, to others who hold indelible images of their past life's experiences in and around railroading; no such thoughts of moderation occur. For me, to see the trains "fit" into the environs, rather than the other way around; greater realism is brought to the trains themselves. In so many words this has already been said also. Still, it bears repeating because how many crafts reward the maker with such a culmination of skillful realism, robust imagination and nostalgic story telling? Man, are we lucky or what?

[Casey Feedwater]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Ted D. Kramer

Mike, I checked out your C.M. & S. link and now- -I have no socks! If it gets any better; I haven't seen it. I fear one careless sneeze could raise havoc, lol. From your quality photos, I take it that you are no stranger to the camera, right? Wonderful acheivment so far and it can only get better. Regards, Ted

Thanks, Ted, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.

Photography is one of my other hobbies, although I no longer shoot film or do darkroom work. I went strictly digital about 3 years ago.

QUOTE: Originally posted by underworld

Maybe you can find some scale kitty litter to help clean up the grease

Actually, underworld, I do use kitty litter... for dirt and ground cover. It looks pretty good... once it's been pulverized into dust.[:D]

[underworld]

Maybe you can find some scale kitty litter to help clean up the grease?????
[:p][:p][:p][:p][:p]

underworld

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

[Anonymous]

Mike, I checked out your C.M. & S. link and now- -I have no socks! If it gets any better; I haven't seen it. I fear one careless sneeze could raise havoc, lol. From your quality photos, I take it that you are no stranger to the camera, right? Wonderful acheivment so far and it can only get better. Regards, Ted

[dwRavenstar]

Back in the day there was a poster that depicted countless stick figures working on the various aspects of "Building A Rainbow".
It didn't matter how often you looked at it, what level of "attitude adjustment" you were functioning under or where your eyes floated off to, you would notice fresh stuff with each glance.
I'm prone to detail scenes with bits and pieces that are logically part of daily life as well as including situations that tell a story of what has already happened or is about to happen in the scene. Along with the many boxes of structure kits, rolling stock kits and scenery components that have filled my shelves awaiting the completion of track and benchwork I have stashed a UPS van, two brown uniformed delivery guys and a FedEx van (soon to be left up on blocks by the escaping UPS employees) for a future scene.
Life is cluttered and carries that "lived in" look. Since a properly scenicked layout is a model of life it's nearly a requirement to go a bit overboard with details. [}:)]
If it's a sickness, I for one will suffer gratefully.

When we take our own meds it's therapy. If we all swap cups, it's gonna be a party!!!!

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[mikebonellisr]

Sometime it's the trip and not the destination....I too,find myself super-detailing the rear of structures that I know will never be seen.I've included power meters,cats,dogs,garbage(even clay,ho scale rats)Well....I know it's there,ENJOY!

[Casey Feedwater]

Tom, the corrugated roofing is some original Builders in Scale "Ribbed-Seam Roofing" that I've had for several years. I cut the panels to the size I wanted and weathered them in etchant.

CC Crow now owns the Builders in Scale line and has the corrugated roofing/siding available in a variety of sizes. I haven't bought any from him yet, but I'd guess it's the same product as what BIS originally produced several years ago.

[tstage]

Mike,

What are you using for the corragated, tin roof? I like the patch work and the curled edges.

Tom

[Casey Feedwater]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage

Actually, wouldn't old, used, automobile oil just do the trick for creating stains in the engine houlse. (Saves having to reinvent the wheel.) Besides, it both looks AND smells like the real thing...[:)]

Tom

I suppose it might, if you're into "Smell-O-Rama Modeling." But for oil stains I like to use just a few drops of plain old India ink, as I did under the oil tank in the photos below. And sometimes I use just black chalk dust powdered and rubbed in. That also makes for some fairly nice stains.

[tstage]

Actually, wouldn't old, used, automobile oil just do the trick for creating stains in the engine houlse. (Saves having to reinvent the wheel.) Besides, it both looks AND smells like the real thing...[:)]

Tom

[bogp40]

And after adding all the tools and clutter, then you could do lighted and detailed pits

[tstage]

That is just WAY TOO COOL, Casey! I browsed your CM&S lin\k. You truly are indeed a sick man...

Tom

[Casey Feedwater]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse
[br
Thanks. You've helped me understand that a*** retentiveness is a spectrum and not a box.

Oh, it gets worse. Once the detailing bug bites, you find yourself doing things like adding bits of metal shavings under a lathe in the machine shop....

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Casey Feedwater

A few grease stains should just be the start of it, SpaceMouse. [:D] That enginehouse needs a little clutter also....[:p][:D]

Perhaps something like this?......

Thanks. You've helped me understand that a*** retentiveness is a spectrum and not a box.

[Fergmiester]

Your just starting! It will get worse but to worry as there is help available. Or so they tell me

Fergie