the MRH Forum

Logansport and Indiana Northern. Journals/Blogs
Reply
Prolific poster 1,061 posts TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

F0967(2).jpg 

dscf0232.jpg 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 7
dkaustin Prolific poster 1,515 posts
dkaustin

I like it!!!

Great photo.  Great details and clutter.

Den

n1910(1).jpg 

     Dennis Austin located in NW Louisiana


 
Reply 0
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

I'm not sure what I'm doing

I'm not sure what I'm doing though.  I don't see the comment I made.  And, how do I add more photos?  Do I use REPLY or click on something else.  Thanks!

What is "switch to plain text editor" and  "Imput Format?"  
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 1
dkaustin Prolific poster 1,515 posts
dkaustin

Text editor

When I post from my HTC phone I have to switch to plain text editor or my carriage returns will not be applied and all the text gets bunched up.

Do a "Post New comment" at the bottom of the post and look along the set of tools on the same line as Source.  Go over to the third set.  You see the icon that looks like a photo?  The one next to it looks like a film strip.  Click on the photo icon to the left of the film strip icon.

Den

n1910(1).jpg 

     Dennis Austin located in NW Louisiana


 
Reply 1
Tom Patterson Frequent poster 628 posts
Tom Patterson

What to do

It appears that your photo covered your comment. Type your comment and then hit enter to move the cursor down. You can then insert your photo without it covering up your text. I usually hit enter numerous times when I intend to insert pictures because it gives me a bigger "page" to work with. Probably not the most computer literate way to do it, but it works.

And I'd recognize those soda machines anywhere. Beautiful work, Tom.

Tom Patterson
Reply 1
arthurhouston Prolific poster 1,154 posts
arthurhouston

Signs Make the Scean

Outstanding, Please more pictures.  We have discussed signs in the past but this is a great example of how powerful they are. 
Reply 1
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

(No subject)

DSCF0229.JPG 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 1
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Looking down Olson road passing Jones' Grocery

F0232(1).JPG Here is Olson Road that passes by Jones' Grocery.  
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Posting text with photo.

By George I think I got it now. :o)
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 1
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Bruce Lake Station, Indiana

Here is the backside and side view of Bruce Lake Grocery and the front and side view of Thomas Hardware.  Farm Bureau Coop in is the background.  DSCF9703.jpg 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 3
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

County Road 650 South

Here is county road 650 South crossing the Logansport and Indiana Northern railroad and an old abandoned siding where a very old former PRR gon has a permanent home.  It's used to store RR related junk.  The trees are growing over the gon and the wheels and trucks are all rusted up to show it hasn't been moved in quite some time.  Tom JohnsonIMG_4263.jpg  

 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
dkaustin Prolific poster 1,515 posts
dkaustin

Okay I got to ask....

How did you do those road scenes disappearing into the backdrop?

Den

n1910(1).jpg 

     Dennis Austin located in NW Louisiana


 
Reply 0
slow.track Regular poster 275 posts
slow.track

I was just reading your posts

I was just reading your posts about your layout on railroad line forums a few days ago... I must say your work is truly spectacular. Glad to see you posing here.

-Travis

Prairie Scale Model Railroaders
Reply 1
IrishRover Prolific poster 1,660 posts
IrishRover

Amazed!!!

I am truly amazed by these pictures.  You've reminded me of how important signs are, and just awed this relative beginner with your structure work.  Thanks for sharing!
Reply 1
wp8thsub MRH Author 3,348 posts
wp8thsub

Great Scenes

Wonderful modeling as usual Tom.

Rob Spangler MRH Blog
Reply 1
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Roads to backdrops

Den. What I do is go out and take pictures of roads during the autumn season. I work on them in Photoshop and print them on good quality Epson Premium Photo Matte Paper. I cut them out along the top of the tree line. I also cut off a portion of the road along the bottom edge until I get the width I want. I simply glue it to my backdrop and allow it to dry. I build up my road to the backdrop using fine N scale Highball ballast. I soak the ballast with the usual glue and water mix and allow to dry for about 45 minutes. I then take a small block of basswood and tamp the road down until it's pretty smooth. It looks like the "pitch and seal" type of asphalt that is very common here in Indiana. I tamp down the edges with my finger to round them off. After a day or two of drying, I paint my roads with acrylics to match the color in the photo. I do extend the paint on the "modeled road" up a ways onto the road in the photo which is how I blend the two together so you can't see where they come together. I also paint along the cut edges of the trees with a small dot like pattern with my acrylics to hide the cut edge. I paint my own skies. I also paint my modeled scenery right in front of the photo backdrop to blend the two together. I also like using hedge rows, fences, and other techniques to create a middle ground to bring the modeled scenery and photo backdrops together. I hate seeing backdrops that are a totally different color from the modeled scenery. I hope this answers your question. Tom
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Here are a few more roads to backdrop

IMG_4157.JPG 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Road to backdrop

IMG_4368.JPG 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Road to backdrop

IMG_4367.JPG IMG_4366.JPG IMG_4365.JPG IMG_4362.JPG 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

This scene is only 6 inches deep.

_4368(1).JPG 
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 2
slow.track Regular poster 275 posts
slow.track

I'll be the first to say that

I'll be the first to say that I think you should write an article on this for MRH about your backdrop methods and one about your layout.

-Travis

Prairie Scale Model Railroaders
Reply 0
TomJohnson Prolific poster 1,061 posts
TomJohnson

Photos along the Logansport and Indiana Northern

I decided to edit my first post "photos along the Logansport and Indiana Northern." I sort of got away from the Jones' Grocery theme and expanded beyond that quite a bit. The Logansport and Indiana Northern is a part of the INDIANA NORTHERN RAIL CORPORATION or INRAIL. The other part is the M&IN or MARION AND INDIANA NORTHERN which is being modeled by my best friend Quintin Schini. Another part of the INRAIL system is the FULTON COUNTY RAILROAD. The L&IN era is mid October of the early to mid 80's. The Logansport and Indiana Northern operates a former PRR/PC/CR branch from Logansport to South Bend. It was known by many as the Vandalia Branch or South Bend Branch. I'm modeling the southern end from Logansport to Delong where we interchange with the Fulton County on former Erie Lackawanna rails. The railroad serves 4 grain elevators and other agricultural related industries. Tom Johnson
 Tom Johnson
  [CropImage2] 
 
Reply 1
Bernd MRH Author 5,501 posts
Bernd

Backdrops

Those backdrops with the roads going into them is a work of art. They are seam-less. Can't tell were the model stops and backdrop starts. I vote with the rest of the guys for you doing an article for MRH on that technique.

Bernd

New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds - NCSWIC
Reply 0
Tom Patterson Frequent poster 628 posts
Tom Patterson

Ford Truck

Tom,

Who makes the light blue Ford truck in front of Jones Grocery? You've done a beautiful job of weathering it- the faded blue paint looks outstanding and the weathering on the grill really adds depth.

Tom Patterson
Reply 0
Scarpia Prolific poster 2,152 posts
Scarpia

Leaves

I'm also very interested in the leaves on the ground and roof. How were those produced?
HO, early transition erahttp://www.garbo.org/MRRlocal time PST
On30, circa 1900  

 
Reply 0
Reply