I was visiting the Orlando Society of Model Railroaders http://osmr.webs.com/  last April, and saw a neat technique for hiding the programming track.  The folks there modeled a place where a turnout had been removed, and a roadbed with no tack, heading off the edge of the table.  But, one section of track hadn't been removed.  Rusty, overgrown, it looked completely natural--a bit of abandoned rail the salvagers hadn't taken up.  That is one of their programming tracks, hidden in plan sight.

I'm going to be needing a plastic roundhouse kit at some point, and need to know which ones are of a good quality--reasonably well made kits that look right.  I don't need to park Big Boys and such--the largest is likely to be a 4-6-2 or a 2-8-2.  One stall might be dual gauge, for a 2 foot gauge 2-6-6-2 Mallet or a Garratt.  I want a brick roundhouse for sure.  I'll be doing only 3-4 stalls, but may expand later.  The railroad is based in Maine.

I recently purchased a laser cut structure from Blair Lines. I have been told that I should seal the wood prior to assembly or painting it to prevent the wood from warping. I plan to airbrush this structure with either Floquil enamel or Poly S paint. Which of the two should I use? Also, what should I seal the wood with? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi guys,

I have had a go at coloring my rock cliff face with the Woodland Scenics pigments.My base color is slate grey.

I think it came out ok but for the very evident "white" between the rock castings.

I did not use Hydrocal as it is just too expensive for me . I used the Plaster of Paris rather as an alternative.I joined the castings with the same, unaware that I was going to have this unrealistic appearance .