Scenery and structures
Brick mortar washes won't stay in the mortar lines
I have been experimenting with black washes, both ink/alcohol and thinned paint. I have created solutions based upon articles and recipes in books and on MRH. I have also tried a commercial weathering mix. I am currently working with plastic kit pieces that are brick walls, painted with PolyScale Earth, which is a flat tan colour.
Hiding liftout hinges?
Hi All, I started framing up a lift out access section for my CCT layout today. Due to aisle configuration I want the section to lift up 90 degrees on hinges ( it will be latched to a free standing backdrop when in the up position). The hinges need to be raised up above the benchtop so the pivot point is above the rail top. So now I'm looking for ways to hide or camouflage the hinges. Anyone have any examples of how they have done this,(or seen it done somewhere?) ......DaveB
Fence lines
Many railroads were required to fence their right-of-way. Here is my simple method.
Posts are split from bamboo skewers and then dyed. Corner post and un-split.
A gauge is made to space the post from the rails and between posts, see photos.
Use an awl to poke a hole in the scenery to start the post, then use a stepped block to push the post down to the desired height.
I find it is not necessary to model the actual wires. Placement of animals and different vegetation will give the impression that the wires are there.
Bakery Silo's
I'm looking to add several silo's to a bakery I'm currently building. I plan on installing caged ladders and a catwalk across the tops.
I'm looking for recommendations on how to cut styrene in a perfect circle to act as a top to the silos?
Will i also be able to use .001 styrene to wrap the tubes? Does anyone have any suggestions on wrapping the tubes themselves for a metal tank look?
I have attached two photos of the cardboard tubes I'll be using.
Thanks for the help,
Henry
ID building
I have attached a picture of an "N" scale building that I would like to know if anyone knows the brand of it?
Nothing stamped in the building like most of the buildings I have.
Thanks,
Barry
Making better stencile
I have been struggling with getting clean lettering when I use stencils on crossbucks on my roads. I found a hint on line that really works. When you affix the stencil on the road (i use vinyl cut by a cricut) put a coating of Mod Podge Matte over it and the lines will be sharp and clear.
Coffee grounds used for ground cover
What if anything do you have to do to use coffee grounds or tea leaves as ground cover on a layout? I know you have to dry it out, but how and is there any mold or any other issues that come with using an organic material?
What would you do - Sell As Is, Make Missing Pcs with 3D Printer, or Modify Bldg for resale
I am still working on the very large collection I acquired in August. I had hoped the missing pieces to a Heljan/Con-Cor Roundhouse would have been found by now, but I went through the last few boxes, and alas, no such luck. So I have a decision to make.
Some small progress - Ballasting the swing gate joint areas
A little progress is better than none - correct? Yesterday I noticed the un-ballasted areas at the swing gate joints and decided to finish them. Here's the way one of the areas looked before I started.
I used wadded up paper towels to fill the voids by the tracks.
Suggestions for building roadside guard rails in HO?
I'm nearing the finish line on Iowa Interstate's High Bridge , but struggling with how to accurately model guard rails such as those seen in the photo below of a 1998 Amtrak train (being run to study the feasibility of an IAIS route).
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