Modeling topic
X2011: Day 3, a busy Wednesday at the NMRA Sacramento Convention
Wednesday at X2011 was a busy day for me - before I really thought about it, I scheduled myself for a bus tour called "The Rocklin Rocket" - six local layouts in six hours, from 1pm to 7pm. The problem with that is that it meant I couldn't go on the Layout Design SIG tour. However, I think the rest of the MRH crew did, so hopefully you'll see the photos from those layouts in their posts. I also discovered when I got here that I'd "won" the lottery to attend a workshop on airbrushing by Scotty Mason - which started at 7pm.
Layout backlighting
Hello, all,
This is my first post although I've read the blogs and magazine for a couple of years and have learned a ton. Hope I do this right!
There has been a fair bit of discussion around backlighting and I wanted to post what I have on my simple layout in case it helps anyone else.
I chose to use the RGB flexible led strip lighting as it is reasonably bright but more importantly I can control the color of the light to simulate sunrise, noon, sunset, twilight, etc. Here is the remote.
Progress Photos
Finally got the hidden storage track under the small village at the backdrop started and in place. Access holes were cut and track laid and tested for clearances etc.
X2011: The first couple of days
I had a nice little blog post ready to roll out last night.... and I hit the wrong key and blew it away. Serves me right for not following my own instructions in doing long posts in Notepad or some other text editor and then doing the cut n paste thing....
This morning I rewrote it... about 3 times as long as it was. This is going to take several follow-on comments. Now, for the blog entry:
Company Houses
I recently completed several company houses and thought I would post a few pics. The structures are scratch-built using Evergreen sheet and strip styrene, Grandt Line windows and doors and Central Valley steps. The design is based upon a drawing that was in the C&O Historical Society magazine many years ago and observations I've made of company homes in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Alcove Expansion - Back Left Corner Scenery
While the artist I hired to paint the backdrop is doing her thing I wanted to continue to make progress so I decided to work on the scenery in the back left corner that is between the wall and the upper track. I already had envisioned what I wanted the area to look like including a deep rock cut, some lush mountain area, a road, and a couple of homes.
Blue Goose - What Santa Fe rolling stock?
I like the look of those stainless steel Santa Fe coaches, but what's correct for the period?
Painting a Styrene Bridge
Working on the construction of a scratch built (styrene) dual track through truss bridge. Due to its length (52") I have incorporated the use of an aluminum box beam into the design. The alum box is the stuff you get at H-Depot for making house door screen frames, about 1/4" x 3/4", and white (I believe its powder coated).
i have no experience w/ the alum stuff, as far as painting. What are your thoughts on type of paint (acrylic vs. enamel), should I primer? I plan on painting after full construction. Your thoughts will be helpful
Allan
Multi-functional Foam
The 2” extruded foam in my benchwork has a much larger role than just a “supporting actor” (i.e., supporting the roadbed and scenery). It is an integrated part of the light weight benchwork for my upper level. I have been using foam benchwork for a number of years and have learned a few tricks along the way. Some of the tricks may be unnecessary but as I’ve always said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess.”
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