A&O Railroad Forum
A&O Railroad => A&O Projects => Topic started by: RickBacon on August 01, 2020, 11:51:24 AM
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I have finished another structure for the Mt Union lumber yard scene. Originally I built an open shed structure to fit between the gas station and the oil dealer shed. Somewhere my measurements went astray and the open shed’s footprint didn’t match what I built! I guess I could build a new one? Or, I could re-think the scene composition and deal with another issue that seems visually off; the oil shed. After a bunch of months looking at pictures of the scene, and several other individual’s feedback, it seems obvious the oil shed is too big for the scene. It looks out of scale compared to the other structures around it. As of now, both the oil shed and the open shed have migrated south to the cement dealer structure. Maybe they will work there. If not, there is a couple thousand square feet of layout that might need a scratch built structure!
(https://i.postimg.cc/5YS93MQJ/82-F94-E3-E-EB7-E-4-AAE-969-E-C02-EFFA43432.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YS93MQJ)
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The new “replacement” structure is a loading dock. It is styrene in construction, with a mix of scratch built and cast details.
(https://i.postimg.cc/34cSzkvF/E6161730-3-E7-C-4-BBD-AE9-D-C3-FF26193-B41.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/34cSzkvF)
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And the next one is... a traditional lumber shed. Here the is the first of two, in raw styrene. This is pretty much ready for primer and the start of paint & finish.
(https://i.postimg.cc/560t3Ncg/11-A6-D2-B0-A911-4-D52-847-B-B7-DB93-A54-C49.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/560t3Ncg)
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Looking good Rick. Does the loading dock have a “parent” building that will go with it or just be off layout?
And MAN! Your picture!!? Got done with Uncle Sam and instantly thought...I need to look cool like Craig ? ;D ;D
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Who is Craig? Never heard of him!
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No really...Craig, I always said, the day I finished with the Army, “I’m growing hair!”
The loading dock with it’s ramp stands alone in the lumber yard. There is a chain link fence around it on 3 sides that separates the yard from the gas station and oil dealer. I feel the dock, from a visual standpoint, makes the scene “step up” front to back and won’t block the scene behind it. Each layer gets higher all the way to the backdrop.
The first lumber shed has been primed and all of the basic colors are applied. A little drying time and a coat of Dullcoat, and I will start to blend and weather it. I’m using simple craft paints for the basic colors.
(https://i.postimg.cc/14HwrkcB/39-C6-B77-D-CE8-D-44-E8-A445-834-A7-B81-ED5-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/14HwrkcB)
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A quick work session at the mothership yesterday...got distracted!
The A&D turn does a little street running in Mount Union.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FdR5kY9n/151-E2062-B2-EA-4224-BB9-E-998-ABD348-D71.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FdR5kY9n)
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Wow! Its been a while since I have posted, but I have been working.
A very recent project in the details category is some resin castings. I picked these up from Rick Hamlet over at rustyrail.com a few years ago and I'm finally getting around to doing something with them! These three castings are each a single piece. All I did was paint them. I start off cleaning the castings with some warm water and dish soap. Next is a coat of flat black spray paint. Cheap craft acrylic paints are my preference for coloring. I use a mostly dry brush technique to add color over the black base. This forms great shadows. I use a wash of Rust-All to add that old rusted look. For lighter colors, I blend the shadows a little with a wash of black gouache thinned with Windex. After everything has dried, I seal the colors with a coat of Dullcoat, followed by a very light dry brushing using an off white color to really bring out the contrast in the detail's textures. The base scenery is part of the casting. I added fine sifted dirt glued down with diluted matte medium as well as a few tufts of grass.
These castings will be blended into the layout as detail "fillers" between various scenes in Mount Union.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JsBj4Xr2/Rusty-Rail-castings-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JsBj4Xr2)
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Another detail I have been working on is retaining walls. The split in track elevations between the A&O mainline along the back and the street running up front requires a significant length of retaining wall. I want to break up the wall by using several different types of walls and textures. One wall type I really want is cut and fitted stone. I have tried several different methods to achieve this but haven’t been happy with anything yet…! My newest attempt is inspired by a comment in a Model Railroader layout article as well as a technique shown to me by modeler Michale Duncan. Michale lives in Estes Park and is building an Sn2 tram railway with excellently crafted scratch-built structures. He has a blog at; https://www.grtsn2.com/ that is worth exploring.
The MR comment mentioned using Lego blocks as a base for stone walls. I didn’t quite understand the method and the accompanying photo didn’t help much. After talking with Michale at the spring 2020 train show in Denver, I decided to try a technique that Michale uses to simulate rough cut stone. The secret is modeling paste in a gel medium. I used a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby to pick up a tub of this paste. It is found in the fine art paint aisle next to the tubes of oil and acrylic paints. I went with the Liquitex brand, retails for $16 for an 8 oz tub. The label reads; “matte, opaque preparation of marble dust and polymer emulsion…used to build heavy textures and three-dimensional forms on rigids supports.” Sounds like a lot of fancy words that mean “make stones out of Legos.” Or at least that’s how I hear it!
Here is what I tried. I dug through my kids Lego collection and gathered all the 2x2 block pieces. I roughed up one side of all the pieces using a nail file. I also gathered a selection of single row flat “plate” pieces to use as a cap for the blocks. This will cover the familiar Lego studs on the top layer of blocks. Next, I used a small trowel to apply the modeling paste to one face of each block. This is pretty much like putting icing on a cake. This actually went pretty fast, I knocked out 40 blocks in only a few minutes! After the paste has dried (a couple days) I used the nail file to clean up all the edges of the block face. To form a wall, simply play Lego with the blocks! I staggered the joints and glued each block using liquid cement for styrene with the paste textured side facing out.
I spray painted the assembled wall with a suitable stone color. To accent the stone texture, I applied dark wash of black and brown gouache thinned with Windex. A dry brushing using a lite cream color completed the shadow and light contrast.
If you don’t have children to steal Legos from, they can be purchased online by the individual brick. If you find a Lego Store nearby, they sell bricks in bulk by weight. The color of the brick isn’t important. There are also off brand bricks that could be used and I have noticed some at the local dollar store.
Once I get my completed wall on the layout and see how it looks in context with the whole scene, I’m might seriously reconsider the stone wall structure for the passenger platform that I have previously started.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZCWdVNd5/LEGO-stonewall-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZCWdVNd5)
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As always, super modeling. Your weathering is a work of art, and goes with the new beard.
David
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The twin lumber sheds for are now finished and ready to head to the layout! I printed the roof signs with my HP printer on tissue paper. I attached them to the roof with watered down wood glue, and pressed the tissue into the roof shingles with a small sponge. The office interior is all printed “photo texture”. I scratch built the Dutch door with some styrene scraps. I like how it limits the view into the office. My son Levi, contributed the blue tarp covered pile. He has been experimenting making tarp covered details for his 1/35 military models. He’s getting pretty good at it, and his little tarped loads are starting to show up all over the basement!
As of now, the only pieces of the lumber yard remaining to be completed are the saw/cut table and a board fence that goes along the top of the stone wall. The saw/cut table is built and painted but needs weathered.
(https://i.postimg.cc/23QyMHpj/Greenwood-LY-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23QyMHpj)
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Rick! I love it man!!!
And you just figured out a way for us adults to keep playin with Legos!!!
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Here is the finished radial saw and cut table. I scratch built this based on an old saw advertisement I found on line. This is the final “structure” for the lumber yard scene. Time to start some scenery!
(https://i.postimg.cc/4mP5bS9H/72-E93946-E6-E6-4-AB7-9-D84-FE99-F1-C58-EDF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4mP5bS9H)
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Beautiful work Rick. I’m assuming this was stretch built with styrene?
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You know me; I haven’t met a piece of styrene I didn’t like! Here is an “in the raw” shot.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z0XwwsHf/FC001-A40-0538-4-CDB-8512-4-E40-CB015-B0-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z0XwwsHf)
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Amazing work, Rick! You're making me look like a slacker... which I am.
Bob
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It’s a new year, and only 6 months to go until the O Scale National convention…hopefully! I found a couple model kits of true 1/48 scale vehicles that I want to use at the fuel dealer in Mount Union. Both kits date back to the 1960s from Revell Models. Revel actually had 4 basic kits that where released and re-released multiple times up through about 1996. The earliest was a 1955 Kenworth semi-tractor with a moving van box trailer. Rumor has it that the molds for the box trailer were damaged which now makes it a pretty rare kit. Revell used the truck and part of the trailer in a “new” release for a missile transport truck. The second kit was a late 40s early 50s White cabover semi tractor with a fuel tanker trailer. This kit has also been re-issued several times. The other two kits are a late-60s Chevy stake bed truck and a mid-50s Ford pickup, both released multiple times. An interesting twist; a new model company called Atlantis Models, has purchased several of Revell’s old tooling sets and have re-released both the fuel truck/trailer and the Chevy stake bed. These are old school plastic kits with several sprues of parts molded in a single color to include the wheels and no glass! Let the fun begin, building models!
For the Mount Union scene, I have chosen to use the fuel tanker trailer hooked to the Kenworth tractor. Both kits are pretty straight forward, but I did modify the tractor a little. I feel the tractor’s wheel base is a little too long, resulting in an awkward space between the cab and the trailer. I cut an inch (4 scale feet) out of the middle of the frame and joined it back together. I had to move the fuel tank mounts and shorten the drive shaft. I added a platform and a spare tire behind the cab and a small step to reach them. The toughest part was shaping the clear plastic for the windshield glass. In order to tie the rig into the fuel dealer, I designed and printed some custom decals to match the dealership. Painting was pretty straight forward, and I got to use my new paint booth! Weathering is layers of; Dullcoat, back gauche wash, and dry brushed high lights. Now Valley Petroleum Supply is ready to haul as much fuel as the railroad can spot!
(https://i.postimg.cc/jWfvMZ0j/fuel-truck-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWfvMZ0j)
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Great as always. Still have all those cars body shells we found in St Louis a thousand years ago?
I really need to start actually doing some modeling instead of just buying. ;D
Jay
Oh, yeah... Bob you ain't a 100th of the slacker I am...
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Another supporting detail... Left over from my fuel truck built was the parts to make a flatbed trailer. The original 1960s Revell kit came with a mid-50s vintage Freuhauf box trailer. It seems that the tooling for the kit was damaged and only the first release had the box trailer. In the later releases, the trailer is a flatbed using the frame and chassis from the original kit. Unfortunately, the resulting model doesn’t look very realistic as a flatbed. I did a little web surfing for 1950s Freuhauf box trailers and decided I could combine the remaining kit parts with some scratch building to make a decent trailer. Of course I had to imagineer the basic dimensions from a couple 70 year old photos and a lot of “what looks right”!
I used my reliable favorite; styrene! Go figure! Evergreen metal siding laid on edge looks pretty good for the stainless steel ribbed construction of the prototype. The real challenge was shaping the nose of the trailer. The curve is against the ribs! I had to make a wood and brass “buck” to wrap the styrene sheet around and dip the whole thing in boiling water to make the form take. It took several attempts to come up with the final solution.
The rear door details, lights, and nose details are just various bits of styrene in the right shape and location. All of the markings are photo details printed on photo paper to simulate metal signs attached to the ribbed sides. I made my own art work except for the Freuhauf logo and license plate which are pictures found on the internet.
(https://i.postimg.cc/G94M1wBy/BDDF4019-7-B07-4-F82-8-AAC-E91197-D4-A562.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G94M1wBy)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Mn9RTHNK/05-BFADE5-2-C92-4-E0-E-9-CE6-C49993-F166-C2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mn9RTHNK)
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Here are some in progress pictures...
(https://i.postimg.cc/9wqHnLww/56868-B33-E1-DC-4544-920-D-C680-D0-F8-EFA8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wqHnLww)
(https://i.postimg.cc/w3SpmYnX/CF739-DE6-42-ED-43-ED-A015-A3-B919-DCCBF2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3SpmYnX)
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Great looking work as always! I particularly like the fixture you made to curve the styrene trailer end. Did you apply heat or just let the styrene relax for a while?
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Thanks Bob!
Heat is the key, or more accurately, even heat is the key. I first dipped the styrene piece in boiling water for several seconds to soften it. Than I quickly “wrapped it over the form and applied the rubber bands. After visually lining everything up to insure squareness of the ends, the whole form and piece was re dipped in the boiling water for about a minute. I further tightened and adjusted the rubber bands and let the whole thing set and cool for about 30 minutes.
Just that simple!
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Show off!!!
Looks great as always!
Jay
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Awesome job Rick.
I sure like those trailers. Need to pick up a few.
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I managed to get a 5 hour work window at the mothership this past Saturday. Task at hand was laying down the scenery base layer of dirt. Actually, about a large coffee can of special modeling dirt...from David’s neighbor’s yard! After all the bench work, roadbed, and sub base cracks were filled with spray foam, tape, and Stucto-lite, everything was painted brown with regular latex house paint. On top of this, I brushed a thinned mixture of wood glue and water. A fine layer of David’s special modeling dirt was sifted over the glue using a small tea strainer. This powdery dirt is the base scenery layer.
I added depth by using more dirt to build up the areas around the lumber yard(5), loading dock(3), and fuel dealer(4). The track at the lumber yard is fully buried to rail top height and the fuel dealer track is buried to tie depth. These areas when finished will represent having wheeled vehicle traffic on and around the trackage. Of course special attention was paid cleaning to the flange areas. All of the dirt was than fully soaked by misting water with a drop of dish soap. A 50/50 mix of white glue and water was dribbled over the entire area to lock this base in place.
Next up will be vegetation and road details, as well as ballast for the main track. Fitting all the structures back into the scene won’t be far behind!
(https://i.postimg.cc/YGyjwWqq/735-F46-D9-CB04-4-CC5-8673-EF1-F3718-E465.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGyjwWqq)
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Meanwhile...back at my workbench! The second try at the fuel dealer warehouse is coming along. The first try turned out to be visually too large and didn’t fit the scene. The second building is slightly smaller and noticeably shorter. It is a cinder block structure with a truck dock and a loading door rail side. Construction is all styrene using a .040 core laminated with cement block sheeting.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xk3tg0jP/B3-DA8-C05-29-DF-4-F67-BC41-51-C6512663-C5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xk3tg0jP)
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I’ve finished most of the interior details and exterior painting on the fuel dealer warehouse. Still have weathering to go. Lighting is installed, using a single surface-mount LED. I made a light fixture that covers a small hole in the wall with the LED mounted on the inside. Plenty of light passes through the hole and lights up the wall fixture on the out side while also illuminating the interior. My limited iPhone photography skills don’t do the light fixture justice, as it is not as bright in person.
(https://i.postimg.cc/G9c1dv1h/0-BE34-CE0-5-EE6-4481-AB1-A-413551-BBDFD0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G9c1dv1h)
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I’m calling this one done! Final weathering is a wash of black gauche and some dry brushing to give texture to the details. Signage is a mixture of homemade decals and photo-texture print outs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdmHhYvF/A7754-AC4-9-C6-D-48-C5-BEE8-94-DD78-A653-C9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdmHhYvF)
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A peek inside the rail loading door...
(https://i.postimg.cc/cvWDy7ns/A120-BFE3-702-A-45-DC-8-DC7-AA9-FE8-A71-DEB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cvWDy7ns)
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Another great one, Rick.
Bob
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Thanks Bob!
I’m aiming for the O Scale National this June! So, here goes the next structure...
This is the office for the fuel dealer. It will be a mixed wood siding building on a cinder block foundation with a lean-to back porch.
Basic .040 styrene core is shaping up.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fVPqq8dk/AF108793-697-C-4-CC0-9-FF9-3464937-E2-F50.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fVPqq8dk)
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A little test fitting at the mothership. Looks like a good fit to me. Next stop for this structure will be the paint booth. Also need to get cracking on an interior.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1VDYKq7B/D4-AC0-FC6-71-DB-4-E84-A4-D5-1-E8547-B7-E7-BE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1VDYKq7B)
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My second try at the fuel dealer warehouse has reached its conclusion. At least I hope so...cause I glued it to the layout today!
(https://i.postimg.cc/hhJJt0NT/88-AA1605-5-C0-D-4035-8-A39-31-E94-B393-DA3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhJJt0NT)
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Beautiful work as usual. The blue flag in the warehouse was a neat touch Noticed the Grand Floridian car in the background. Is that a setout sleeper for the A&D? Couldn't read the reporting marks on the corner.
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The passenger car is temporarily sitting on the passing track at Mount Union, serving as a clearance car during scenery construction.
Bob
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Bob is correct! There are 5 tracks in this scene and it’s only about 30 inches deep! All the structures are custom built to fit in an exact spot so everything fits AND looks right! That passenger car along with a pair of 50 ft boxcars have been key in making sure everything is in the correct position and clears.
(https://i.postimg.cc/87j2jsYP/AB1-B10-B8-1453-44-EC-802-F-9917206-AF851.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/87j2jsYP)
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Darn. I thought I had picked up on some subtle A&O operation magic. Still a neat car and the Grand Floridian letterboard is very Florida Special /Silver Meteor/ South Wind-ish
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The fuel dealer office is done! There are 16 separate pieces of styrene making up the mailbox; I might be crazy!
All styrene construction. The front office has a lighted interior with a mix of traditional cast details and photo texture details.
Next up are the fuel storage tanks. There are two large vertical tanks (16k and 13k gallons) as well as some smaller portable tanks.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cKsWfmPc/A450-BA2-C-8-E12-4-EA4-9510-6-B076-A33-B17-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKsWfmPc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rD2MwcJ3/B09-E3485-74-C9-4-A40-B75-C-9-D2190499611.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rD2MwcJ3)
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Awesome Rick. I really like that building!
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Thanks Craig! But I really messed up...the flag is on the wrong side of the mailbox! I had to fix it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/zLgP3pm0/70-B939-DE-960-B-4973-AF8-E-402-B58-E194-A3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zLgP3pm0)
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Now THAT would have thrown the postman for a loop!!
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It looks even better in person. Rick you have a great eye for color and details.
Bob
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A quick scratch build detail for the fuel dealer; 500 gallon portable fuel tanks. These would be used at construction sites or where equipment would need refueled at the work site.
The models start out as 1/2 inch PVC pipe from a hardware store. I bought the 2 inch pre-sized for about 60 cents each. I used Plastruct orange label solvent to attach end caps of .040 styrene. After the solvent has dried, I use a nail file sanding stick to shape the ends to match the pipe. Some styrene angle stock forms the base. A paper punch firms nice perfectly round bits of styrene to represent drain plugs and fill caps. I have several sizes of these common hole punches. Lifting brackets are formed from .015 styrene and a vent pipe is made from a piece of .030 brass rod. Signs and labels are printed on photo paper. A little weathering finishes the simple red paint job.
It takes about 20 minutes to completely assemble one tank. All of the little bits of styrene are scraps from other projects, material costs is easily under a dollar! Not bad for a neat detail for the fuel dealer scene!
(https://i.postimg.cc/qNdnkbFt/5-C20618-E-8-E64-4504-82-A5-BE56-EC8-B3234.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qNdnkbFt)
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Fabulous Rick. Such great eye-candy.
David
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I had to do a double take Rick. It looked like a big electrolytic cap at first :)
Like David said...I love the detail.
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Only about 2 months till the O Scale Convention!
A couple more layers of scenery and two more structures are finished. Still have more scenery (bushes, tall grass, and trees) as well as the fuel dealer stand pipes and pump shed to finish. Lots of little details and signs too. It’s really starting to come together in Mount Union!
(https://i.postimg.cc/jw7b4RJD/641-F6-C9-F-F840-4-CE4-9-D4-D-6-F4247-AE3874.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jw7b4RJD)
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A closer look down the alley between the fuel dealer and the lumber yard. Very close clearance here with each structure precisely fitted and tested with a variety of rail cars.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dktWJ6Jw/50-B94295-BA62-4-E21-80-D4-C8-EABFECE59-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dktWJ6Jw)
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Alright Rick. I gave you a month of no bothering :)
Whatcha been working on?
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Well...I’ll be putting the finishing touches on the fuel dealer pump house and unloading stacks...when I get back from Myrtle Beach!
The next couple weeks will be busy working on scenery, details, and hooking up lights!
(https://i.postimg.cc/G83qFVXq/9-B2-D845-D-0411-4-FF3-A3-D2-E69090-F34497.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G83qFVXq)
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Rick,
Have a good time at Mercantile Beach. Play some mini-golf; great courses.
And yup, it's going to be a BUSY next two weeks!
David
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Four days to the O Scale National Convention!
My son Levi and I got the lights turned on in Mount Union today while Dave did some backdrop painting and planted a bunch of trees!
(https://i.postimg.cc/DWY5Q6B7/B188-CF90-6-C5-E-4-F8-D-956-A-2-BAD40-D79-A82.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DWY5Q6B7)
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Spectacular work, Rick! Can't wait to see it in person.
I have 2 A&O engines repaired, one to go. 3 days until the convention. Must work faster!
Bob
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Beautiful work Rick!!! It looks simply amazing.
I feel like a complete slacker. I haven’t worked on anything railroad related for a while. Well…except for the speeder. But that won’t fit on our layouts :). Heheheh
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Wait! You have a speeder? What kind?
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1940s S2 :). With some modifications to a Koehler 31 HP EFI engine and two 4 speed (2 forward, 2 back) transmission.
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Very cool Craig! I never knew this!
I have a 1940s steel frame (war production) M19 with a ROC popper engine. It is stored disassembled waiting it’s turn in the garage!
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We need to talk Rick! :) Mark and I have been making decent progress and are hoping to have the system fired up this fall.
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If you have not heard; the O Scale National Convention is returning to Colorado in 2023! The four-day show, June 8-11, is less than a year away. Great motivation to get back to work on Mount Union.
Two planned iconic structures in town are the shared depot and the classic 50s architecture diner across the street. My initial efforts will be on this diner. In my mind’s eye, I see a small stainless-steel dinner with an eye-catching sign. Maybe a lighted, rotating sign or a roof top neon sign. Large windows will afford great visibility for a completely detailed interior. This structure should visually anchor the downtown corner and contrast nicely with the traditional brick structures on this block.
The first test fit of the footprint and side walls allows me to visualize the fit and adjust.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JsHrsDXC/Diner1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JsHrsDXC)
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The basic shell is done.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBkkHJVY/Diner-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBkkHJVY)
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Basic roof and roof facia is finished. Also most of the stainless steel style ribbed trim is installed. Time to start on the interior.
I have conferenced with Bob about some ideas for the roof top sign, but still need to do a little experimenting to decide which way I want to go.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WqMXMDG5/Diner3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqMXMDG5)
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It's looking great Rick. I curved corner came out good. I don't know if you wound up using a section of the PVC pipe for the inner wall.
I really like the way you sloped the roof. Perhaps that reflects too much time spent at Village Inn with Jay in days gone by :)
It will be a real eye-catcher and introduction to the Mt. Union scene.
David
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With this building's giant windows and it's prime corner location in Mt Union, a complete interior is a must!
The main counter, stools, fridge, and grill are all scratch built from styrene bits. Work continues on bench seating including the curved booths in the corners.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rDFVpkrC/diner-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rDFVpkrC)
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Looking great, Rick!
Any further thoughts about lighting the sign on the roof?
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Thanks Bob!
I'm still researching my options. Miller Engineering has some pretty neat electronic stuff that I'm comparing to the UV/florescent ideas. My base concern is that the sign looks to "scale" and not just an oversized gimmick. With the diner being so close to the front of the scene and right in the viewer's face, there is very little room to pull of this illusion!
I'll have to commit to something soon; I'm getting antsy to get started on the depot so I need to keep moving on the diner structure. Not to mention there is only ten months until the O scale convention!
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The parts and pieces look super. I have some "florescent" LEDs here for interior lighting if that suits your mental image for the diner.
David
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I took advantage of the Turkey-day Ops session to test fit the full diner structure on it's corner lot.
(https://i.postimg.cc/hXJDsFYp/Diner-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hXJDsFYp)
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Rick,
I don't know if I've ever made this observation to you or not- but I like the way the Mt. Union structures rise in height to the middle, Union Hall, and then fall again. It really works with the eye, and photography, when viewed from all three aisle angles. Mt. Union is an eye-candy delight.
Grand Poohbah
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Thanks David! Not only does the scene rise and fall from left to right, it also rises from front to back. I think these two sight lines help move the viewer's eye through the whole scene making for a balanced flow with logical pockets of detail. Bob was a big help achieving this balance. His thoughtful critiques during the mock-up phase really helped refine the future scene. As I design and build, I am very conscience that this whole scene is visible from nearly all sides to include the back. This part of the layout curves nearly 90 degrees so I try to make sure that even the backsides of the buildings are complete and detailed since they are visible from around the corner.
(https://i.postimg.cc/n9GWWhCS/Mt-Union1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9GWWhCS)
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136 days until the convention…
Most of the basic styrene shell for the diner is complete. I primed everything with flat black spray paint and followed that with a complete coverage of aluminum spray paint. I’m pleased with how smooth the silver coloring turned out.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5jn23XHj/8-BDBD899-F729-4-EEC-B428-82941163-ADA0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jn23XHj)
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The interior is also coming along…
(https://i.postimg.cc/mh5GkCz3/FD8-D85-C3-8-B2-D-43-EF-8-D9-D-F27255-E83176.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh5GkCz3)
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So what to do while waiting for paint to dry? Start the next structure!
I’ve got the base walls of the Mt Union depot laid out. This will be a modest brick building with an operator bay, trainorder board, and covered platform.
(https://i.postimg.cc/svfdTKFR/ADB064-C9-C72-B-4-C38-9-AE7-8679-A0200154.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/svfdTKFR)
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Currently working on interior details for the diner. Lots of color! Still need to finish the bench seats and tables, candy machines, fountain machine, brochure rack, and food service details.
A little bit of work has been started on the exterior signage. Still not sure how I'm going to pull off the large neon roof sign!
(https://i.postimg.cc/y3Kq8dXh/diner2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/y3Kq8dXh)
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Awesome.
Dave's Diner eh. :D
Thanks
David
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Just need a sound module in there…
“Cheeseburga….Cheeseburga….Cheeseburga….NO PEPSI!”
;D
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Weekend progress…a few details! With the diner’s huge windows, I’m going to need lots of details inside. An internet search landed some candy machine imagery that just might work! Combined with a simple styrene form, the images add the right amount if visual texture to complete this detail. I used another image melded with a styrene form to make a tourist brochure rack for the entryway.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBPJM7rc/E11503-C2-DD01-44-E0-8-B23-49-D3-FDA10783.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBPJM7rc)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V0LPHYsf/F698-E491-5-A05-4-B61-B35-C-C562-A280-BC13.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V0LPHYsf)
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Way cool Rick. You have such an eye for detail and the ability to make it happen.
I don't know what you have planned for interior lighting, but I have some "Florescent" color LEDs here if you need them.
David
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More details…going to need some O scale dimes!
(https://i.postimg.cc/k6fHKFcM/35-C37162-D6-E5-4-B89-8956-3-A77-A2-F6-FC5-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k6fHKFcM)
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When pop came in those crates, 10 cents was my week's allowance. We'd go out on our bikes searching alleys and roads for empty bottles to redeem for 2 cents each. Find 5, and you could buy a soda. Woohoo!
David
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My progress lately seems easier to measure with a calendar!
In my mind's eye, the little diner scene is topped with a vintage 50's style neon sign. I spent a lot of effort researching different methods to achieve this effect. Unfortunately, I haven't been pleased with anything I've looked at! Too bulky, too large, out of scale, too gimmicky, visually out of balance, violates the laws of physics...
While wandering through a Hobby Lobby, I stumbled on a bag of inch tall laser cut wood letters. After staring at them for a few minutes, I hit on an idea. Back at my workbench, I glued these letters to a piece of .010 styrene sheet. I cut, trimmed, and sanded the styrene to conform to the letter's shape. A heavy coat of light grey primer followed by carefully outlining the edges with bright red completes the coloring. I think these letters deliver a believable and convincing shape for sign letters that fit the scene.
Next will be some delicate spot light lamps using surface mount LEDs to illuminate the sign and make the scene "POP"...I hope!
(https://i.postimg.cc/RNBGCXJX/Diner15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RNBGCXJX)
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Working on some interior details. A coffee mug, some plates, napkin dispensers, and a dessert display. Styrene bits and pieces make up most of this. The lid on the dessert display is a cut down capsule that originally held Kadee coupler springs. Still need to make some burgers, fries, and utensils.
(https://i.postimg.cc/hhMhycjp/diner-details.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhMhycjp)
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Cheese burga…..cheese bugga…..cheese bugga….
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This is seriously insane, Rick. HOW did you make all this??? It will make for a lot of Peeping Tom action as operators pass thru Mt. Union.
The 1968 A&O RR calendar hanging on the wall is the crowning placement touch. Well done.
David
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It is common for a product distributor or manufacturer to provide a standard sign with a national brand that can be modified for a local business to help with advertising. Since this diner is a "branded" Coca-Cola serving business, it only makes sense to have a branded sign. I found a picture of a back-lit design, common to the modeled era, that I modified to advertise Dave's Diner, open 24 hours.
I laminated a pair of signs printed on photo paper to a piece of Plexi-glass with an LED inserted into the side. I used some aluminum ducting tape to trim the sign and make everything light-tight, so there are no light leaks.
The sign will mount off the diner over the side walk and will make a nice eye catching contrast to the other various signs along the block of buildings.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9424qszB/Daves-sign.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9424qszB)
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Nice!
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Only 2 weeks until the O Scale National Convention. Yikes! So much to finish!
The interior of the diner is pretty much finished, just need to drop the window "glass" into the walls.
The gentleman reading the paper is a 3D print from MB Model, gifted by fellow O scaler Greg Amer out of Seattle. Thanks Greg!
The seated boy and the cook are from vintage 1960s Revell vehicle models. The cook has an apron and hat made from post-it notes and super glue. The seated guy is modified the same way with a hat.
Now to finish the roof and the wiring for the lights and signs. Still need to build the separate walk-in cooler that goes behind the diner.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGH1K2bf/People2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGH1K2bf)
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Okay, this has gotten insane. How utterly cool this is. I just decided that Mt. Union will viewed by moonlight for the SONC open house a week from Saturday. Too cool, Rick.
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Almost out of time! Looks like some late nigh work is in order to finish before the show! The good news is that the lights work!
Final details are in process; steps with railings, window glass and doors, and the detached walk-in cooler.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Th0RtgQ4/dinner-lights.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Th0RtgQ4)
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The walk-in cooler is scratch built from styrene. I went with a rolled seam metal structure to add variety to the overall city block. By my count, this scene now has structures made from brick, cement block, tarpaper covered wood, clapboard siding, stainless steel ribbed siding, and rolled seamed metal. The cooler will be weathered to appear to predate the the modern diner it serves. Rusty and losing the war with creeping vines is the plan!
(https://i.postimg.cc/0bgyMPW8/cooler.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0bgyMPW8)
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Meanwhile, back at the Mothership...
Here is the diner in it's permanent home. There are some details on the backside to be finished to include some kudzu vines, trash, cans and alley trash.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CBVJmtLw/Mt-Union-street.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBVJmtLw)
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Your work will certainly be a bright shining star at the O Scale National open house.
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Beautiful craftsmanship as always Rick!! It is even more impressive in person!!
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Next up, the depot. I'm thinking a brick structure with brick pilasters and a metal seamed roof. A second story turret houses a railroad management type office. I think the turret will help visually balance the 20 scale foot height difference between the tracks at this point of Mt Union, but not overpower the scene like a full 2 story building. An operators bay window faces the Antioc & Dover tracks on the aisle side and will support a train order board that will be used to issue instructions for A&D staging adding a little variety to layout operations. Deep over-hanging roof eves and an extended stand alone roof will shelter a cement platform. A team/LCL track will have a boxcar door height dock on the back side. This dock will help visually transition the middle of the scene from A&D "ground level" at front to A&O "track level" at the back and break up the long retaining wall along the upper tracks. Of course, construction will be primarily styrene and all scratch built.
Here is the front wall so far...
(https://i.postimg.cc/9rc2NLjV/depot1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rc2NLjV)
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Its been awhile! I have finished my N scale project and am back in the O scale world! Time for some updates on the Mount Union depot.
Basic .040 layered styrene with brick sheet and styrene "stone-work". All the doors are scratch built in place and the windows will be modified Grandt Line castings that I have modified to resemble inset type windows used in a stone or brick structure. I'm getting close to finishing the basic structure, with nearly all the brick work completed. Lots of small architectural brick details to be added to really bring out the 3D texture of the overall structure. I think all the variations of depth in the brick work keeps the eyes moving and really sell the story that this is a classic brick structure.
Thankfully the brick sheets greatly speed up the process. I can only imagine the pain it would be to carve or place each individual brick! Ask David about his award winning C&O tower...!
(https://i.postimg.cc/n9950k2J/IMG-7907.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9950k2J)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yWDw11K8/IMG-7888.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yWDw11K8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rKW34fKc/IMG-7708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKW34fKc)
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Ooh. I can't wait to see it when finished!
The 4 fake chimneys add a castle-like look to the station. It will be a photographic focus both from the front side and also from a train camera from rear track side.