Even more layout pics and tips

“Hi Alastair.

I’ve been following your posts for some time now and wow there sure are some talented people out there.

I started a model some years ago which also featured a lake, that was about as far as it got, then we moved house.

Re kindled again late last year and I have used the lake again, albeit in a different place on a new model.

The lake in the picture was made on a bed of plaster to give contour effects then painted and layered in about 15 coats of varnish to give depth.

A little blue looking at the picture but in the flesh it’s quite a dark green.

Andy”

“I used brown sewing string around my telephone poles and power lines.

I also took 2 plastic ho automobiles and melted the front ends together with a lighter to simulate and accident. Had police and ambulance at the scene. (of course everyone was ok)

David”

“Hi Al,

I noticed from the comments about the glowing fire box effect, that some of the guys said” it was too bright and I should tone it down a bit”

So I did, I painted red paint on the light bulb, here is the effect with Hornby pug 0-4-0st number 51240.

It is shunting it has track cleaning car in front and a van behind it.

Paul”

“This is a half done hydro power substation with working warning light near the shack.And barbed wire with rolling gate.

I also including my home satilight dish.

I also have made up some bungalow’s.

Did 3 in a few hour’s and are made of balsa wood.

If you would like more detail to any of these build’s let me know.

Kim”

“Hi Alistair,

Just uploaded this video to youtube , showing how to add lights to buildings , and also how to put flashing lights on to a car very cheaply…

Regards

Dave”



That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And please don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to start on your own fun, blood, sweat and tears.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.


Another stunner from Arnie

I’m up against the clock today so I wasn’t going to post. But when this came in from Arnie…

“Hi Al,

Just got your last posting. Really impressed with Bob’s (How-To) scratchbuilt Oil Refinery. While not easily replicated in N scale, it is very do-able in large scale like O and would make a great industrial scene addition on a layout.

I’m writing to offer up another video I put together as inspired by the many readers asking me to continue sharing videos with them. The video I’m submitting for posting consderation is one I did almost a year ago. It is of steam freight operation on my N scale SV&GS Railway. However, I wanted to have some fun with the original video. So I edited it and gave it a retro 1950s cinematic look by creating an old film appearance and adding a ’50s intro/exit theme.

I hope you enjoy it.

Arnie”

Heading off to ebay? Have a look at the very latest ‘ebay cheat sheet‘.

Best

Al

More pics and tips

“Here is a new idea to add weight to light boxcars etc.

I used cut up pieces of old n gauge track rails the length of the car and glued them to the inside base of the truck carriage flat for weight and then snapped the body back on.

Add as much as you need and it has a low center of gravity.

Ed”

“When gluing pieces of foam to each other I use the least expensive linoleum or carpet glue that I can find.

I full spread the glue using a 1/16”x 1/16” square notch trowel.

By full spreading the glue, you eliminate most of the gaps between the pieces of foam.

Also, the dried linoleum glue is soft and readily sands off, which eliminates most of the glue lines between the pieces of glued foam.

You still have to put some weight on the foam overnight ( 24 hours )while the glue dries. While the glue is still wet, it cleans up with warm soapy water.

For small areas, a caulking gun applied glue works fine, but if you are making a lot of mountains and stacking a lot of foam, the linoleum glue comes into it’s own.

It is fairly inexpensive and solves some common problems when gluing foam.

Randy”

“I use old pill bottles and cake frosting which is plastic for oil tanks, grain storage tanks and I also use my wife’s plastic canvas for ladders and walk ways on the storage tanks, they look like they are scale and all you have to do is glue them on. I also use my extra matt board for buildings, you can buy a 30″ x 40″ sheet for around $6.00.

James”

“Hello Al,

In between my other projects I decided to build an oil refinery.

It will fill a space in the back of my layout about 6 feet long and about 10 inches wide.

I’m using a lot of plastic straws for pipe, PVC pipe for storage tanks as well as cans and jars.

I built some shut-off valves from metal grommets with small buttons for wheels.

I use 1/4 x 1/4 metal screen (for O scale) to build my ladders as well as guard fencing. I glue the screen to wooden skewer sticks to make the ladders.

The picture of the single piece of screen came out blurry but I hope the idea is obvious.

I have completed my first sub-assembly and thought it might contain some ideas that may be of use to the group.

Bob”


That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And if today is the day you grab the bull by the horns, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.