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the Engine House at Eureka Springs

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Comments

  • Dave_SDave_S
    Another Ken Karns kit build to savor. especially the "grunge" parts. What more can we ask for?

    Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Thanks Dave...plenty of grunge on this one...lots of wood work on the walls which is what I'm working on right now. Just finished paint peel detail on the resin windows. Should have something to post, maybe tomorrow.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Figured it was time to dust off this thread and get things up to date. Despite the lack of regular posts, a good bit of work has been done. All the walls of both the engine house and attached machine shop are done. The diorama base is done and the wood floor in both the engine house and machine shop are down and detailed. The machine shop walls and three of the four engine house walls have been positioned and glued to the diorama base. Basic track work has been installed and the interior of the machine shop is complete. The machine shop has been redesigned a bit to suit my vision of the project along with a few other interesting additions. I will point those out as I move along in the build. !
    I previously posted pictures of the front wall of the engine house which functioned as a test case to see if it fit my plan. I have continued with the other three walls in the same fashion (see below).!

    IMG_9839

    The west wall with the opening for the attached machine shop.

    IMG_9841

    The east wall depicting the very open concept of Eureka Springs.

    IMG_9843

    The rear wall with an additional window added. This wall had to be lightly modified to match the front wall engine bay as this has the pass through track.

    Keep in mind that the somewhat overdone weathering at the bottom of the walls will be toned down by all the details and scenic work.

    All stripwood for the walls were given an initial graining with a wire brush then an initial coat of AI to give them the base color and texture. Each individual board was then detailed for the weathered, worn and rotted appearance particularly along the bottom where the wood would contact the ground. Following the detailing, various shades of weathering powder were strategically placed and worked in with mineral spirits. This was followed by damp brushing with the "red" PollyScale paint to give the faded, worn, peeling effect. Battens were treated the same way. The inside of the walls were also detailed for a dirty, oily, grungy, engine house look (see future post below).!
    Next up will be the completed interior walls, the engine house and machine shop floor, and some track detail...Ken
  • KCSTrainsKCSTrains
    Ken, I glad to see your update. I had a feeling you were working on it, but just not posting. So far, so good. I love the worn look. As is usual, your wood weathering is superb!! Looking forward to future postings. Phil
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Thanks Phil. Sorry to hear you're back at work! Lol.
  • MountaingoatMountaingoat
    Love what you show so far. Anxious to see the floor and interior. Always glad when you post Ken.....Rick
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Appreciate that Rick, likewise...I'll post the floor and interior walls tomorrow.
  • kebmokebmo
    can't wait to see the rest!
  • adminadmin
    walls look fantastic. cannot wait to see more!
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Thanks Kevin.

    Appreciate that Brett.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Laid the planking for the main engine house and installed code 55 rail and completed the initial weathering. Next up will be installing three of the four walls. Leaving one wall out to allow access for interior detailing.

    IMG_9900

    Boards weathered with real dirt and powders rubbed in by hand to give a slight sheen of a well traversed wood shop floor.

    IMG_9905

    IMG_9903

    Track detail...rail spike heads not installed yet.
  • TomMich
    Ken, outstanding work on the walls! Weathering and coloring are up to your usual great standards. The floor is also well done. Love the patch in the last photo as well as the end of the top track in the first floor photo.

    The grate in between the rails, what is it for and where did you get something like that? Really adds a lot of interest.
  • MountaingoatMountaingoat
    Impressive as usual. Also, love the grate. All those drips have to go somewhere....Rick
  • adminadmin
    Love the grate as well, subtle but very effective.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Hey Thanks Tom! The patch, grate, and track stop and walkway pieces are for exactly as you pointed out...to add interest and variation. What is the grate for...I have no idea! lol...I like Rick's usage explanation. I'll send you a PM Tom on the grate.

    Thanks Rick and see above! I'll have to add some oil drips around there...

    Glad to hear Brett, it dresses up the trackage a good bit I think.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Three walls of the main engine house and the machine shop addition walls are up with the interior initial wall weathering completed.

    IMG_9987

    IMG_9986

    Added protective wire screen over the two windows...
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Here is a preview of how I decided to work up the walls of the Machine Shop. Went with a slight greenish hue...not sure why...something different I guess.

    IMG_9846
  • MountaingoatMountaingoat
    Steam engines were a greasy oily mess to work on. They were constantly adding grease and oil at most stops so you can imagine what the drippings were like when finally parked for a period of time thus the need for the grate....Rick
  • mikemettelka
    Aspirational as always
  • brownbr
    Up to your usual high standards.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Thanks Mike. Interior detailing always takes an great deal of time and planning. The machine shop alone took me 2 weeks! Much of that just figuring out what I wanted to do!

    Appreciate that Bryan. Nice hearing from you.
  • mikemettelka
    The green is really nice.... I tried it on an off topic build and it came out very different
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Appreciate the support, I tried to keep it subtile and the weathering also served to tone it down a bit.
  • WesWes
    Just catching up Ken. What a beautiful build so far.

    I cant wait to see more.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Hey Wes, so nice hearing from you! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Appreciate your thoughts here and look forward to posting more knowing your following along.
  • Dave_SDave_S
    Ken,
    I keep pouring over the interior details of the main engine and after several times I finally spotted a really great detail in the final floor photo, in the bottom right hand corner, the rail joint bars. http://www.craftsmankituniversity.com/vanforum/uploads/imageupload/226/UNRV7JSFOU1U.jpg
    Code 55 rail spiked with rail joint bars nuts and bolts, now that's some fine track detail work. Looks like you have a copy of Mike Cougill's book Detailing Track. Great reference to have.
    Later Dave S. Tucson, AZ
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Well hey Dave, nice hearing from you. I really appreciate your picking up on the track detail. I put my time in on it that's for sure. Like the time spent working with the wood, it makes a big difference in the end! I found that .010" x .030" styrene strip will fit in the recess of the track to make the rail joiners. The NBWs are really "dinky" to finish off the part. Actually I have not seen Cougill's book but sounds like a must have.
  • Dave_SDave_S
    Ken,
    Checked on the availability of Mike Cougill's book "Detailing Track". You may have to go direct to him for purchase. Check out this link:
    https://www.ostpubs.com/product/detailing-track/
    Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
  • brownbr
    A good book Dave. I have a copy around here somewhere. Just can't say where.
  • KKarnsKKarns
    Thanks Dave
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