Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Categories
- 955 All Categories
- 3 Picture Posting and Resizing
- 56 New Member Introductions
- 115 Off-Topic Forum
- 4 Photography
- 2 Resources
- 16 New Product Information
- 167 The SierraWest Forum
- 9 Brett's Blog
- 119 General News & Ramblings
- 3 Re-Release Information
- 6 Q & A about SierraWest
- 9 What Would You Like to See?
- 384 Builds
- 140 HO Scale Builds
- 165 O Scale Builds
- 60 Finished SW Build Pics
- 14 Miscellaneous Builds
- 190 Techniques
- 19 Working with Wood
- 20 Painting Castings
- 5 Masonry
- 23 Scenery
- 37 Tools and Supplies
- 21 Layout Planning & Building
- 40 Miscellaneous
- 24 Prototype Information
- 22 Reference and Research
Comments
Jerry
The complete interior of the Logging & Tractor Repair Shed (now labeled as The Blacksmithing and Wheelwright Shop) has been completed as reported earlier in this thread. The motivation behind changing the name was due to Brett's release of the Blacksmith detail sets and the wagon wheel 3D prints among others. The Blacksmith sets are absolutely marvelous and I just had to include them in this build. I am now working on all exterior appointments both scenic work and various hard scene details.
That concludes a prelude of sorts. First order of business was to complete the track work. I had previously laid the ties and the code 55 light rail down the west side of the structure and across a bridge over Deer Creek. My track detailing is not for the faint of heart as it is time consuming and the details are really small. However, the results are well worth the effort, at least in my mind they are!
The process begins by gluing down the ties made from strip wood spaced on average about 1/4 inch inside edge to inside edge. I purposely vary this spacing a little for a less uniform effect. The initial layer of ballast is applied sparingly as these backwoods lines had very little and often no ballast. In fact, much of this initial ballast will be covered by dirt as I continue detailing the scenic work. I then glue down the code 55 rail with each rail section a scale 34 feet and staggered 6 scale feet or so as prototypical. These measurements are not exact to actual but more for visual effect in my 1:87 scale.
Now comes the tedious part...I made rail joiners from styrene strip and added NBWs and glued these to the rail joints. I then used thin solder wire for the spike heads by rolling the wire under my blade handle to create an oval shape. I then use a razor blade to cut thin disks of the oval solder, blacken them, then glue each one individually to the rail/tie contact point. The following pictures illustrate the results:
Overhead shot of a section of my track detail. The bright aggregate of the ballast will be much toned down following final detailing.
Shot of the rail joiners and the track proceeding over Deer Creek. Note the staggered rail sections.
Shot sighting down the west side of the structure. More later...Ken
Trackwork looks up to your usual excellent standards.
Oh and sorry for those that have suffered through my track detailing tutorial before. There is however, many new "faces" here so thought I'd run through it. If anything just to rationalize that I'm not out of my mind!
So glad to see you back at the bench and teaching new detail work.
I hope all is well my friend.
Jerry
Hey Al, what a nice thing to say. Appreciate ya my friend!
Completing a small section gives me a sound idea of where I want to go with the project. Most materials needed are sampled and any issues dealt with straight away. If I'm not happy with the "feel" of things I can simply change my work process without effectively having to re-do a lot of acreage. Completing a section is a great motivator and cannot be over stated when working a project over time. This also keeps the project moving along and establishes a baseline of sorts (if you're not happy with a small section you likely won't be happy with the completed diorama). I see what is working and what isn't. I can begin securing needed materials that are low in my inventory without delay. In addition, working a section start to finish, establishes my work flow and I can then effortlessly work through the next section with a clear goal in sight.
This is just one modeler's take on things and would not work for everyone I'm sure. The following is an example of my "section detailing" that I finished up over the past couple days:
This is the first exterior section I completed. The scene depicts a coal bin that provides coal, shoveled through an access door, to the blacksmith forge inside.
Taking pictures of your work as you go has many advantages. Not the least of which you can see issues that were not apparent. My coal shovel appears monotone in finish despite what I thought was reasonable contrast of the handle, shaft, and shovel. Will fix that pronto!
Hey Tom, nice hearing from you as always! Thanks so much for the kind words and yes...my mind does tend to wonder:)
As always, great to see you back at the bench and posting your amazing tutorials and project photos.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
Thanks Travis and appreciate you following along here as I enjoy your camaraderie.
Well hi Dave! Nice to be posting again and appreciate your note here my friend.
i think the water tower and handcar shed is the coolest kit i've ever built by the way.
The only thing I miss, but that is my opinion, is a touch of color here and there. , I mean brighter color. In a detail or something , doesn't have to be big, . Just to make the grungyness ( if that's a word) a little , how should I say, more cheerful, happy, positive... Like the few bushes, plants, in the second last photo. Makes a world of difference to me.
But hey, this is TOP NOTCH work Ken. ( as always)