HO/HOn3 the Wood Cutters Shack

TomMich · April 21

Thanks Ken. That does help. It's the "Sea Grass" that I like as forest floor debris. I haven't heard of it before.

KKarns · April 21

You bet Tom. Apparently all I had to mention was the sea grass and not the long winded response! sorry about that.

Joel · April 22

Really coming alive with the trees and ground cover. Beautiful.

KKarns · April 22

Thanks much Joel, nice hearing from you!

glandesjr · April 23

Looks absolutely awesome, Ken. The water is really well done. It's tough to get water to look "real" but this is a testament that it can be done. Take care.

KKarns · April 23

Appreciate that George. Really nice hearing from you.

TomMich · April 23

Your scenery process is always welcome. The layering effect, and use of multiple, natural materials makes everything look so real.

KKarns · April 23

Thanks Tom.

Jeroen · April 24

Stellar work Ken. And so inspiring. I admire your builds and they always make me want to become better - in a good way. I used that sea grass for some military diorama's and its great stuff. Never thought of using it for SW scenery, but you have my attention. I can't wait to see next steps!

KKarns · April 24

Hey thanks my friend! Nice hearing from you Jeroen and the sea grass has just the right color and texture for pine litter and other general debris. Has to be cut really fine for HO scale of course. Appreciate your thoughts and camaraderie, means a great deal to be knocking elbows with you. Cheers...Ken

KKarns · July 23

All good things come to those who...build slow! With the announcement of the beautifully conceived Tie Mill in both HO/HOn3 and O scales, I decided to incorporate the Tie Mill kit into my current build project, the Wood Cutters Shack (coined by me as the tie cutter's shack). This will be the last installment under this build thread, directing your further attention to my future build post of the Tie Mill. I will provide some detailed pictures of the finished tie cutter's shack and associated scenes and begin the build of the Tie Mill on the same piece of real estate.

This is a perfect combination of structures and corresponding work flow to complete an entire small scale railroad tie cutting operation. Brett's Tie Mill is just amazing and will be such a joy to work. I plan many exciting features to compliment The Tie Mill as I progress along with the project.

One issue I have to contend with is the need, in my mind, to expand the footprint of my current diorama base even further to allow for the "proper" scene construction of the Tie Mill. Illustrated below are a couple pictures of the general area planned for the Tie Mill. I called Brett and got the rough footprint for the Tie Mill structure and made a template to try different orientations for the Mill (see below).

View from the front edge of the current diorama base with The Tie Mill template I made in the first possible position. The diorama base will be extended towards the viewer.

Additional location for the Tie Mill with the same diorama base extension to allow for the "proper" scene construction. There will be a bridge over the creek as well.

More later...Ken

MuddyCreekRR · July 24

I was thinking along the same lines...incorporating a few other kits in with the tie mill....would also love to see a shingle mill....following your lead here.....I'm still hoping for the rest of the O scale Foundry....I'm working on a bashed main foundry building with Rodger M's foundry for the time being...

KKarns · July 24

Sounds like a plan Art. I'm really excited about the Tie Mill, it's going to be an excellent center piece and a base of operations for my project as well as others. Look forward to what you come up with Art.

TravisS · July 24

Decisions, decisions....excited to see how you incorporate the Tie Mill into this dio, Ken. Already looks great and look forward to scrutinizing your scenery for inspiration! Might I suggest the location that requires the least amount of fiddly track work haha.

ALCO · July 24

If I was to vote, I’d vote for position 2…to accommodate the “many exciting features” you’re planning.

TomMich · July 24

Regardless of which orientation you choose, I have no doubt that it will be just great! I'm looking forward to your build. They always brings inspirational ideas.

Jerry · July 26

WOW!! This should be an exciting addition to already beautiful diorama!!

Jerry

KKarns · July 29

Thanks for checking in Travis and appreciate your thoughts! There is much work to be done on the scenery that's for sure.

I'll get a better feel once I have the kit in hand. Appreciate your thoughts on the matter Al and leaning that direction thus far.

Thanks much Tom, appreciate ya!

Hey Jerry. Thanks so much and we'll see how things develop my friend, enjoy your comments as always!

Jeroen · August 4

Difficult. But i’d pick position 1, after long deliberation. 2 would leave your line of watching either on the short side of the Mill or the short side of the shack when you turn the diorama 90 degrees to get full view of the Mill, and you would loose view on that beautiful chimney. You would also lose the connection with the tracks in the whole. The only disadvantage of 1 I see is that the large mill in the front will dominate the smaller shack but with some attention to scenery I think you could tie them together. Last but not least: 2 would leave a very large open space to fill in front of the shack which will dwarf it. Another option would be to reposition the shack but That seems a bit to much… a very personal view and just my 2 cents

KKarns · August 4

Hey Jeroen, appreciate the feed-back my friend! Much to consider as your analysis so eloquently pointed out. I really need to get the kit in hand and start laying out actual features as I plan a finished tie loading area as well as rough timber drop off among other details. I don't want to force anything and is a complication of combining with an already established structure and scene. Fortunately the tie shack is small and limited in surrounding details so as not to steal the scene which will be focused on the Tie Mill. The bridge across the creek will help move the eye from the shack to the Tie Mill. I agree, the main viewing angle is of course front facing and the best advantage for the Tie Mill would be from the long dimension.

Jeroen · August 4

Sorry Ken, didnt want to interfere too much of course, just trying to get some grip on options and preferences. Im sure that you will get the best out of this and of course youve got to see that tie mill first. I will follow with great interest and im curious how youre going to approach it!

KKarns · August 4

Sorry!!??...shame on you

, nothing better than to banter back and forth on issues just like this. I'm thrilled to have the interest and other's take on the layout of the project. This is what the forum is all about, sharing ideas and our work on these amazing creations by SierraWest Scale Models. I can't tell you the number of times, if I went with my first thoughts on something, it would have been the wrong decision. Mulling over an issue like this, taking in others view points, and keeping an open mind takes the day. So excited to get this phase of the project going. You Jeroen, are greatly appreciated and a welcome comrade!

SteveCuster · August 4

Excellent work Ken, I'm loving the scenery so far. Great work, as always.

KKarns · August 4

Whoa!...been a long time Steve, really nice hearing from you. What the heck have you been up to? Thanks for the comments and have missed you around here.

SteveCuster · August 4

Not a lot of modeling lately, unfortunately. I started on an O scale version of the SW Truck Repair and the walls are about 80% done but I haven't had much time to work on it lately. We got a German Shepherd puppy in the beginning of the summer and he's sticking to me like glue. That combined with the puppy chewing is making it impossible to go into the workshop, too many things for him to get into and destroy down there. Once I get him out of the puppy phase and get some more solid training into him, I hope to get back into it.

KKarns · August 4

Time spent with a German Shepherd is time well spent! I've had several and nothing better than a well trained large breed. Look forward to seeing you around here more often. Hope to have something to show very soon...

KKarns · August 8

Wow...what an echo in here! Hello...hello.....hello....

Whilst waiting for the Tie Mill in HO/HOn3 release, I finished up the detailing around the Tie Cutter's Cabin (aka Wood Cutter's Shack). As mentioned, I will be incorporating the Tie Mill into this diorama. A bit of finagling to the existing diorama base will be required to accomplish this. I will post my progress once the new Tie Mill kit is in hand. In the mean time...here is an update on the Tie Cutter's Cabin exterior detailing:

Front/side view with all details on the front porch in place.

IMG_0323 (1)

Old tie curved rough stairs up to the shack from lower level parking area.

Work area behind the shack. Brett's fabulous Farmall Regular tractor kit getting a service including an oil change.

Close up of same.

View from behind the outhouse.

Aerial view of outhouse and service area.

Front view of outhouse along creek.

Oops...in use!

Overhead view of the rear of the shack...more later...Ken

Kevin L · August 8

Looks fantastic.

TravisS · August 8

At least give me a shout if you’re gonna take pics so I can close the door! Thought I was alone out here..dang

But seriously, Ken. Great job. The farmall looks great and I can’t get over your trees and woodland floor. Worth the time and effort that I’m sure that small forest took!

Karl.A · August 9

Outstanding modeling and scenery work. Some of the best, most natural scenery I have seen. Texture, variation, colour and depth.
The structure and details, it goes without saying that they are up to your unrivaled quality, and even beyond your previous work.
Excellent work so far.

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HO/HOn3 the Wood Cutters Shack

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