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Comments
Appreciate that Mike. Quite tedious in 1:87 but gosh, makes such a big difference. Add the other details and it is well worth the effort.
We all fuss over minute details for hours/days and then, at the end, need to add some track. *Never use a piece of flex track in a diorama*. THIS is why!
(Okay...That last part is mostly a reminder to myself since I get tempted to take the shortcut in order to finish!)
(Joking)...looks great as usual...
Alan
Right you are Bill...the first diorama I built was SWSM Water Tank and Storage Shed and used standard HO scale track and was never really happy with it. I decided to go with hand laid narrow gauge with code 55 light rail on the recommendation of Brett and loved the look! Adding the rail joiners and rail spike heads finished it off to where I wanted it.
I'm on it Alan...knew something wasn't right!...oh wait...it's you that's not right..lol. Thanks buddy.
Mike, don't even want to recall how long the process of detailing that 24" of track required...labor of love or something like that! You are so right. Firstly, if I was contemplating building the trackage for a working layout I would go with the detailed flextrack for sure. I have seen some flextrack that was very nicely done and loooked really good. Secondly, even if you decide on hand laid track you can get a good reliable working track that looks good without the time consuming detail of spiking every tie with 4 spikes and adding detailed rail joiners!
Appreciate that Robert, and means a good deal coming from someone as detail oriented as you have shown us!
Have decided on where the service pole for the electrical service will be located and the associated details are being mulled over. I will be dropping the main electrical service connection to the Dry Goods Store. I then plan to have a line running from the old barn to the detached storage shed to provide the electric service there. Need to get all detailng and scenic work done around and below that area before connecting up the service line, as I only want to fiddle with that connection once!
Need to figure out how and with what details to populate the fenced service yard in front of the detached shed. This area will literally "eat" casting details if I allow myself to get carried away...which I usually do. The initial plan was a metal scrapping yard of sorts an additional business for BlueSky coupled with the Dry Goods/Hardware store. Once that's all finished, I move to the front of the Dry Goods Store and single pump gas station facility and the area behind the store including the cool stone cookhouse...wow, then I'm done!
You have done a nice job with your overall build so far. I wouldn't want to rain on your parade but to really capture the authentic looking track you have installed, you might want to consider tearing up those 348 simulated rail spikes and add some tie plates underneath your naked rails, then replace those 348 simulated rail spikes. Your track looks great with the weathering you have done, but the spikes alone show something is missing. Just an honest opinion.
Rich
Jim
Front shot of BlueSky with a busy loading dock scene.
Dry Goods and Service Island...
Heading towards the back of BlueSky...my favorite part of this build! Leave it to Brett to design a kit where the back is as good as the front!
A little poor man's topography!
Stone cookhouse coming into view. This was such a nice casting to work with...
Couln't resist adding a burn barrel...
Back of the storage shed...with added back roof and details...oops...more burnt stuff...
Path around to the front of the storage shed and yard...
More over the next couple days...
Well Brett, it was a real joy to work this kit up. Can't believe you nailed such a great piece of work on your first kit some 22 years ago! I'll be posting some nice detailed shots and give some narrative of what I may have done that was unique or worth mentioning. Thanks again for all you do and have done, as the modeling world is a much better place as a result...
-Steve
The first bunch of pics are just mind blowingly beautiful. You are a true master of this stuff. Love it bro.
WOW
That front shot (#2) is so well done. I mean all of it: color, composition, scenery elements...everything is seamless. So impressive!
Great work my friend! (Now, lemme get back to studying the rest of them and contemplate if I wanna stick with his hobby!)