JAMO Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 Thank you for your comments. My grab irons and stirrups aren't very good realistic they are stronger than the original "" plastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadoak Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 They still look pretty good to my eye. When in the middle of a consist behind a locomotive on the layout at normal viewing distances they will look just fine. Regards Peter M Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 Thank you Peter. You're right! And I'm not a "rivet counter". I'm more an enthusiast with the atmosphere and operation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 I'm waiting now a warm and sunny day/afternoon to complete my two hoppers. The daylight is really helpful for me to see well. So, anyway, I've began to install the backdrop holder with 5 mm plywood. I've increased the height to permit to install a higher grain elevator. You can see the left end (with the hole in the sky): the height was too low. A low window to see the layout gives an impression of longer layout but it's a pain for scenery and especially here because of the future elevator: in O scale the elevator will be high. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 I enjoyed a sunny and warm afternoon (29°) to work on my hopper cars. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 Are those latest stirrups an experiment with plastic strip? I tried it a while back but had problems bending it - bend 'cold' & the strip snapped; bending 'warm' over a candle was so hit-and-miss it was too much trouble!! Mind you, it's been many years since I did the 'stretched sprue' trick over a candle, to get rigging wires for my Airfix aircraft kits!! Re backscene height, the higher the better I think, especially in O scale! On my Portway Center layout I got backscenes almost 2ft high, most of which was sky, to try & get that "wide open spaces" Mid-West feel. On my loft layout the vertical backscenes are just 9 inches high, before the sloping pitch of the ceiling starts, & the effect is just not the same. Baseboard height was decided by other factors though, rather than how high the backscenes would be. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 19, 2018 Author Share Posted April 19, 2018 My stirrups are made of... paper... only paper: it's easy to bend it and to keep the shape, I use CA (Loctite 401 glue). They keep some flexibility but they are stronger than the plastic items from Intermountain. I tried to use styrene there is a long time ago. I didn't found any good solution: like you no possibility of binding (I used hot water): the angle was always cracking. I tried with fine strips of nickel silver but the paint cracked despite the use of a good primer.. So the best and finest material I found is paper. Simple paper... maybe kiss system of mimo system. About backdrops, I think I'll keep the 2ft high board. That's a good idea. 9 inches high isn't a lot but you do as you can. The loft space is limited by the roof. I like your layout even if you have only a 9 inches vertical backdrop. No problem. My problem (because I have one... of course) is the ceiling height of my basement: it's only 6 feet and a few more inches high. I don't have any space to store was I want (above the layout for example). I have too much stuff... but it's life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 My stirrups are made of... paper... only paper: it's easy to bend it and to keep the shape, I use CA (Loctite 401 glue). They keep some flexibility but they are stronger than the plastic items from Intermountain. ... So the best and finest material I found is paper. Simple paper... maybe kiss system of mimo system. Paper!!!???!! Amazing!! I would never have guessed if you hadn't said!! Jacky - that is sheer GENIUS!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 21, 2018 Author Share Posted April 21, 2018 (edited) I like to find the best material to represent the real thing. That's a opportunity of the scratchbuilding's pleasures. And the paper becomes rusted metal when decorated. It's like the Cinderella's pumpkin carriage transformation Thank you to Humbrol paints and thinner! I have some weathering to do again to increase realism. Edited April 21, 2018 by JAMO 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 25, 2018 Author Share Posted April 25, 2018 After the addition of these two "new" cars to my roster, here are photos of the layout. The track is near to be completed. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 And the first tests... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 Hello all! I'm doing tests to choose the good track colors Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted July 14, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 14, 2018 I think the rusty rail and weathered pale grey sleepers looks best, the dark creosote sleepers only work with newly laid track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 Yes, the left side track looks much better I think. the right side with such dark glossy ties looks a bit too much like Hornby set track!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted July 14, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 14, 2018 The light one is rather nice, although the stones make it look like well maintained track. It might be a touch too light, though. Personally, I go for Humbrol gunmetal applied as a wash: about 5% of the ordinary gunmetal paint, a little bit of the metallic version, and the rest thinners. Applied in a leisurely fashion, with multiple coats to build up the colour until it is of sufficient depth for your tastes. The addition of a little bit of the metalcote adds a faint sheen, reminiscent of creosoted wood that has been out in the sun for a couple (or more) of decades. I used to apply it as a 10% solution, putting it and the ties into a jar, but the results were not consistent if ties stuck to each other due to surface tension, and I had less control. This was all last done about 15 years ago, on something which ended up on the local tip - but not because of the track, well, not the ties, anyway: they looked good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 although the stones make it look like well maintained track. Ah, I knew there was something else that didn't look quite right, but couldn't work it out. Simon's put his finger on it - the ballast looks rather too coarse to me. Especially for old yard tracks. Just my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Many thanks to you for all your reply. At the beginning my choice was more oriented to the right piece of track with dark sleepers but you have persuaded me to make more clear colors. Yes the ballast looks maybe too coarse but it's my only solution if I don't want to buy again. The idea to use washes of metal gun or a dark mat color can be interesting! I'll try! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 This O scale track photo found on FB inspires me: I think it's a good representation of an old "Iowan" track during fall season (my theme) So I decided to begin to paint my track with diluted Matt brown enamel paint. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted August 22, 2018 Author Share Posted August 22, 2018 A second phase of work has began: I dry brushed paint on the sleepers 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted September 2, 2018 Author Share Posted September 2, 2018 I've made a weathering test on the rails: inside dark the outside of the track. And I have added a fishplate. I'm pleased with the result. Now I have a lot of work to add the details to the track, the turnouts and to complete all the trackage... To be continued... 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxcab Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 That looks very good. Is the fishplate just cosmetic? Did you make them yourself? Have you read Mike Cougill's book "Detailing Track"? It is very useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted September 5, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 5, 2018 Have you read Mike Cougill's book "Detailing Track"? It is very useful. Useful? Understatement of the decade! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAMO Posted September 9, 2018 Author Share Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) Thank you. Yes these fishplates are cosmetic. Underneath, there are nickel-silver soldered fishplates. I make them by myself with... thin cardboard. No I don't have Mike Cougill's book. Edited September 9, 2018 by JAMO 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerbayrailway Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Bonjour Jack, Just found your layout on here and wanted to say very nice and inspirational. I've enjoyed reading through this story of the Iowa Central. You've inspired me to think about building a small micro O layout about 14' x 2' based somewhere in Canada in the 70's, perhaps a Lumber Co. I'm already building a 7mm English railway 9'x14', but after seeing what you've been able to do in a small space, I think perhaps a small second project might be possible. Can't beat O scale for atmosphere and the feeling of real railroading ! Felix 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 That trackwork is seriously looking the business now Jack. You'll be ballasting in no tme! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now