This thread was started in March, 2025
Jeroen
March 2025 in O Scale Builds
Hello all, it’s been a while since I shared a project here, but now it seems the right time to do it again. I recently started the wonderful truck repair shop in O-scale and finished the walls today. Well, finished as in; the basic structure is done and now I will be starting with dressing it all up with the candy from Bretts storybox. All those little details, cast and printed, are just begging to be painted and added so that’s what Im going to do, starting with the inside wall. Mentioning that - as you can see that inner wall wasn’t exposed to the elements so much, so I tethered it to a brownish grey. The outer walls are much greyer and I have to be honest - Im very happy with that color and how they look. It’s the first time that I really felt that I achieved what I wanted: greyish walls, weathered through time but not rotten. Well, it’s on to the next step, but here are some (slightly boring) pics of the walls. I hope you like them!
Comments
Robert.G
March 2025
Not boring at all !!! Good start Jeroen ..
Joel
March 2025
Looks good, I like the rot along the bottom of the siding
JenS
March 2025
Hi Jeroen, those sidings look excellent, especially the darker bottom.
Well done!!
Jeroen
March 2025
Thank you very much Robert, Joël, Jens! This all will be slightly more weathered when creating the scenery. I start working on the details today, inside wall first. Theres so much inspiration on this forum!
KKarns
March 2025
Love the walls Jeroen! It all starts here with the wood work and time well spent. Having the interior less weathered and a different color tone is just solid forward thinking and modeling with thought and planning. Look forward to seeing this one come together. Nicely done!
admin
March 2025
What an awesome start, the walls look old and weathered but not rotten. They will provide the perfect backdrop to all those details!
TomMich
March 2025
Very nice Jeroen. The wall colors are very well done!
Jeroen
April 2025
Thanks gents, for your kind words. I finished the inner wall. Not so weathered because it’s less exposed to the elements, but still an old wall I think. The goodies from Bretts box of miracles and the weathering brings it closer to the outside walls, that will be more weathered obviously. I love the signage that comes with the kit as it subtly adds colour and underlines the setting of a repair shop. I still have to do the crates and gas canisters in the open shelve spaces, but that is for later, once the floor is done. So it’s on to the other walls now… Happy modelling, Jeroen
KKarns
April 2025
Excellent detail work Jeroen! Everything blends well and weathered just enough. Love it.
sdrees
April 2025
Very nice!
Dwaine46
April 2025
Love the details. Looks like someone is having fun !!
Kevin L
April 2025
Nice work
Jeroen
April 2025
Thanks Guys! Having fun indeed Dwaine! These kits are just so awesome. Theres an awesome amount of good quality time in those sierrawest carton boxes!
JenS
April 2025
You did a great work with those walls, Jeroen.
Jeroen
April 2025
Slowly but surely I’m working my way through the interior side of the walls. I really like the details that Brett provides and it’s such fun to paint and weather them. Im not far from finished with the walls and almost ready to assemble them. Theres so much work still to be done but it’s high quality time. Here is a bit of a status update. I hope you like it.
KKarns
April 2025
Beautifully done Jeroen and I really like you work flow on the walls. So nice to detail each wall before assembling them together. Each wall is a model itself! So well executed.
TomMich
April 2025
Great work Jeroen! I like the signs on the walls. I’ve seen many repair shops that have signs scattered on their walls throughout their shops.
Jeroen
April 2025
Thanks Ken, Tom! Yes, those signs. I think theyre essential in underlining the purpose of the building and placing it in a certain time frame. And they also add that nice touch of color. It all may look pretty simple, it isnt a very complicated building but it offers so much detail… its one of my favorites!
Kevin L
April 2025
Very nice build. Must update my progress on this kit on my page.
Jeroen
April 2025
Yes you must Kev! I just studied the pictures of your saw mill project. Awesome work! That promises a lot for your repair shop! Are there pics somewhere? I couldnt find then. Thanks for stopping by!
Kevin L
April 2025
Jeron pics of my truck repair build are on my Kevin L from Melbourne site on page 5. I will try and load my more up to date progress in the next few days.
Robert.G
April 2025
Very well done Jeroen !!
Karl.A
April 2025
Coming together so well, very subtle and natural results all around. Great job so far.
Jeroen
May 2025
I finished the interior of the last two walls. It’s now time to glue it all together for the rough layout of the building. I probably will need to do some adjustments and correct a small number of things, but the next step is the floor boards and creating a base for this one. Then it’s slowly but surely forward to the scenery. I love this kit. Brett has added so many small details, like the labels, the number plates, the signing, belts and so on and so on. There is a surprising amount of time involved in building this kit but I enjoy every second…
KKarns
May 2025
Excellent wall detail work Jeroen! Love the wall finish and details arrangement. You’ll have to light this interior!
TomMich
May 2025
Great detail work on the walls. The weathering and colors are spot on.
Jeroen
May 2025
Thanks Ken and Tom! Of course colouring the wall had in no small matter to do with Bretts suggestions in the instructions. Lights….mmm, thats a thought. Im going to make it that the roof can be removed any time but you got met thinking Ken!
KKarns
May 2025
would be a shame not to highlight those wonderful details my friend!
Kevin L
May 2025
Nice work.
glandesjr
May 2025
This is really looking great Jeroen. The details and the walls look great. Looking forward to the completed build. I did put lights in my truck repair along with a welder that lights. Looks pretty cool so you may want to add lights like Ken suggested.
Jeroen
May 2025
Thanks for the kind words gents! I have glued the walls together and epoxied the structure to its baseplate. There is a very thin first layer of groundwork in places, and Im now going to finish the interior with gas bottles, workbenches and so on. Im happy with how it looks and I can’t wait to start working on the exterior. There’s still a lot to be done but it slowly comes together. Happy modelling, Jeroen
Robert.G
May 2025
Nice work !! I love how the boards are weathered at the bottom. Well done Jeroen !
Jerry
May 2025
Great coloring on those walls. And the details are perfect.
Jerry
KKarns
May 2025
What a gem Jeroen! Your attention to the interior work really paid off. Everything you do with the exterior will just pop with that interior. Well done.
Jeroen
May 2025
Thanks Robert, Jerry, Ken! I fully realize that I still have much to learn but im happy with how this looks. Its the first time I got the colors of the walls nest the greyish look I wanted, and I just like the sawband marks and knots so much. I think when all the inside detail is enhanced by the external detail it will look really good. Fingers crossed!
sdrees
May 2025
This is coming along just great Jeroen. Your level of detail andweathering is fantastic.
Kevin L
May 2025
You are doing a fantastic job. How you going to have working lights?
Jeroen
May 2025
Thanks gents! I’m going to uses micro led lights for the lighting Kev. They will hang from the support beams that I still have to install. Wiring goes over the beams into one of the corners, then down, through the base foam and through to the underside of the diorama base. There is a hollow space underneath where I can install the batteries and a switch for on/off. Im no techniscian myself so Im going to ask a friend of mine to help me do this. And I think I can do it easily even when the build is finished as I intend to keep the roof removable.
Kevin L
May 2025
Jeron I am working on the lights on my build at the moment. Purchased LED lights from Wehonest, also used them on my sawmill build. My main problem I have in installing lights is sticking the wiring down. You are doing a great job with your build.
Jeroen
May 2025 edited May 2025
Cant you run it through a metal rod or tube which is glued in place with a little epoxy or even hot glue?
Jim M
May 2025
There are many ways to hide the wiring. I hid mine in conduit.
Jeroen
May 2025 edited May 2025
That looks great Jim. And I think it was worth the work you put into that because it really looks fine and adds so much to the overall atmosphere!
sdrees
May 2025
I have also put it in conduit on my models. You can get very small dia tubing fron Ngineering. Lights in models sure make a lot of difference.
Jeroen
May 2025 edited May 2025
I finished most of the interior and added the gas bottles, some crates, a jack and two workbenches. I really enjoy painting and weathering this small stuff, it adds so much to the overall look. Im now going to work my way around the building, starting on the side where there are the two windows. Hope you like it so far, happy modelling, Jeroen
KKarns
May 2025
Beautiful work Jeroen. You certainly have the detail work down solid.
TomMich
May 2025
Those details are outstanding!
Robert.G
May 2025
Nice work !!!
Karl.A
May 2025 edited May 2025
Beautiful work Jeron, everything looks just right, muted colours, weathering, placement.
Superb modelling.
The paint brush on the can looks great, the can needs some of the white paint dripping down the side.. 
Jeroen
May 2025
Thanks Ken, Tom, Robert, Karl! After years of plastic modeling this still is a bit new to me, although the things ive learned before i started building SW kits do help. Perhaps the journey is more important than the result. Karl, youre right, i saw that too; if you look in the pic where the bench is installed you might see I added that paint to the side of the can…
Karl.A
May 2025
Yes I see it now I went back. Well done indeed, superb.
JenS
June 2025
Outstanding work, Jeroen. Your choice of colors is great and blends in all the details very nicely and subtile. Love the different colors of the grinderstone, and the arrangement of the items on your workbenches, just Awesome.
Dwaine46
June 2025
Jeroen Doing a great job. makes me want to put mine in a closet and start another one.
Jeroen
June 2025
Thanks Karl, Jens Dwaine! I started with all the outside details and the scenery. I must admit this is the part I love most about building these kits… stuff starts coming to life and slowly building up all those nice little stories is absolute fun. I started with the short side of the building and now will work around it step by step, so the backside of the building is next. I think I managed to get some decent pics so here is where it all stands. Happy modelling, Jeroen
KKarns
June 2025
Wonderful scene detail. Love the saw horses with the oil bottles and crate…great stuff!
Robert.G
June 2025
Nice work Jeroen. The tires look great, bleached aspect from lying there in the sun..
TomMich
June 2025
Nice detail work. It all blends so well together. The tufts of grass and ground cover feel natural.
Jerry
June 2025
Jeroen that is a very realistic scene. Beautiful work!
Jerry
Karl.A
June 2025 edited June 2025
Excellent Jeroen, the painting of each piece is so well done and they blend together so well, and into the scenery/scene.
Jeroen
June 2025
Thank you all for the kind remarks. Progress on the backside of the building goed well. I need a couple of days to finish it. Im learning so much from this forum and im really happy to be a part of this great group!
Jeroen
June 2025
I worked on the backside of the building, adding more details from Bretts goodie box and some scenery. Im very happy with how this turned out - the ladder, oil drum, wooden barrel and a lot of smaller stuff. Im going to focus now one the front of the building and Im looking forward to work on that gas pump - those castings are just beautiful. Some pics and I hope I don’t bore you to death with it…
KKarns
June 2025
What’s boring is not having beautiful modeling, such as this, to peruse! Superb detail work here Jeroen. Love the screw jack, looks steely and oily just as it should.
Robert.G
June 2025
You never can show enough photos !!! Nice work. Everything looks natural together..
TomMich
June 2025
Great scene Jeroen! The details and scenery seem so natural.
Kevin L
June 2025
You are doing a great job looks fantastic.
glandesjr
June 2025
This looks really great Jeroen. What outstanding modeling. The details you did are great. Super job. Thanks for sharing.
Jeroen
June 2025
Thanks gents! The last weeks I have been plugging away at the scenery and details for the front and the side where the shed is. Although very timeconsuming painting all those little details is strangely rewarding and the bring the kit to live in an unequalled way - Bretts doing such a fantastic job with it. For me it’s on to the roofs and perhaps later add some real lightning - first things first. This is where she stands now!
TomMich
June 2025
Details turned out really GREAT! The ground cover and scenery are nicely done as well.
Kevin L
June 2025
You are doing a fantastic job.
Karl.A
June 2025 edited June 2025
A perfect blend of colour and subtlety, everything looks natural and blends together so well.
The subdued detail painting and the variation in the ground colours and texture bring it all together.
Wonderful work.
Jeroen
June 2025
Thanks Tom, Kevin, Karl! Thats high praise coming from you all and it means a lot. After 50+ years of modeling (tanks, planes, ships and cars - all plastic) this asks for a whole new skillset and thats so much fun. Still learning, and always will, but I think I have found my “thing”…
KKarns
June 2025
Beautifully done Jeroen. Your detail work is top shelf my friend!
Jeroen
June 2025
Thanks Ken, thats really nice to hear!
MuddyCreekRR
June 2025
Excellent work…
Jeroen
July 2025
So today I finished the O-scale Truck and repair shop. The tarpaper roof on the side and the rusted corrugated roof on the building both can be taken off to show the interior work. This was a fun project and Im very happy with how it turned out. Hope you enjoy this last collection of pics, all comments welcome as always. Happy modelling, Jeroen
CarlLaskey
July 2025
Jeroan.
There are many great modelers on here and I will say this you are at the top for sure.
It is a pleasure to see your work. …Carl…
ALCOALCO
July 2025
Thanks for the lifeline. Been a dry spell around these parts. Especially like the metal roof weathering and, as far as the exterior wood weathering, there’s none better!
Jeroen
July 2025
Those are very humbling remarks Carl and Al, thank you so much. There are many great modelers here indeed and I consider them an inspiration because I still have a lot to learn. But learning is the fun part of the hobby and I feel im making small steps in the right direction!
Kevin L
July 2025
An excellent job, I will post pictures of my finished model of this great kit in a few days’ time just have a couple of things to do.
TravisS
July 2025
So well done Jeroen. Nothing sticks out but everything looks cohesive-- a hard thing to accomplish and a testament to your modeling skills.
sdrees
July 2025
Very well done Jeroen. WOW!!!
Jeroen
July 2025
Thank you so much Gents! Looking forward to seeing those pics Kev, its such a lovely kit! The details Brett provisies and even more the painting and weathering suggestions in the instructions are a huge help in producing something decent!
Robert.G
July 2025 edited July 2025
Jeroen, you can and should be proud of your build !!! Very well done. Beautiful presentation as well, mitered pedestal
Jeroen
July 2025
Thanks Robert, highly appreciated!
KKarns
July 2025
Exceptional work here Jeroen. Your use of color tone variation in your details is spot on. The "rule’ of at least three colors/tones for realism in details is evident. Example is the red steel drum in the last picture; red, dark rust, and a splash of light rust or dirt. Scene composition is well done and looks natural rather than staged. As Robert mentioned, the base is nicely done and I like the use of a very limited footprint and the higher elevation base, gives it a nice look and the natural wood doesn’t steal your eye from the main event. Well done my friend!
Jeroen
July 2025
Thank you so much Ken. Im glad you like it. You have been and still are a huge inspiration for me, youre a bit of a coach and motivator as well and your work is something to aspire to. Your kind words mean a lot!
TomMich
July 2025
Well done Jeroen! Your placement and use of details looks very real. Also your use of scenery is subtle and adds a lot to the realism of the scene.
Jim M
July 2025
Fantastic job all around Jeroen. I really like the display case too.
Jeroen
July 2025
Thank you Tom and Jim! I ordered the new mill in O-scale and that will be my second half of the year project!
KKarns
July 2025
Have thoroughly enjoyed our camaraderie and friendship Jeroen. Thank you for the kind words and tickled to be knocking elbows with great modelers, but more importantly with great people such as yourself. Always look forward to your work and hearing from you.
glandesjr
July 2025
Great modeling Jeroen. And the roof looks really great. Details are awesome and the presentation in the display looks really great. Super job.
Jeroen
August 2025
Really appreciate the comment, thank you so much. Next project will be the new mill, and im looking forward to that so much!
KKarns
August 2025
Nice to hear Jeroen, what scale are you going to do?
Jeroen
August 2025
With all those gorgeous details I decided on O-scale Ken!
KKarns
August 2025
Most excellent!..look forward to your work as always my friend.
Jeroen
August 2025
I can’t wait to get started. I always wanted to build a mill and this is as good as it gets. And i hope to see your magic on the HO version!
KKarns
August 2025
Neither can I!..I have some cool things planned for my version as well. Would be nifty to have both our builds going on at the same time with two different scales.
Jeroen
August 2025
Im all for trying to make that happen! Lets see how we can set that up shall we?
minion
August 2025
KKarns said:
Neither can I!..I have some cool things planned for my version as well. Would be nifty to have both our builds going on at the same time with two different scales.
Ken,
I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with when you get to build the new mill, so that I can steal all your good ideas. However, if you are building Brett’s kits in chronological order you should be building the Machine Shop next ,and you won’t be getting to the Backwoods Tie Mill until about 2035. I can’t wait that long , so you had better alter your schedule and slip the mill in first.
Nick
KKarns
August 2025
Hey Nick, nice hearing from you! See, our tossing around of your thoughts on a one man sawmill have come to fruition my friend, how cool is that. When I came up with the idea to build all of Bretts kits I built in the caveat that I would also build each new release as it becomes available…so I can legally stop and build the Tie Mill! lol. Once the Tie Mill is done then back to the Machine Shop and so on…
minion
August 2025
KKarns said:
Hey Nick, nice hearing from you! See, our tossing around of your thoughts on a one man sawmill have come to fruition my friend, how cool is that. When I came up with the idea to build all of Bretts kits I built in the caveat that I would also build each new release as it becomes available…so I can legally stop and build the Tie Mill! lol. Once the Tie Mill is done then back to the Machine Shop and so on…
That caveat must have been in the small print and I missed it ! I shall also be building the tie mill next and I have found a place on my layout for it . So bring it on .
MuddyCreekRR
August 2025
Just got word mine just shipped…maybe it will show up before I head out to St. Louis on Tuesday…
KKarns
August 2025
Wouldn’t that be nice Art! Keep us posted.