This thread was started in October, 2023
randyp
October 2023 in O Scale Builds
As I said in my last post for my Second Sierra West model I was going to start a thread using the three sheds. I will try to fit the Rigging, Tool, and Line Side sheds into a square footer. The wood for the siding has been distressed and stained with CA.
Castings have been primed.
I think I remember reading in Robert G.'s rigging shed build that he thought the cable real laser cut ends were too thick. I used a chisel hobby knife blade to split the ends.
I then sanded them thinner with my disk sander.
Board lines were scribed into the smooth back with a hobby knife. Some rounds were stained with gray CA to represent older real ends. Other ends were stained with brown CA and glued to the cable real centers.
The laser cut frames were stained and the distressed siding was added along with some of the provided signs.
The walls are now glued together. I will stop with the building for now.
I think that the next step in this build will be painting some to the castings.
Comments
Joel
October 2023
Great start. Looking forward to following along
kebmo
October 2023
your ealls look exellent!!
Jerry
October 2023
Looks like a great start.
Jerry
ALCO
October 2023
Love the look!
admin
October 2023
Excellent, excited to follow along. Wonderful start. These kits were designed to go together! (especially the tool and rigging sheds)
TomMich
October 2023
Excited to see what you do with these 3 kits. Great start.
Jim M
October 2023 edited October 2023
Randy, glad to see you are at it again. This will be fun to watch come together.
randyp
October 2023
Thanks, for the comments about the start of this project. I am glad to hear that you think I am off to a decent start. I started on the “wood” parts of the castings last night. I will post pictures when I get some finished. My plan for this build is to do each of the building shells and then the castings. I will then arrange the buildings on the scenery base, and add the castings. I plan for the Tool and Lineside sheds to be newer and in better repair. Thanks, again for the comments. Randy
KKarns
October 2023
Nicely done Randy! Love the color and weathering of the siding. Off to a great start on another top shelf build!
randyp
October 2023
Thanks Ken, I am looking forward to trying my hand at coloring the wood for the other two sheds in more of a brown or new wood color. Randy
brownbr
October 2023
Sounds like a fun project
randyp
October 2023
I worked a little on the “wooden” shelves and cabinets. I divided them into two groups. The ones that would be placed inside the shed and the ones that would be outside. I then colored them with various browns for the ones inside and grays for the ones outside. I did not think the chalk and alcohol gave enough color variation. I used my AK Interactive pencils to add other shades of color. Here are two of the weathering colors I have. I also used a black and white set.
Here are the inside castings with only the wood parts colored.
And now the wood parts of the of the outdoor castings.
I will post these pictures of these castings again when I finish coloring the details on the shelves. Thanks for looking and any comments and suggestions are appreciated. Randy
vietnamseabee
October 2023
Looking good, Randy….one thought, maybe use a #2 pencil on the vertical grooves where wood butts up to wood…. I think someone (Karl?) let a/i run down the grooves/joints I refer to.
Terry
TomMich
October 2023
The effects turned out nice! Could you explain the process?
randyp
October 2023
Terry, I will need to experiment with the pencil. As for the A/I, I think that is in Brett’s instructions. If not for this kit then another one.
Tom, I will need to get back to the workbench and take some more pictures to illustrate what I did. Thanks for the comments and questions. Randy
randyp
October 2023
Tom, I got another casting and will attempt to show how I colored the ones for this kit. First here is the back and front of the casting. It was primed with khaki spray paint.
Some brown chalks were already added to this side before the picture. Chalks were scraped off into piles.
I used Rembrandt chalks. In order they are,408.3, 408.5, 408.9 and 234.3 for the browns.
For the grays I use in order, 700.5, 100.5, 704.5
A brush was dipped into alcohol, swirled on the chalk and then splotched at random on the back of the casting.
Then using the Black and White and Dirt AK Weathering pencils I made streaks black, dirty white, smoke, concrete marks, and dust
I then used an artist rolled paper tool called a tortillon or blending stump to feather and blend the pencil streaks. The tortollons was wet when used.
After blending the back of the casting looked like this.
I then used the brown chalks and these weathering pencils on the front of the casting.
Chalks first, then the weathering pencils produced this streaked brownish casting.
After using the wet tortillons the streaks were blended together to give what I feel is a nice aged wood effect.
The picture on the computer is not as brown as the real casting. Tom I hope this answered your questions. Any other comments or suggestions are welcomed. Thanks Randy
TomMich
October 2023
Randy,
Thanks for the tutorial. The casting turned out very nice. I like the varied colors of the wood. I have never used the pencils before. Looks simple enough to do. Thank you.
randyp
November 2023 99.20.9.49
Not a problem Tom. You can also wet the pencils first and apply color that way. However I like to uae them dry and them use the tortillons to blend the colors. I feel I can control where the color goes better. If you get some of the pencils have fun practising. Good luck, Randy
randyp
November 2023
I finely got all the details on the larger castings painted and coated with a dusting of chalk. The first group is the grayish ones that will be outside the shed.
The browish castings in the next picture will be placed inside the shed.
This was an older kit and the castings were all made of resin. any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
November 2023
Excellent results Randy! Nice plan on the contrasting base color.
TomMich
November 2023
Those turned out GREAT!
randyp
November 2023
Ken, thanks for your comment about the base color. I hope I got them grungy enough for you. Tom, I am glad you like them. I think the yellow oil can may need a little more chalk. Thanks again, Randy
EmeryJ
November 2023
These details turned out right nice Randy.
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Emery for your comment. Randy
Karl.A
November 2023
Great looking details Randy, base colours look nicely varied, I look forward to seeing your next steps on these.
randyp
November 2023
Well Karl, my next step was to glue the building to piece of .40 styrene painted concrete color. I then added the floor boards colored with brown chalk and alcohol.
Next I will add the castings and dirty up the floor with some dark chalk.Thanks for your nice comment. Randy
randyp
November 2023
Here are some pictures of the castings inside the shed. I would like to get your opinion about the arrangement of the castings. They have not been glued in place so they can be moved, reduced. or increased. Also I will plan to add some small details after the large castings are in place. Please let me know if is is OK or too cluttered. Thanks Randy
randyp
November 2023
I forgot to hit post comment so this has been setting on my computer for about a week. I went on glued them in place since I did not hear any comments. I did turn the box right side up before glueing. The milk can in the back has red a F M painted on the band just under the lid. I grew up on a dairy farm and that is how we identified our cans so we would get our own cans back from the creamery.
Below is a picture of the sliding door. I think I need to do a little adjusting to the left roller.
As usual all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
November 2023
Can’t have too much clutter. Most period reference photos have shops with wall to wall stuff…no scheduled trash pick-up! Arrangement is another story. I tend to sit and stare and mull over a scene for what seems to me to be a long time, days sometimes. I then get in a groove where I move along fairly well. Find some reference photos for inspiration. Love that front wall shot above, very well done!
EmeryJ
November 2023
I think it looks just right Randy. Never too much clutter in a SWSM. LOL. I really like how you did the 1/2 and 1/2 sliding door.
TomMich
November 2023
Looks good! There is no right or wrong for detail placement. It’s whatever pleases you. If I may suggest, perhaps dirty up the floor a bit. Especially were traffic patterns would occur.
randyp
November 2023
Ken, thanks. I wanted the workbench with the doors and drawers at the back to seen through the big door. Then the shelfs with the boxes of parts should be next to the workbench. The big cabinet just fit to the right of the small door. I will be adding more small details like tools, cans, and bottles.
Emery, that was straight from Brett’s directions. If you can enlarge the photo the top of the corrugated metal has a lot of tiny holes from the PC board etchant.
Tom, I agree. After I add more details I will darken the floor between the front and doors and across to the workbench. Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Randy
Karl.A
November 2023
Looks great Randy, indeed lots of ‘clutter’, yet still plenty of room to walk around and work in. The perfect combination.
I tend to spend more time sitting and staring in planning situations like this, and then the actual modelling just comes together in no time at all.
I like how it all looks.
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Karl. I still have chain, bottles, cans, and some of Bretts neet 3D printed logging details to add inside. I did a little adjusting to the door roller. It is now a little straighter.
ALCO
November 2023
Really like your approach to weathering of this wall and door!
Kevin L
November 2023
Great Job
randyp
November 2023
ALCO and Kevin, Thanks for your kind comments. Randy
randyp
November 2023 edited November 2023
As I said I am going to add some of Brett’s logging detail parts. I primed all of them with flat black. Here are three piles of parts. All of them were then brush painted with AK interactive gray like the pile on the left. The middle pile was then covered with black, gray, and white chalk dabbed on with an alcohol damped brush. The right hand pile was treated the same way but with rust colored chalks. I used Rembrandt chalks Burnt Sienna and Umber along with #235.3. The black castings are going inside the shed and the rusted ones are going to be broken in some way and then going on the junk pile outside. As usual all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Karl.A
November 2023 edited November 2023
I like the variations in the aging and weathing, I too like to weather the parts specifically for the age, scene and area they will appear in. It makes a difference and you have done it well.
The great parts from Brett are also a plus in scene creation.
admin
November 2023 edited November 2023
Looks great Randy, enjoying watching you put this all together!
The 3D Printed versions of the CHB logging blocks are a real game changer. Not only the re-release in O Scale, but especially the incredible HO Scale versions. Never had HO Scale in white metal.
KKarns
November 2023
Great idea Randy. Those details are wonderful and will fit right in to your project.
EmeryJ
November 2023
Those will be a great addition Randy!! Excellent idea.
randyp
November 2023
Karl, Brett, Ken and Emery thank all of you for the kind and encouraging words. It means a lot to me that four great moderlers such as yourselves like my work. I worked on the rusted castings again last night breaking them in places and adding new bright rust at the break.
I also did the final detailing of the inside of the shed. I may add a bottle or two but for the most part the inside is finished. Tom, I also added some black and gray chalk to the floor to denote high traffic areas.
I think I need to add a little more chalk in front of the sliding door. There are five of Brett’s castings scattered around the shed. Thanks for looking and as usual all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
mikemettelka
November 2023
Looks fantastic!
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Mike My next activity will be to make a removable roof
TomMich
November 2023
Turned out very nice!
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Tom
EmeryJ
November 2023
Man that looks great Randy! Something to be very proud of for sure.
sdrees
November 2023
Great looking Randy!
KKarns
November 2023
Lots of color but not too much and a nice grungy floor…love it!
brownbr
November 2023
Castings turned out great. Interior shot looks very natural.
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Emery, sdrees, Ken, and Brian for your comments. The next thing will be the roof. I want to make it removable. Brett only had one truss in this building. I needed more than that so I decided to scratch five.
Above is the first one glued together. The second picture is of three sat in place.
Now to finish two more and stain the wood. I will also need to come up with some new wood for the purlins. Thanks for looking and as usual any comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Robert.G
November 2023
Randy, it looks like you’re having a lot of fun with this kit. And , if I am not mistaken, that’s the goal !!! Great work man !
KKarns
November 2023
With all the great interior work a removable roof makes perfect sense!
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, Robert all the SW kits that I have built have been fun. Ken my thought exactly. Randy
randyp
November 2023
I did a little more work on the rigging shed last night. I finished and stained the trusses. They are just setting in place in this picture.
I also cut some strips of the weathered cedar I had from last year. This cedar is about half as thick as the cedar I used on the handcar shed about .013 inches.
I then taped down four pieces of strip wood I am going to use as purlins and added three rows of shingles to see how they would look. I may need to destress them a little more but I think they will work. Thanks for looking and all comments and suggestions are welcomed.
ALCO
November 2023
Shingles look pretty good as they are!
TomMich
November 2023
Nice looking shingles,
KKarns
November 2023
That’s roof work is going to look amazing! Interesting wood grain.
randyp
November 2023
Thanks, ALCO and Tom Just what nature can do. Ken, I certainly hope it will. I agree with you about the wood grain. But, that is just how the cedar weathered. The Sheets are to thin to try to use a wire brush on them until they are all glued in place. Thanks all, Randy
Karl.A
November 2023 edited November 2023
Roof is going to look great Randy, beautiful colour variation, told ya that was the way to go, ha.
Thats a super SUPER close up so the pores are going to show on some shingles.
What I usually do when doing it this way is, lay them all, then,
do some weathering and blending with chalks, this will fill in some of those pores.
final step, (when everything is good and dry get a new, sharp exacto and make lots of vertical random slices into the entire surface (lightly). Not full length, just quick random slices.
It doesn’t take long because it is a small roof but it will give you that vertical grain/ridge effect of real cedar and give it dimensionality and depth.
As always do a test piece first to get the feel, but looking at how good it is now it will be a great result.
randyp
November 2023
Thanks Karl for your advice. I will be sure to follow it when I get to that point. Randy
randyp
November 2023
I got the purlins glued to the trusses. I hit the ends of the purlins with a little gray chalk and alcohol to represent the the weathered exposed ends.
The trusses were not glued in place. So the whole unit will come out to make the roof and trusses removable.
I decided to go on and adde the first row of shingles plus one on the second row to show the overlap.
I remember the problem I had with warping when I did the roof of the Handcar shed. I removed the trusses and purlins.
I turned the roof structure upside down and put a weight on the trusses to help hold it flat until the glue dries. Thanks for looking and as usual all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
November 2023
Exciting part of the build Randy! The roof is the first thing folks notice so time well spent here. Looks fantastic thus far.
TomMich
November 2023
Very nice! Those shingles really look good!
Dave_S
November 2023 edited November 2023
Randy,
Great build to date. You have got my modeling juices flowing again with your roof build. I am looking forward to your next steps.
In my opinion Ken hit the nail square on the head with his comment about the first thing a viewer sees is the roof. The second thing I believe viewers see is the vehicles and then an interior that is lit up. Perhaps those two elements could easily be reversed.
I keep getting drawn back to viewing the build of the Red Oak Garage by Chuck Doan as well as the modeling of Tom Johnson in part because they use no figures in their modeling dioramas. Both modelers seem to focus on structures, vehicles and scenery without any figures. An interesting concept.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
randyp
December 2023
Thanks Ken, Tom. and Dave for your kind comments. Last night I added a row of shingles to the other side of the roof. Tomorrow night I plan to add a second row to the row on the first side of the roof. I plan on alternating sides and allowing the glue to dry between rows. All the detail parts are painted or blackened and waiting for the building to be planted on the dio base. That is not going to happed until I finish the fourth and fifth SW buildings. Also last night I stained the wood for the Tool Shed siding. So the construction has started on my fourth kit. Randy
brownbr
December 2023
Roof is turning out nice.
randyp
December 2023
Thanks Bryan I think this thickness of cader looks better. I did a little more work on the shed over the weekend.
The second row of shingles was added. I think these look more natural because there is a more uniform color. Still differences between shingles but more subtle than the ones on my handcar shed roof. I also added the rafters for the lean to shed. I wanted a removable roof for the lean to. I used double sided tape on some paper and then spaced the purlins out and epoxied the corrugated roof onto the purlins.
The roofing was weathered with PC board etchant and that is all that was done in this picture. I wanted to make sure that the lean to roof would fit under the overhang of the shingle roof. So putting them both in place there was enough clearance.
I added a little Rust All the lean to roof in this picture. I will probably add more rust later.
While glue was drying and other waiting times I grained and stained the siding wood for the tool shed. I want this building to be newer and in better repair than the rigging shed. I used shades of brown chalk and a lighter hand with the wire brushes.
From now on I will be adding one row of shingles and working on the tool shed while the glue dries on the shingles. Thanks for looking and as usual all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Karl.A
December 2023
Looking great Randy, shingles are perfect and that corrugated looks wonderful.
Slow and steady bud, works every time.
TomMich
December 2023
Combination of roofs looks really great!
KKarns
December 2023
The shingle roof is wonderfully done Randy! Color is perfect and the shakes are nicely in scale…well done.
ALCO
December 2023
Really showing some serious skills here!
randyp
December 2023
Karl, I agree with you about taking my time. In the past I have rushed things and the model has suffered. Thanks Tom, they do fit together nicely. Ken I can not take credit for the color. It is all Mother Nature. The thinner cedar sheets make more scale thickness shakes. ALCO, thanks for the complement . Randy
Robert.G
December 2023
Randy, with a little help from mother nature, you’ve come a long way. Nice work !!
brownbr
December 2023
I always like the look of etched roof panels. Nice job getting them rusty without completely dissolving them.
randyp
December 2023
Thanks Robert, and Bryan. It is moving along. Randy
randyp
December 2023
Well, except for the shingles on the roof which I am only doing one row a night the Rigging Shed is finished. So I decided I might as well get started on the Tool Shed. As I stated in another post, this shed will be of newer construction. Brownish color, less distressing of the wood, and fewer broken or missing boards.
Above are the four walls with siding attached. The next kit will be the Lineside Shed Which I plan to build as an almost new building. Any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
December 2023
Might as well Randy as you’re on a roll here! Good idea to change the age of the structures as it will be a nice contrast. Good start and it all starts with the wood…time well spent.
randyp
December 2023
Thanks Ken, I am hoping the different ages of the building will add interest to the diorama. Randy
KKarns
December 2023
Oh it will for sure Randy. Look forward to seeing it come together.
Karl.A
December 2023
Looking great Randy, there’s nothing better than having two or three projects going at once, that’s what always gets me in trouble, haha.
The newer wood tones and differentiating the structures will really work out well in the finished scene.
brownbr
December 2023
This will make for a nice contrast with the rigging shed.
Joel
December 2023
Love the colouring on the roof.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Ken, Karl, Bryan, and Joel for the comments. I have not been keeping up with the forum posts over the holidays. I did do some work on both the sheds. The Rigging shed is now finished until I plant it on the diorama. The roof took a lot of time because I did only one row of shingles on one side of the roof a night. This kept the glue causing the roof from warping. Karl I saw in your post that 18 months was not enough time to weather the cader enough for you. Six months was it for me. Here is the finished roof.
Here is the rigging shed as it looks now with the roofs in place.
Karl.A
January 2024 edited January 2024
Roof looks fantastic Randy, I like the corrugated cap that you added, nicely rusted also great colour and natural variation on the shingles..
randyp said:
Karl I saw in your post that 18 months was not enough time to weather the cader enough for you. Six months was it for me.
Nope, that’s not right, 6 months was fine for me on the Cedar, I got great colour. That’s why I shared and recommended my technique to you, and others, glad to see it worked out for you..
That was Terry’s post in my thread that you are referring to.
randyp
January 2024
Sorry, about that Karl. Thanks for your comment about the roof. I was happy the way it turned out. Randy
KKarns
January 2024
Wonderful roof work Randy! Shaping up to be a top shelf build.
randyp
January 2024
While I was waiting for the glue to dry on the rigging shed shingles I worked on the tool shed. I already posted a picture of the walls but they were not finished. Now I have added doors and windows. As usual I used real glass in the windows. I also decided to have the doors open more than a mere crack. I will pile up boxes, crates, barrels, and gas cans inside the shed to add more depth to the scene.
I then worked on the deck of the platform. I wasted my time doing two pieces of boards on the deck. Most of them ended up inside the shed.
The legs and braces were next for the platform. The Ultimation sander was a big help in getting the legs as square and equal length as possible.
The next few work sessions will be to glue the shed to the platform, add details in the shed and on the platform. Thanks for looking and all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Ken for your nice comment. I am now thinking about how to make the roof on the tool shed removable. That might be more than I want to get involved with. Randy
KKarns
January 2024
The finished walls turned out great, nice job there. Removable roofs are fiddly and need to be done carefully so they don’t look removable! I did a large one on my Loco and Service Shops build and incorporated magnets to hold the roof down tight…way more work than I would do now!..
EmeryJ
January 2024
Looking good Randy. The shingles are especially well done.
randyp
January 2024
Ken, I am still thinking about the removable roof but as you said it just be more effort than it is worth. Emery, thanks for your comment. The shingles were six months in the making. I liked the way they turned out. Randy
randyp
January 2024
I have not decided about a removeable roof yet. But with the doors at least partially open I wanted to have some details in the interior. Here is what I decided to use to start with.
If I decide to have a removable roof I will add more later. I will also add more dirt to the floor. As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
January 2024
I was waffling on the idea of a removable roof on my latest project and reached a compromise, one half removable, one half not!..You’ve got a reasonable amount of details already so may want to go for it. Size of the roof would seem to make it reasonably straight forward.
randyp
January 2024
Ken, that is food for thought. Thanks for the ideal. Randy
TomMich
January 2024
Roof turned out great! Nice coloring on the walls.
If you want the roof removable and there are no rafters you could cut a cardboard triangle to the angle of the end walls, and glue them to the roof just inside the wall. This would shape the roof to the end walls and make it removable.
randyp
January 2024
Ken, I decided to have the whole roof removable. Not one to do things halfway.
Tom, I thought of that but I used balsa sheet to make my triangles. I first laid down boards for the sheeting. These were the boards from the handcar shed that were to be used for the shingles. No use to waste good strip wood right? Then glued the triangles in place with lots of glue.
The next night I did the sheeting for the other side of the roof.
Next will come the end facia and the “tar paper”. I plan to make one or two small taires in the tar paper so that the sheeting will show underneath. T and as thanks for looking and as always all commen ts and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
January 2024
Little extra work but will be nice to be able to see all the interior details. A little torn and weathered tar paper with the wood showing gives a nice aged look. Nice progress.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Ken.
TomMich
January 2024
Will be nice to be able to view the nice details on the interior. Good solution to be able to remove the roof.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks, Tom I put on one strip of tar paper last night. Will do another strip tonight. Letting glue dry so wood does not warp. Thanks again, Randy
EmeryJ
January 2024
I like the roof solution you have come up with Randy.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Emery, it worked and I guess that is what counts. Randy
randyp
January 2024
I worked on the storage tank and gas pump. I used .040 styrene to represent the concrete pad under the tank platform rather than the concrete footings. I thought this looked more like what a seat of the pants operation would do. Weathered the tank with CA rust colors. Followed the pumps directions except I used a thinner solder for the gas hose on the pump.
Side one above and side two below.
I am continuing to add the tarpaper one strip a night. Thanks for looking and any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
January 2024
Looks great Randy! Love the pump print and you did a wonderful job on the detailing.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Ken, I still to add some detail parts to the top and piping to the pump. Randy
TomMich
January 2024
Nice job on the pump and tank. Using a thinner solder for the hose really looks good!
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Tom, I thought it looked more natural. I will use a larger diameter solder or wire for the pipe used to hook the tank to the pump. But that will be when I instal the buildings on the base. Randy
randyp
January 2024
I worked on detailing the platform around the tool shed tonight. Here is what I worked out.
For the most part I followed Brett’s pictures in the instructions. Thanks for looking and as normal all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
sdrees
January 2024
Looking nice Randy!
randyp
January 2024
Thanks
admin
January 2024
Looks awesome! Love the tarpaper roll labeling. Nice detail.
TomMich
January 2024
Great detail placement! this is the fun part!
CarlLaskey
January 2024
Randy.
How about a few old rags on that oil tank…
Kevin L
January 2024
Nice work love it.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Brett, they are too big but I am not enough of a computer nerd to know how to make them smaller. So, I just looked up tar paper rolls and printed them. I wish I had know how to shrink them so the labels would be more to scale.
Tom, I will save most of the rest of the details to plant on the ground around the building when I plant the buildings on the diorama.
Cark, So far there is an oil can and one rag on the tank. I like using the white backing paper from the laser cut plastic window material to make the rags.
Thanks Kevin I just followed Brett’s pictures and instructions.
Tanks all, Randy
KKarns
January 2024
Terrific looking details Randy! The scene arrangement looks great.
TomMich
January 2024
Randy,
You can Google an image and when you find one you like you can save it to a Word document (right click on the image and select Save Image). In the Word doc you can resize it by dragging the corner smaller. Yhat’s what I use to print signs and labels.
Jim M
January 2024
Karl actually has a thread about how to resize images. Very valuable.
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Ken I may have got the details to close the edge of the platform. That fallen over roll of tarpaper is almost blocking the path. Thanks Tom and Jim. I will try that or look up Karls thread. Randy
randyp
January 2024
Jim, I looked for Karl’s thread. I could not find where it is found. Would you please let me know where to look. Thanks, Randy
Jim M
January 2024 edited January 2024
Here it is, make sure you start on page 1. I can’t seem to link it to page1.
Sizing, Printing Labels to Details (or signs). Karl.A - Techniques - SierraWest Scale Models Forum
randyp
January 2024
Thanks Jim, I did get page one to open. Randy
randyp
February 2024
I have been a little under the weather the last week. I have done a little work but have not felt like posting to my thread. I finished the roof for the tool shed.
The tarpaper was finished as Brett suggested with white water based pint thinned in alcohol. I then lightly sanded it with a fine abrasive sponge. The abrasive sponge sands away a little at the edges of the tarpaper making the edges show up better. Finely, I scraped black and brown chalk on the roof and streaked it from top to bottom with a soft brush. That for the most part finishes the tool shed until I instal it on the diorama. Thanks for looking and all commen ts or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KKarns
February 2024
Roof looks great Randy! Well done.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Ken, I just commented on the stove pipe in your blacksmith build. Randy
CarlLaskey
February 2024
Very nice well done…
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Carl, I have now started on number five. Randy
KKarns
February 2024
Saw that Randy and thanks.
TomMich
February 2024
Turned out really great!
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Carl and Ken. As I said I have started on SW kit number five, the lineside shed. I wanted this shed to be the newest of the three. First I took about one third of the siding and set it side. The other two thirds were lightly wire brushed and then drilled and filled with toothpicks.
After the glued dried overnight the toothpicks were clipped of and the boards were stained with alcohol and chalk. I used Rembrandt chalks number 234.3 and 231.8 gold ochre to color the wood. The gold ocher gives the wood a new wood color with the light brown 234.3 adding just a touch of age. The third of the wood without toothpick knots was stained mostly with the gold ocher with just a touch of the light brown. This will be the wood for the inside walls.
The wood for the outside walls was treated with just a little more of the 234.3 light brown.
The front wall with the siding in place but not trimmed.
The front came out just about how I was wanting it to look. Thanks for looking and as always all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
admin
February 2024
Great progress, love the walls and knots. Perfecto!
glandesjr
Randy, These are some of the best knots I’ve seen. Really good stuff. It looks great so far. Thanks for sharing.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Brett, and glandesjr, I like the knots too. Most of the time they seem to disappear when I stain the wood. Randy.
EmeryJ
February 2024
Excellent job on the siding.
TomMich
February 2024
Siding turned out great! The wood really looks like new wood. Well done!
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Emery, and tom that was the look I was trying to get. I am glad you think I got it right. Randy
KKarns
February 2024
Walls look great Randy…it all starts here!
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Ken, I now have all the walls sided and window frames and battens in place.
They are under weights now so they don’t warp. The only problem is I need two more strips of wood for battens for the corners. I will need to find some in my pile of strip wood. Thanks for looking and as normal all comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Karl.A
February 2024
This is looking great Randy, I really like the wall colouring and variation and the knots are superb.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Karl, I really appreciate your comment as I admire your modeling. I just finished adding knots to the wood for the doors tonight. Randy
TomMich
February 2024
Turned out GREAT! The wood color and the knots make it look real.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Tom, I think that is what we all try to achieve when we model. Randy
Joel
February 2024
Love the progress you’ve made since last time I checked. The tool shed detailing is superb. Great work.
Nice wood prep on the lineside shed too. Can’t wait to see them all on the diorama
KKarns
February 2024
Siding looks great and those knot holes show up so well on the lighter wood!
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Joel and Ken. The last few days I have been painting detail parts. will show some new pictures soon. Randy
randyp
February 2024
I have been working on some details for the line side shed. First the doors. I built them over the templates from lightly stained and knotted wood. I then was about ready to install the handles. I got to thinking why not use shim brass rather than the material included. They would stand up to rougher handling. The following picture shows the handles I bent from a narrow strip of brass I cut from as sheet of shim stock.
After the handles were blackened I installed them on the prebuilt doors.
Next came the larger wood detail parts. I did the coloring of these parts with the AK interactive weathering pencils I described back on page one of this thread.
Of course I painted the non wood parts of the castings and blinded everything together with chalk. There are a lot of detail castings in this kit. The following the pictures show most all of the “metal” casting.
I will finish up the barrels and wood boxes and be back with pictures of them later. Thanks for looking and as always all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Karl.A
February 2024
Great progress Randy, you’re moving along.
EmeryJ
February 2024
Lots and lots of those great detail parts to scatter around.
CarlLaskey
February 2024
Looks good Randy lots of toothpicks. …
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Karl, I think I am about finished with painting all the details. The white metal castings are next. I finished the wood boxes and barrels last night. I again used the AK international weathering pencils.
I will add some chalk to all the details to tone down the colors before I plant them on the diorama. Any comments or suggestions are always appreciated. Randy
TomMich
February 2024
Nice work on the detail parts. The wood items are especially well done.
randyp
February 2024 edited February 2024
There are indeed a lot, Emery and remember I have two other SW kits with all their details to fit on the diorama. Yes there are Carl. I now buy two containers of toothpicks at a time. Thanks Tom I think I need to tone down the bands a little. Thanks to all for your comments and encouragement. Randy
sdrees
February 2024
Nice looking barrels
KKarns
February 2024
Great detail work Randy!
admin
February 2024
looks awesome Randy!
randyp
February 2024
Thanks sdrees, Ken, and Brett for the kind words. Tomorrow night I will work on the white metal castings. Then I will start putting everything together. Randy
EmeryJ
February 2024
Excellent job on the woodwork coloring Randy.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Emery
Karl.A
February 2024
Wooden items look great Randy, cant wait to see what you do with the metal.
As you asked for the suggestions and you said they were finished…
I would try to vary the wood colour between items as they seem ‘uniform’
Dust a few with dry grey chalk to age them a little. Dip a few in a/i to darken them but not the others. Just to make them all not look the same.
That’s my thoughts.
Great work all around on these builds so far.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Karl, I was planning to do the chalk just before panting them on the diorama. Will also try the India ink and alcohol but am worried it will affect the color that is there to much. I will still give it a try on a few of the wood details. Randy
randyp
February 2024
As I have been saying I was going to finish the metal detail parts. Here they are polished and painted.
Thanks for looking. Randy
Karl.A
February 2024
Looking great randy
CarlLaskey
February 2024
Nice.
randyp
February 2024
Thanks Karl and Carl for the kind words. Karl, I used your advice from my truck repair kit about polishing the tools on a piece of white paper. I really like the shine it gave the heads of the axes and hammers. I am planning to add the windows to the walls tonight and maybe glue the walls together. Randy
KKarns
February 2024
Details look great Randy…you better grunge up that wheelbarrow or I won’t speak to you ever again!:).
randyp
February 2024
ken, here is the first step in the wheelbarrow grunging project.
randyp
February 2024
Karl, I tried some AI on two “wood” boxes. It worked and blended out the colors of the AK pencils.
KKarns
February 2024
Ha, wheelbarrow looking grungy…
Those crates are awesome Randy, very well done!
Karl.A
February 2024 edited February 2024
Looking good Randy. Glad you tried it, my paper technique is a great way to just polish the edges and raised areas.
The A/I has altered them just enough to give some difference to the ones that havent and break up the ‘sameness’.
glandesjr
February 2024
Hi Randy:
I’ve been following your build and it looks great. Learning a lot from your tips and techniques so thanks. This will be a great diorama when you get it done. Details are awesome.
randyp
February 2024
Well Ken, I need to do some grunging to the handels. Thanks Karl, I am glad I tried it too. Glandesjr, Thanks I hope I can make everything fit. I tried to do the windows last night. I got the real glass cut and in the window frames. I was ready to install them and realised they were way undersized. I contacted Brett and he is sending the O scale windows. So I will put the walls together tonight. Thanks all for the kind comments. Randy
randyp
March 2024
Over the last few nights I have been working the large workbenches. I added some chalk and IA. I also added the small tools and other detail parts.
The shelves and cupboard were also theated the same way.
I got the new window frames from Brett yesterday and I am going to try to get the windows glazed and installed tonight. Thanks for looking and as usual any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
KVRailfan
March 2024
Those turned out great Randy!
CarlLaskey
March 2024
Looks good Randy. …
KKarns
March 2024
Excellent work Randy. Time well spent.
Karl.A
March 2024
Great work on those details randy.
randyp
March 2024
Thanks Karl, you have been a great help with your suggestions and painting details thread. I glazed and installed the windows last night. As usual I used real glass for the glazing. As you can see from the pictures I were latex gloves to handle the glass so as n ot to leave fingerprints.
In the first picture the right hand window is a little out of alinement. But it was worse. Glass over hung the edge of the frame. I used a diamond dust file to sand off the excess glass. On the second picture I will need to go back and clean some glue with a #11 blade. Thanks for looking and as usual any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Robert.G
March 2024
Lovely color !! Nice work so far !!
KKarns
March 2024
Nicely done Randy! I applaud you for working with real glass…nothing looks more like glass…than glass.
randyp
March 2024
Ken, I agree only glass looks like glass. Thanks Robert the colors I used were Rembrandt chalk 231.8 Gold ocker with just a little 234.3 Raw Sienna. I thought it gave nice new wood color. Randy
randyp
March 2024
Well, I believe I have all three of the sheds built. Now all I need to do is plant them on the styrofoam base and add the scenery and details around them. The first three pictures are on a scrap of styrofoam I do not intend to use. Which arrangement of buildings of building do all of you think looks the best.
The lineside shed is up on a box top as I plan to have it raised on a small hill. I only added the tree to one of the arrangements but it could be added to all of them. Please have a look and tell me what you think. If you can think of another arrangement feel free to let me know. Thanks for your input. Randy
Jim M
March 2024
I don’t know which is best but I prefer those using both sides of the track. The tree adds a lot to the scene.
randyp
March 2024
Thanks Jim for your input. I the tree will likely be in which ever scene I decide to go with. Randy
KKarns
March 2024
The covered porch of the Rigging Shed facing the Tool Shed (next to last picture) with both facing the tracks is logical and creates visual interest. The Lineside Shed would look good on a road access behind the two other structures and would balance the diorama to good effect.
randyp
March 2024
Ken, Thanks for suggestions about the placement of the three sheds. I will probably go with this arrangement.
It was also my Wife’s favorite arrangement. Randy
randyp
April 2024
Here is the fence for the back of the lineside shed.
I am also thinking of using this arrangement of the sheds. Rich was worried the the last arrangement was taking up too much room.
Thanks for looking and as always all comments and suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Joel
April 2024
Randy, this is one of my favourite parts of diorama building. It really makes a huge difference to the final product. I find 2 things make a huge difference in stand alone dioramas. the first is to try to avoid putting the track parallel or perpendicular to the base. 30 degrees makes a huge difference. The second is to try variations in height. Even elevating one of the buildings by 1/2 and inch can add so much interest. In this case where all three are serviced by the rail you are sort of stuck but a small gully or hill as part of the scenery could improve things. If you are building this to add to a lyout that’s a whole other ballgame and you are constrained by surrounding scenery.
Just my 2 cents
swissrail
April 2024
I would second Joel’s input on both items that he mentions, and I think that in particular the height variations could be easier implemented with the previous arrangement. Depending on whether just one or both of the businesses in that alayout are intended to be rail served, in addition to not being parallel to the base, you could also have a slight curve in the track. I think the last arrangement of the buildings looks too sequential, with all of them next to each other and allows for less of the proposed variation. (I don’t really think it takes up less room either).
Urs
randyp
April 2024
Joel, Thanks for your two cents worth. I am waiting to hear from the person I am building them for to make the final placement. Swissrail, I can n ot disagree with anything either you or Joel have said. I may just put them in this order for a show that is comming up and then let Rich cut them apart and put them on his layout where ever he wants. Thanks for your comments, Randy
Karl.A
April 2024 edited April 2024
Great looking structures Randy, I know you are going to make a wonderfull scene whatever you decide, There are a hell of alot of details with those three kits so make sure you leave plenty of room for those…
Keep up the posts and great pics.
Just a thought for you to play with…
Your original pic.
My first thought for adjustment.
Tool shed moved to the right from the edge to allow space for details on the far left side.
A wider road way to open it up a little more and not so cramped.
Rigging shed again moved to the right to allow a more flowing feel and space for the details.
Road curving away to the back left to create interest and minimise all the straight lines of sight.
Lineside shed twisted more to follow the road curve and give it a nicer viewing angle looking between the two front structures and a natural feel.
Added a second tree to fill space and add hight, alsofor added depth when looking from the right side.
randyp
April 2024
Thank you for your excellent suggestions. I especially liked that you used the computer to give me a visual of what it would look like. I like this a lot. I decided to keep the track at the front of the diorama. I wanted the thack to have a real backwoods look. So I got some dead oak branches from the trees in my yard, cut them to length, and then sharpened the end.
I then glued the ties down with epoxy and used a sanding block to sand the round ties flat on top.
I then cut code 70 rail into 39 ft. length and glued it in place. I will come back later and spike the rail to each tie. I then added grout to act as a filler for the first layer of ballast.
Again later I will add sifted dirt for the final layer of ballast between the ties and to the sides of the track. Thanks again Karl for your suggestions. Randy
Robert.G
April 2024
I think Karl’s idea is very good. Makes the diorama more dynamic and gives possibilities with the barn. I love your idea to use the dead oak branches. Nice work Randy !!!
randyp
April 2024
Thanks Robert, I thought it gave the track a more backwoods look. I now have gone back and spiked the rail with one spike on each side of the rail per tie. I also added some dark brown dirt as ballast. I did not want to use rock as I visualize this track belonging to a shoestring operation. The oak ties did present a problem as they are a lot harder than the basswood ties we normally use. I had to drill a hole for each spike. Here are two pictures of the dirt ballast, clumps of grass, and spikes.
I need to clean up a little of the ballast from the inside of the rail and rust up the rail and spike heads. Thanks for looking and any comments or suggestions are welcomed. Randy
Kevin L
April 2024
Looks great.
randyp
April 2024
Thanks Kevin, It has been fun. Randy
TomMich
April 2024
Really like the look of the ties. In my eye they look too new. It may be possible to stain them with A/I to weather them more. You also may consider “oil” drippings down the center of the track with some chalk powders.
randyp
April 2024 edited April 2024
Tom, that sounds like a good suggestion. I may try that on a few ties on the right end and see how it looks. That end may get sliced off by two or three inches. Thanks for your input. Randy
TomMich
April 2024
Glad to be of assistance. Hope it works for you. Remember go easy and just try a little at a time till you get the look you want.
Karl.A
April 2024
I like it, alex did something similar on one of his dioramas.
Maybe dull down the new wood a little with some strategic a/i.
But because they are temp and short lived they wouldn’t have weathered too much, so, pick your story and tell it with your skills.
randyp
April 2024
Tom, I used chalk and alc on the left end and it was to dark. The IA on the rest worked better and took off the new look. Today was the 69th Bi annual St. Louis Area Narrow Gauge, SLANG, meeting. My rigging shed that I have posted about on this thread was awarded the Craig Brown award.
This is the second one I have been blessed enough to win for an SW build. Thanks
Brett. Randy
Karl.A
April 2024
Congrats Randy, a well deserved award for a great build.
The plaque says it all.
Robert.G
April 2024
I will echo that !!! Bravo.. 
randyp
April 2024
Thanks Karl and Robert, I am very proud of the honor as this group of narrow gauge modelers in St. Louis are very discriminating. Craig, along with John Kalin Set up the first Narrow Gague convention. Craig was also the NMRA President in the late 70’s or early 80’s. Thanks again, Randy
Karl.A
April 2024
You should be proud ! well done.
TomMich
April 2024
Congrats! That shed is awesome!
CarlLaskey
April 2024
Well done Randy…
randyp
April 2024 edited April 2024
Thanks again Karl, Tom and Carl thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Now to put all three buildings on the diorama. Randy
Joel
April 2024
Really nice work. Well deserved.
sdrees
April 2024
Great work Randy
Jim M
April 2024
Congratulations Randy. Job well done.
randyp
April 2024
Thanks Joel, I have enjoyed following along with your builds. Randy
glandesjr
April 2024
Congratulations on your award, Randy. That is really cool and the modeling looks awesome. Can’t wait to see your finished diorama. Great job.
admin
April 2024
Congrats Randy, well deserved! Love that shingled roof btw…
randyp
April 2024
Thanks Glandesjr and Brett. The buildings are for Rich Rands and since he owns Berkshire Valley Models I decided to use some of his trucks. “Sorry Brett” That is what I have been working on for the last week. Thanks again, Randy
KKarns
July 2024
Way to go Randy! All that great modeling with a well deserved accolade, nice.
randyp
August 2024 edited August 2024
It has been a while since I posted. Here is my diorama base.
randyp
August 2024
Whoops! I hit the wrong key. here is the base with the first layer of grout.
I thought the road needed some ruts. So I made up a frame to hold the wheels of one of Rich Rands Berkshire Valley truck.
The three sheds are now glued down and details are being added. Randy
randyp
September 2024
Here is my diorama out at the truck getting ready for the 614 mile, 9 hour drive tomorrow.
I did not spend trying to get good model shots just snapped some photos. Thanks Randy
Kevin L
September 2024
Very nice
Karl.A
September 2024
Looks fantastic Randy, that structure layout worked out perfectly.
Can’t wait to see “pretty” pics when you get there, these are great overall view of the great work.
randyp
September 2024
Thanks Kevin, glad you liked them. Thanks Karl for your suggestion as to the placement of the buildings. Randy
KKarns
September 2024
Beautifully done Randy!
glandesjr
September 2024
This looks super Randy. I love your method of putting ruts in the dirt. I’ll have to try that. Thanks.
TomMich
September 2024
Turned out great! Nice placement of structures and details.
Robert.G
September 2024
Looks great, nice work !!
MuddyCreekRR
September 2024
Good to see you out there…sadly too briefly…I’m still trying to figure out what happened…
Karl.A
September 2024
What happened in what respect Art?
Joel
September 2024
Great diorama thanks for sharing.
MuddyCreekRR
September 2024
I still can’t understand how that Technicolor Diorama pulled a spot at all…
randyp
June 2025 edited June 2025
Thanks for all your nice comments. I have taken a break from SW models for a while been working on my S scale layout for the convention in September. Randy