Wordless Wednesday 8-5-20

Finishing Track on the First Scene

Track weathering is completed for the right section of the layout. This section will feature a yard office and an unloading dock for a public siding. I'm using a weathering technique I learned from a Mike Confalone scenery video. AMI Weathering Powders are being applied to the rail webs. I like to use Medium Earth for yard and spur tracks. I also apply the powders to the track bumpers that have been previously painted a camouflage brown.

Ready to start. 

Applying powder to the back rail web. 

Track bumpers painted camo brown. 

Left bumper w/chalk applied. Right bumper camo brown. 

Rail webs w/Medium Earth applied. 

Completed weathered tracks. 

With the completion of the track weathering, I can now move on to static grass application. 

Until next time, 

Tom

Wordless Wednesday 7-29-20

Summer Heat=Layout Work

Ah, the joys of July heat and humidity in Missouri.  The perfect weather for staying inside with the A/C running, and do a little work on the layout.

Affixing the ballast with 90% isopropyl alcohol and Woodland Scenics Scenery Cement:

I am going the cheap route and decided to make my own timber grade crossings. These are craft sticks with some holes drilled into it, and some score lines to simulate individuals ties. An AI wash was applied and allowed to dry before attaching them to the track. Glued these down with ACC. The road bed is made from foamcore board with the top layer peeled off. A fillet of spackling was added for the shoulders. Once dried, paint will be applied and fine dirt will be sifted onto the wet paint.

It is good to be working on the layout again. 

Until next time,

Tom