Sunday Scenic Showcase Dec 28, 2014

Uh oh!

Lee love the cops hiding behind the billboard!!  Classic

Korber grocery building flat

Nice photos everyone. With our layout torn down and no decision on the new one I decided to get a Downtown Deco building. This was my 1st cast type of structure. I did add a walthers light to it. If anyone has some good tips on these let me know, thanks,  Nick.

OK...to follow Steve's theme....here is a 3rd video I made of the layout and pretty much shows it in its current state.  There will be some changes by this time next year with more scenery (trees, etc.) and night time lighting.....thanks for a great year to all of you guys!!

Alan

Alan   Great video,  my favorite spot on your layout and I just noticed it is the transfer table with the 3 engine sheds.  Great use with the space that you have.  Thanks for sharing.  Nick

Thanks guys!!

Alan

Nice pictures guys!

T8afao the art deco building came out pretty nice.

Alex, another home run as usual.

AG. Nice photo. 20cents per gallon that would be nice. Nick

In the last year I have taken a liking to weathering cars, this is the last one that I did.  I still have lots of learning to do but will be a fun project this winter, My goal is to have one complete train, with engines all weathered.  Nick

Alan

A real home run slide show especially with Petula Clark!!

Steve

Lee, look familiar?

Following Steve's "year in review" theme, here are some pics which represent the major additions/changes to our club layout during 2014.

We jumped into a signal system with both feet using Custom Signals

 We installed the last two bridges over our "great gorge" area

The last one is still getting some finishing touches

Requiring restricted speeds

The platforms under our passenger station at the south end were finished.

The river that runs through the "great gorge" terminates with this water scene

We installed a video system to monitor trains as they run through blind spots that are not visible from the control tower

Much progress made on Phase 1 of the city at the south end

Scenery work began in the steam service facility starting with detailing of the turntable bridge

Construction of our 5 bay diesel shop was started

A very productive year. Wishing everyone health and happiness in the New Year

WOW John....fantastic progress on what is certainly a world class layout!

Alan

Alan SIMPLY MARVELOUS, what size is your layout & are you depicting a particular city?

Ken M

Great layout pictures guys.

Here is a Korber Roundhouse I just completed.

Alan Graziano

Nick, looks like you've done a really nice job so far on the Downtown Deco building. A couple of things you might consider is using Robert's Mortar for the mortar lines. You can apply and then wipe off the surfaces of the brick with a very damp rag at anytime (hour, week, etc.) after application so it just leaves mortar lines. Depending on the application, you may get a soft white film on the brick but with repeated wet rag wiping, most of it will disappear. If you still want to tone it down, use a light application of india ink/rubbing alcohol (1 teaspoon/1 pint), applying vertically with a 3/4" to 1" brush. All this is only if you want a more weathered look to the brick wall surfaces. Another thing I always do with those hydrocal structures is apply some lightweight sparkling compound with a forefinger to the lines where the walls meet. This will eliminate the spaces where the walls are joined. This is almost always done before painting. Since you've already painted you may not want to do this (although it is still doable by painting the spackle with a small brush using the same wall color paint). If not, maybe some thin wire to represent downspouts and/or vines growing up the corners of the building. Anyway, good job. 

Jerrman

this is Walthers auto dealer kit wit a finished interior. the signage was done on my computer with CoralDraw and printed on photo paper. the window signs were printed on decal film with an Alps MD1000

Very impressive guys! These threads motivate me to move forward. I just began Ballasting, so I'll be doing that for a while. 

Andy

Jerrman,     Thanks for the info and tips, I do not care for the joints but was not sure on how to handle it.  I have 4 other kits yet to build so I will add that step.  I was planning on adding a wash but will do the grout lines 1st.  Thanks again.  Nick

Thank you Ken....

The layout is roughly 30x40 feet.  I am depicting a "midwest" city....none in particular but one in which many railroads congregate....

Alan

Part of it reminds me of Chicago, the river & the ell w/streets underneath.

Ken M