Sunday scenic showcase july 1 2018

Just A couple of projects we are working on.

My upper level always looked like a train riding along the edge of a cliff so last week I built the mountain, in the center of this photo, as a scene divider.  It is totally removable and added two more tunnels.

Getting a lot closer to finishing up the mine run.   Weathered the clapboard buildings, the road, built/weathered and installed the retaining wall behind the gas station.  Should finish ballasting all the track in this area today, and hook up the remaining building lights.

David Minarik posted:

My upper level always looked like a train riding along the edge of a cliff so last week I built the mountain, in the center of this photo, as a scene divider.  It is totally removable and added two more tunnels.

Look's great!  Neat idea on the bridge construction too!

I got arround to completing the new post office in the layout.  This is a custom laser cut from right on track models.

Wow, awesome work everyone!  I’ve been working on another “old” Atlas (pre-AtlasO) car this past week...this time it’s a Lehigh Valley 40’ boxcar.  

So far the plastic molded-in grab irons and stirrup steps have been removed and replaced with scale wire/metal ones, the under frame has been modified to accept Weaver die-cast trucks and Kadee scale couplers (replacing the stock plastic trucks and couplers), the under frame and simulated wood floor have been painted, additional weight has been added to improve tracking...and the car interior has been primed, painted and weathered.

Next up will be weathering the interior floor, body exterior and trucks...then reassembling the car.

Here are some progress photos...

Joe,   Nice weathering on the interior of the boxcar, what color are you painting the interior, and how are you creating the weathered chipped paint effect.   Seems like tight quarters working in there ?   Chris A...

Thank you, Chris!  I have a couple favorite colors for painting boxcar interiors...one is a light gray-tone and the other is a light beige tone.  This particular car interior was finished with Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch “Stone Gray” satin...

As for creating the weathered chipped paint effect, I use a combination of various acrylic paints.  Some of my favorite colors are shown below...

You are correct with your “tight quarters” observation, so I create the “chips” by applying the acrylics with small pieces of sponge cut from packing foam (pictured below) that I either hold between my fingers, or with large tweezers.  The longer “scratches and scrapes” are made using the thin edges of various-length dental tools (also pictured below) dipped in the paints...

Joe,   That is a really creative way to accomplish that effect ....   I have used some foam painting pad techniques but never to get random "spots".....  I'll have to get some various foams out, tear them or cut them with a rough saw blade and see if I can duplicate that.... I also like the idea of painting the scratch marks with the dental tools.... I  have a bunch of them, but never thought about painting fine lines with them.   Great ideas.   Thanks for the really clear explanation and the photos.