What did you do on your layout today?

I'm sitting here with that loopy whistle tone from "Moonlight Drive" going in my head and its all Decoy's fault. 

  Chalks and powders can kinda wait for a decision in permenancy before sealing. Some folks don't seal, and re weather when they feel it. Sealing usually darkens things a bit fyi. Folks use just about everything from hairspray to lacquer too.

I was busy, but stopped mid stride to turn the layout on.

I blew a whistle, shut if down, and got busy again, but was now smiling

Looks like the start of an awesome terminal! Are you going to have a wooden or concrete coaling dock? Mike

I'm naive, had to look that up, but I have a few Lionel  & MTH accessory for the yard.

p51 posted:

pennsynut posted:

I guess this might qualify for something I did on my layout.  I was in Lancaster, PA last weekend for a wedding and took a day trip to Strasburg.  I saw the well restored PRR #460.  I have the Lionel Lindbergh Atlantic on my layout. It has a RPO, a combine baggage/coach and a couple of coaches behind it. The museum is really nice.  Iconic locos and well restored passenger cars.  A real treat.

Any photos? The last time I was there, that loco was still in the shop so I didn't get to see it.

Thanks for replying guys. I will post a photo but it shows front and just a little of one side. The loco shines. 

 

Today, cut my control panel to be to the proper size and mounted support brackets for it to hang from.

Well I had planned to get out early but slept in till 9 AM, then by the time I put the clean laundry away, washed and put the dishes away  then got my  bedridden companion settled for the morning   it was 11:30  before I went out to uncover the train table

first taking the plastic cover from the extension part, I tackled the  older  part of the table, taking the tarps off, then the plastic  so I could remove the wood toping and finally the skeleton sticks supporting the covering.

I was then able to bring out some of the buildings and set things up so when I ran the  train  it was not just on a bare table ..

I made one video  but it was a bit large for the forum  so I posted on you tube at this address

https://youtu.be/nslwevnT4Bw

and as I always do when I  finish placing the buildings is take pictures  so I  see how it looked and if I want to change anything ...

 

it was a  bit windy and my sail  boating girls had a hard time staying up right

 

 

 

TedW posted:

HMorgan125 posted:

TedW posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Ted, now all you need is some cars and a couple of folks standing around!

Thx Mike.  Where can I look for cars?  Michaels, Hobby Lobby or internet?  Need 1/48 or what's acceptable close in scale?  And school me on weathering powder. Is it brushed(make up) on, rubbed on(finger tips or cloth) dusted, or what?  Thx in advance for the help. 

Ted,

Take a look at this video regarding weathering with chalks/powders:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqzy3SHCCf

I prefer the powders from Bragdon Enterprises.

Make sure to seal your work after completed with a spray on matte finish clear coating.

As to the cars, many of us use 1:43 scale vehicles due to cost and availability even though they are slightly larger than1:48.

Wow, and here I thought it some sort of dry application. Makes a whole lot more sense now after a little primer watching some YT videos of the process.  Will have to figure out a way to practice first before the layout attempt. Thx again for the info. Ted

I went to that Bragdon website and they have "kits" of powders. What would I buy as a beginner that would give me the basics to get me started?  Here's an example of their page.  Thx again for the help  Ted

 

Hi Ted. There are a lot of great choices there. Your guess is as good as mine. I also want to tell you about another weathering medium. Several years ago I read in the Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, about using eye makeup.It does work great and it can be had inexpensively at dollar stores and other bargain outlets. I'ved used off the wall colors such as blue to replicate effects such as the sun bleached paint on a B&O engine. The ideas are endless and are only limited by your imagenation.

Mike

Tore it down. Layout in the trash. Trains destination climate controlled storage. Final Destination Unknown.

Mike welkie posted:

Hi Ted. There are a lot of great choices there. Your guess is as good as mine. I also want to tell you about another weathering medium. Several years ago I read in the Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, about using eye makeup.It does work great and it can be had inexpensively at dollar stores and other bargain outlets. I'ved used off the wall colors such as blue to replicate effects such as the sun bleached paint on a B&O engine. The ideas are endless and are only limited by your imagenation.

Mike

That's a very good tip, Mike.  I've never heard of it before.

I must check it out.

Cheers

Train Nut posted:

Tore it down. Layout in the trash. Trains destination climate controlled storage. Final Destination Unknown.

Was it something I said?  

Yes, Max and they're cheap with an infinate amount of colors available. Some of the earthy ,fleshy colors are great for dust effects as well as sand streaks down the side of a locomotive from a sand box. The other colors are great for faded paint effects. The ideas are endless,and like I said the prices are cheap and can be had at the dollar store and other outlets.

Mike

Mike welkie posted:

Hi Ted. There are a lot of great choices there. Your guess is as good as mine. I also want to tell you about another weathering medium. Several years ago I read in the Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, about using eye makeup.It does work great and it can be had inexpensively at dollar stores and other bargain outlets. I'ved used off the wall colors such as blue to replicate effects such as the sun bleached paint on a B&O engine. The ideas are endless and are only limited by your imagenation.

Mike

Interesting, Mike.  Do you apply them with water or is makeup "waterproof". Or, just dry with the softbrush supplied?  Whats the process?  Any pics you can post?

Not purely waterproof, persay ,but should be sealed as with chalk ,if the item is to be handled a bit. There are no special application techniques. Just use the little foam applicator brush that normally comes with the makeup. As with chalk, makeup is very foregiving and can be removed prior to sealing like chalk, if you don't like the results. Just start over again. Sorry, dont have anything to post as a how to video. There are tons of unorthodox things you can add to your modelers bag of tricks. Another thing I've learned is to sprinkle loose powdered cement around the hatches of a covered hopper to represent spilled lading. Sometimes at a home improvement store, you may find a burst bag, and you can sweep up a little bit without purchacing a whole bag.

Mike

 

Also forgot to add. With the cement technique, gently mist with water to set it in place.

Mike

TedW posted:

Train Nut posted:

Tore it down. Layout in the trash. Trains destination climate controlled storage. Final Destination Unknown.

Was it something I said?  

No, you're good!

 

Trying to sell the house for a while. Sold it.  Trouble finding a new house to our liking.  Going to a rent for a month or two. Hopefully we'll have a home soon and a new layout in the works!

 

I prefer the powders from Bragdon Enterprises.

I would still like to know about the Bragdon powders, and what to try.  Thx Ted

Use whatever you'd feel comfortable with. I've heard nothing but good about the bragdon powders! I'm always open to other techniques that I read about or learn in clinics. That's what so wonderfull about this hobby. There is a wealth of information out there and everyday we can learn and share with others! This forum is priceless for such knowledge, and the talented modelers here !

Mike

Mike welkie posted:

Use whatever you'd feel comfortable with. I've heard nothing but good about the bragdon powders! I'm always open to other techniques that I read about or learn in clinics. That's what so wonderfull about this hobby. There is a wealth of information out there and everyday we can learn and share with others! This forum is priceless for such knowledge, and the talented modelers here !

Mike

Yup, I like to know what all's out there. Only way to learn.  Variety. 

I've used and like the Bragdon powders. Light ash is the one i use the most, but also use black, light rust and dark rust. I believe Joel made me up a small assortment with those in it. A little goes a very long way. The photo of a GP9 i have for sale shows my first attempt using them on the trucks and couplers.

Yes Sir Ted. Variety is the spice of life . We cannot stop learning, from yourself as well as the other fine modelers on here! We are so fortunate to have this forum a medium to share our infinite abilities . Be it Myles with all of the tech that he brings with his projects, or Mitch with his whimsy and geraffe, or Bigboy with his tremendous wiring expertise ! These only name a few from the vast melting pot that we know as the ogauge forums!

Mike

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Terrific photos. I especially like the alley photo!

Moonson,

Anytime your up here in the southern Adirondack - Saratoga region you are more than welcome to apply your talents to my railroad!! Your work is awesome.

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Excellent work, Frank.

Finally got an MTH passenger station that resembles my hometown of Red Bank from Grzyboski's at the Edison NJ Greenberg show for $65

gandydancer1950 posted:

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Terrific photos. I especially like the alley photo!

Thank You, Gandydancer! Here are a couple shots of that real estate, from a different angle...

FrankM

   I used to use chaulks for artwork on paper. Scraping it off and into a pile for brushing.

  A good art supply store might be a good alternative for those without a good modeling shop.

  Not quite so patient or fussy anymore, I like washes and drybrushing with water based craft acrlyics. Paint, but not extremely durable, over time, touching things up with "maintance paint" or working with the new imperfections to look more "aged" is needed from daily handling.

  Not on everything, but I like slowly ageing things in stages too; spred over months, with running in between. Then spruce up paint of say...just the steps and hand rails. A month later, add a grime wash layer, and after it dries, freshly paint the window frame. etc.

It's is kinda fun doing both Maintenance freshening, and ageing/weathering at the same time.

One tip, sealing coatS, plural, not 1 coat, but many mistings. Go slow, no "wet" look till its mostly sealed by "dot" accumulation from a few layers. Wetness can cause a smeary look and/or washout.

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

I like these two also. Your work is really impressive, along with the photography, equally so.  The "layout in my head" will benefit from this dicussion. Thank you all.  Ted

MaxSouthOz posted:

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Excellent work, Frank.

Max, your work can not be undersold also.  It's excellent.  Those of you who haven't should check out his build thread.  Very nice.  

Moonson posted:

gandydancer1950 posted:

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Terrific photos. I especially like the alley photo!

Thank You, Gandydancer! Here are a couple shots of that real estate, from a different angle...

FrankM

Great scene!!!!!!

Train Nut posted:

TedW posted:

Train Nut posted:

Tore it down. Layout in the trash. Trains destination climate controlled storage. Final Destination Unknown.

Was it something I said?  

No, you're good!

 

Trying to sell the house for a while. Sold it.  Trouble finding a new house to our liking.  Going to a rent for a month or two. Hopefully we'll have a home soon and a new layout in the works!

Ah yes, we were in a similar position once.  We kept most of our things boxed up while in the rental.  Look for a house with a big basement.  I got stuck with a spare room!  I wish you the best!!

Ran a reefer block....

Had friends over last night to play trains and a cook out. I do believe every one had a good time and seem to like my layout. Trains ran great as they should that is why I love my all MTH layout. My friend took a lot of pictures as soon as he sends them to me I will try and post some of them. All the responses from every body sure mad me proud. I can now rest a lot easer. pictures will follow as soon as I get them.

Moonson posted:

TEDW, Just as Jackson said, "A little goes a long way," Here is a variety of examples of my using the Bragdon line and trying my best to restrain myself from over-doing it with them...

I hope these are helpful in offering you a perspective on using those powders.

FrankM

Frank,

Your weathering is absolutely fantastic and very inspirational!!!

Ted,

To answer your question regarding the Bragdon powders...I bought a grimy gray, soot black, and medium rust (all 2 oz) and they have lasted a long time as you do not need to use very much at one time.  I use make-up application pads, brushes, and foam applicators and use several light coats of the matte sealer when finished.

I like the powders vs chalk as they adhere better although sometimes you need to mist a shiny surface first with the matte spray, let it dry, and then apply the powders (use painters tape to protect plastic windows before spraying).

I lightly misted the foam streets and parking lots with the Rustoleum "aged iron" metallic spray paint before weathering to create the look of asphalt.  This will make it harder to get the auto pinstriping tape to stick to the foam, however, so you may need add white glue or matte medium to the striping or paint the stripes between strips of painters tape.  I added any weathering chalk after the striping was finished.

TedW posted:

Carl Machen posted:

Had friends over last night to play trains and a cook out. I do believe every one had a good time and seem to like my layout. Trains ran great as they should that is why I love my all MTH layout. My friend took a lot of pictures as soon as he sends them to me I will try and post some of them. All the responses from every body sure mad me proud. I can now rest a lot easer. pictures will follow as soon as I get them.

All the preparation paid off Carl.  Glad everyone had a great time.  I look forward to the pics.  

 

Carl:

 

Terry Chris and I all had a GREAT time.Thanks for the open house, food, friends and trains!

Thought about it.

Working on getting the table into position but hit a slight snag. My measurements were too good. I didn't allow for swinging the table into the spot. So I have to figure how I can cut back the partial wall a bit more so I can swing the table into place without cutting the PVC sewer line. The trials and errors of building a layout. LOL.............Paul