Scouring Pad

I've been wanting to try a scenery trick from an article by Lance Mindhiem, where he used grey scouring pads as a last layer of scenery. Per his technique I cut some contour shaped strips and placed them at the very back of my scene. These pads are about 3/8" thick and provide just a small amount of implied distant scenery; extra depth in such a short distance. I think I could have tugged at the fibers a bit to make for a more ragged edge. I'll try that next time I use it. I found these pads in the sandpaper section at the Home Depot. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

River Progress

The rocks have been colored and a first pass with scenery/vegetation has been applied. I'll be adding more trees. I've also added some gravel for the river bed. Next up deciding if I'll pour some Envirotex or just brush on gloss medium - I'm leaning towards pouring.

In order for this scene to blend in further, I think some rock work needs to be made towards the background, to tie in more naturally. As they are now, the ridge seems to be on its own. Just adding a small bit of rock at the end of the freight house helped visually, so a small section at the background could help some more.

New River

Now that my layout no longer represents present day Iowa, but instead 1950's New England, I can freely add more rock work to the landscape. I extended the edge of the layout 4" to accommodate a small river with a fall. My intention was to give rock molds a try thinking it would make things go faster. After using just one, which I ended up burying, it just seemed easier for me to carve the whole length of the river in plaster. This way I could get the shape and mass I was looking for. The only thing I'm not happy with is that right now it looks tacked on - but I think it's mostly due to the fact that it's stark white; once it's colored and covered with vegetation it should blend in nicely.

Background...

Have started working on some background flats...trying to work the opposite way I usually do. Most often I'll start the foreground scene first, which is a terrible idea, then get stuck as to what to do with the background and never get to completing it. This was a wall from a Downtown Deco kit. It's not the final placement and needs some wall details and some parapet capping.

Coal Bin In Progress...

Added the covered coal bin to Palmer Ice...need to add some corrugated roofing and details.

Layout Expansion...

Ever since I decided to change era's on my layout; I've been plagued with the fact that I didn't have space for a waterfront scene. I'd wanted to keep the middle of the room open, but finally gave in and added some bench work in the center. There's still enough room to get around. I just have to decide if I'll add a backdrop to the inside corner or just use structures and scenery as a view block....

Palmer Ice

I'd been perplexed by this site on the layout for a while. If you're familiar with pics of my layouts previous incarnation, this was the location of the quonset hut pawnshop. I was thinking of filling it with a large structure, essentially shaped like the footprint of the lot. More than likely though it would have made the area seem smaller. With the addition of some coal bins to the right of the ice building and the freight house, I can make up several mini scenes. I'll save the larger structures in this area for the background...

TGD - New Limited Run Kit

We've started our diorama for our upcoming large limited run kit for release this fall.For now we'll just refer to the kit as TGD. While we're including some waterfront scenery, it's not a waterfront kit. It's just what we prefer to model...in this diorama and others I've been using more and more oil paints to color scenery. Usually I would stain rock work with alcohol and ink and dry brush using acrylic browns and grays. But I've come to prefer oil colors as they just appear richer in depth and blend more naturally with each other. I've also use it to paint the darker areas of the water surface blending it in with the green acrylic latex paint.

The track has also been colored with oils. Primer is sprayed first, then the sides of the rails are painted rust - then raw umber for the ties. Once that's done a wash of thinner blends it all together.

The kit will be a multi-structure kit, with a theme related to some previously released kits...stay tuned.

Brian Nolan

The passing of Brian Nolan has come to a shock to everyone in this hobby who knew him; I only knew him through meeting him at the shows, in particular CSS. I'd seen his work in the magazines as well and like most of us, was in awe of his talent.

Upon returning from a show one of the more lingering thoughts was that the next time I sit down at the workbench, I want to make something that looked as good as Brian's modeling. It hasn't happened yet, but as Brian would tell me in the few conversations we had about the subject, " Just keep doing it."

It's so important in any endeavor, no matter the category to find encouragement. Either from friends or family; positive reinforcement is vital to everything we do. It underlines our reason for being, our reason for doing whatever it is the heck we are doing in life. Encouragement helps answer the What's-the-Point question.

And here is Brain, who barely knew me at all, taking the time to tell me to keep at it and not just modeling. I'd share with him a couple of thoughts about how hard it is to make a living selling kits, his reply was the same, " Just keep doing it."

I've known people for years, friends or family, who've never offered that kind of reinforcement that Brain, essentially a stranger to me, offered in 15 minutes. It's a rare thing. He was a rare person; there are few like him. Which is why this is such dreadful news. We all need more people like him- we could all aspire to be more like him.

Flush

Lately when I've been bracing walls I've been shoving a machine square against the edge of a wall and bracing. While it can certainly done by eye, it's not always a sure thing. Using teh machine square ensures less hassle later when the walls go up. I even run the square up and down the edge as if it were a tool, to push the bracing in place, nice and flush.

The walls in the pic above are part of our next big limited run kit due out this fall. Similar to Canal Street, but different. It will be a multi structure kit based on a single theme. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, we are working on a few DVD's. We've just finished Model Railroad Masters Volume 2. You can see a couple of mini teaser videos on our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fos-Scale-Limited-Model-Railroad-Structures/113363023728?ref=ts

We're in pre-production on two additional DVD's that we are shooting this month; be sure you are signed up on our Email newsletter to get updates on these new projects.

No Excuse Structures

I've been working on this section of steep streets, that cut across the layout at two angles. Visually it works well because it appears large than it is and it's easier to terminate and hide a street that hits the backdrop. But, the best part is that most of the buildings will only need two wall sections. Given the angle, there's no way to see one side and the second side is against another building. So I have no excuses for not completing this area in a short amount of time ( though I'm sure I'll think of one). Further back there are buildings that only need a complete front facade; even easier. The building in the photo is a small, nondescript wedge shaped building that sits above the rock cut I've been working on. More pics to follow.

Some New Roads

This area towards the rear of the layout always bothered me on account of it being too flat. I had just planned to elevate the section via one flat plane; but that didn't seem to take advantage of the space. Since I already had a hill(left side) I started from there with a road leading up towards the background. From there another road, at an angle, back down. I also covered the existing road that went straight into the background.

This will provide a variety of opportunities for skewed, angled structures; a nice contrast for the straight road in the foreground. It also sets the stage for a nice rock cut trackside.

Reverse Progress

I've got more done on the layout in the last 3 days than in the last 3 months....amazing what happens when you have some direction.

The lower pic is from "2010" on the previous incarnation of the layout...usually buildings get razed and parking lots are put in their place. In this case the parking lot was buried, replaced by Eleanor's Diner. The scene needs more work; more details, but it's on its way.

Street Progress

Where the road sits was once a track siding, now shortened. It ends to the far right of the photo. I removed the rails at the grade crossing and filled it in with plaster. I added a sheet of masonite under the structures to cover some rough surfaces and start with a clean street. Eventually I'll paint the older pavement to match the new street once it's all glued in place. I have an empty lot between the Ludlow building and the liquor store - I'll have to come up with a new structure, most likely brick to break up the monotony of the clapboard buildings.

I may add a waterfront edge to the layout here, so I can add some buildings in pilings across the street. It would just be a matter of adding an L Girder made up of 1x4 wood...we'll see.

Turning Back the Clock

The area I'm ripping up in the photo will be a lengthy bit of street. In the layouts previous incarnation I hadn't concerned myself with town like streets, I was trying to build as few structures as possible ( I succeeded in that...). Anyhow, I'll either include the track in the foreground, for street running or get rid of it completely. To get a head start I ripped a few structures off some dioramas - Ludlow, Army & Navy, the pawn shop and Pressman Radio. They'll comprise a block.

i'm also considering raising the area towards the back; more streets.

Ready, Set, New Mistakes

I've finally started my 1950's waterfront themed layout; albeit a small one at 2'x 10'. It's sitting on some lightweight benchwork (as seen in our new video download). The benchwork is as minimal as can be - just PVC pipe and a hollow core door. It's not the kind you can stand on, but sturdy enough to hold some foam, scenery and some structures - trains too.

So now I'll have something to work on when I get stuck in the mud on my modern day layout. I think this can work out; keeping my interests in both eras alive.

I 'm ready to make some new mistakes; I love making mistakes, screwing up my layout and tearing sections out and starting over. This might not work for some people, maybe not for most. It works for me. By default anything I work on is always a blank piece of paper for which I can exercise my right to crumple it up and toss it in the trash. It comes from drawing, sketching. Working on a model railroad is replete with moments of precision, but I tend to let large brush strokes make decisions for me sometimes; as opposed to a measured, calculated one. When you work like that; sometimes the brush gets away from you - you can over reach.

So what? So you start over. I'm almost always having fun while doing it so it doesn't bother me to start a anew. I'm enjoying just seeing my marker lines on the pink foam, anticipating what's to come.

Since I've made so many mistakes and learned from many of them, I won't be trying to over crowd my waterfront. It's what tripped me up in the past. I've been drawing the same track plan for the last ten years with a list of must haves; car float, pier on pilings, pier with stone walls, low tidal flats, tug boats, etc...if I get one of those elements in successfully I'll be content. I'm going to try harder less. Do less. We'll see how that goes.

Today's Special: Chicken Carcass

Whenever I can, I visit the World Trade Center site, as I did this weekend. I've been watching the construction progress from the beginning, since the early weeks of 9/11 when it was still a smoking pile of debris. It's been both a subject of interest for many reasons, some personal, knowing two people who perished in the attacks; one a college acquaintance, the other a childhood friend who became a fireman . Others are my interest in architecture and personal memories of my countless visits to the WTC as a child and beyond, including a first date with Anna Maria to the observation deck.

This weekend I came across a gallery that displayed the master plan model for the site, including the proposed new transportation hub for the PATH and subway trains. I'd been following the design progress of the station by Santiago Calatrava since it was announced back in 2004. At the time the design seemed like a breath of fresh air; the design was unlike anything built in NY before - yet at the same time the design appeared more appropriate for an airport than for trains. The roof appeared like skeletal wings; intentionally bird like.

The two wings could be separated, providing fresh air to the train station below; that I liked. Of late, the design has been diluted, modified and pared down. At one point it soared passed it's budget of $2 billion to $3.2 billion. What once looked like a bird ready to take flight , literally looks like a bird carcass picked clean. Impatience and the unfortunate practicality of commercial development have morphed what could have been potentially a dynamic and quite literally a refreshing civic space, into a disappointing boondoggle. The roof will no longer open or close. The two main entrances are merely insignificant slits, muting any sense of arrival or departure. Due to the current location within the site, commuters will have to walk almost two blocks of underground corridors to get in and out and instead of filtering through the main hall as you would at Grand Central Terminal, you'll be forced to walk the upper levels, passing the retail shops.

That last bit seems like some slight of hand by the developer, misconstruing a train station for a shopping mall. I understand it pays the rent and at Grand Central, the retail avenues helped pave the way for its restoration 15 years ago. But I'm sure there are ways to balance both the need for grand space and retail space , without being pushed into a cash register.

At this point though I'm glad any progress is being made. It'll be a decade , 16 months from now, since that dark day. It was thrilling to see over twenty stories already built for the new 1 World Trade Center Tower. At the moment it looks like a steel fortress - not unlike the Borg cube ship from Star Trek. Eventually it will be sheathed in reflective glass and will be a sight to see. The footprints of the former Twin Towers are now defined, being turned into memorial space, with simple yet effective reflecting pools.

I just wish that $2 billion dollars was being well spent. I'd rather see the temporary station stay as is and take that money and rebuild Penn Station, a space that took into account that people actually use it, enter and exit and arrive or depart, kind of like a train station.

The KitCast - Episode 4

For each episode of the KitCast we'll be posting on our blog, any pertinent photos, info or links as discussed in the podcast...

Episode 4 of the KitCast is now available...in this episode I chat with Brian Bollinger of BEST Trains; we discuss how if in any way do model structure kits play a role in historic preservation.

Check out Brian's kits at:

http://besttrains.com/

I discuss my visit to John Elwood's layout (pic above) - more pics can be found on our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=166106&id=113363023728

Also discussed is Pop Gracin's , a kit by Bar Mills Models:

http://barmillsmodels.com/

Thanks for listening to the KitCast:

http://thekitcast.com/

New Layout Plan

Okay, I'm not tearing up my layout...but I came very close to this weekend...I visited some nice layouts this past weekend, via the Metro North Tour. In particular Bob Collet's and John Elwood's ( see pics on our Facebook Page). I was thoroughly reminded of what kind of modeling I really like to build...super detailed, 1950's steam / diesel era modeling...yet at the same time I'm very into this present day modeling I've been doing on my layout....so my first option was to just rip up any modern structures and details on my existing layout and start back dating it.

I quickly nixed that plan after reading the recent issue of RMC, where a modeler used PVC pipes to create easy, light weight but strong bench work for his modules. So I'm going to give that a try. I worked up a simple, waterfront track plan of 2'x 10' ( see pic above). Using those pics I'll work up a more refined track plan, by tracing the photo in the PC. I'll post that once it's done...and maybe get to that bench work this weekend.

Red Rock Fever

That's what they call it when you get pulled in to the lure of Arizona, in particular Sedona. That's why we named our new kit series, Red Rock West, a series of narrow gauge, western themed structures. A few more are in the works for release later this summer.

We're always looking for a new direction to take our kits and this seemed like a natural step. After spending two weeks out there in November of last year, we couldn't help but be inspired to do something with what we saw. We hope you enjoy this new series.

Coming Soon....

We've been busy as usual and have failed to keep up with our blog...apologies. Here's a quick run down of what's in the the works....The layout has taken a back burner at the moment as we work on new projects. Coming up next is the Carrolton Hotel, based on a prototype (pic of railing detail above) as well as a new DVD, which we are in the midst of finishing up. We've also begun work on our Limited Run kit release for the fall...it's in the sketching stage...within a couple of weeks, CAD drawings will be started....we've also been acquiring some new equipment, after the lathe a milling machine came next. Using a lathe on its own is like eating with a knife and no fork - the milling machine is a must. Anyhow, we've been playing around with those machines coming up with new patterns for detail parts. We've also been working on the KitCast podcast, check out the newest episode, episode 3 where we chat with friend and modeler Larry Baker. Lastly we've begun the summer's big project; converting our garage into a new workshop - our current below grade location just doesn't have the fresh air and daylight we'd like - hopefully by summer's end it will be complete...which means more room in the basement for trains...

A Hobby Within A Hobby

There's always something new to be fascinated or obsessed with in this hobby. Lately I've discovered working steam engine kits. I've come to know them through a friend, Leo Terrien of Crow River Products. Leo is a master machinist and his steam engines are truly works of art; to me they're as serious a craft as any other. The precision involved is hard to fathom; four inch diameter cylinders bored to thousandths of an inch.

I also come across these engines at the nearby Mystic Seaport. Each seem to have their own personality and once they get under way; they're mesmerizing to watch.

Recently Leo fired up one his finished engine models, powered by an air compressor, and I was finally hooked. Very quickly a new lathe found its way into my shop. I'm starting off slow; there's a big learning curve. I picked the smallest engine kit out there. As small as it is, it's quite a challenge when you throw yourself into something new - but very satisfying. The flywheel above is the first part I tackled. It comes as a very rough casting, complete with ugly flashing and burrs. It's edges have now been faced and it's waiting for hole drilled in its center.

A benefit to having the lathe is being able to create masters for additional detail castings in our kits. As I said there's a big learning curve, so I don't expect much to happen very soon, but eventually I think we'll be able to increase the variety of details in our kits.

Above is the fly wheel from the engine kit, as well as a test for a vent detail casting.

Engine Facility

I started the site work for this engine facility a few months ago and have finally started to work in some details. I picked up a Walther's kit that includes a fuel tank, hoses, etc... and will be using most of the kit. It comes with a plastic concrete bed for two tracks, but I'm ditching that as I prefer to use plaster, and it's a single track facility.

I didn't have the Walther's parts at the time I poured the plaster so I had to remove the area where the tank now sits. It looks better set into the ground than on top of it. I've been scouring magazines for photos of modern engine facilities ; I'm afraid on my own, I might add too much detail - I guess wood barrels are out.

The engine house is by Rix, pretty standard style. I'll try and make it interesting via weathering.

The small four track beyond is nearly complete; some more ballasting; details...the big decision to make is what building to model against the background...this is the area to the left of where the Home Depot is...

Mainline Modern

We're releasing a kit in our new series, Mainline Modern. These structures will fit into nearly any era from the 60's until today. Our first structure is the Liquor Depot. It's design is simple and sparse, like so many in the real world. It's sparseness is what lends it self to realism. It's what I've been striving for on my modern day layout and I'm happy with the results. Not every one models the present day, but you may find a use for it, say if you model the Penn Central, or the Santa Fe in the 1970's.

These kits are different from our regular craftsman kit type kits in that the construction is all tab and slot; the corner trim is precut. It's a different kind of modeling experience.

We have a few more planned for the series, we'll keep you posted on what's next.

Yard Work

I've finally started the yard area on my layout. I'd put it off because it meant dragging out that *%#@%!'n airbrush. I made it through unscathed, so did the airbrush - this time, if you don't count the verbal abuse.

I managed to get half the ballast down ( Fine Black Cinders) before I ran out. After promptly placing an order with Scenic express, I got back to work on adding some Details West switch motor castings. It's the kind of detail I'd always left out, but they're worth the extra effort. Then came some scenic foam, just a little, and prairie tufts...I don't know what I'd do with out these.

I've still got a lot to do in this area, but I'm happy with how it's coming along. I also started the engine service facility and have been gathering details.

More pics soon...

Big Box Protest!

After yesterdays post about my adding a model of a Home Depot to my layout, I was surprised at the responses. Several were entirely against the idea of placing such a banal structure on my layout as well as why I would pay homage to big box atrocities. Some were perplexed as to why I would waste space on my layout to something many consider an eyesore. All were valid points.

Firstly I agree, big box stores are as boring as architecture gets. It's a sorry state of affairs out there. These buildings, literally made of styrofoam, offer nothing to stir the soul. They certainly lack the organic lines of Calatrava or the pragmatic order of Le Corbusier. Someone once said architecture is frozen music. If that's true, a big box store is the worst song ever; sung off key by some American Idol reject. At best they are just a roof and walls to keep stuff dry. So, please don't misunderstand my placement of one of these on my layout. It's no celebration.

When you consider what many of us usually model on our layouts; it's not much different. The best layouts that express and display a rich character and depiction of the world around us, usually do so through modeling run down, weather beaten buildings and vehicles. Often the goal is to model what most people consider eyesores.

A rusty locomotive, covered in soot. A weathered clapboard building falling apart, surrounded by junk ( really garbage). A crowded waterfront scene, with low tide exposing decaying trash...to me , the big box store is just another one of those eyesores, depicted in the modern era. Aside from us model railroaders, most people would object to the kind of "scenery" we create for our model trains. Modeling the Home Depot on a modern layout is just another extension of the big mess in the world; which is why it interests me. It's not unlike graffiti on a box car or a gondola filled with rusting scrap metal.

My goal when starting this layout was to create something as realistic as I could. While I plan on adding older structures, that have remained into the present era, I think a few very new ones do the job of suggesting time and place. I was very much inspired by the layouts of Pelle Soeberg and Lance Mindhiem; both of whom model present day. Within their layouts are modern structures like a common Shell gas station, or a simple produce warehouse that was nothing more than four walls , a roll up garage door and some signage. But it was this lack of detail that actually gave it character. It was a sparseness that appealed to me like a scene in an Edward Hopper painting.

Whether it works or not remains to be seen. At the moment I'm enjoying the process, which is always my first goal when modeling. I think once more of it is completed, parts will begin to blend in to an overall picture of railroading in 2010.

And since my modeling interests change like the wind, fear not. I keep a wrecking ball under my bench work. That Home Depot could be razed at any moment and I could backdate my layout back to the 1950's. But for now it'll remain, I have to get back to work on my HO model of a Chuck 'E Cheese...anyone have a small mouse toy I could use for the roof sign?

Home Depot in HO

I had to get past the truck stop debacle. I couldn't leave it installed on the layout, not even temporarily - it's been removed for good. At the time it seemed like a quick fix and I thought I could make it work...anyway, the globe keeps spinning. Not a big deal, in fact it motivated me to get going on a background flat of the Home Depot.

I'd been wanting to build this for a while. In the beginning I thought that if I were going to model the modern era, I'd like to add structures that are seldom modeled. The Home Depot is an obvious one, and it certainly leaves no question as to what era it is.

It was a simple build, the walls are matte board painted with a sand textured paint. The doors and windows are from Rix. I made up the gutters and lights from styrene. I laser cut the Home Depot signage. I have some more details to add; some conduit, electrical boxes...I 'll also add a dumpster, pallets, etc...I'll have to drive around behind my local Depot and see what's there. I'll be adding more scenery once the model is finished. I glued it to a masonite base, once done I'll glue it down and add a chain link fence at the top of the embankment.

It certainly was a fun build. I plan on modeling another big box store to the left of the bridge; just not sure which one. Walmart? Target? Fortunately research is just minutes away...

3/4" Scale Walther's Kits?

On our recent trip to Sarasota, Fl, we visited the Ringling Museum. It's a sprawling estate/museum; about 60 acres. One of the buildings houses an enormous scale model of the circus as it was setup town after town. Part of the model featured an industrial section of trackwork ( photos above), using familiar Walther's kits as part of the backdrop. It even used some of their also familiar backdrops - the only difference was that the entire model is built at 3/4" to a foot. So the track was about 4" wide. I am assuming they simply used the Walther's kits as a guide and scratch built their own. Some of them stood at three and four feet high. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know. It was interesting to see ; but I am curious as how those structures came to be.

Thanks Again Amtrak, Really

Yet another Amtrak journey is now behind us. We just returned from a relaxing week in Florida; apparently with fortuitous timing. On the outbound trip we were one of the last trains to get through Washington, D.C. before last weekends big storm hit. All other trains were cancelled. Not only did we make it to our destination, it was on time. Several mid Atlantic states declared a snow emergency. Airports closed. Amtrak pressed on.

While the snow howled up North, we enjoyed our mid sixty degree temps; there were one or two cool days down there, but nothing a heated pool couldn't fix...as a few suns set across the Gulf, news of yet another storm made it poolside. We certainly grinned ear to ear knowing that we were missing a snow storm back home.

Yet a third storm, this time down south, could potentially intersect with our return trip. We boarded train 98 on time; by nightfall when we made it to Georgia it began to snow, heavy and fast. It snowed all night. But we kept going. Undoubtedly, air travel had come to a halt.

We continued to plow through it, until a few miles south of Richmond, VA. A switch ahead of us was frozen shut and needed to be thawed out. That added a one hour delay. Upon getting to D.C., where we switched from diesel to electric, we got a glimpse of other trains passing us by, as well as our own as we passed some reflective glass - the sides were completely wrapped in horizontal icicles; the undercarriage was packed with snow - aside from the spinning wheel sets, you could barely make out any parts. It's amazing that we made the time we did. A few more minor delays; a passing CSX freight and a undercarriage inspection ( all the packed snow confused a equipment dragging sensor), added another 30 minutes to our delay.

Not bad for a 26 hour trip through a multi state blizzard; and Amtrak made it possible. Our last trip out west, 3 trains out and 3 back were all on time. This trip to Florida - all on time with the exception of weather beyond their control. Road and air traffic came to a halt. The trains, for the most part, came out on top. More importantly the people at the throttle, in the control center, along the mainline and handling passengers made it all possible. Thanks again for a safe, reliable trip.

Pic Above;Snow packed rails outside Union Station, Washington, D.C.

Greasy Nick's

If you've taken advantage of our latest free kit offer, we hope you enter it into our new contest.(we'll be posting details soon). Just keep March 1st on your calender for submission of photos.

Greasy Nick's is named after a food joint in New Rochelle, NY; also called Leno's Clam Bar. The locals know it as Greasy Nick's - it's a roadside eatery that lives up to it's name, but the fries are awesome and the burgers come at you dripping with cheese. It's the kind of grease that's worth the pain. If you're ever in Westchester, NY be sure to find it; some info below:

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/2012/greasy-nicks

Catching Up...

We're in the midst of catching up on production of our Canal Street and Third kit, which is shipping a week or so later than scheduled. Our apologies for the delay. Our laser cutter suffered a small mishap during the holidays and getting a part at that time proved challenging. The part we finally received was defective, so a second one was ordered...of course when everyone was heading home for the holiday.... in addition to some other supply issues, also a challenge during a holiday. Needless to say we won't be scheduling ship dates around this time again! Hopefully your patience is rewarded when you receive the kit, several dozen of which have shipped as of today, and will continue shipping through the next week.