Jamie, It's kind of funny that you gave me this compliment because this post from your blog: http://csxdixieline.blogspot.com/2010/03/howto-build-modern-highway.html is what I used as a how to when I started the project. I have a question for you: Did you use the Woodland Seinic stripes to do your curved road and if so, how did you make those dry transfers curve? Good to see you back hanging around. I really love your blog. I have your how-to on static grass applicator construction bookmarked for when I build one. Dan
Dan, I used the WS dry transfers for my straight roads (the short sections of interstate highway), but for the curved roads, I used Microscale stripe decals. Here is one of my curved roads using the stripe decals before installation: I can't remember the exact decal sheet I used; I purchased a variety of stripe widths in both yellow and white and chose the ones that looked best using the eyeball test. Jamie
Thanks for the info Jamie. I've been working on a scratch build / kit bash gas station. It's ready for paint. I shouldn't take such close pics. It looks pretty good to the eye. Dan
Well, I had the day off and just about all I did was play trains. If you've been following another thread I have going, you know that my temporary wiring needed some attention. So this mess: Was turned into this: I still need to build a case to hold it on the side of the layout and do some pin striping, but I have a feeling it might stay like this for a while: I also laid a coat of paint on the gas station (which I should be calling a service station). Rattle can that I then dabbed with a paper towel. I wanted a texture to represent a stucco feel. Maybe a light sanding and another top coat and it'll be time to detail. Dan
Hey Philip, It comes from the DPM Olsen Feed & Larsen's Implement http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/Item/66100/page/1 . It's actually not the pumps I'm gonna use. The ones that I'll use come from the City Classic gas station kit. I didn't like how I painted the City Classic kit so I put it in some Pine Sol to strip it. I forgot about it and went to work. When I came back it was melted, thus the scratch build. Oops.
I decaled and assembled the pump island and decaled the building. ----- ----- I'm happy but not ecstatic. I haven't done much decaling so it's not bad for starters. More details to come. Dan
I've been very busy with work lately but now I'm heading into some free days. I have managed to add some details to the gas station. It's pretty much done. My whole layout is a ghost town though, I need to get some little people to go with my little trains and little buildings. I need to re-glue the sidewalk to the road and glue for the first time the road to the layout there's all kinds of warping and bending and gaping going on. I added a step in front of the door to hide a crooked piece (you can see it a in a post above). I put a decal on the window and I put a dividing wall in the interior with a printed scene on it. I'm happy with the results. It's important to emphasize that the detail parts and decals from the City Classics 401 Crafton Ave. Service Station were very important to this project. http://www.cityclassics.biz/nscale.shtml Thanks for looking. Dan g
This looks great! Look forward to more pics! Just starting to explore N scale for a possible layout in my 5-yo sons room. Like what you did here!
It's been awhile again, but here's some pics of my latest project: Blair Line's Sunset Motel. A fine laser cut kit. I painted it with rattle cans pretty much the exact color that the manufacture did for the box photos. First a wide shot of this side of the layout: The new Hotel is right across the street from the gas station I recently worked on. Needs lots more detail. A park for the kids in the grassy area to come. So that's what Ive been up to. Thanks, Dan
Wow, you've come a long way on this. I am impressed. Everything looks good. I happened into this posting while doing a Google search on benchwork while I was at work. I couldn't sign in to TB on the Gov. computer, but found it again once I got home. It's nice to read the entire posting, from start to finish in one sitting. Also, you have shown me others can make some mistakes, too. It's nice to know. I look at my little 42" x 72" begining layout, and think about how it must look to others. I have learned a few things along the way, like you. I feel a little better about my tiny layout. Thanks for sharing your journey. It has (in some ways), inspired me to continue.
My kinda guy - John Deeres and Dodge Meadowbrooks! Great scene and great looking pike! Keep the progress reports and piccies coming.
