Can anyone tell me the best material (tree, shrub, or whatever) to use to represent logs? I need them for N scale, but I guess there are a range of sizes, so scale is not too important. These are for carrying on log cars. Paul Templar, what do you use?
I once had occasion to make a lot of logs in HO and can't think of a reason the same way wouldn't work for N. I purchased dowels in various diameters and cut them to length. Don't make them the exact same size as logs do vary but are in the same size range. Don't cut all the way through, leave a little uncut and then snap it off. This simulates where the tree snapped when being cut. I then scar the length of the piece with a razor saw to simulate the bark. Several light swipes are required on each log. A light coat of paint is then applied to the length, but not the ends, to simulate the color of the bark. The exact color will depend on the type of tree. It will be in the grey/brown range for most trees. I hope my technique helps you.
Alan, Many years ago I was looking for the same thing you are, logs. Not wanting to use dowels because they don't look real I looked for something else. What I found was sage brush. I was living in Reno Nevada at the time and east of the moutians there was lots of it. I know you are in the UK and I don't know if sage brush even grows any where close to you. But if you have friends that live in the southwest part of the US ask then to send you some. Its free in the desert and very cheap to mail. I even though of makreting the stuff in the US as scale logs but I was talked out of the idea as being stupid. The person said "no one would buy something that they could get for free". O Well Shannon WP LIVES
I use buxus, it is a hague arround my house. I have to cut it twice a year and the small pieces realy looks like a log in N-scale. Wish I had a Digital Camera. Paul
Hi Alan, If you make a trip to Belgium next spring, you can get them over here. But I am sure in the UK there must be lots of buxus hagues in the country, it would not be that hard to find them. Paul
I've been trying to think of the shrub we had at our last house. Cannot recall a name. When dried and cut to length, it looked very close to Douglas Fir. All I needed to do, was load my log cars....... Boxcab E50
Alan, I was wondering why you were enquiring about logs these look fantastic how did you end up producing these logs?
The logs in the pictures are a mix. Some we have had for some time, given by a friend. I believe they are from a willow tree. To get enough for the pictures I cut some twigs off a bush behind my workshop (in a neighbor's garden!), I think it is a Lilac. I also have my eye on another neighbor's bush, which will be cut back in spring as the twigs look about right, it is a Buddlia.
