The Little Rock Line

Allen H Dec 31, 2011

  1. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great work, Allen! I'm guessing there will be no weathering on there, no? (y)

     
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  2. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks!
    Oh yes, they will be weathered.
    The 666 will have weathering, the 683 will have more.
    Can't a white loco with no weathering now can we?
    I'm going to try and weather the 683 similar to this:
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Bookbear1

    Bookbear1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, all righty, then!
     
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  4. jwaldo

    jwaldo TrainBoard Member

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    Just looking at those striped handrail ends is stressing me out. It's like my two least favorite things in model railroading (stripe decals and handrail end painting) had a horrible offspring together. But you pulled it off. Great job!
     
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  5. VinceP

    VinceP TrainBoard Member

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  6. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks.
    A friend did this once with another paint scheme he did and this is how he told me to do it.
    The decals come in multiple strips that are about -1/8" wide and maybe 1-1/2" long.
    You cut them to length so they're about the same length as the end railings and trim them as close to the edges as possible.
    You apply Solvaset to the railings the best you can and then lay the decals on the railings like this and let them sit:
    IMG_9843.jpg

    Allow the solvent to melt the decals so they somewhat attach to the railings.
    After a few minutes you start carefully applying more Solvaset to the face and the ends, the Solvaset will flow with capillary action along the bottom of the decals and railing, this will help melt the decals so they fold.

    Carefully keep applying the Solvaset a little at a time until you see the decals start to fold over the railings.
    Eventually you'll be able to add more Solvaset with your brush and can gently push the decals around the railings.
    Let them set a bit but keep applying more Solvaset until they are tight to the railings.

    Most of them came out OK, but a few didn't lay down just right, mainly where the railings bend slightly.
    Even though they are not perfect, you have two things going for you.
    1) It's N scale and not easily seen.
    2) Where they didn't lay properly, when you (if you) weather them, touch them with black paint or rust to give the appearance of normal wear.

    It's the same thing I do when I apply stripes, where they don't come out perfect, for me, that is where I start applying the rust!
     
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  7. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    I got the SD40-2's wrapped up this week and stuck a fork in them.

    The 683
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    The 666
    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Before packing the 683 up and sending it off to it's new owner I made a quick video of the 683 and my three units pulling a GRDX coal train over my layout.


     
  8. country joe

    country joe TrainBoard Member

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    The engines look and run great as does your layout.
     
  9. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thank you sir!
     
  10. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK, with the KCS units behind me, it's time to get back to some scenery? It's getting warm and the basement is a cool place to be during the hot summer.
    Yesterday a friend and I ventured down to Spring Creek hobbies in Deshler, NE for something to do on Saturday.
    Even though I really don't need anything at the moment I wandered into the scenery department and started looking around, you know getting the cogs turning again. Knowing I want to get back to the farm scene, I started looking at stuff for trees, shrubs and kudzu.
    I wound up picking up some Woodland Scenics Foliage clumps, course turf and a bag of Poly Fiber, things that I knew I was getting low on.

    Today I got the last of the green floral foam glued into place. Now to let it dry before I start carving.

    [​IMG]
     
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  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nice weathering? Where did you get those unique decals for 666?
     
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  12. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks Hemi.
    I drew them up in CorelDraw and the printed them out on InkJet decal paper.
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That was quite the fun trip! :)

    When I first looked at the (RI caboose) picture, before starting this video, it reminded me of an old VHS tape from a fellow named Steve Goen.... Believe I still have that stashed away somewhere....
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Curiosity here- While I have seen it used I have never looked into the floral foam. In what thicknesses and sheet sizes is it available?
     
  15. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    The majority of the stock you will find comes in bricks: 4"x3"x9"
    You can also find Cylinders of varying lengths.
    Also in Domes.

    The biggest SHEET I could find local was from Wally World: 2"x12"x18" These cost me about $9 each. The bricks were cheaper due to being more common.

    It is NOT the cheapest way to terraform a larger layout, but I used it when I redid the Whitewater Creek scene and it worked super easy.
    You can literally shape it with your fingers by just rubbing it because it's soft.

    Just be sure to get the DRY foam, not the wet foam. The wet foam is meant for real flowers and you can add water to keep the flowers alive and it's much softer.

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Is this it? I'll have to check it out next time at Wally World. Your really good at scenery stuff, really good :) So clean and nice looking.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/FloraCra...VjDKl5AW_oFuC5H1eS0-m00tE92Hrx44aAuVHEALw_wcB
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2024
  17. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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  18. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

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    Does it make a mess like the Pink foam? Might buy a sheet to try and make some mountains. And what do you form it with?
     
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  19. Allen H

    Allen H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yup, maybe a bit more so than the pick/blue foam?
    It will will break down into a much finer particles, just keep a vacuum handy.



    Pretty much anything. A knife works good, I use an old steak knife with a serrated edge to get the majority shaped.

    After that, even a finger will work.
    After getting the basic shape cut with a knife, I used my fingers to smooth things out and put the final dressing on.

    This is what I first used it for:
    https://thelittlerockline.blogspot.com/2019/01/gavilons-grade-crossing.html
     
  20. country joe

    country joe TrainBoard Member

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    Do you have to coat it with something like plaster to harden and protect it from getting damaged?
     
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