FSM Branchline Bucket Coaling Station

[Zephyrus52246]

Very nice work.  I really like the tar paper roof.

Jeff

[sdrees]

This is a really great model Steve

[SteveCuster]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it!

[GPdemayo]

Great scene Steve.....well done. 

[N de M]

Impressive. Very well done, would you mind sharing how you achieved that cracking dirt look, it looks awesome.

[SteveCuster]

Thanks guys!

I’m glad you like the cracking dirt but it wasn’t really done on purpose. The dirt I used is sifted really really fine and it just cracked when I glued it down. I left some of the cracks but they bigger ones didn’t look good so I rubbed some dirt in them to make them disappear.

The dirt is from outside. I bake it to kill anything then run it through a coffee bean grinder followed by sifting through a fine screen.

[postalkarl]

Hey Steve:

The dirt does look great and WOW!!! you make your own.

Karl

[Dennis Bourey]

Steve, What's your formula for your dirt sir? Beautiful Job!!!

[engine909]

As always, extremely well done. Steve is is always a pleasure viewing your modeling.

[SteveCuster]

Thanks Karl, Dennis and Ed. I really appreciate it!

Dennis, No real formula it's really just some Pennsylvania dirt. The batch I'm using now is from a dump truck load of topsoil I got a few years back. I took a bucket of it, baked it and sifted it.

I've always struggled getting my dirt fine enough. In the past I used a mortar and pestle to grind it down as fine as could for roads but I really like the coffee bean grinder now. I bought it for about $10 or less I think from Amazon. It grinds the dirt to a super fine dust. Then I just sift the bigger rocks out of it. Just watch out for anything glassy in the dirt.

[Dennis Bourey]

Thank you Steve.

[deemery]

Only model railroaders would have a discussion about "great dirt" :-) :-)


dave

[S&S RR]

Steve


Great modeling. A coffee bean grinder for grinding your dirt finer, I need to try that.  I'm still using a mortar and pestle.

[cuse]

Great Build as always Steve...and I have always been a big fan of your dirt (and overall ground cover coloring and texture). Awesome Job!


I've got that kit on my shelf and have come to the conclusion that I will never build it. If anyone wants to make me an offer, PM me. I'm not looking for a big payday-I'd actually be more interested in a barter for detail parts, 1920-30's vehicles, small structures, etc (preferably built-up and weathered). I just have all of my real estate spoken for and that beautiful structure is much bigger than I would have guessed.


Sorry Steve...don't mean to hijack your beautiful build thread.


John

[SteveCuster]

Thanks everyone!

John, I thought the same thing once I started building it....this one is way bigger than I had thought it was going to be.