My challenge build for 2018 will be the Monster Modelworks Brick Yard Tower. I plan on starting with the base kit, but will be adding interior detail among other, yet to be determined, modifications. I want to thank Dan - RAYMO - for getting this challenge started - our second annual. This build will find a home on my Superior & Seattle Railroad.
Here are a few pictures of the brick yard tower from the Monster Modelworks website.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217201623.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217201623.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217201842.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217201913.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217201958.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-301217202034.jpeg)
Next step - find out where I stored the kit. ;) :-[ It's okay I have two days until the official start.
Nice choice John! :o
I'm looking forward to this. I have the kit already but building another of their small kits presently. Will be following closely.
Oh boy, I'm really looking forward to seeing this one built.
Tom ;D
Thank you, for all the words of encouragement - this should be a fun build. An update: I found where I stored the kit and some of the interior details I plan on using. I will be officially starting the kit next week as per our official start date. I need to clear off some bench space. ;)
I'll be tagging along...
I'll be following along John. I always liked this kit and it'll be fun watching you build it.
John,
I believe this will be a first on the forum, I don't remember anyone building one of Jimmy's kits before. He does do nice work burning wood, I like his detail pieces, lintels, sills, corners, and copings to change the appearance of a stock kit like a City Classics Brownstone. I have one of these kits also sitting on a shelf and that is probably where it will be for quite awhile.
Anyway, I will also be following your progress.
Bob
Donato, Mark, and Bob
Thanks for following along. Jimmy's laser work is going to play a major role in my future scratch building projects. I bought four of his kits this past year to get some practice with the techniques required to make wood look like stone. This will be my first build with his material. I also plan on using Jimmy's stone, brick, and concrete block material for foundations on many of my future builds.
Built this last year for an area layout. Jimmy's work with the laser is masterful...I've built 7 or 8 of his kits. They're a real visual break from the typical clapboard, and go together beautifully. I just ordered his little jailhouse earlier this morning. Following along...have fun and stay warm!
I have this in my stash, looking forward to seeing this built.
Quote from: Dave K. on January 03, 2018, 09:11:56 AM
Built this last year for an area layout. Jimmy's work with the laser is masterful...I've built 7 or 8 of his kits. They're a real visual break from the typical clapboard, and go together beautifully. I just ordered his little jailhouse earlier this morning. Following along...have fun and stay warm!
Hi Dave
Soak up some sun for us - your going to need that warmth when you get home. Thanks for following along and the report on Jimmy's kits. I have had the pleasure of seeing some of his wood stone work built up at the Narrow Gauge Convention. It does look great when done right! I plan on using a lot of it in the coming years and will be using a few of his kits to get my technique perfected. Beside this kit, I bought the pump house, the Durango Roundhouse + extra stalls, and a store that he offered with a custom laser burned sign (I really liked that idea). There all in my build cue.
Quote from: Raymo on January 03, 2018, 09:17:13 AM
I have this in my stash, looking forward to seeing this built.
Dan
Thanks for stopping by and following along. And thank you for getting the challenge going again this year. I really like to have a smaller build in-between the big ones - it makes me feel like I'm moving faster. ;) ;D
Today, Step 1: Get the parts out of the bag and take a picture before I get started. I always, forget the what's in the box or bag in this case picture.
Side Track: I'm using Jimmy's brick for the floor in my Locomotive Shop (see my S&S RR build thread if you want to see how that goes) - it will be my first attempt with using this material. If I screw it up it's easier to replace than a piece of this kit.
I made some progress today: I took the whats in the bag photograph.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040118202745.jpeg)
I'm looking forward to following your build, I'm thinking of getting this kit but would like to see how it comes together and how the brick work is painted.
Quote from: rpdylan on January 05, 2018, 03:41:54 AM
I'm looking forward to following your build, I'm thinking of getting this kit but would like to see how it comes together and how the brick work is painted.
Bob
Thanks for following along. I hope I do a good job so Jimmy gets the sale. I will be adding interior detail to the kit with the turnout and signal control levers, etc.
Quote from: rpdylan on January 05, 2018, 03:41:54 AM
I'm looking forward to following your build, I'm thinking of getting this kit but would like to see how it comes together and how the brick work is painted.
Agreed - that brick work (sample model on web site) is about the best I have ever seen. If that can be reliably reproduced, I would like to use it a lot.
From the pics, it looks like some of the bricks are pre-discolored. Wonder if that was done with a "light burn" with the laser or what....
Will be interesting to see if/how that presents itself in the final finish.
Vince
Great looking tower.....I'll be looking in. :)
John, I'm working on the Monster Modelworks pumping station. If it's OK I will post a picture of one of the walls that has been painted following their instructions.
Quote from: vinceg on January 05, 2018, 09:07:44 AM
Quote from: rpdylan on January 05, 2018, 03:41:54 AM
I'm looking forward to following your build, I'm thinking of getting this kit but would like to see how it comes together and how the brick work is painted.
Agreed - that brick work (sample model on web site) is about the best I have ever seen. If that can be reliably reproduced, I would like to use it a lot.
From the pics, it looks like some of the bricks are pre-discolored. Wonder if that was done with a "light burn" with the laser or what....
Will be interesting to see if/how that presents itself in the final finish.
Vince
Vince
Yes - some of the bricks are darker and if you use a light color or thinned primer the dark color does show through. I'm still playing with the painting process. I did a test run on the brick floor of my Locomotive works (see S&S RR build thread). Most of the articles I have read say the best results are with the sponge technique using acrylic paints. I'm still playing to perfect a technique before attempting to paint the walls that came with the kit. My one comment so far is that the technique works different on the wood than it does on plaster or resign castings where I have used it many times.
Quote from: GPdemayo on January 05, 2018, 09:36:15 AM
Great looking tower.....I'll be looking in. :)
Greg
Thanks for following along.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 05, 2018, 04:48:06 PM
John, I'm working on the Monster Modelworks pumping station. If it's OK I will post a picture of one of the walls that has been painted following their instructions.
Curt
Yes - please post your pictures. I'm very interested to learn what other are doing to paint the wood/brick walls. Let's turn this thread into a learning tool. We can all learn to paint this stuff together. I know it looks great in the right hands. Karl O posted some pictures of walls he did that looked fantastic. They seem to have disappeared from the forum????
Dave - do you have any pictures to share of your builds.
Anyone else - please jump in.
John,
I'm just going to have to buy the MM Yard Tower.
The ACL had one very similar in Jacksonville about five miles north of the terminal.
Tom ;D
John- Thank you. I finished their water pumping station today. I painted the walls following the directions. The morter wash was very thin and next time I think I will do a little less 91% RA.
Quote from: S&S RR on January 11, 2018, 05:39:07 PM
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 05, 2018, 04:48:06 PM
John, I'm working on the Monster Modelworks pumping station. If it's OK I will post a picture of one of the walls that has been painted following their instructions.
Curt
Yes - please post your pictures. I'm very interested to learn what other are doing to paint the wood/brick walls. Let's turn this thread into a learning tool. We can all learn to paint this stuff together. I know it looks great in the right hands. Karl O posted some pictures of walls he did that looked fantastic. They seem to have disappeared from the forum????
Dave - do you have any pictures to share of your builds.
Anyone else - please jump in.
I'll look and see what I have in the way of pix.
Quote from: ACL1504 on January 11, 2018, 05:43:38 PM
John,
I'm just going to have to buy the MM Yard Tower.
The ACL had one very similar in Jacksonville about five miles north of the terminal.
Tom ;D
Tom
I think you should and join the thread. Curt just posted some very nice brick walls he did on the pump house.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 11, 2018, 05:56:00 PM
John- Thank you. I finished their water pumping station today. I painted the walls following the directions. The morter wash was very thin and next time I think I will do a little less 91% RA.
Curt,
Wow, those walls look fantastic. Great job my friend.
Tom ;D
Quote from: S&S RR on January 11, 2018, 05:59:43 PM
Quote from: ACL1504 on January 11, 2018, 05:43:38 PM
John,
I'm just going to have to buy the MM Yard Tower.
The ACL had one very similar in Jacksonville about five miles north of the terminal.
Tom ;D
Tom
I think you should and join the thread. Curt just posted some very nice brick walls he did on the pump house.
John,
Thanks for the offer. I have other kits in front of this one. But once I get the kit, I may feel differently.
Tom ;D
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 11, 2018, 05:56:00 PM
John- Thank you. I finished their water pumping station today. I painted the walls following the directions. The morter wash was very thin and next time I think I will do a little less 91% RA.
Curt
This really looks good. You did a great job.
Quote from: Dave K. on January 11, 2018, 05:58:52 PM
Quote from: S&S RR on January 11, 2018, 05:39:07 PM
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 05, 2018, 04:48:06 PM
John, I'm working on the Monster Modelworks pumping station. If it's OK I will post a picture of one of the walls that has been painted following their instructions.
Curt
Yes - please post your pictures. I'm very interested to learn what other are doing to paint the wood/brick walls. Let's turn this thread into a learning tool. We can all learn to paint this stuff together. I know it looks great in the right hands. Karl O posted some pictures of walls he did that looked fantastic. They seem to have disappeared from the forum? ???
Dave - do you have any pictures to share of your builds.
Anyone else - please jump in.
I'll look and see what I have in the way of pix.
Dave
Sounds great!
Thank you Tom and John.
Remembered I had this bookmarked on my iPad...might be worth a look-see.
https://davidneat.wordpress.com/tag/scale-brickwork/ (https://davidneat.wordpress.com/tag/scale-brickwork/)
Over on the Railroad Line Forum Karl O brought back to life Tenement Row by Smallshaw (Mike Chambers page 2). He showed how he painted & weathered the Monster Brick Sheets he used. His work on Laser cut brick sheets from Monster has to be some of the best I have ever looked at. None of this can be done without the expert work of Jimmy over @ Monster.
Mike Sigmon
Quote from: MASIGMON on January 12, 2018, 09:19:52 AM
Over on the Railroad Line Forum Karl O brought back to life Tenement Row by Smallshaw (Mike Chambers page 2). He showed how he painted & weathered the Monster Brick Sheets he used. His work on Laser cut brick sheets from Monster has to be some of the best I have ever looked at. None of this can be done without the expert work of Jimmy over @ Monster.
Mike Sigmon
Mike,
Will you post the link to K.O's thread here?
Tom ;D
John,
As the rawest of rookies here, I've been stewing about this comment for several days, BUT....
Back on page 1, look at the photo that shows the chimney head on. What is holding the chimney up? It is sitting on the roof, but it would need something inside to hold it up structurally.
I haven't built the kit, but I do think that any chimney is a column of bricks/blocks from the foundation all the way to the cap. I'd hate to see you detail the interior (which I'm looking forward to) and have the chimney crash through the roof into the detailing.
Just sayin'. I'll crawl back under my rock now.
Quote from: BandOGuy on January 12, 2018, 10:16:55 AM
John,
As the rawest of rookies here, I've been stewing about this comment for several days, BUT....
Back on page 1, look at the photo that shows the chimney head on. What is holding the chimney up? It is sitting on the roof, but it would need something inside to hold it up structurally.
I haven't built the kit, but I do think that any chimney is a column of bricks/blocks from the foundation all the way to the cap. I'd hate to see you detail the interior (which I'm looking forward to) and have the chimney crash through the roof into the detailing.
Just sayin'. I'll crawl back under my rock now.
Chip,
Great catch. The chimney should go on the back wall of near one of the back corners.
Just saying.
Tom ;D
Here's photos of the East Deerfield, Waltham, and what's left of the Johnsonville towers. You can see how the chimney's fit the buildings.
Quote from: Dave K. on January 11, 2018, 07:44:14 PM
Remembered I had this bookmarked on my iPad...might be worth a look-see.
https://davidneat.wordpress.com/tag/scale-brickwork/ (https://davidneat.wordpress.com/tag/scale-brickwork/)
David
Interesting article worth studying - thanks for sharing it.
Quote from: MASIGMON on January 12, 2018, 09:19:52 AM
Over on the Railroad Line Forum Karl O brought back to life Tenement Row by Smallshaw (Mike Chambers page 2). He showed how he painted & weathered the Monster Brick Sheets he used. His work on Laser cut brick sheets from Monster has to be some of the best I have ever looked at. None of this can be done without the expert work of Jimmy over @ Monster.
Mike Sigmon
Mike
Thanks for the lead. I remember seeing Carl's original posts on this build. He sure did a great job with the brick. Thanks for letting us know where to find it.
Quote from: BandOGuy on January 12, 2018, 10:16:55 AM
John,
As the rawest of rookies here, I've been stewing about this comment for several days, BUT....
Back on page 1, look at the photo that shows the chimney head on. What is holding the chimney up? It is sitting on the roof, but it would need something inside to hold it up structurally.
I haven't built the kit, but I do think that any chimney is a column of bricks/blocks from the foundation all the way to the cap. I'd hate to see you detail the interior (which I'm looking forward to) and have the chimney crash through the roof into the detailing.
Just sayin'. I'll crawl back under my rock now.
Thanks for sharing your comments - you are absolutely correct. I have some extra brick columns in my stash that will work to show the chimney extending down through the building for my interior detail. I hadn't got that far but sure would not have wanted to miss it. I hope we continue to hear from you. ;)
Quote from: ACL1504 on January 12, 2018, 09:34:10 AM
Quote from: MASIGMON on January 12, 2018, 09:19:52 AM
Over on the Railroad Line Forum Karl O brought back to life Tenement Row by Smallshaw (Mike Chambers page 2). He showed how he painted & weathered the Monster Brick Sheets he used. His work on Laser cut brick sheets from Monster has to be some of the best I have ever looked at. None of this can be done without the expert work of Jimmy over @ Monster.
Mike Sigmon
Mike,
Will you post the link to K.O's thread here?
Tom ;D
Tom
I will update as soon as I can find the thread and reread it. I don't remember how to instructions - only pictures. It has been a few years since Karl O's original article and I do have trouble remembering where I put my glasses.
Quote from: Raymo on January 12, 2018, 03:57:00 PM
Here's photos of the East Deerfield, Waltham, and what's left of the Johnsonville towers. You can see how the chimney's fit the buildings.
Dan
Great prototype photographs - thanks for sharing them.
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39572
Tom,
Here is the requested link on Karl O Brick Work.
Mike Sigmon
Quote from: MASIGMON on January 12, 2018, 06:22:58 PM
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39572 (http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39572)
Tom,
Here is the requested link on Karl O Brick Work.
Mike Sigmon
Mike,
Thank you very much, I've got it bookmarked now.
Tom ;D
Today, I finally cleared enough bench space to open up the bags and get started on this build.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-180118222856.jpeg)
I also started gathering up some of the detail parts for the interior. You can see the levers on the far right side of this picture.
Jimmy supplies a materials list on the second page of the instructions.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-180118222946.jpeg)
One of the first things I noticed was that Jimmy supplied nice thick glass (clear plastic) for the windows. They mic at .0625 and are all laser cut to size. Great feature Jimmy.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-180118223104.jpeg)
Page three of the instruction - Jimmy recommends assembling before painting. This is something I have started doing on my last few builds and I really like it. Less touch-up painting. The only time I will paint first is if I have a large sign being applied to the wall.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-180118223019.jpeg)
I hope Jimmy doesn't have any problems with me posting a picture of the instruction pages. ??? I take pictures of the pages and read them on my iPad while I'm traveling. I can also mark them up using the electronic pencil for the iPad and printout my notes or view them on the iPad as I build. One of my tasks for tomorrow is to photograph the instructions for the FSM Fox Run kit which is my next build.
I really like his instructions...the photos are great! 👍🏻
I can't wait to get started on mine. On their last kit of theirs I decided to brace the interior and paint it before assembly of the walls.
I know you will do a beautiful job on this kit. I look forward to your progress John.
Quote from: Dave K. on January 19, 2018, 06:25:50 AM
I really like his instructions...the photos are great! 👍🏻
Jimmy does a good job with his instructions. Lots of pictures! Just enough words.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on January 19, 2018, 09:40:00 AM
I can't wait to get started on mine. On their last kit of theirs I decided to brace the interior and paint it before assembly of the walls.
I know you will do a beautiful job on this kit. I look forward to your progress John.
Curt
Thanks for the kind words - the pressure is on. I hope your right - we will see.
I just got an email from Jimmy. My extra brick walls are on the way. I need them for my Locomotive Works build and to do some practice painting.
Great work John.
Quote from: Donato on January 23, 2018, 02:18:56 PM
Great work John.
Donato
Thanks for following along and the kind words.
My order arrived from Jimmy this afternoon - it's time to get to work on some painting techniques.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-240118152723.jpeg)
Well, today I got serious about starting this project. After cutting the brick material I need to finish the floor in my Locomotive Works Project I cut 5 sample pieces to play with brick coloring techniques.
Step one was to reread all the coloring information on Jimmy's Monster Model Works website.
I'll be looking over your shoulder to see what you some up with for coloring.
So here are the two samples that I like the best. There are differences in the number of process steps I used which I will explain tomorrow when I have time to post the process steps. The one on the left has a different pre treatment on the top half. I took pictures of the process and learned a lot about working with this wood brick material today. What do you think? I wanted to post this picture tonight to see what you think. More tomorrow.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270118201036.jpeg)
John,
I prefer the one on the right. On my monitor the one on the left appears to have a somewhat greenish tint that looks unrealistic, at least to me.
The one on the right looks more realistic to me , the left has too much contrast imho.
I prefer the right-hand sample.
Thank you for the comments on the samples. I have a couple more samples that I want to do with ideas that have come up with the first batch and then I need to organize the pictures and post the story on this. This has been a fun project - the one conclusion I have already made is that the techniques that I have used for years on plaster and resin castings don't work the same on the wood. I'm beginning to like this material for brick more and more as I learn how to work with it.
John, I think right is right. I thought I seldom have.
ed
The only difference between the right and the left is that I used light grey wash that toned down the A&I affect that gives the one on the left a greenish tint. It also blends the colors more. I decided to do one more experiment before I make the final choice for this build. I made three more sample pieces and painted one with sand primer, one with lt. grey primer and the final one is coated with A&I with less ink. The samples in the picture are with 3 tsp. to the pint mix. The new one will be with 2 tsp. to the pint mix. It will be a couple days before I get back to this project but I will post all the pictures of the process when I have the final sample results.
Am enjoying this John. I don't recall another build-thread that took four full pages before the carton-unpacking photos. All good stuff! I love Jimmy's brick products.
Quote from: Mike Engler on January 29, 2018, 12:23:04 AM
Am enjoying this John. I don't recall another build-thread that took four full pages before the carton-unpacking photos. All good stuff! I love Jimmy's brick products.
Mike
Thanks for stopping by - and you have a good point. Planning is the most import part of the build - right? I'm really enjoying the process of perfecting what I think are good looking brick walls in HO scale. I have a little more work to do and then I'll get this build going. ;)
So, tonight I'm going to post all the pictures of the brick coloring experiments I did in preparation for this build. I should start by saying that I have been coloring brick wall castings made from hydrocal and resin for many years and was very happy with the results I was getting with both acrylic paints and with pan pastels in resent years and also with those smelly paints we used in the past. This build is my first attempt at switching to wood as the base material for brick and stone buildings. If successful in making the switch, I think it will be much easier to cut window, and door openings for my scratch build projects. I have a lot of them coming up and really want to be able to make structures out of wood that look as good or better than those made of hydrocal, resin, or metal (in the case of FSM stone castings). One other motivation for the switch is that hydrocal structures, I have found, do not do well in the foreground of my layout - any little bump and I have touchup painting to do. So now that I have stated my motivation for this, let the fun begin.
For round 2, after many attempts at trying to add mortar using the traditional final application with both chalk and paint, I decided to add the mortar first by paint the sample with grey primer acrylic primer first.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193400.jpeg)
I then added the tradition brick red - with acrylic paint and a sponge on the top and pan pastels on the bottom.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193458.jpeg)
Here is a closer look after I added the dark gray accent bricks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193307.jpeg)
A little closer look. My conclusions - acrylic paints work well. Pan pastels - I'm still looking for a technique on wood.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193157.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193157.jpeg)
I think adding additional colors with the brush could be achieved very easily.
I like the grey spray undercoat to show mortar better than using a wash of bragdon weathering powder and 91% alcohol that's recommended in the instructions.
I then went on to try and perfect the multi - colored brick technique that I started in round one. In round one I found a color combination that I liked. I'm trying to achieve the color at the individual brick level rather than the blotchy multi-brick level. Here is a picture of one of the first tests I did using acrylic paints and a sponge I have successfully used for stone work with resin and hydrocal in the past. This actually doesn't look to bad until you zoom up and look at the individual bricks.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193157.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193157.jpeg)
Quote from: PRR Modeler on February 01, 2018, 07:54:39 PM
I like the grey spray undercoat to show mortar better than using a wash of bragdon weathering powder and 91% alcohol that's recommended in the instructions.
Curt
I agree, I didn't have much luck with pigments and alcohol to get the mortar look I was looking for. The wood in the mortar joints seemed to absorb the pigment. I had the brick surface color all washed out before I could see the mortar in the joints between the bricks.
I made three test samples to test the technique for the multi colored brick. Sample number 6 was primed with Sand color Camo paint.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218220600.jpeg)
Sample Number 8 received a coat of 2 tsp. A&I to start the process. In round 1 I used 3 tsp A&I which made it a little to dark to start.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218222053.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218222053.jpeg)
Sample 9 started the process with a coat of the Acrylic grey primer. This is the same base that I started with on Sample 7 which is the brick red sample.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193400.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218193400.jpeg)
The following Series of pictures takes us through the process of adding each color starting with the Flat Earth (brown) applied on individual bricks using a 3/0 brush. Sample 10 will be used for another test with a dark brown single color brick using the same technique that was used for the red brick.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218223834.jpeg)
The next color added was the Territorial Beige.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-010218224151.jpeg)
I will continue this story tomorrow - past my bed time.
This is really a great tutorial John. Thanks for all of the pics!
Quote from: MAP on February 02, 2018, 05:55:18 AM
This is really a great tutorial John. Thanks for all of the pics!
Mark
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. I will get the rest of the pictures posted sometime today.
John,
You've put a lot of time and effort into the research. I like the brick color on sample #7. Now, let's get building. ;D ;D ;D
Tom ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 02, 2018, 09:30:51 AM
John,
You've put a lot of time and effort into the research. I like the brick color on sample #7. Now, let's get building. ;D ;D ;D
Tom ;D
Tom
I'm with you on that - I'm actually building - the thread posting is a day or two behind. ;)
[size=78%] [/size][/size]I will be deciding today between sample 7 and 8. The research is actually for some future builds that will use the wood brick material from Monster. Thanks for stopping by the thread and getting me moving on the building.[size=78%] ;) :D :D :D
Thank you John, VERY informative.
John,
I think sample #7 is the best color I have seen.
Jim
Quote from: jimmillho on February 02, 2018, 03:35:23 PM
John,
I think sample #7 is the best color I have seen.
Jim
Jim
Yes- that one turned out pretty good. I'm going to complete the posts of the multi colored brownish brick and then get on with this build.
The next color that was added is Terra Cotta.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218184551.jpeg)
Followed by Yellow Ochre.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218170832.jpeg)
Then the whole sample was dry brushed with Sandstone. I added to much of the sandstone and let it dry before I went over it with a light grey wash. Next time I would do individual bricks with the sandstone and just use the light grey as a final wash.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218184210.jpeg)
Here is a picture of the final sample board. I plan on using the number 8 technique on a future build with the Monster Model Works bricks. For this build I will be using the technique represent by sample 7.
My first step was to lay out all the pieces that come in the kit and compare it to the pictures and list on page of the directions.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190922.jpeg)
The next step was to decide if I wanted to assemble it before painting as per the instructions or to paint the walls and then assemble. I decided to assemble first. I have been doing this on my last few builds and I'm getting very comfortable with it. The first assemble step is to glue the brick inlays to the main walls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190154.jpeg)
Here is what the walls looked like after the glue dried.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190118.jpeg)
Next step, was to glue on the brick corner pieces to the two main walls.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190038.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190006.jpeg)
It was then time to glue the main walls together.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190610.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218191740.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-020218190250.jpeg)
This is where I ended up for the day. I have some brick facia pieces and some internal bracing for the floor on the second story and then main structure will be ready for the grey primer.
Looking good John.
John,
I've already said it once but I really like the look of this tower. Good job so far.
Tom ;D
Looking good.
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 03, 2018, 08:27:50 AM
John,
I've already said it once but I really like the look of this tower. Good job so far.
Tom ;D
Thanks Tom - I will have an update later tonight.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on February 03, 2018, 10:16:36 AM
Looking good.
Thanks Curt - Now we have to get it painted after assembling.
Look very good.. I,ve always like the monster model work brick pattern.
Eric
Quote from: EricQuebec on February 03, 2018, 04:34:07 PM
Look very good.. I,ve always like the monster model work brick pattern.
Eric
Eric
Thanks - this is a very nice kit. It went together very easily.
I made some more progress today. First, the outside brick pieces were glued on.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-030218184251.jpeg)
I then started adding interior bracing to make this a very rigid structure. Based on my experience with warping with the painting samples I want to make sure the structure is well braced before it sees the painting process.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-030218184400.jpeg)
I then cut a floor piece out of basswood. Since my model will have interior detail - this is an add on piece not included in the kit.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-030218185227.jpeg)
I mounted the floor 4 scale feet below the big windows.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-030218185142.jpeg)
At the end of the day I was adding more bracing in the lower level of the Yard Tower being careful not to get in the way of the window and door inserts that will be added after painting.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-030218185336.jpeg)
Hi John,
Since you are in the middle of a structure with brick, I want to ask if anybody has used Roberts Brick and Mortar Formula for the mortar. If so, what are you comments on it?
John, your tower is coming along great.
Quote from: sdrees on February 03, 2018, 09:39:55 PM
Hi John,
Since you are in the middle of a structure with brick, I want to ask if anybody has used Roberts Brick and Mortar Formula for the mortar. If so, what are you comments on it?
John, your tower is coming along great.
Steve
I have used Roberts Brick and Mortar Formula. It works just like a wash of lt. grey paint. It works just fine on resign models and hydrocal models. I did not achieve good results in my testing so far with the wood brick. The wash just absorbs into the wood and doesn't leave behind enough pigment. I'm sure there is a solution but I haven't found it, yet.
Comin' Along nicely, John.
Quote from: Dave K. on February 04, 2018, 07:07:44 AM
Comin' Along nicely, John.
David
Thanks - starting the painting process today.
Quote from: sdrees on February 03, 2018, 09:39:55 PM
Hi John,
Since you are in the middle of a structure with brick, I want to ask if anybody has used Roberts Brick and Mortar Formula for the mortar. If so, what are you comments on it?
John, your tower is coming along great.
Steve,
Personally I don't like it. Tried it twice and don't like the look it gives.
Not a good product in my opinion. Others may have had better results. I threw my jar out.Tom ;D
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 04, 2018, 10:22:07 AM
Quote from: sdrees on February 03, 2018, 09:39:55 PM
Hi John,
Since you are in the middle of a structure with brick, I want to ask if anybody has used Roberts Brick and Mortar Formula for the mortar. If so, what are you comments on it?
John, your tower is coming along great.
Steve,
Personally I don't like it. Tried it twice and don't like the look it gives. >:( Not a good product in my opinion. Others may have had better results. I threw my jar out.
[/size]Tom [size=78%][/size][size=78%] ;D
[/size]
[size=78%]
Steve,
I concur with my esteemed buddy in Florida. I also have tried this product. Several times actually. I think the same as Tom. Not a great product. I have used drywall mud that is thinned down. On Monster laser cut walls, I use acrylic paints and achieve a much better look, quickly and simply. Just my humble opinion.
Frank / Erieman [/size]
I think the Roberts product has a limited shelf life. I seem to remember it being a lot 'juicier' when I first got it. And it seems to me that (dyed) thinned wallboard mud has the same feel/consistency.
dave
Tom, Frank and Dave
Thanks for your input on Steve's question about Robert's. My experience with it is more than 30 years old. I used it for the plastic buildings on my first layout when my 30 year old daughter was a baby. From what I remember, it was like diluted latex paint - it worked at the time but I found the jar during one of my cleanups a few years ago and the paint/plaster/white stuff was solid in the bottom of the jar.
So anyway, back to this build. I finished bracing the interior of the structure and painted it with the lt. grey acrylic primer. This is not the procedure on the directions. I'm painting the mortar on first and then adding the brick color. See sample 7 above. I started the painting process with figuring out how I was going to hold the molding pieces and the chimney while I painted it and let it dry.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040218192105.jpeg)
Here is a picture after the painting was complete - I brush painted the primer making sure I worked the primer into the mortar joints. This painting procedure took a while - the 3 D brick affect that Jimmy achieves with the layered construction technique is very nice but it does take some time and a few rounds of looking at things from different angles to get everything painted. I will be letting this dry over night and starting with the red brick paint tomorrow.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040218192338.jpeg)
While the paint was drying I started assembling some of the interior details. I started with the interlocking machine.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040218191955.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-040218191842.jpeg)
I'm going to be searching the internet tonight to see if I can find some good pictures of the interior of interlock towers. Does anyone have some pictures they would like to share?
You've probably already found these...
Quote from: Dave K. on February 04, 2018, 07:39:15 PM
You've probably already found these...
Dave
Wow thanks - you are quick. I hadn't started looking yet - was over on my layout build thread posting and update and saw your post come up. Thanks again - just what I'm looking for.
The last thing I would have expected to find in a interlocking tower is a computer terminal. I guess the two technologies did overlap.
Thanks John for letting me take up part of your forum. Thanks for the info Tom, Frank, John and Dave. I won't waste my money. This is what the forum is all about. So John, I will be watching you with your technique.
Quote from: sdrees on February 04, 2018, 09:14:04 PM
Thanks John for letting me take up part of your forum. Thanks for the info Tom, Frank, John and Dave. I won't waste my money. This is what the forum is all about. So John, I will be watching you with your technique.
Steve
This is what the forum is all about - please feel free to ask questions. Now, if I can just make the structure look like the test sample.
John you are continuing to make me like switch towers....never did before....
Great progress John. I need one of those towers!
I'll be looking in John.....I've had this kit for ages, but it still isn't in the tower. :)
Donato, Mark, and Greg
Thanks for stopping by the thread. I've been painting brick the last couple of days. I have a couple progress photographs to post this evening.
So here is where I left off at the end of the day. The brick is painted and now it's time to add the strips that will be the concrete ledges.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218191438.jpeg)
Here is a close-up of the brick - this is a zoom in on the top third of the structure brick only.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218191509.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218191509.jpeg)
This is the front of the tower - the side the viewer is going to see when it is on my layout. It will look a lot better when the concrete and trim are painted.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218192842.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218192842.jpeg)
Nice looking brick work.
Here is a closeup of the brick on the left upper corner of the structure. I went to a toothpick to paint the dark gray accent bricks. I wasn't happy with the bleeding of the black on to the mortar when I used a brush on the back of the building. I know - it's HO scale and the viewer will be three feet from the structure when it's on the layout. But I like it better - and it's my railroad.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218192915.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-060218192915.jpeg)
I should add that I used three different shades of brick red. I added a few drops of dark gray to the brick red paint for one, I used the brick red straight from the bottle for two, and I added some white for the third. The lighter shade allowed some of the mortar color to show through on the brick.
John,
IMO the time you took to paint individual bricks really paid off. Great looking wall.
Quote from: jerryrbeach on February 06, 2018, 08:26:40 PM
John,
IMO the time you took to paint individual bricks really paid off. Great looking wall.
Jerry
Thank you for following along and the kind words. IMO you have to get the level where it looks like individual bricks to make it look right. I really like working with the wood material for bricks and stone work. I still have some work to do to perfect the painting technique but I'm happy with the results on this build.
Wow. Excellent looking brickwork John! The individual brick detail really makes the walls stand out. I noticed a few pics back a bottle of acrylic-poly primer. Is that what you used for the first coat of gray primer?
Nice work Mr Siekirk. I have some brick walls plus copping, cornice, etc. I have thoughts of scratchbuilding a small factory scene so your work is most helpful.
Note: Jimmy at Monster Modelwworks has a product how-to page (http://monstermodelworks.com/Product-How-To-s.html) that is very informative. The first link to an article on the Model Railroad Hobbyist (MRH) is pretty detailed.
--Rich
Quote from: MAP on February 07, 2018, 05:39:41 AM
Wow. Excellent looking brickwork John! The individual brick detail really makes the walls stand out. I noticed a few pics back a bottle of acrylic-poly primer. Is that what you used for the first coat of gray primer?
Hi Mark
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the gray acrylic-poly primer is the color I used for the mortar. To me it looks more like concrete than the concrete pre-mixed. I think the concrete pre-mixed has too much green - it looks like you just poured it. I will be adding some chalks to weather the concrete on this build. It's in a yard full of steam locomotives.
Great brickwork as everyone has said. Enjoying this thread....thx.
I must have missed it -- can't find it in the last few pages -- but did you paint all of the bricks with a toothpick or just the highlighted ones? If only the highlighted ones, how did you do the bulk of the brick painting?
Cheers,
Vince
Hey John.....one by one ...!!??!!
(https://ray032.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/job.jpg)
Quote from: vinceg on February 07, 2018, 08:17:32 AM
Great brickwork as everyone has said. Enjoying this thread....thx.
I must have missed it -- can't find it in the last few pages -- but did you paint all of the bricks with a toothpick or just the highlighted ones? If only the highlighted ones, how did you do the bulk of the brick painting?
Cheers,
Vince
Vince
Thanks for the kind words. The bulk brick painting was done with three different shades of brick red acrylic paint. The cheap stuff. I applied it with a small rectangular sponge using just the edge. The routine was dip the edge in the paint dab it on a piece of paper towel and then on the model. I'm heading back into the train room and will take a picture of the sponge to post this evening. Please let me know if this makes since or if you have any questions. The key to this process is to get the paint on the surface of the brick and not down into the mortar line. If you look close you can find a few places where I had too much paint on the sponge. I think I found a way to fix those places - if it looks good after the paint dries I will post some pictures tonight. On second thought, I will post pictures which ever way it goes. ;) ;D ;D ;D It's the forum. :-[
Quote from: Donato on February 07, 2018, 11:49:06 AM
Hey John.....one by one ...!!??!!
(https://ray032.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/job.jpg) (https://ray032.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/job.jpg)
Well, I have to admit that this structure took a long time to paint. I hope it was worth it.
Vince
I found this picture that I took while I was painting the tower that shows the sponges that I was using. When the sponge got to saturated with paint I would rip the corner off which created two new corners to work with. I went through a couple sponges on this job. They come in a brick with about 20 of them per brick. I think I bought these from Micro-Mart based on the number on the package. The package is on the back of the workbench in this picture, next to my water glass that once again is to close to my brush wetting glass. You can see how I got the excess paint off the sponge on the paper towel. You can also see the three shade of paint that I was using in the palette. The paint is dabbed on with the sponge trying to only apply paint to the face of the brick.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070218185833.jpeg)
I stopped to let the paint dry on one side of the tower and got side tracked on my Locomotive Works project. I will get back to this project tomorrow and hopefully have some updated pictures.
Quote from: S&S RR on February 07, 2018, 07:06:18 PM
Vince
I found this picture that I took while I was painting the tower that shows the sponges that I was using. When the sponge got to saturated with paint I would rip the corner off which created two new corners to work with. I went through a couple sponges on this job. They come in a brick with about 20 of them per brick. I think I bought these from Micro-Mart based on the number on the package. The package is on the back of the workbench in this picture, next to my water glass that once again is to close to my brush wetting glass. You can see how I got the excess paint off the sponge on the paper towel. You can also see the three shade of paint that I was using in the palette. The paint is dabbed on with the sponge trying to only apply paint to the face of the brick.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-070218185833.jpeg)
Thanks, John. Sort of dry brushing with sponges, I reckon. I think I will try this technique on my next SRMW kit build. Still some months away....trying to stay focused on finishing my wiring first.
Vince
I took some progress pictures of the Yard Tower build today. This is my usual take some close-up pictures and make a check list of things that need to be fixed. I was pretty happy until I looked at the pictures and almost decided not to post them. This is "the Forum" and we are supposed to learn from each other. This afternoon I was not happy with the corners on the concrete trim pieces. So I added some wood filler - and as you can see from the pictures they still need some work. Anyway, I decided to post the pictures and add it to the fix list. So here are the pictures I'm using to make my fix it list.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218180125.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218180125.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218175843.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218175928.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218180008.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218180043.jpeg)
I really like the 3D look that the add on pieces give this model. I should mention that I added pieces under each of the windows to make the concrete window sill stick out a little further. These pieces were not included in the kit. Also, as I mentioned earlier - I will be adding interior detail so I colored the inside of the upper level with Mahogany stain.
On the subject of interior detail - it would have been easier to cut the holes for the switch levers before I assembled the building. The laser kit that I bought gives you a nice template. I will have two banks of levers (two kits). I should have read the instructions for the lever kit before starting the Yard Tower assembly. Anyway, it worked out okay.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218181719.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218181753.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-090218181819.jpeg)
The brickwork is looking better and better John
Quote from: Janbouli on February 09, 2018, 06:52:03 PM
The brickwork is looking better and better John
Jan
Thanks for the kind words. I'm liking wood brick more and more.
Just love the realistic brickwork. Some individual bricks just pop right out at you....GREAT!!
Quote from: Donato on February 10, 2018, 08:09:21 PM
Just love the realistic brickwork. Some individual bricks just pop right out at you....GREAT!!
Donato
Thanks for the kind words. I'm really happy with the detail etched into the bricks with the laser. It takes a little work to develop a technique to bring it out.
I only had a few minutes to work on this build today but I added some detail to the interior. This scale map of the Eagles Nest yard on my layouts is directly from the CAD package I'm using called TurboCad on my MacBook. I just took a screen dump picture and scaled it to the size required for the wall of the yard tower.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-110218195059.jpeg)
Here is the view through the window. I think I may add a frame around it. The camera is focusing on the outside surfaces instead of the map.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-110218195206.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-110218195206.jpeg)
man, the brick work came out so nice! I am def. going to use your technique for painting.... thanks so much for this informative build thread!
I agree with everyone else, the brickwork turned out great.
Jeff
John,
The tower is coming along nicely. Well done my friend.
Tom ;D
Quote from: rpdylan on February 12, 2018, 03:42:45 AM
man, the brick work came out so nice! I am def. going to use your technique for painting.... thanks so much for this informative build thread!
Bob
Your welcome, this is what the forum is all about. I really think Jimmy has a nice product here - I know I will be using it more and more in the coming years. I recently purchased his Durango Roundhouse kit for the Narrow Gauge line on my layout.
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on February 12, 2018, 09:34:42 AM
I agree with everyone else, the brickwork turned out great.
Jeff
Jeff
Thanks for stopping by the thread and the kind words. Next step, is to figure out the LED lighting and finish the interior detail.
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 12, 2018, 09:44:15 AM
John,
The tower is coming along nicely. Well done my friend.
Tom ;D
Tom
Thank you Sir.
Hi John,
The brick looks very good. It looks like Tom's real brick from Tennessee.
John,
Speaking of the lighting, have you looked at the DCC LightIt boards from NCE? There have been a couple of episodes on MRH's Trainmasters TV about the boards. One of the shows specifically covered using the boards for interior lighting. Good description of the product on the NCE web page.
Quote from: sdrees on February 12, 2018, 04:39:59 PM
Hi John,
The brick looks very good. It looks like Tom's real brick from Tennessee.
Steve
Thanks - I think what makes it look real "like Tom's brick" is coloring the individual bricks. It is a pain in HO scale but I will not be going back to the sponge and blotchy look for brick walls. It works well for stone the is bigger.
Quote from: BandOGuy on February 12, 2018, 06:42:08 PM
John,
Speaking of the lighting, have you looked at the DCC LightIt boards from NCE? There have been a couple of episodes on MRH's Trainmasters TV about the boards. One of the shows specifically covered using the boards for interior lighting. Good description of the product on the NCE web page.
I have not seen NCE's new LightIt boards. My DCC system is NCE so my next stop will be their website to check it out.
Thanks for the tip. I actually will have 12 different structures in this area of the layout, all with LED lighting, so I need to find a way to wire them all off the same power supply.
Excellent brickwork!
John
The first coat of paint is on the levers. I'm using the Western standard of blue for the turnouts and red for the signals. The white means not in use. They should look good through the glass. The base is not going to be visible in the finished model, so I'm keeping the paint out of the works so lever position can be changed. The levers are all hinged on a wire.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-140218180950.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-140218180950.jpeg)
Here is what the levers will look like through the window.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-140218215008.jpeg)
Coming along great! With a removable roof this would be fun to detail...calendars, pin-ups, union stuff...
Quote from: Dave K. on February 15, 2018, 06:22:59 AM
Coming along great! With a removable roof this would be fun to detail...calendars, pin-ups, union stuff...
Dave
Thanks for following along and the kind words. The details are on my workbench - slowly painting and preparing them, I will post pictures as they are added. I just cut the chimney for the upstairs interior. The pot belly stove is ready for the paint booth.
Those levers are really cool and give the tower a "worked in" look. Great details really make this kit come alive.
Fantastic! :D :D :D There's nothing not to like about this one. Everything looks great.
Quote from: MAP on February 16, 2018, 05:34:46 AM
Those levers are really cool and give the tower a "worked in" look. Great details really make this kit come alive.
Mark
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words - I have some furniture primed and ready for final paint. I'm starting to collect a few other details that will make it look like a working tower.
Quote from: ReadingBob on February 16, 2018, 07:39:38 AM
Fantastic! :D :D :D There's nothing not to like about this one. Everything looks great.
Bob
Thanks for stopping by thread and for the kind words - I installed some LED lights in the floor where the view will not be able to see them. I think they will do a good job of lighting up the interior detail once the tower is installed on my layout. I will take more pictures when I have made some more progress.
John,
I agree with everyone's comments. The coloring of the bricks is great, and your interior details are coming along very well. I hope this is going to be right near the front edge of your layout where viewers can really appreciate your craftsmanship.
I really like the rail map on the back wall.
Top notch work John. I will be watching for the finished Scene.
Jim
Quote from: jerryrbeach on February 16, 2018, 09:27:51 AM
John,
I agree with everyone's comments. The coloring of the bricks is great, and your interior details are coming along very well. I hope this is going to be right near the front edge of your layout where viewers can really appreciate your craftsmanship.
Jerry
Thanks for the kind words. Yes - this build will be within 18 inches of the layout edge so viewers should be able to see the interior detail.
Quote from: PRR Modeler on February 16, 2018, 09:46:14 AM
I really like the rail map on the back wall.
Curt
Thank you - the detail shows up well enough to be able to tell that it's a map of the actual yard the viewer is looking at.
Quote from: jimmillho on February 16, 2018, 10:05:11 AM
Top notch work John. I will be watching for the finished Scene.
Jim
Jim
Thank you for the kind words and for following along. I should be finishing the interior detail in the next few days - and then it will be time for a roof.
Here's all of got for an update on this build. I'm in the middle of painting castings. Anyway I was real happy with a new technique I tried for painting wood grain on a metal casting. I started out by painting the castings with Camo Khaki - the new Earth color as Brett Gallent calls it. Then I paint a coat of Mahogany over the Earth not being very careful to get a even coat and using swirly brush stokes. Then for the second coat of Mahogany I use a toothpick and add more wood grain affect. What do you think? Does it pass for HO scale wood grain.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-170218195538.jpeg)
Yep. Pretty convincing. Once it's inside, it will look perfect, I reckon.
Desk blotter is a nice touch.
Looks good to me John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is another picture from a different angle showing the calendar on the side of the file cabinet.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-170218195621.jpeg) (http://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-170218195621.jpeg)
Looks like I missed a parting line on the side of the file cabinet when I cleaned up the castings. That's why we take pictures. ;)
Quote from: vinceg on February 17, 2018, 08:14:23 PM
Yep. Pretty convincing. Once it's inside, it will look perfect, I reckon.
Desk blotter is a nice touch.
Thanks - yeah these details will be inside and the viewer will be looking through a window.
Beautiful! Got the notification overnight for Jimmy's latest...
Quote from: Dave K. on February 18, 2018, 07:25:28 AM
Beautiful! Got the notification overnight for Jimmy's latest...
Dave
Thank you - Jimmy is producing some very nice kits. He must have his lasers going 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Based upon your fine work I started digging around. I got a gander at the Monster Modelworks web site plus a few build threads. This laser cut brick looks very interesting. I ordered a McCampbell Storage background flat kit. I've got a spot for it on my small layout. We'll see how it goes. in the meantime I'll bookmark this thread so I can review the painting process you used.
--Rich
Quote from: richbeau on February 18, 2018, 09:42:39 AM
Based upon your fine work I started digging around. I got a gander at the Monster Modelworks web site plus a few build threads. This laser cut brick looks very interesting. I ordered a McCampbell Storage background flat kit. I've got a spot for it on my small layout. We'll see how it goes. in the meantime I'll bookmark this thread so I can review the painting process you used.
--Rich
Rich
I think you will be happy with the Monster Modelworks kit. I think there will be a number of Jimmy's kits and scratch build buildings on my layout in the future.
Well, I finally got back to this build today. I have been busy painting castings for a number of days (I lost track). I basically painted all the castings for four builds all at once.
I don't think I would recommend doing so many at one time. It was efficient painting, but too much of a good thing.
Here are a few pictures of the interior details after they were painted and installed. This is the view before the windows were added.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195325.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195415.jpeg)
Next step, was to paint the laser cut windows.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195501.jpeg)
I took this picture of the interior just before I added the last window.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195807.jpeg)
Here is the view, through the windows now that the widows have been added.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195705.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-270218195611.jpeg)
I'll post some more pictures tomorrow. It turns out that when I take a close-up picture with my iPhone the pictures are too big to add to the gallery. I will need to run them through aperture before I can post them.
Tomorrow, I have a few more interior details to add and it will be time for the roof.
(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/313052df668caba1cc6d047ca764b15e5b17eeb9/c=0-500-4147-3610&r=x408&c=540x405/local/-/media/2017/09/21/AsburyPark/B9329426853Z.1_20170921100848_000_GC5JNV3M5.1-0.jpg)
Quote from: Janbouli on February 27, 2018, 09:09:57 PM
(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/313052df668caba1cc6d047ca764b15e5b17eeb9/c=0-500-4147-3610&r=x408&c=540x405/local/-/media/2017/09/21/AsburyPark/B9329426853Z.1_20170921100848_000_GC5JNV3M5.1-0.jpg) (https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/313052df668caba1cc6d047ca764b15e5b17eeb9/c=0-500-4147-3610&r=x408&c=540x405/local/-/media/2017/09/21/AsburyPark/B9329426853Z.1_20170921100848_000_GC5JNV3M5.1-0.jpg)
Jan
Thank you.
Outstanding looking John.
John,
I love how you finished the tower and the interior, WOW. Nicely done sir.
Tom ;D
John...simply GREAT...!!
Quote from: PRR Modeler on February 28, 2018, 10:02:29 AM
Outstanding looking John.
Curt
Thank you for the kind words.
Quote from: ACL1504 on February 28, 2018, 11:21:55 AM
John,
I love how you finished the tower and the interior, WOW. Nicely done sir.
Tom ;D
Tom
Thanks you for the kind words. This is my first venture with interior detailing that will all be behind glass and it's really hard to know when to quit.
Quote from: Donato on February 28, 2018, 02:06:43 PM
John...simply GREAT...!!
Donato
Thank you my friend. It's time to put a roof on this one and plant it on the layout.
I love the old guy at the desk! Which figure is that? Preiser or Woodland?
Really great job on the interior, though I think you should have made the levers move with the appropriate track turnout!!!
Quote from: Rail and Tie on March 01, 2018, 10:49:32 PM
I love the old guy at the desk! Which figure is that? Preiser or Woodland?
Really great job on the interior, though I think you should have made the levers move with the appropriate track turnout!!!
Darryl
Thanks for the kind words. I think that figure is from Preiser but I can't be sure - I have my figures sorted by type so the different manufactures are mixed together, now. What makes you think the levers aren't tied to the turnouts? ;) ;D
I was working on some track changes today and decided to cut the base board for this Yard Tower build. This is the location where it will be planted on the layout. Two FSM kits are planned just to the right in the space in the picture. Sewall's Foundry will be just to the right and Fox Run Milling will be next door.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-100318154256.jpeg)
Just caught up on your build John, interior is very interesting and the exterior brickwork looks fantastic.
Quote from: Lynnb on March 21, 2018, 12:26:04 AM
Just caught up on your build John, interior is very interesting and the exterior brickwork looks fantastic.
Thank you for stopping by and the kind words. I need to finish this build up before the deadline.
Quote from: S&S RR on March 10, 2018, 03:47:53 PMTwo FSM kits are planned just to the right in the space in the picture. Sewall's Foundry will be just to the right and Fox Run Milling will be next door.
I was about to say these were two of my favorite FSM kits to build but then I realized they've all been my favorites. ;)
The tower is looking good John!
Quote from: ReadingBob on March 23, 2018, 11:26:06 AM
Quote from: S&S RR on March 10, 2018, 03:47:53 PMTwo FSM kits are planned just to the right in the space in the picture. Sewall's Foundry will be just to the right and Fox Run Milling will be next door.
I was about to say these were two of my favorite FSM kits to build but then I realized they've all been my favorites. ;)
The tower is looking good John!
Bob
Thank you for the kind words. I know what you mean about the FSM kits - it is very hard to pick a favorite.
Yesterday, I glued the roof card together and install more windows on this project. Next step, shingles and trim paint for the roof. I need to do a lighting test with the LED's to see how visible the interior detail will be with the roof on.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-240318083540.jpeg)
More progress on this build, today. A few progress pictures of the shingle and roof installation. I glued strip wood blocks to the underside of the roof to locate it on the main structure so it can be removed to show of the interior detail.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318210325.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318210357.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318210440.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318211036.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318211110.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318211145.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318211223.jpeg)
Some touchup painting, weathering on the roof, three more windows, and the cap for the chimney and this one will be ready to be mounted to the base and installed on the layout.
I will be adding some outside details once the structure is located on the layout.
Splendid John, and I really like the way the darker windows turned out , I'm always afraid of painting them a dark color but I'll have to try it sometime soon .
Nice color combination.
Quote from: Janbouli on March 29, 2018, 05:17:58 AM
Splendid John, and I really like the way the darker windows turned out , I'm always afraid of painting them a dark color but I'll have to try it sometime soon .
Jan
Thanks for the kind words. I hope to put the finishing touches on this one, today.
I think the shingles are too dark, suggest some weathering to make them less stark.
dave
Quote from: deemery on March 30, 2018, 08:57:08 AM
I think the shingles are too dark, suggest some weathering to make them less stark.
dave
Dave
Yes- I agree - The picture was taken just after they were installed with no weathering. I have already weathered them and will take some final pictures in the next couple of days.
Quote from: S&S RR on March 28, 2018, 09:13:33 PM
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-280318211145.jpeg)
I like the background of the shot where you show color swatches under each bottle of Vallejo paint. Brilliant!
And, you have the discipline to keep each bottle in the right place. Impressive.
Vince
I'm sure glad I cleaned up all the paint bottles and put them back before I took the picture. ;) ;) ;D ;D Actually, the paint samples under the bottles has proven to be very valuable. If you look close you will also see the number for the paint - really helps when I take more than one bottle down at a time and need to put them back in the right place. I should have some pictures of the finished structure this evening.
This afternoon I completed this Yard Tower Build. The structure is complete - I will add some details to area when it is permanently mounted on the layout. I also will hook up the power to the LED's that will show off the interior detail when it is installed. I have 4 builds planed for this area which will all be powered by the same power supply. I took a few pictures with it sitting on the base in the spot I have picked out for it in the Eagles Nest Yard on my layout - the Superior & Seattle Railroad.
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-310318194915.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-310318194843.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-310318194818.jpeg)
(https://modelersforum.com/gallery/18-310318194746.jpeg)
Hi John,
The Yard Tower turned out really nice John. I like the way the brick turned out.
Hi John the roof looks much better, I did think it looked dark before but really didn't feel I've been here long enough to give a less than neutral feedback ;) I'm glad another fine modeller spoke up.
The entire building has come together quite nicely.
Quote from: sdrees on March 31, 2018, 09:18:03 PM
Hi John,
The Yard Tower turned out really nice John. I like the way the brick turned out.
Steve
Thank you, I have a few touch-ups to make when I get the model installed on the layout. I want to work on the weathering on the roof for one.
Quote from: Lynnb on March 31, 2018, 09:20:38 PM
Hi John the roof looks much better, I did think it looked dark before but really didn't feel I've been here long enough to give a less than neutral feedback ;) I'm glad another fine modeller spoke up.
The entire building has come together quite nicely.
Lynn
Thank you for following along and the kind words. Yes, this roof definitely needs some weathering to look right. After reviewing the pictures I think I will take another run at it with the weathering chalks once I have it installed on the layout.
John, try stippling some dark (but not too dark) color chalk on the roof. That'll add some texture and break up the (too) even coloring. But it definitely looks a lot better with the chalk that's already on it.
dave
Quote from: deemery on April 01, 2018, 12:25:56 PM
John, try stippling some dark (but not too dark) color chalk on the roof. That'll add some texture and break up the (too) even coloring. But it definitely looks a lot better with the chalk that's already on it.
dave
Dave
This is a case of the camera (my iPhone) and lighting conditions intensifying the black color. I like the way the roof looks to the eye but it needs some help to photograph well. I will take some pictures with my SLR and work from those to fix the weathering. Thank you for your input - it always helps to see what other good modelers think.
Greetings from the wilds of Southern NJ, home of Deblasolene.
I've been back here since late 2016, and been somewhat busy.
Not so busy that I haven't taken time to model, and I came across this thread....
Quote from: vzjtothalo on June 12, 2018, 08:48:44 PM
Greetings from the wilds of Southern NJ, home of Deblasolene.
I've been back here since late 2016, and been somewhat busy.
Not so busy that I haven't taken time to model, and I came across this thread....
Looking good! And welcome back.
Hey I built one of those!
Quote from: Shakey Jake on October 23, 2018, 12:47:17 PM
Hey I built one of those!
Very nice build! Thank you for sharing it.
Jake,
I agree, very well done. I have this kit and am anxious to build it but I have many others in front of this one.
Tom ;D
Jake's post reminded me that this build is about to be planted on the S&S Railroad. I will post pictures when that happens.
Nicely done Jake & welcome to the Forum..... 8)
That's a really nice looking tower John. Monster Modelworks really made/makes some great kits. I've never built one but I always love the brick texture.
-Steve