Well, we'll see how good those directions are, when I try the Mod-Podge-on-plastic trick for my "water over the dam". :-) :-)


dave

Quote from: gnatshop on February 15, 2015, 04:47:34 PM
Question - Is that Zip Foam that you're usin'?   

No, I think that's the green florist foam that Mike Rose has been discussing:


dave

I've started a little diorama for the CCC Rastetter's Mill.  First step is to get a notion of placement.  Then I transferred the rough outline to the paper, and used that paper as a template for styrofoam.  Next I cut chunks of styrofoam, working the contours into them with a serrated edge bread knife.  I'll the mill side first, then put the wheel and its support, before cutting the filler chunk and positioning the dam.


dave

Some notes on Campbell corrugated "foil":  Use a very sharp X-Acto #11 knife blade, you may go through several of them in the process.  Spray prime the aluminum with clear (if you want new/shiny material) or with light (battleship) grey if you want weathered material.  Apply with transfer tape or with double-stick carpet tape (from Home Depot/Lowes).  Weather with paints or pigments/pastels/chalks. 


dave

Quote from: NEMMRRC on February 13, 2015, 08:03:34 AM
I guess I'll have to plan a visit to a nearby train museum or scenic railroad in lieu of layout tours.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/top-lists/top-railroad-experiences-near-philadelphia-for-kids/

Jaime

Expo is not that close to Philly, and it would be out of your way going to Scranton from points west or even south.


dave

I built this in the late '60s, it was a Christmas present from my parents.  This has moved from PA to MA to PA to NH to BC to Northern VA, it's had a washerload of water dumped on it, and suffered numerous smaller indignities.  The roof needs to be redone from the water damage, and I should repaint it into my railroad's standard colors.  But it'll have a place of honor on any layout as one of two railroad things I have from when I was a kid.  (The other is a PFM Brass V&T Reno, that I bought used from a back shelf of a hobby store in Framingham MA, cost me $30 and I had to save a long time for it.  That loco has been remotered and custom painted.)


dave

Very nice!   I like the clever use of Legos for the mill interior.


dave

Quote from: Erieman on February 08, 2015, 11:04:48 AM

Quote from: deemery on February 08, 2015, 10:27:47 AM

Quote from: Raymo on February 08, 2015, 10:09:24 AM
I wasn't smart enough to play the lottery last night

Nobody won, it's up to $450m.  That could buy a lot of trains.  And it's actually a 'good bet' (payoff is more than odds of winning, 1/175,223,501.  Of course, you have a much better chance to be hit by lightning...)


dave

Dave, Not only could that kind of money buy a lot of trains, it probably buy a small real railroad. Only saying. Not including what Uncle Sam gets out of it!

Frank / Erieman

It strikes me that buying a small real railroad would be a great way to turn that back into the original $2 investment!   


dave

Quote from: Raymo on February 08, 2015, 10:09:24 AM
I wasn't smart enough to play the lottery last night

Nobody won, it's up to $450m.  That could buy a lot of trains.  And it's actually a 'good bet' (payoff is more than odds of winning, 1/175,223,501.  Of course, you have a much better chance to be hit by lightning...)


dave

Quote from: Raymo on February 06, 2015, 03:53:43 PM
Michael Moore would call him a coward!

And Michael Moore knows all about cowards.


dave

I like this, it's a building with interesting rooflines that doesn't look like it was designed to be "a building with interesting rooflines".   Rather, it looks like it was added to (for logical reasons) over time.


dave

There are nice "level" applications for the iPhone, and presumably for Android.  They're a lot cheaper than $107 :-)


dave

I've tried the Woodland Scenics and the Tippi (guy sells them at train shows including Timonium.)  The Tippi works _MUCH_ better for me than the Woodland Scenics.  However, I also bought a Hot Knife at Harbor Freight a couple years ago, but haven't tried it yet. 


dave

I know how much time it takes to write and take good photos, and I certainly appreciate it!


dave

I can't quite make out the marquee. What's playing?


dave