Sills painted, then a raw umber wash, very light, but heavier in some places than others so it's monotone red.  Added some light and dark bricks, it's a little "salt and peppery", but I think the final washes will bring it together.  I only did the light/dark bricks on two sides.  I want to see how the single color brick sides end up as well.  It's probably going to be in the middle of a block anyway.  I put a sign on it to see how it would go on the brick material.  A decal would obviously work better, but again, after all the weathering we'll see how it looks.  The windows are three piece (with two pieces of glass).  They don't look like the windows in the instructions.     I'm going to use the Dap "fast and final" spackle for the mortar. 


Jeff

I had originally envisioned going to Springfield, the EXPO and the Narrow Gauge convention in Maine this year as my daughter lives in Beantown.  My children thought as my wife and I are celebrating our 60th birthdays this year and our 35th anniversary, we should take a family vacation and go to Hawaii.  None of them, however, offered to pay for it, so I'll be hoofing the cost for 7 people going there in February.  That'll take my travel budget for the year.  And maybe next year.   


Jeff

I did the gaps per the first pic using some spackle.  I then used the back of an Xacto to carve where the brick lines were.  My finger nail did a better job.  Some of them are still quite noticable, especially the one where I didn't get it lined up quite right (the back of the windowless wall).    I think next time I'd glue the corner pieces on first so I could put it flat on the flat side, then brace it.  Parts of the spackled seams look great, other places not as good.  I didn't do the front seams at all, and they look fair.  We'll see how it looks after the weathering. 


Jeff

Thanks for following, folks.  Dave, go ahead and post some pics, I'm interested to see what you do with this kit.  John, I'm going to finish it the way I did the Downtown Deco kit per Randy's instructions.  Paint/Umber wash/paint concrete sills/individual bricks/wash.


Jeff

The wall looks good, Karl.  I have this kit in the stash as well.  I got it on ebay years ago.  I put in what I thought was a low bid just to follow the auction to see how high the price would go, and ended up winning the kit. 


Jeff

It's been a big year for The Empire,  last year at this time I was working on benchwork in the other room for the East staging yard (see pic).  I've completed that and the peninsula and the West staging yard.  The yard tracks need to be laid and sidings added, but it's good to have the whole mainline finished.  Hopefully scenery will start this year.  And backdrops.  And switch machines.  And power routing to the yards.  And...


Thanks to all have watched the progress this year.  I can't believe I got this far.  Of course some of you have built and torn out two or three layouts this year.   


Jeff

Nice work, Karl.  I really like the improvements you've added over the original kit.


Jeff

The Americana "Heritage Brick" paint went on well, I didn't thin it at all.  The gaps were pretty noticable.  I didn't get one joint flat against the wall.  Otherwise the gap is pretty small, but still noticable.  On the side wall I tried Karls tip of taping both sides of the joint and using joint compound and it worked fairly well.  I probably should have let it dry overnight, I then used the back of a Xacto to carve the bricks in.  Parts of it look really good.  I'll do the other gaps and let it set overnight before carving/painting. 


Jeff

As my other build is on temporary hiatus, I decided to start a Monster Modelworks kit.  The "starter structure" 3 story storefront.  I've not built one of these before and was interested on how the bricks would finish as they are wood instead of plaster/resin.  They look pretty good on the walls.  There's basically 4 walls, some corner trim, arched lintels and a multi-piece lower front.  I cut and glued the lintels on the front and back walls.   The sides have them lasered onto the wood.  I may wedge this in between two other structures and wanted no added width.  The windows are lasered and include laser cut window material!  I may not build any other kits ever again as much as I hate cutting the windows.     Even the bracing is pre-cut!  I braced the structure and sprayed the inside flat black.   I sanded the sides to may sure they and the corner pieces were square as the instructions state so you won't have a gap.  I had some minor gaps.   


Jeff

Thanks, guys.  Unfortunately, I'm having an issue with the windows being a bit too large (or the openings are too small) and have contacted Mr. Grove.  Once he sends me the new ones, I'll be back to this. 


Jeff

Always great to have a train running.   


Jeff

As I've been working on the Empire, I haven't built anything in 1:87 for awhile.  I actually started this kit back in April, thinking I'd work on it between layout construction sessions.  I got so involved with the layout work that it's sat on the workbench since then.  The first pic shows the kit contents.  I braced the walls and sprayed the backs black, then used the Micro Mark stain on the sides.  Next I painted them white using the drybrush technique I'd used on the SRM feed mill.  Dry brushing parallel to the boards and then more splotching and side to side motion.  After painting them white, they sat for 8 months.  Yesterday I painted the green lower boards and painted the windows/doors.  Though Mr. Grove states he puts the windows together and then paints them, I thought this would be easier.  I started the nail holes yesterday and that's where we're at today.


Jeff

Great build, Bob.  Thanks for letting us follow along.

Jeff

The little gas station is one of my favorite structures on the F&SM.  Thanks for the pics!


Jeff

What I meant was on my screen at least, the two on the right are labeled Roof Brown.  In three languages.   


Jeff