Monster Modelworks Yard Tower - Second annual Raymo Challenge 2018

[Dave K.]

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!

[Raymo]

I have this in my stash, looking forward to seeing this built.

[S&S RR]

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.

[S&S RR]

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.

[S&S RR]

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.

[S&S RR]

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.

[S&S RR]

I made some progress today: I took the whats in the bag photograph.

[rpdylan]

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. 

[S&S RR]

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.

[vinceg]

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

[GPdemayo]

Great looking tower.....I'll be looking in. 

[PRR Modeler]

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.

[S&S RR]

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.

[S&S RR]

Great looking tower.....I'll be looking in. 

Greg


Thanks for following along.

[S&S RR]

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.