FSM Kit #295 Fox Run Milling Build by ReadingBob

[ReadingBob]

Bob

Looking great - can't wait to see this all detailed out.

Thanks John!  I'm kind of anxious too.   

[Mike Engler]

Bob, you are definitely the king of SBS threads. I can't even imagine posting this many "real-size" photos on this forum. Great work and a terrific job of telling the story on how you did it. It helps when the audience can appreciate George's instructions, and I think most of these guys have built at least one of his kits.

[ReadingBob]

Bob, you are definitely the king of SBS threads. I can't even imagine posting this many "real-size" photos on this forum. Great work and a terrific job of telling the story on how you did it. It helps when the audience can appreciate George's instructions, and I think most of these guys have built at least one of his kits.

Thanks Mike!  I really appreciate the kind comments.  I enjoy doing the build threads and they help keeps me focused on the project at hand.  I'm trying to get out of that nasty habit of starting something new before I finish what I'm currently working on.    

For the few folks that haven't built an FSM kit George's instructions are so good they make you feel like George is sitting right next to you at the workbench guiding you through the build.   

[ReadingBob]

Just a mini update.  This past weekend I worked on the fences.  There are two types of fences that need to be built.  One, as seen below, is built directly over the template.  I split/broke some boards as I added them but had to be a little careful because this fence has a lot of signs on it.  I didn't want a missing board (or half missing board) beneath a sign.   



Here it is in place with the signs on it.  I still have more details to add around it.  More weeds and bushes, empty boxes, debris, etc.



The other fence is a post and rail type fence.  This one is built in place rather than over the template.  I just eyeballed it and used the template as a guide.



Aside from that I worked on the second of five or six Jordon vehicles I plan on adding to the diorama.  I'm not going to cover building those.  They're nice little kits but they're a real challenge.     I'm also waiting on some Tichy Track stops I ordered so I can add one to the end of the track and finish detailing that area before I add the telephone pole and power lines.

Thanks for checking in!

[ACL1504]

It is looking fantastic Bob. I can't wait to see it in virtual reality.

Tom

[GPdemayo]

Nicely done Bob.....

[jerryrbeach]

Bob,
Love these photos that emphasize the level of detail you included such as the cluttered loading dock, the weeds under the loading dock, and the track weathering.  The board fence is a favorite, too. 

[ReadingBob]

Thanks for the kind comments Tom, Greg and Jerry!   

Progress has been a little slow right now because I'm working on some Jordon vehicles and a Tichy Track Stop.  I'll post some photo's of the Track Stop when I get it finished and in place.  Then I can move on to the telephone pole and lines and final round of adding details.   

[nextceo]

Looks Awesome Bob!! Would you use that pavement material again on your dioramas?

Thanks for sharing!

Alan

[ReadingBob]

Looks Awesome Bob!! Would you use that pavement material again on your dioramas?

Thanks for sharing!

Alan

Thanks Alan!  I really appreciate the feedback.

Yes, I plan on using that paving material again.  I picked up some asphalt colored paving material too but haven't experimented with that yet.  They're a bit pricy, especially compared to drywall joint compound, but a little bit easier to work with and I like the way it turned out.  I haven't done much to it, aside from sanding, to alter the color or appearance.  I'm sure it'll take washes and powders just fine.     

[MAP]

Looking great Bob.  Thanks again for all of the photos and explanations as you're doing the build.  Very informative.

[LongHornCaddy]

Very well done Bob!

[Andy Reynolds]

Very detailed, so far. Nice work.

[ReadingBob]

Mark, LHC and Andy,

Thanks for the nice comments and for following along!  Both are very much appreciated.   

Here's a mini-update.  I've been building some Jordon vehicles to place around the diorama and I'm not going to bore you with those builds because I can only do a passable job with them.  Instead, I thought I'd share building a Tichy Track Stop.   

Here's the contents of the package.  Each pack contains two track stops.  Even though I only need one right now I'm going to build both.


I trim the pieces from the sprue using my handy dandy little sprue cutter.  Then I touch up any edges that need touching up with an emery board.


I start by gluing the two pieces (top and bottom) together that make up the I beams.  Just make sure they're lined up properly.


Next the head gets glued to the I beams at an angle.  The part is made to rest at an angle so it's not difficult to get it right.


After gluing the front support in place the only thing left to do is glue the sleepers in place.  (Note;  The instructions actually call for installing the sleepers in between the ties and then gluing the assembly in place but I prefer to build the whole unit first, then paint it and then install it in place).  This is mildly difficult because there's not a lot surface to surface area to glue.


After both were assembled I airbrushed them first with Floquil Primer and then, after that had cured a few days, with Floquil CSX Yellow.  Next I mixed some Raw Umber and Burnt Sienna Model Masters Acrylics together to get a dark rust color and used a tiny piece of sponge to dab on a little bit of the rust colored mix.


Final photo in a moment...

[ReadingBob]

Okay, here's the track stop in place.  One thing I have left to add are the reinforcing plates (tiny little plates with nut, bolt, washers cast on to them) to the outside of the rails where the sleepers are.  To install the track stop I first put a few drops of rubbing alcohol on the ballast to loosen up the glue.  I also wanted to add another layer of texture to the siding so I sprinkled on some cinders, some dirt and some more ballast to partially cover the track.  Then I wetted the area down, added some thin white glue and water, placed some full strength white glue where the track stop was to sit, positioned it in place and let everything dry.  After that I started adding some weeds.  I still have some other debris to spread around but it's coming along.



These are kind of delicate little assemblies so I wouldn't count on them stopping a car being pushed buy an HO Scale engine but I really like the look of them.