FSM Kit #295 Fox Run Milling Build by ReadingBob

[ReadingBob]

Bob
It looks awesome
Sorry have posted in awhile been swamped at work
Can't wait to set into layout
Thanks

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the kind words.  I'm really enjoying this build.  It's really an interesting set of structures.  I'm certainly happy it'll find it's way to nice spot on a great layout.   

[GPdemayo]

Hi Bob.....any news on how the loco you got fixed at BLI runs?

[DACS]

Bob, you are doing this kit great justice.  It's easy to see why you are enjoying it!  I am positively green with envy.  HO gaugers always get the neatest kits!

Dave  HWCRR
Seattle

[gnatshop]

Hi Bob.....any news on how the loco you got fixed at BLI runs? 

Li'l Bobby is plannin' another test around the ovalhicks before he reports!! 
But without no nuts under the rails!!!! 

[ReadingBob]

Hi Bob.....any news on how the loco you got fixed at BLI runs?

To be honest I haven't even opened the box to make sure it's inside.      I need to get it out and find some track to run it on.   

[ReadingBob]

Bob, you are doing this kit great justice.  It's easy to see why you are enjoying it!  I am positively green with envy.  HO gaugers always get the neatest kits!

Dave  HWCRR
Seattle

Hi Dave,

Thanks for compliment.  I really appreciate it!  I've seen a few neat kits in other scales but you're right, HO does seem to have the lions share of them.  Lucky for me.      Building an FSM kit is like taking an advanced structure building class thanks to the great instructions that are included in the kit.

[ReadingBob]

Hi Bob.....any news on how the loco you got fixed at BLI runs? 

Li'l Bobby is plannin' another test around the ovalhicks before he reports!! 
But without no nuts under the rails!!!! 

I'm might just do that Gnat.  It seems like that ovalix is the ulitmate test track.    

(By the way Tom - they said they replaced the decoder not the motor.  That's where the magic smoke escaped from.)

[ACL1504]

Bob,

Bring it on down! The ovalix is a great test for all locos. And, I told you I smelled "a burn"!


Tom

[ReadingBob]

Bob,

Bring it on down! The ovalix is a great test for all locos. And, I told you I smelled "a burn"!


Tom

I'll definitely do that Tom.  The ovalix a great place for a test run.   

Now, back to the build.  I followed the instructions in the kit for mounting the sign.  Some of this was new to me so I wanted to give it a shot.    

After the A&I wash on the sign dried it was time to glue the sign to the wall.  Using a pencil I marked where I wanted to position the sign and then smeared full strength Elmer's White Glue over the back of the sign with my finger.  Naturally you have to be careful to get all the glue off of your fingers before you start handling the sign.

 

Using tweezers to pick up the sign and my pencil marks as a guide I carefully positioned it on the wall.



I pressed the sign down and then let it set for a few minutes.  Now, for the part that's new to me.  Using a ruler and an X-Acto knife with a new blade in the handle I very carefully cut the sign along the edge of each clapboard essentially cutting it into tiny strips.  When I was done I pressed it down again with my finger.  I didn't use too much glue so I had no excessive ooze out when I did this.   



After everything dried I used my ponce wheel and a ruler I added rows of nail holes over the sign.  I also pried up some of the clapboards under the sign to make them look loose.



The final step was to very lightly dry brush the sign with the same off white I used for everything else.  Here's the finished sign.



Next it was time to do the roof for this part of the structure.  This next step is something I don't think I've ever covered in a build thread and only done a few times but it adds a ton of character to a structure.  It's a way to give the roof a sag.  This is totally optional but I really like the effect.  The roof card indicates a section at the peak that can be cut out (free hand) to get this effect.  If you don't want the effect simply don't cut out the section.



More in a moment...

[ReadingBob]

After the roof card was cut out I applied the roofing material.  There are a couple of areas where the rolled roofing is missing and the shingles beneath are exposed so you start by adding the shingles to those areas first.  After painting and finishing them I glued the rolled roofing in place and then added a bunch of 'patches'.  I also cut out the same gap in the rolled roofing that I did in the roof card.  After the roofing material was applied I lined both edges of the gap with glue, positioned the roof in place (not glued to the structure) and then pinched the gap closed with my fingers and held it until the glue set.  The rest of the roof (rafter tails, pitch, details, etc.) was finished as normal.



Before the details were added I took this picture to show the sag in the roof.



That's all the pictures I have for now.  The main structure has been completed and detailed.  Only a little touch up and some powders remains to be added to it.  I'll start working on the supporting structures next and then the scenery. 

Thanks again for following along!    

[ACL1504]

Fantastic build Bob, I've very much enjoyed the adventure and look forward to the rest of the trip!

Tom

[EricQuebec]

Very well done. This struture have a lot of character. Very interesting technic on the sign, first time I see that, I must try it, seems to add a lot too...
Eric Québec city

[S&S RR]

This build is looking great! I also really like the sign technique and will be giving it a try.

[ollevon]

   Simply beautiful 
  Another great build Bob.
  Sam

[postalkarl]

Hik Bob:

Looks great so far. I like the colors. Nice job on the sign.

Karl