Winter Challenge 2024/2025 - Flat Iron Corner Building - Tom Langford.

[ACL1504]

Tom your build is really coming together nicely. Wish Coke was 5 cents again.Lol.

Larry,

Thank you very much. I wish many things were still 5 cents. 

Tom 

[deemery]

The best build threads are both informational and inspirational.  Your threads, like ReadingBob's threads, always teach me new tricks, as well as inspiring me to get my butt back down to the basement and build something!

dave

[ACL1504]

The best build threads are both informational and inspirational.  Your threads, like ReadingBob's threads, always teach me new tricks, as well as inspiring me to get my butt back down to the basement and build something!

dave

Dave,

That is such a high compliment. And, I think you very much. To be in the same class as Bob is an honor. When I grow up, I want to be like Reading Bob in builds.

Again, thank you very much.

Tom 

[DaleM]

That is a good looking build, very nice work Tom

[PRR Modeler]

Truly outstanding modeling Tom, and I can tell everyone that it looks better in person.

[ACL1504]

That is a good looking build, very nice work Tom

Dale,

Thank you for the kind comment, much appreciated.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Truly outstanding modeling Tom, and I can tell everyone that it looks better in person.

Curt,

Thank you very much my friend. I agree, it looks better to me in person as well.

I had fun Saturday, thanks for stopping by and adding to our BS session.

Tom 

[friscomike]

Howdy Tom, 

Your work no the roof is excellent.  The details complement the build.  Terrific work.

Have fun,
mike

[ACL1504]

Howdy Tom,

Your work no the roof is excellent.  The details complement the build.  Terrific work.

Have fun,
mike

Mike, Howdy,

Thank you for the kind compliment on the roof and build.

I'm still having fun.

Tom 

[ACL1504]

While waiting on some glue to dry, I turned to the small scenery area located just north of the Flat Iron Building, The RiffRaff Cafe actually.

I used blue painters tape to tape off the road and the real estate.



I painted the small area with Elmer's White Glue and added a grassy base.

[ACL1504]

I layered more scenery and added a tall Florida Palm. The palm needed to be supported over night while the roots took hold in the soil.



Amazingly the roots took to ground overnight and some wild flowers are now growing.

The palm is Walthers with some extra attention to the fronds to kill the plastic look. Shades of dark green and medium brown were dry brushed on the fronds.

[ACL1504]

There are many plastic utility poles available on the market but this is a scratch build.

I took a 1/8' wood dowel and cut it to 42 HO scale feet in length. I needed to allow for some of the length to be planted.

I used a Zona saw blade to roughen the pole.



I cut a 4X4 to 1 1/4" or 10 HO scale feet.

[ACL1504]

I marked the center of the cross arm and used a round file to cut a grove into the cross arm.



I then glued the cross arm to the pole 2.5 feet from the top.

[ACL1504]

I drilled small holes in the top of the cross arm and glued brass wire into the holes. I slipped green beads from the craft store onto the brass wire and glued the beads in place.

I cut two cross arm braces using HO scale 2X4s and glued them in place.

I stained the pole, cross arm and braces with a brown A&I alcohol mix.

Fast forward here and I have a utility pole.



I cut a short piece of 4X4, drilled three holes at an angle and then stained it with the same brown A&I mix. I glued the brass wire and green beads in place and glue it to the side of the structure.



The Utility Company was available and installed the pole between the paved area and the railroad right of way.

I won't install the wires until I get more of the other structures in place.

[ACL1504]

I'm 99.9% finished with the structure and will post the final photos of the 2024/2025 Challenge Build tomorrow afternoon.

I'll add my thoughts on the build tomorrow also.

I appreciate all the comments that have been posted.