An O scale - Cabin in the Woods

[robert goslin]

For my new mini exhibition layout set in Oregon, I'm going to have a little cabin down beside the creek.

Inspired by the cabin Geoff Nott built for his Lily Flat layout. Whilst Geoff's is a completely run down wreck, for my version, I'm just using the same shape, and whilst the cabin will be rustic looking, it will be in good condition, but heavily weathered.
Geoff's version:-


Usually for my structures I build a core / sub walls out of 2.5mm matt board, and then clad this with timber sheet like clapboards.
This time I'm actually carving the wide planks & grain directly onto the matboard.



Walls assembled.  I've added some card planks, to give a bit of depth to walls.

[Mike the Trainman]

Rob looking good. I like the wood graining very nice. Looking forward to watching this build.

[robert goslin]

Thanks Mike. Graining just scratched in with an Exacto blade.

[robert goslin]

I added some vertical boards to the gable ends.  Just glued on a piece of stiff card and then carved in the board joins.
Then the cabin was painted.  Walls painted with various browns and then dry bushed with a cream colour to bring out the grain. The gable ends painted in a pale brown base colour, then sponged with a very pale green.
Tamiya panel liner run along all the board join lines.

[ReadingBob]

Great start. Neat looking little cabin.

[Rick]

Rob, who would of thought using Matt board would look so good and realistic.
Painted walls look good.
What paints do you use and do you thin them before using?

[Mike the Trainman]

Rob looking very good. Painting really brought wood graining out. The peak walls look great.

[robert goslin]

Thanks Bob.  Should be a fun little project.

Thanks Rick. It's an experiment, to use the matt board, but seems to have come up nice, especially once sealed with the paint. I've also used the matt board in the past for my O scale side walks.
   The paint I use is Mont Marte artist paints, as it's available at a nearby store.
A very nice paint and not expensive.
I usually mix my colours on a sheet of newspaper and add a little water just on the brush.

Thanks Mike. yes the dry bushing works well for the grain detail.
The peak is quite tall, but that's what gives it it's character.

[robert goslin]

Now time to enclose the roof, as I need to get on with the shingles.
Roof is 1mm stiff picture framing card.  The gable trim is stir sticks.