Good things come in narrow packages

[viperman]

Steve, I admit I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I do like what I see so far!

[tetters]

Everything is looking great so far Steve.

[ocalicreek]

Revisiting this thread to re-examine shingle choices for my contest kitbash. Even though I still like the printed shingles better , I think it turned out wonderful the way you ended up using a nicely textured material. How's progress lately?

Galen

[Steve]

Thanks Gus, Steven, tetters, and Galen!

Revisiting this thread to re-examine shingle choices for my contest kitbash. Even though I still like the printed shingles better , I think it turned out wonderful the way you ended up using a nicely textured material. How's progress lately?

Galen...You reminded me to find the website I got the wood shingle pic from....I finally re-found it (and bookmarked it this time )
Here it is:
http://www.cgtextures.com/

The roof shingles I printed are here:
http://www.cgtextures.com/texview.php?id...c8f07a2816
Image 3 (I cropped out the wood framing in the upper right corner)

These are free images...an awesome site!

I have painted the sculptamold but no other progress yet.....

[ocalicreek]

Very, VERY, VERY cool site!

Thanks for the link.

I am wondering if it would be possible to adhere the roofing image to a piece of card or styrene, then with a sharp #11 trim along each row and perhaps between the shingles then lift it up. The cut edge would have to be colored with chalk or paints (or felt pens) to match, but that's not too tough.

I'm sure it's doable, but I guess I'm really wondering if it will look decent.

Anyway, no real progress on my layout either - spending more time on the summer contest. But the layout bug is biting, and of course, looking at another's progress is always a spur to get moving!

Galen

[doctorwayne]

I have to agree with Galen's earlier comment on preferring the printed shingles, even though the ones used look great.

I am wondering if it would be possible to adhere the roofing image to a piece of card or styrene, then with a sharp #11 trim along each row and perhaps between the shingles then lift it up. The cut edge would have to be colored with chalk or paints (or felt pens) to match, but that's not too tough.

I think that cutting the printed shingles into courses before applying them to the roof would look better. You'd still need to colour the lower cut edges, but this would allow you to lap each successive row slightly over the previous one, imparting some relief to the roof.

Wayne

[ocalicreek]

After looking back at the most recent photos (thanks again for the naming!) I remembered something I wanted to ask you, Steve. The tracks behind the coal dealer - are you able to peer over the top to see them, or will you need to install one of those big convex mirrors on the wall like you see in the corners of the drug store?

Galen

[Steve]

Galen...I can peer over and see the tracks.....no mirror needed

[Steve]

Finally put up the valance and painted the fascia black to match:

[Trucklover]

WOW that looks clean Steve! Nice work!

[Steamtrains]

[tetters]

That is looking pretty awesome.

[UP SD40-2]

The light valance looks GREAT Steve!

I really like the outside braced wood Milwaukee road box too!

[Steve]

Josh, Gus, tetters, Deano....
Thank you all for the encouragement!

Deano, the Milwaukee car was a gift from a mutual friend (from Germany) who was politely telling me I needed to to deversify my rolling stock.....I guess he may have had a point

I have come to the point where I need to experiment with, and pick, my groundcover/ballast materials. I don't expect this to be a quick process, so it may be a while before my next update

[Steve]

Has it really been almost 4 months?..............I knew I was lazy, but that is ridiculous!!

Well I have managed to get moving again . I have decided to use real dirt for the layout (which will be mixed with grout and a little sand here and there). I have made a sample and am pleased with the results.

I have finally followed Tom's suggestion (made a long time ago on the other forum) and added headblocks to my turnouts. I think that it has really helped with the look of my "ugly" custom-line T.O.'s:



I also painted the track and have finished the ballasting............have I mentioned that "I hate ballasting!"TM      
As you can see in this next pic, I have decided to use my old Caboose Hobbies ground throws. I thought long and hard about going with something else, but I decided to use what I have and save the $$$$$$$  



Next up.....I have installed my road, which is just styrene, painted gray, and weathered with chalk:



I am going to now turn my attention to finishing the coalhouse scene and adding groundcover to the slope that leads up from there.

Hopefully, my next update won't take 4 months!