Anyone up for some CHEAP trackside detail?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey ya’ll. As our base scenery is mostly complete, we’ve begun some detail work. I thought some of you might be interested in this small item of interest we ran across the other day at Hobby Lobby. It’s common to see old or new crossties along side prototype tracks, right? Well, correctly sized, 2 foot balsa wood stips can be bought for 24 cents apiece! What you see in the pics set me back 72 cents plus tax! We cut them to length based on a scrap Code 83 tie, painted them with acrylic burnt umber, and weathered them with chalk. Little grande man cut and painted two of the three stips and I weathered them and cemented them to the scenes. I know this isn’t anything Earth shattering, but thought ya’ll might like them too. [:)]

2

Nice idea. I have recently purchased a bag of ready weathered ties from the hand laying track section of a hobby shop, so I am fairly set for ties for a while!!

3

Nice. A bag full may come in handy on a decent sized layout.

I couldn’t find any locally and saw these as a light project that the little guy could really help with.

Later, Eric

4

You funny guy! Of course we’re up for CHEAP details.

Thanks. Good idea.

5

Crandell, I didn’t mean to call you guys cheap. [:p]

Now if the shoe fits… [:D]

6

Cool! I know exactly where this detail is going to be on my new layout. Thanks for sharing!

7

Cheap…what’s wrong with cheap? Details make the difference Grande Man. Looking good from my end.

8

That’s what I like about you guys, the smallest tidbit of info is apprieciated. I know I apprieciate the many I get here.

And I can get away with calling ya’ll cheap and nobody gets mad at me. Lol [:D]

9

i already kinda do that. i also do that with scraps of rails around switches and at the end of track.

10

Actually, Jay, that is one type of detail I am actively considering placing around the road. I am going to paint up some pieces of rail a rusty colour, maybe bend a few, and place them here and there. Grande Man’s ties will be close by. [tup]

11

This is a good cheap idea. But the best thing about it is it is something you & your little guy can do together. Good on ya.
Tom

12

earth shattering … no
a common sight near rail lines that’s rarely modelled …yeap!

nice project for you and the little grande

13

Another cheap way to get wood is to pick up sticks under trees and cut and file them to whatever size you want. Or just cut ties off broken pieces of track and use them.

14

Anyone got any other detail ideas?

I want to do a hobo camp, various fences, powerlines and the like but am open to suggestions for detail projects.

15

CHEAP, i like the sound of that, if it’s cheap it’s up my street

16

cheap is the way to go if at all possible thanks for the idea …I think I’ll see if the wee ChessieFan would like it as well

17

Hey guys, were getting away from cheap here with a Walther’s power line kit, but here’s a shot (albiet a poorly focused one) of one of the same areas with the strewn crossties after adding power lines. My next detail for this area will probably be a working signal.

18

Consider mile posts, whistle posts, speed limit signs, and so on.

Consider, handcar escape areas, two ties spaced at the proper guage accross the ditch to hold a hand car while a train passes.

Consider company phone boxes, waybill boxes near interchanges

Consider, signal boxes, relay boxes and so on.

Have fun

19

I haven’t had time to actually do this on my own layout since I’m still at the “benchwork” stage, but… how about some cheap HO scale chain link fencing?

First, get some “tulle” (ballet costume meshing - available at most craft stores):

Grab a good SHARP pair of scissors, and presto! - all the chain link fence material you’ll ever need![:D]

20

If you have any building kits that have corrigated roofing, just use some aluminum foil and emboss it, you’ll have cheap aluminum for fences,siding or roofing.Cut it to scale 2’x6 or 8’ lengths,paint it brown and rusty orange,twist up some, it makes great scrap around buildings or junk piles.