First structure weathered.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I finished the townhouse today. Used chalks for the mortar and weathering. Also installed some shades (my wife picked out the colors). I used ballast for the roof. What do you guys think? Seriously, constructive criticism welcomed. And Rich, you guys asked for pix.

2

Dear Paul

This looks awesome!

If this were on a computer, I’d want to add more darkening around the edges and see how that looked.

How old is your son?

–Jaddie

3

Thanks Jaddie. Do you mean darkening on the corners?

My son is 14. He’s means the world to me. Your son will be 14 in a HURRY! They grow up so darned fast! I’m 5’ 10" and wear a size 9 shoe but get this, he’s 6’ 1" and wears a 13!!! I can’t believe it.

I can’t rush this layout because he wants me to wait so when he comes over he gets to do some. He has a lot of good ideas too. I like to have him help, maybe someday he’ll create a layout of his own.

4

Paul:

Looks pretty good! Your wife has good taste!

One thing I would suggest is that the ballast on the roof is too large. If you are trying to model a tar and gravel roof the size of the gravel used would be very small in HO scale, in fact barely visible to the naked eye. I would suggest fine N scale ballast would be a better choice. It would still not be accurate in size but it would give the suggestion of gravel texture which is really all that is needed.

Scale size in things like roof gravel can be a tricky thing. If you were to size the gravel accurately in HO scale it would look like a smooth surface which is not what you want. That is why I suggested N scale fine ballast. You will be able to see the grains but they will not overpower the model. I have made the same compromise in my sand house. Locomotive sand was extremely fine and would absolutely not show any texture in HO scale. However, the smooth surface of the sand pile simply did not look right. I opted for a very fine grain sand (actually supplied gratis by a very generous fellow modeler right off the beaches of North Padre Island, Texas). It shows texture but does not look like ‘rocks’.

The purists would disagree. Who cares?

The bottom line for you is that if you are happy with your roof then leave it exactly as it is! It does look good.

Dave

5

Thanks Dave! I’ll be sure to tell my wife.

Now that’s a good idea, N scale ballast! Why didn’t I think of that. This is why this forum is so valuabel to me.

I could scrape it off and redo it bu tI’ll just leave it for now. It’ll be on my to do list. So far it’ll be the only building with a gravel roof.<

6

Looks really good…but the ballast on the roof looks to large. Great job.

7

Thanks! Yup, it does in that. I am going to get some N scale ballast or maybe even fine sand to put on it.

Now that I look at it it looks like boulders! Oh well, learning…

8

Try some sandpaper (cut and glue) for your roof material

9

Hi Paul

That looks very impressive I’ll be around to steal it, second thoughts Air fare from AUS is far to expensive[;)][:D].

I agree with the idea of very fine grit sand paper but that would have to go on before the chimneys are stuck down.

What brand & model kit is it?

regards John

10

I think it looks real good! But, since you asked for constructive criticism;

  • Use a finer ballast.
  • I noticed some slight curl from side to side in the roof. If your roof is made from styrene sheet, I’d suggest getting some 3/16" square plastic tubing for reinforcement.
11

Thanks John,

Fine grit sandpaper is ANOTHER excellent idea! I’d have to redo the entire roof, I glued the styrene down to the roof and the chimneys are glued on too bt they’re metal.

It’s a DPM kit, Townhouse #3.

12

Thanks Marlin,

The roof is made from thin styrene glued down onto strip styrene. I don’t know how hard it’d be to remove it as I didn’t use much CA but you know how CA is.

There is a slight curl. Might have to fix it. I was thinking about adding a decal to the side of the building too.

Thanks for the constructive criticism.

Paul

13

You know what I think, Paul? I think you need to spend less time worrying about not having skills and experience and keep building stuff. Your work looks very good, other than the minor nits the other folks have pointed out. I’d be happy to have that model on my layout!

Keep it up, Buddy! You’ll be a Master Modeler before you know it.

14

Thanks CT, here’s some more photos, got a LOT done today. Laid the roadbed for the mine, laid the track for it, tested it, and now I’m trying to figure out what to do with the bulk transfer and conveyor. I know it all has to be on level ground, I am also putting up a chain link fence (came in the kit), but I don’t know what to do next. Is this too much black foam under it? I need to add more so I can have my Salida COal Co. next to the conveyor’s. Any ideas?

Any help will be really appreciated.

Paul

15

Paul:

You are making great progress!

Since I am one of the accused nit pickers I will make one more small suggestion:

You mentioned that you might put a decal on the side of your apartment building. I would suggest that advertising of that sort would only be appropriate if the building was in a downtown core with mostly retail businesses in the area. In a residential setting I don’t think there would be much on the sides of the buildings.

I think I know where you are coming from with your thoughts about decalling the sides of buildings. There are so many beautiful examples in the hobby of buildings with advertising on their sides, especially ones that are weathered. When I started into the hobby one of my first projects was the Atlas passenger station. I had some dry transfers of retail advertising on hand and I thought it would be great to put some on the station, so I went nuts with them inside and out. I had shoe ads and motorcycle ads and cigars ads - you name it. Later on I realized that no self respecting railroad would have had any of that sort of advertising on their stations. So, my point is - before you do something, ask yourself whether or not it reflects the real world.

Just another nit picked![(-D]

Dave

16

Thanks Dave!

I think I’ll take your advice, you’re right, it would look out of place unless it was in a proper setting. Good point. I appreciate it and all the other positive feedback I’m getting.

You guys are VERY helpful and it helps a lot.

Paul