Four Weeks to build a $7 kit, but it's done--pictures

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Ta-Ta-ta Da-ta-Da.

I got this Lifelike kit on eBay for $7 and it has taken near a month to do. I figured I could knock it out on a Sunday. The water tower was a by-product of the project. I got it already assembled with a bunch of other buildings, but I fixed it up some.

The engine house is a minor kit-bash. The office was supposed to go on the other side, but it didn’t fit. Also, the kit was one-windo short so I boarded it up. The roof didn’t have all it’s iron work either. Kind adds to the weathered look don’t you think?



2

Two other things:

My apologies to dial-up users

I hate my digital camera. I can never get the colors right.

3

Very nice job, Chip! How did you end up doing the simulated ivy?

Tom

4

Excellent! Is it just the photo, or did you model some broken windows?

5

Nice one Chip i like it, i have a kit that’s been on the go two years

6

Tom,

That was the easiest part of the project. Elmer’s Glue and dark green foam.

Simon,

I wish I would have thought of it.

BTW: This engine house does not fit on EZ track. I may have an extended project cutting some of the track away.

7

In my book, the results are more important than how long it took. In this case, the results look GREAT! Keep it up!

8

Looking Good Very nice work Chip[8D]

9

Thanks guys. But I probably wouldn’t have started it if I thought it would take so long.

10

nice work ! boarding up the missing window was a great idea . my only very slight ‘not-really-criticism’ would be the iron work on the roof . i think it would look better without it

what else would you have done… left your engine out in the rain ???

11

Looks great Chip, I like the weathering/rust on the chimneys/vents, whatever they are, looks great. Also, as has been previously said, it doesnt matter how long it takes to get there, as long as you enjoyed the journey.

Take care & be safe
Karl

12

LOL! I see your point about the iron work. The model was so warped and fit so poorly, that the iron work covered a lot of ill. The other thing was that when I was up at Horseshoe Curve a couple weeks ago, the museum had almost the exact same iron work painted in the iron oxide color you see here.

13

ahhh . i thought that kind of detail was more european and wasn’t used much in the US . once again we have proof that there’s a prototype for almost everything [:)]

14

Chip–only TWO weeks? Compared to the time I’ve spent (or wasted) on some projects, you’re some kind of Speed Demon, LOL!
Seriously, that’s really nice work–you’ve given the engine-house a LOT of neat character, and the ivy looks really super. I like it very much[^][^]
Tom

15

yuor project proves what most of us already know…even modest kits, properly finished can yield impressive results

16

Chip,
Looks good! It’s better to take your time and have it turn out the way
you want than to just clue it together and stick it on the layout. Plastic
kits look too plastic if you don’t add the finishing touches. Nice work, Dave

17

Chip,
After a second look at your water tower, I realized where I have seen it… On my layout!!
Dave

18

Excellent work.

Now I am tempted to cover up a few glue spots with ivy on my engine house.

What sort of “watch outs” can you advice regarding type and use of green? I have the elmer’s gel glue all ready and waiting.

19

Chip,

Super job! 4 weeks is nothing compared to some of my efforts.

20

Chip—
You could raise the engine house with some cork or foam so it looks like the track is down

DRew