Placing a fence...

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Heyy guys! I am wanting too place a fence somewhere on my layout, but im not sure where it will look best. I was thinking of buying the Bar Mills Instafence, is this a good fence? I am also confused as too where i should place a fence. Thankyou!

Keith

2

There are so many possibilities.

  • Most industries have fences for security and to keep honest people honest. Depending on the industry, it could be a chain link fence or a plank one like BarMills
  • A small buisiness like a new/used car dealer or small manufacturing plant could have a plank fence to the back and sides
  • Junkyards are almost always fenced in, but most often with junk sheet metal, doors or similar scrap
  • Many railroad facilities are fenced to keep hobos and railfans out [:-^]
  • Houses with children, pets or livestock could have a plank fence, depending on the neighborhood

Hope this gives you a start…

3

I am looking at the same issue. I picked up the Walthers industrial fence kit but I am not sure how happy I’ll be with it. The wood privacy fence would be good for some areas but I haven’t seen too many industries using it. Maybe it depends upon the area of the country. I am looking at chain link. Today I saw the Faller Gumbauch industrial fence at the LHS. It looked much easier to install and had real metal mesh for the chain link area. I’ll let you know what I decide.

4

A fence around an empty lot next to an existing structure looks good and around construction sites.

Rick

5

You can print some decent fences off the web. I have used these prints glued to the back drop at the end of alleyways and places like that. Stick on some printed signs and you are away. Also, it is possible to scratch build fences. I have been working on a 7’ (HO scale) wire mesh fence made of tooth picks, wire and bridal veil material. Again I am using this to break the join at the back drop.

6

Most types of fences aren’t too difficult to scratchbuild. CNR used a similar style board fence at their rural crossings. (Haven’t got around to stringing cable on those guard-rail posts, though [:D]) Both fence types are made from styrene strip.

Creechan’s Fine Fuels use a corrugated iron fence around their Dunnville yard, the same material as used on the dumpsheds. These are made from Campbell corrugated sheets on a styrene framework.

Here’s the main gate:

V.A.Wagner Lumber uses a plain board fence. (Styrene boards on a styrene framework - built in place.)

And Hoffentoth Bros. Coal and Ice uses a corrugated steel fence on their local businesses. (Campbell siding on a styrene framework - built in place.)

Wayne

7

Doc -

Those are nice fences, and provide some great ideas of where to put them and how to do it. Great job filling in the scenes and weathering the fences. Thanks for letting us see into your world.

FT

8

Thanks, FT, your kind words are appreciated.

Wayne

9

Here on my layout you see Gold Medal Models chain-link fence with razor wire around the mine, and a combination of a Bar Mills Insta-fence and a Micro Engineering board fence between the town and the railroad. I also use Atlas’ new hairpin fencing (it looks similar to PRR-style fencing) around my depot parking lot, and a chain link fence without razor wire between a spur and the backside of the stores in town.

10

Good-looking scene, Dave. :thumb:I particularily like the weathering on the feed mill, and the cinder ground cover in the area of the tower and handcar shed looks good too.

Wayne

11

Thanks! That means a lot coming from you, considering your outstanding work and photography!

12

For those who do not want to tackle scratchbuilding a board fence or doing a wood kit fence like BarMills (actually both are not bad, once you have done one), Central Valley makes a very good styrene board fence in their #1601 Fence and Handrail Package assortment @ $5.98 retail. It also includes a picket fence and a plank fence. The down side of this is the fence pieces are about 4" long which could be pricey for a long fence.

http://www.cvmw.com/1600/1601.htm

http://www.cvmw.com/1600/1601photo.htm

This assortment goes along with their #1602 Steps and Ladders Package assortment. The handrails in the 1601 assortment go with the stairs in the 1602 assortment.

http://www.cvmw.com/1600/1602.htm

http://www.cvmw.com/1600/1602photo.htm

13

Here is the fence I just completed to help disguise the back drop join. This is a combination of photos glued to the backdrop and then a wire fence made from toothpicks, bridal veil and wire.

14

Very effective technique, and the results look great. :thumb:

Wayne