I have been thinking about how to approach managing buildings and structures on my layout. Obviously there is the aspect of building the structure, and another one of painting and weathering and such, and then how to actually “plant” it on the layout-- I think I’m okay in all those areas, or at least don’t have any questions about that at the moment.
What I am curious about are people’s strategies for managing your structures-- do you build them and then just plant them on the layout? Or do you build them on a sub-base and then plant the whole thing? What happens if you need to “redo” some of the building at a future date? Or if its in the way of working on something else? Do you just do your best to work around it? Or do you pull it up out of the way so you can work without obstruction? I suppose it also depends on what type of work you’re doing.
I have been thinking about mounting all of my buildings and structures on a sub-base and then cutting out / creating an appropriate portion of the layout surface to “plant” it and then disguising the edges.
Do you think this is a good idea? Or not worth the hassle?
EDIT: If you advocate this, do you have any favorite techniques for working with the sub-base? What size (thickness) material? What material? How much “edge” do you leave around it in general, I know that will be somewhat variable with respect to whatever the structure is-- but just in-general, what is your preference? How do you go about “burying” / disguising it-- do you attach it in any way or does it just sit there?
ANOTHER EDIT: What about bridges and such-- for this purpose are they buildings / structures? Do you do something similar with them (i.e., make 'em easy to remove to work around?)
There are a host of reasons that you might want to make a structure somewhat easy to remove, you already have identified some of them. I like to light my structures, and there will inevitably by a time in the future when this needs to be serviced. So my structures are removable, with connectors for the wiring as well. I do like to embed them into the scenery, as there is nothing worse than seeing the gap under a structure just sitting on the surface.
Do you have any favorite techniques for working with the sub-base? What size (thickness) material? What material? How much “edge” do you leave around it in general, I know that will be somewhat variable with respect to whatever the structure is-- but just in-general, what is your preference? How do you go about “burying” / disguising it-- do you attach it in any way or does it just sit there?
There is an article in the March issue of MR on building lift out scenic hatches using Gatorboard (a high end foam core material). Jeff Wilson in his book (link) glues structures (with CA) to foam core bases which can then be blended into the scenery.
If sidewalks are part of the sub base of the structure they can hide the seams with the rest of the layout.
Alan
I usually just use a bit of 1/2", or thinner, foam sheet to “lift” the building up over the scenery—this imitates the drainage away from the building. The foundation, then, has ground foam, sedum bits, junk, and et cetera placed around it to hide the foundation/ground seperation. I use styrene ‘sticks’ then as a means of building a kind of foundation wall that the building then sits on. Now, within that foundation wall a few upright pieces act as guides to place the structure on the foundation. That way the building comes off and I can put it back there when I finish whatever it is I’m doing with it.
I also do have some buildings that do have a seperation between the ground and the building. Some of my buildings represent older, more delapitated structures that have things like crumbling foundations. In this case the buildings sit on partially built foundations—with gaps between the building and ground.
I use “Funky Foam” purchased from Hobby Lobby. Its 2mm thick and comes in different colors. I buy grey and black. Its easy to cut and also works great as a base for roadway. Lay the roadway, and then mix some acrylic latex paint in with a small container of spackle. Spread the spackle over the foam. Weather to taste, and wa la…instant great looking roads.
I do have a question for you. Why all the polls? Are you a census taker or practicing to be one? Do you even have a layout? If so can you post some pics.
I try to leave all my structures unattached. That’s important if I need to get them off to replace interior lighting, or occasionally to add an interior or detailing to a building that I want to upgrade.
For urban structures, I build up a sidewalk with styrene around the building, so that the walls sit down inside the surrounding sidewalk. This hides the base and prevents light leakage.
For other structures, I usually use Gypsolite to skim-coat my “ground” anyway. I bring the Gypsolite right up to the walls, which once again provides a surrounding lip that the building can fit inside.
For those of you not familiar with Gatorboard, there is a good basic article on about.com. Based on a quick search, it seems Gatorboard is somewhat pricey (20x36 3/16 sheets run about $10 ea.).
Hmm-- that sounds like the kind of thing I was asking about-- when you say “1/2 inch or less foam sheet” are you talking about the pink foam stuff or the “foam backer board” (“foam core”, I’m assuming) that the previous respondant was referring to?
I use both–depending on whether I can get the pink stuff or not. The other foamboard I usually end up taking the paper off one side to create a rougher ground for it then.
I have come across 1/4" pink foam in a roll as well for that----
We are talking about the thin foam core board (sometimes used for stand up presentation displays) with paper on both sides, 3/16 or 1/2 inch thick. You can find them at Michaels or similar art stores, or at Staple, Office Depot, etc. 20x30 sheets of 3/16 should be around $3.00, the 1/2 inch $7-9.
Yes, most assuredly it is my greatest ambition in life. I hope to found an entire census-taking poll-making dynasty… wait-- which do you prefer more: “Dynasty”, “Empire” or “Divine Lineage” ?? I humbly ask questions to LEARN m’boy! To learn-- I aspire to build a fully-realized multi-splendored vain-glorious fabulously-technicolored HO-scaled wonder-- an enormous expansive excessive Empire complete with all the affordances, accessories and appurtnenances thereto and thereof. So that I may one day look down from my potentatious perch from on-high, and whilst grasping the mantle of greatness, the sceptre of power, the tremendous tome of prodigious knowledge, gaze out o’er all the lands of my kingdom, and utter “Whoo Whoo” and nudge the throttle slightly forward, and know it is good.
So how about you-- what’s your plan?
Oh yeah-- the layout, I almost forgot-- its still in its humble beginnings. Like the grain of sand that begats the pearl, or the single step that portends the thousand mile journey-- I have only but begun. You may if you like use the “search” box at the upper right to search variously for “South Pennsylvania Railroad”, “South Penn RR”, or variations on those terms-- which will net you much of the background and thoughts behind my version of the concept-- or if you are of a more impatient sort, you may utilize one of the following links to get you directly to some pictures…
Thank you all for your responses-- I really might have just glued them all down had it not occurred to me while I was cleaning them off the other day-- all that drywall dust all over everything-- dropcloths-- that’s another technology I need to get a little more familiar with I think… [:D]
I glued a building when I first started my layout and when I wanted to repaint the building I found it immovable - I now just glue one or two spots to hold the structure in place which permits an easy removal. A lesson learned.
What about bridges and such-- for this purpose are they buildings / structures? Do you do something similar with them (i.e., make 'em easy to remove to work around?)
Highway bridges are kind of secured although not as much as the monstrosum trestle that will be , finally, installed on Eric’s layout. All 6’ of it. That will be secured as a permanent piece since it is such a large one. The piece will be secured to the L girders and the scenery laid in, and around, the trestle. Some of the trestle will be somewhat filled as well—just to add to the workload—[:-^] Thankfully that section won’t need to come out–