Richlawn Railroad: November 2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Guest engineer visits the railroad

Recently my Granddaughter Laua came to visit with her Mom Stephanie and as usual Laua wanted to head to the basement to run trains with her Papaw. She's a very good engineer keeping her train under control (using the Digitrax wireless radio control) and ran both the 4-4-0 steam engine and the U28B diesel loco. I also ran a train at the same time and really enjoyed the visit!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Forced Perspective - A Basic Primer Video

Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine(tm) published a video I created showing the basics of using forced perspective on your layout to make it look deeper. Please click on video below to view it and remember your comments and suggestions are welcome. Once you click on the video and it starts playing if it doesn't play in full screen, click on it again and it will route you to YouTube(tm) where you can see it in full screen. Also be sure to check out Model Railroad Hobbyist Magazine(tm) for the best on-line mag in the industry!

Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts

A BIG Thanks to the members of NCIOG for their friendship, expertise, and great ideas that will definately make my railroad better!
Bricked-in windows - When modeling windows that have been bricked in, us a slightly different color for the filled in area and possibly offset the motar lines.
Cheap Z Scale Vehicles - Charms used on charm bracelets make great low cost vehicles, costing as little as $1.99 each. Cut of the attachment ring, paint, detail and you have a nice low cost Z scale vehicle.
Epoxy Aid - For irregular & difficult attachment problems, consider a "rope" style clay-like epoxy like QuikSteel (available at auto stores). Cut off a piece, kneed it with your fingers, roll in a ball and apply. It will fill gaps & allow for leveling.
Field Grass Homemade - Take some Woodland Scenics(tm) Field Grass and make a small bundle. Cut one end to get the length you want with the other end leave random lengths. While holding the bundle, put a drop of CA on the end you cut. Use CA Activator to speed up the drying process to a few seconds.
Ground foam applicator - Save small plastic milk jugs from fast food places. Drill holes in the top, label the contents, and use for applying foam with more control.
No Spill Liquids - Take a 2" thick piece of foam 2" x 2", cut out a hole in the center the size of the liquid container. Place the container in the hole and if will be harder to knock over and spill the contents.
Paint Faster - Use a squeeze bottle to store & apply paint to landscape. You don't have to dip the brush in the paint can & remove the excess - just sqeeze & brush!
Spray Paint Cans (From Scott P) - Label the color of the paint on the can lids & cans for easy idenfication when the lids are removed
Static Grass Flocker - Make your own for about $40. using "How To" from the web.
Weights Light on your wallet - For cheap weights save your tin cans (I use dog food cans) and fill them with Sackcrete motar mix (mixed according to instructions). They are great for holding down track while the glue dries.

Richlawn Railroad

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Guest engineer visits the railroad

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Forced Perspective - A Basic Primer Video

Rick's Pix