Piedmont Blues - US O Scale (2 rail) switching layout

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by danielb, Nov 12, 2017.

  1. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Have you considered painting out (or I should say 'patch out') the word 'Camera' and paint in the word 'Venders' ? It will look like the owner is cheap and took advantage of the existing sign, naming his business 'Central Venders'. Maybe add that well known American movie style phone number below where the 'Since date' is located.

    Did you know : "555" is an exchange number commonly thought to be reserved by the phone companies for use by TV and movies in order to prevent prank phone calls to real people. In fact, only 555-0100 through 555-0199 are now specifically reserved for fictional use, and the other numbers have been released for actual assignment.

    Info coutesy of : https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveFiveFive


    Cheers, Gary.
     
    danielb and Andy_Sollis like this.
  2. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,894
    Likes Received:
    3,621
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    I think I remember my son paying great interest in this at the Mansfield show.:thumbs:
    I’m frum Sutton.! :avatar:
     
    jakesdad13 and danielb like this.
  3. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Gary, interesting info on the phone numbers for sure - might have to see about doing that. :)

    As for the sign, I kinda want to make a 3d sign rather than the painted brick on the kit - give it a bit more relief to distinguish it from the inevitable photo backdrop that will be installed behind them. Good idea though, I might use that on a different structure.

    Andy, I'm over in Shirebrook. :)
    Glad your son enjoyed the layout! I'll be at Mansfield again this year but with an HO scale micro I've been working on. Maybe I'll see you there?
     
    Andy_Sollis likes this.
  4. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Quick update for tonight - progress on a free kit download I found somewhere online - no idea where though! It's a depot based on an E L Moore design. I replaced the paper platform with one made from coffee stirrers, and have been adding an interior to the kit. Eventually I plan on having furniture and lighting, seeing as the building will be right near the front of the layout.

    I'll post more photos as the build progresses. :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    jakesdad13, MalcT, Keith M and 2 others like this.
  5. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,894
    Likes Received:
    3,621
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    I work with Kieth one of the organisers (i think) I’ve offered my Oakamoor layout more than once, but never taken me up on it.
    Hope to attend whatever (shifts permitting) so will say hello!
    Andy
     
    danielb likes this.
  6. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    As I've been working on both Doe Lee and Operation Dark Winter (my OO and HO scale micro layouts, respectively), progress has slowed on Piedmont Blues.

    That said, I have painted the roads on the layout with AK Terrain Asphault texture paint, and the yard in front of the garage with AK Terrain Concrete texture paint. To say I'm impressed with these products is an understatement!

    Basically, you use a pasting spatula to apply a thin coat over a surface, and it dries to look like the surface it's supposed to be. I think it looks the part, but lets see what you guys think.

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]



    The roads:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    The concrete:
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    The asphalt and concrete looks good. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: Personally, I would tone the black down on the asphalt as it looks too black, or does it dry a lighter colour ??

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  8. MalcT

    MalcT Full Member

    Messages:
    153
    Likes Received:
    189
    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2019
    That's a great finish on the tarmac and concrete Dan :thumbup::thumbup:

    Malc
     
  9. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,535
    Likes Received:
    2,071
    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Well impressed with both finishes Dan :tophat: must say though, the concrete does look extremely lifelike.

    Pete.
     
  10. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Thanks guys. :)

    Gary, that's just the base layer - I still need to get a suitable pot of tan paint to create a wash to tone it all down, then it'll get attacked with pastel chalks to weather it some more.

    Jason Jensen did a great youutbe video on the method, part of a project to build a lifting bridge for his layout.
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  11. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    I'm sure it will look a treat once completed. That particular video of J.J. is something else ! Jason does fantastic work. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
    danielb likes this.
  12. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Now that Operation Dark Winter is complete, I've started working on PB again. I felt the urge to start ticking jobs of the HUGE list I have to work through before Warley show in November, where the layout is booked to appear - Coronavirus permitting, of course. I started by finally fitting the Loksound V4 L I've had sitting in a box for about a year into RS3 #100, but I'm having issues getting the sound to work properly.

    Not wanting to get bogged down into a speed bump with the RS3, so as not to risk killing my momentum and interest in the layout, I've shelved that for now and will come back to it another time.

    Instead, I've been focusing on chipping away at the ton of smaller jobs I've got to do. I'll include photos as I go.

    Firstly, I've been working on getting my NYC boxcar finished. I had removed the ladders when weathering it initially and totally forgot to weather them, so that's now been fixed. I've also applied the base colours to the trucks ready for weathering. Lastly, I've applied the old coffee stirrer and stain approach to the boxcar decking. I plan to add full interior detailing to the car as well as a removable load. As I've used automotive wheel weights inside the car over the trucks to improve tracking, I'll need to put a face wall in at both ends to hide this. The plan is to use card with a graphic of stacked crates or 55 gallon drums to hide the weights. It won't always be visible but on the few times that it is, I think it will add to the overall look of the car.

    The photos show the side of the car that I don't think has been seen much on here - the weathering on this side is much less severe.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Andy_Sollis and jakesdad13 like this.
  13. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Next, I've been working on structures, as I've got more structure tasks to get done than I can shake a stick at.

    To keep my momentum up, I've started on the ones that needed the least amount of work. First, the bus stop and a wooden telephone shack.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Andy_Sollis, steve and jakesdad13 like this.
  14. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Next on the list is the fuel unloading pump for the team track. Lots still left to do on this, but I've added a set of scratchbuilt fire buckets made from styrene and jewellers wire, and a couple of interior details - an oil drum and a small crate being used as a stool. The drum is an old Games Workshop piece I found in my scrap box.

    The leaf on the roof is made from brown parcel paper and a leaf cutter from Green Stuff World. Though intended for wargaming use, I think it fits fine for O scale.

    The pump itself still needs more detail - I need to make a couple of valves and connectors for the unloading pipe. Plus the shed will need lighting at some point.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Now onto the odd jobs.

    Firstly, I built a crossing guards tower a while ago but never got around to finishing it. I wanted to make it look worse for wear, so instead of building the stairs for it, I plan to have a ladder there instead, like the stairs were damaged and never replaced. The ladder is in my painting queue, so that will have to come later. I built a deck for it to stand on, and dug out the surrounding scenery to allow the deck to placed.

    Next, I built a sign to go on the front of the Central Camera building, to give it a more generic feel - so I can use it as whatever industry takes my fancy. I still need to build the mounting frame for it, but that's on today's schedule. Some of you might recognise the name as a reference to H P Lovecraft - which it absolutely is! :D

    Finally, I've been working on a split stone/brick building to go on River Street. The stone is - I believe - a Slaters product, whereas the brick is Clevermodels papers. Lots more to do on this one - again, on today's schedule.

    The wooden bobbins at the front are being painted up, not sure what I'll use them as yet, but it will likely be a wagon load or some other form of cargo.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,894
    Likes Received:
    3,621
    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2018
    Looks fantastic Daniel.

    have to admit, US layouts are not my cup of tea, but I do enjoy your thread(s) for the modelling, which is the same whichever area you model.

    I have a wooden LMS signal box to make up... I may just make a start.
     
    danielb and Gary like this.
  17. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Nice work Daniel. The crossing tower is a nice model and I love the rusting effects on the corrugated iron. Looking forward to seeing more now work has recommenced.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
    Andy_Sollis and danielb like this.
  18. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Thanks Andy. Be sure to share progress on the signal box!
    As you're not a fan of US layouts, you might be more interested in what I'm hoping to bring to Mansfield show next year. :)

    Gary, firstly, thanks! The rust effect is a base coat of brown acrylic, with a stippling of burnt sienna oil paint, with red, brown and orange chalk stippled into the oil paint after about an hour of letting it partially dry.
     
    Gary, Andy_Sollis and jakesdad13 like this.
  19. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Quick video update today, giving an overview of where I'm at and what I'm working on:

     
  20. danielb

    danielb Full Member

    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    242
    Joined:
    May 28, 2017
    Further work this week, I've built a Kitwood Hill loading dock craftsman kit. Stained the planks whilst still on the sprue, then seperated them and mixed them all up to avoid a uniform appearence.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page