In reply to kazoospec :
Is that Rink going to need an N scale Zamboni?
In reply to TurnerX19 :
I'd make one if it had any windows big enough to see the interior. Unfortunately, it really doesn't, so I probably won't put that much time into making something you won't be able to see. Don't think I didn't give it some thought, though.
Before I close it up, I'll see if there's any significant portion that can be seen from the entry openings. If so, I'll probably build a section of the rink wall and I might throw a rudimentary zamboni inside as another of those, "No one else will probably see it, but I'll know it's there" things.
So, here's my latest "inside joke" for the layout. I've laid out the edges of the "rink" with some L channel sytrene. I'm thinking I'll paint the visible portion of the "rink" white with just a touch of blue tint to make the "ice". Then I'll flat coat the whole thing to simulate ice that needs to be re-surfaced. Then, I'll place the zamboni at the front edge of a strip of clear gloss like it's at work. The joke is I'm also going to take one of my figures, sand them down so they are pretty thin and put them in the wake of the zamboni like a skater who has been "Han Solo'd" into the ice. This is, of course, pending the approval of the railroad's "owner", but I'm pretty sure he'll be up for it.
I blame you.
The pantograph is incredible. But I'll eventually hack it off along with the cab to replace it with an HO scale one. I'm amassing kit to start building an HOn30 micro city layout.
In reply to Appleseed :
And so it begins . . .
Still plugging away on mine. Got some of the plaster work done to integrate "The Rink" into the layout.
Is there any alternative source for used Unitrack aside from Ebay and the occasional score on Goodwill?
In reply to Appleseed :
Trainworld has some pretty good sales from time to time. Not used, but worth a look.
Ordered up some railfanning swag for Kazookid2's birthday. I suspect the local crews probably already know us, so I guess we might as well own it.
In reply to kazoospec :
Nice!
In other news, creating a fictional railroad out of thin air is harder than I thought it would be...
Started work on the next fictional "family business" for the layout. This one will "belong" to Kazookid's Aunt/uncle/cousin, who are known for their eclectic collection of pets. This will eventually be the "Martin's Menagerie Exotic Pets and Supplies". It's based on a real pet supply store that it near, but not adjacent to the tracks in our modeled city of Battle Creek, MI.
Making things look old and dirty is one of the most fun things about model railroading. I found 5 structures on CL for about $12 each. Nicely built, but the paint was too bright for me. Time to hit it with cheap acrylics and paste chalks. I forgot to take progress shots, so here are the end results (almost.) The tan building hasn't gotten and pastel powers yet, so you can see how much it adds.
The original paint was a gloss red. I forgot things don't like to stick to gloss. When I scrubbed in some highlights, it lifted some of the new paint, exposing the red. I played with it to see what I could do with it. If it sucked, so what, I'd need beed to repaint anyway.
I knocked out the windows to make painting easier. I'll cut up a bakery container or two to fix that.
slowbird said:The craftsmanship in this thread is superb!
I need to start making space for a layout...
The best I've managed thus far is a name and logo for my fictional short line...
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