Merry Christmas - WW&F Style

The WW&F group is advertising on Facebook their train and sleigh ride trips this winter...sure looks like a nice view for Christmas cheers...Merry Christmas and lots of narrow gauge for all of us in 2020...George Dutka

Winter Two Foot Style

Here we have another scan of a George Melvin photo collection. SR&RL photo with no data on the photo thought...George Dutka

Winter is Here

A view of Salem, Maine on the SR&RL on a day I would not want to visit Maine on. The snow is getting deep and the crew is large with I am thinking a ton of snow still to be moved. I scanned this view recently from a group of photos I purchased last June from George Melvin...George Dutka

Some Great Weathering

Here is a great looking wall finished by Danish modeler Kevin D'Alenti in HO scale. Kevin works in many scales and some of his other efforts have been posted on my White River Division blog.

While looking through various sites on the internet I came across these great looking views that have me inspired to try replicating what I saw...George Dutka

In this larger scale model I really love how the window is modeled. Something I think I might be able to replicate in O scale or even in HO scale.

The weathered plywood added behind the window really adds to effect.

New Location This Year

Trainfest Display

Although there was not a lot of narrow gauge modeling on display at Trainfest what I saw was good.

A nice looking On30" boxcar on display at Trainfest. This was my second visit to the large Milwaukee train show...George Dutka

Weathering a Barrel

Kind of neat looking.

Here is a barrel I found on-line...thinking I will give a wet dirty looking barrel top a try also...George Dutka

Aberdeen Car Shops - Boxes

This is my O scale liquor box that I built and left the top open adding some leftovers as recycle materials and now maybe a part of a mini scene for my module.

Last weekend the WOD -NMRA division had a hands-on workshop where we built a lot of small details including O and HO boxes supplied by Aberdeen Car Shops...George Dutka

Styrofoam Layout Base

An On30" layout beginning to take shape.

At this years Trainfest I spoke to a gentleman that was using Styrofoam to construct his On30" module base...he even used it for the frame...George Dutka

The underbody...all Styrofoam.

Bigelow, Maine

A postcard view of the Bigelow station on the SR&RL. Seems like a busy day on the platform this day.

Another of my finds from the George Melvin collection...George Dutka

O Scale Shed Updated

The finished model ready for a home on my module.

I picked up this smaller O scale shed back in the spring at the local Woodstock train show. It was a throw in building when I purchase two stations and a frt. house...so a good deal even though it did not look like much at first...George Dutka

A hole was drilled for the stack which is a Taurus Product. I also made a wood footing for the structure to sit on.

The door and window trim was green but I upped the colouring with PanPastel green. The walls got some dark grey PanPastel colouring. I sponged some chalkboard black acrylic on the door windows and upper area of the walls. Under the eves is painted black.

The roof got some Bragdon dark rust as highlights. The roofing material is fine grade sandpaper. I also used some rust texture to highlight the ends of the tar paper and grooves were residue would lay.

When I was done painting and weathering the walls it still did not look right. I decided what the heck and applied a wash of India ink and alcohol which made the wall pop. The walls have some really nice grain in it. Some AK dark slime was also sponged on the lower areas.

The chimney is rusted up another sign applied. I really went to town with a lot of small junk or should I say details. The window was a rough opening that I trims up with some strip-wood.

FOS Free Kit

I am almost finished my FOS free kit from September. One purchase $50 when special deal is on and one gets a free kit. There is no plans included just a photo and the parts. For this one Doug acually posted three more under construction photos that really helped on the FOS Facebook page. My model still needs a couple of sailors or tatoo guys since it will be along the waterfront...George Dutka

Some BEST pigeons and TIchy barrels are also added.

A BEST scruffy looking cat is at the back door and the garbage can appears full.

O Scale Shed

My new shed is ready to be added to my On30" module.

A look at an O scale shed I updated back in the spring...more on it shortly...George Dutka

What the shed looked like when I brought it home from the Woodstock train show back in the spring.

Wordless Wednesday No. 137

Wordless Wednesday No. 136

WW&F

Strong Postcard

Wordless Wednesday No. 135

NER - Convention

I thought this was a great looking diorama with a ton of details.

Here are a couple of scenes from a large scale display in the contest room of the NMRA North East Regional convention this month...George Dutka

Another view from the same diorama.

FOS Structures

A FOS free kit offering this month that set alongside another could make a nice mini scene for my waterfront scene.

FOS has come out with a couple of interesting structures that I hope to construct as a small drop in background scene for photos ops....George Dutka

A couple of months ago FOS offered this kit in their Kit of the Month Club. These two structures can work well together. I wonder what else Doug has up his sleeve.

Portland, Maine Harbor

A look out into the harbor at Portland, Maine 1909. The kind of boats one would need with a waterfront scene.

SR&RL Baggage Tag

FOS Ice House - Updated

A new roof, boarded up window, rusty old sign and siding weathering kind of makes this structure a bit more run down.

I recently updated my FOS kit that I built last winter. I think it looks a lot better. For more on this structure check out my White River Division blog next week...George Dutka

My ice house as it looked when completed last winter.

Wordless Wednesday No. 133

Maine Plates 1934

If you are looking for a plate for your layouts vehicle for 1934 you might want to copy and reduce this photo.

Wordless Wednesday No. 132

FOS - Kit of the Month

I recently received the first six kits in this FOS series. I began with kit 6 that will be used on my waterfront diorama. To see more of how this kit went together check out my White River Division blog in the near future...George Dutka

SR&RL freight on the move.

This is a scene I always though of modeling. Once again another photo I purchased sometime ago with no date. I really like the looks of this bridge which was modeled on the C&DR years ago. Plans were also included in an old article which I have set aside. The train appears to be a good size and full of boxcars, no pulpwood cars this time.

SR&RL Group Photo

SR&RL engine number 24 is seen in this posed photograph.

The gang is all together in this photo that did not have any details marked on it. If you want to model you head end crew in the cooler months here is a good look at what they once wore...George Dutka

FOS Fresh Fish House

An overall look at how the structure looks. Now to get the scene built that will house it.

The model is done and here are a few additional views for you to enjoy...George Dutka

I modeled my fresh fish structure with all the doors open. This required a bit of flooring to be added to these areas. Note how the door has been weathered. The white and green gunge has been sponged onto the door. The sign also go some acrylic rust. The ladder is a Railroad KITS free offering at a past Expo.

Carrabassett Station

End view of the SR&RL station.

Interesting to see how the lower boards are weathered and worn. Maybe something to master for our models...George Dutka

A close-up view of the end sign...the best I could get it.

Schomberg Ramp - Part Two

The FOS crates are added to the scene. The sack, barrel and box are cast plaster casting from Schomberg Scale Models. To the lower stones and a couple of flat surface areas I randomly sponged on a coat of AK slimy grime dark which is a gungy green. I also applied some into the cracks and seams with a fine brush.

A few more views of the finished ramp ready to go once my bench work goes up next fall...George Dutka

Some boards are scattered around along with Bar Mills newspapers. Static grass, some ground foam and Scenic Express weeds are also applied.

The dirt is actually cast into the plaster casting. I just added india ink-alcohol mix to the ground and very lightly highlighted it with the Hunterline concrete colouring.

Schomberg Loading Ramp

My finished O scale loading ramp.

Christopher of Schomberg Scale Models was clearing out some of his stock and was offering this nice looking hydrocal casting of ramp. More on this ramp in a second post...George Dutka

The casting as it looked when I got home.

The other side.

I gave the whole casting a coat of india ink and alcohol followed by Hunterline weathering mix cement sponged on the stone face.

A second coat of india ink mix was put on the gravel and dirt section. I applied some ground foam and weeds along the edges and static grass in other areas.