Category: Detailing Track
Why
Why did I switch to quarter-inch scale from HO? Only one reason really: The track. I’ve always been fascinated by prototype trackwork, especially the downtrodden branchlines and lowly sidings that are past their prime. For as long as I’ve been in the hobby, I’ve tried to model such track with increasing attention to the details [...]
Neat video of character-laden track
Chester Louis sent me a link to some neat videos. This one caught my eye because of the nice sequence of character laden trackage after the caboose tour. Notice the oil streaks and the soaked areas where the engine stops or sits frequently. Also take note of the condition of the ties and right-of-way in [...]
Compromise I can live with
Compromise joint bars, like this prototype example on the former GR&I in Richmond IN, are used to connect to different size and weights of rail. Until recently modelers had to make do with bits of plastic or nothing at all. The typical solution is to take an ordinary slip-on rail joiner and flatten one half [...]
How much is too much?
Last September, I presented a clinic on detailing track. An audience member asked me how far I go in adding details like weeds and such. I said that I go as far as I can with it. As long as equipment can still run, I’ll pile it on. I’ve started using static grass sheets for groundcover, [...]
Name these pieces
Okay class, name as many of these turnout parts as you can. Next week I’ll post this photo with the answers. Name these pieces-2, 12-20-2011 Well Matt gets the gold star for correctly identifying the parts of the turnout in the photo. He even named a couple that I missed. Good job! As promised last [...]
On track: Modeling the details
Did you figure out what was different about the trackage in the photo from #12? At least one individual came up with the answer I had in mind. Congrats Trevor! It might be hard to see in the original photo but, the joint bars are not offset from each other as is typical American practice. [...]
To file or not to file stock rails
I received an e-mail from a gentleman who purchased a copy of Detailing Track. Nicholas wondered whether or not to file away the inside flange on the stock rails of his scratchbuilt turnouts. He noted that the prototype doesn’t do this, and it seemed from the book photos, that I didn’t either. Yet the instructions [...]
What do you see? -12
Here is the beginning of the prototype I&O branch at Valley Junction, Ohio. Notice anything unusual? I’ll give a hint: it has nothing to do with the weathering of this track. Think about it over the holiday, and I’ll have more photos and an explanation next week. Happy Thanksgiving! Regards, Mike
The Details Are In The Turnouts
A couple years ago I went to an N&W Historical Society convention in Virginia and we took a trip to visit several N&W stations. This was at the time that Mike was really starting to dig into the Detailing Track book so I took a lot of photos of turnouts. Well, we only had so [...]
