by mike | Jul 19, 2022 | Detailing Track
More Than Meets The EyeHow we think about a subject is as important as what we see. The typical advice for modeling ties is to impart wood grain by scraping the wood with a razor saw. Why do this? My hunch is because somebody decided it was a good idea, which...
by mike | Jul 11, 2022 | Detailing Track |
We tend to see track as a collection of parts that are treated individually. We prepare the roadbed, then lay the ties. Perhaps staining or painting the ties comes before the rail, while the process of ballasting comes at any time. The actual mechanics of laying track...
by mike | Apr 21, 2022 | Detailing Track, The Modeling Conversation, The P48 Experience
These new track spikes from Twin Star Cars are stainless steel produced by a double photo chemical etching process. They are then acid dipped to give an oxide finish coating. The individual spikes are attached to a fret and have to be separated for use. Unlike other...
by mike | Jan 4, 2022 | Detailing Track, Modeling Techniques, The Art of The Craft, The Modeling Conversation |
Cameos of Railroading I recently completed these two compositions. Both were made for fun and as a way to practice techniques and play with different materials. Composition No. One: When The Railroad Leaves TownIn this one I used a triangle shape to break from the...
by mike | Jul 28, 2021 | Detailing Track, The P48 Experience |
Modeling Fills The new track on Mill Road represents an abandoned through line. There is enough track to switch an important customer, but beyond that nature is taking over again. Like the original scene, we’re still in open country and the track is raised above the...
by mike | Jul 20, 2021 | Detailing Track
Retrofitting feeder wires to existing track isn’t my idea of a good time. However, it’s a necessary step if I want a functioning layout. When I dismantled the Indiana and Whitewater, I just wanted the job over and the mess cleaned up. At the time I didn’t know if I...