Mar 25, 2017

Mancos structures, and real glass

I've decided to experiment with using real glass for my windows, and first up is a couple of Campbell kits.  The windows on this one are using windows and doors from Rusty Stumps instead of the stock ones supplied with kits.

For the glass, I found some old microscope slides, did some research on the web, and developed my technique.  There's photos below - but basically I purchased a diamond-tipped scriber from Amazon, and create the windows by first scribbing the slides firmly with a straight edge:
 


To make the break, it works better (some surface tension issue with the glass) to do it underwater.  I just used a little container and a small piece of dowelrod.  Put the rod under the scribbed line, then press gently on either side to make the break:


Here's what I used, but microscope covers (as opposed to slides) are much thinner and probably easier to work with.  But, I already had these handy...

To install the mullions, I found it easier to apply them to the glass first, then put the glass onto the back of the wall.



The final look - nice reflections!


So - for Mancos I needed (operationally) a mine of some sort.  The layout doesn't have room for the prototypical scene (although coal mining did exist near Mancos).  So - and I think this is the only completely non-prototypical section on the layout - I decided to use Campbell's supply warehouse and Silver Spur mine (both kits I had on my shelf) and build a mine warehouse and the mine itself.

Here's the warehouse. For this buiding, I used roofing from Wild West Models instead of the Campbell shingles.  They worked well!  Rusty Stumps has some nice actual cedar-wood shingles which I might try in the future.






And here's the mine itself - all stock Campbell except the windows:













Hmm - um, not sure how this happened - time warp maybe?  :-)


Mar 12, 2017

New Facebook page!

Well, it's time to announce this - I've created a Facebook page dedicated to my layout:
https://www.facebook.com/stevesrgs

I've been wanting to find a way to more easily share photos of the layout and have discussions about it.  Of course I have my website, but honestly it's a bit of work to edit the pages and create new sections for layout and other photos, and I've been putting it off.  I may indeed create a more detailed layout presentation, eventually.

But for now, FB has made it very easy and quick to share photos, and it's the best platform (for now) to have quick discussions and chats.

So - there you go.  I had some time this morning before church (no one around here was up earlier enough with the time change to make it to early service, so we're planning on the later one), and thought I'd get to work.

Feb 24, 2017

Galloping Goose #2 gets an oil change

Lots of details and photos -
http://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/2017/02/23/gallopin-goose-oil-change/

Jan 14, 2017

Raggs to re-run the HO Rico Depot kit again! Limited run though

Raggs' depot kits are amazing, and if you're modeling the RGS they're really worth considering. But, they're not always available, and Joe has just announced a re-run of the Rico depot.  So, if ya want 'em, order one soon!

Joe (Raggs) says:

That being said, I wanted to let all that are interested know that we're making the HO Rico Depot kit available again for a short time (taking orders until March 31st).  We're making a run this month to fill current orders.  For info, pictures, and ordering, visit our webpage: 
 
 
Also if you're inclined to take a peak at my own RGS layout, I've just updated the webpage: http://raggstoriches.biz/RAGGSRAILROAD.html
The update includes a completed Trout Lake that's 11-feet long and a photo backdrop for Ridgway that's 52-feet long.

Jan 6, 2017

Dolores Flour Mill - and dry transfer lettering

 I have finished work on the Dolores Flour Mill (see this earlier post for more details).  The last step was lettering it.  The prototype didn't seem to have a sign, at least not from the angles of existing photos.  However, I intend my layout for operations, and it really helps guest operators to know which buildings are which.  Thus - signs are helpful.

I was originally going to print a sign, using an appropriate vintage font (found a number after some web searching), but my dear wife pointed out a building like this perhaps wouldn't have spent the money for a board and painted sign, and perhaps wouldn't just painted the sign on the side.  That lead to search for decals, and then possibly printing my own decal - all of which sounded like a lot of work.

Then I remembered Clover House, and their great sets of dry transfers.  These look a lot like painted-on letters.  So, I ordered a set and went to work.  The results are below - by no means perfect, and more work to get straight than I thought (and it needs more work next time!).  But, still, not too bad.  Pan Pastels toned things down as a final touch.

Follow along: