Large Scale Central

In-ko-pah RR: The Mineral Ridge Mill

Modeling
#61

More progress…

I decided that a sign at the top of the mill would look great. Such signs, displaying the company name, were common. So I began by masking the the background. Then I stippled on a couple different shades of dark gray, to represent faded, peeled black paint:

I designed the sign on the computer and printed it out on self-adhesive vinyl. The font I used is only to give me the general dimensions. As I cut out the letters, I modified them slightly – squaring the serifs, eliminating that pointy thing in the middle, etc:

The vinyl was then positioned on the model. Getting it off the backing intact was a bit tricky. Some small bits had to be placed separately. Also you’ll notice that I’ve moved the A and L closer to the R in the word “mineral”. I should have done that on the computer, before printing it out, but got lazy:

Using the vinyl as a stencil, I stippled the lettering with a “dirty” mix of white paint. The vinyl couldn’t be pressed down into the grooves of the corrugated metal, so there is a lot of touching up that needs to be done:

The letters were touched up by hand with a small brush. I also did some work on the background, reducing the number of “peeled” spots. Then the wall was weathered with craft acrylics and even a bit of RustAll:

I installed the windows in the sorting house temporarily and shot some pics of it in place on the mill. I still haven’t glazed the windows yet:

That’s it for now. Enjoy!

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#62

Great work Ray. You make that look so easy. (Yah right)

I can’t wait to see what you have in mind for the Corrugated panels I made and sent you. Shawn put his on his lumber mill.

#63

Too cool. That sign makes the building look even better.

#64

This really puts the building firmly into the era it was desigbed to have been built. Very nice.

#65

Dave, Bruce, Andrew – Thanks muchly, amigos!

Dave, don’t worry those panels will find a good home!

#66

I love the sign idea.

Kewl!

#67

That really looks great. Amazing what you do with your materials.

#68

Nice stuff, I love the stencil

#69

when will you stop modelling??

we run out of superlative apraisals!

what type of paint did you use?

#70

That sign really makes the building and scene come together. Nicely done.

#71

Ken Brunt said:

I love the sign idea.

Kewl!

Me too!

#72

Thanks, everyone!

Korm, I used craft acrylic paints for the sign. Mostly Apple Barrel brand and some Craft Smart brand.

#73

thanks.

#74

Ray

Keep up the great work!

Sean

#75

I’m doing some work on the doors of the mill. There are two. This is the rear door, which will be located near the top of the street next to the ore bin. For this door I wanted to do something to make it interesting, so I decided to have a sheet of plywood nailed up over the upper panels of the door.

The door itself a Grandt Line part, which was given some subtle wood grain prior to painting. The doorknob was made by heating one end of a thin styrene rod. This causes it to form a nice rounded knob.

I found a good photo of old plywood online, reduced it to fit and printed it on self-adhesive vinyl. This was applied to .010" styrene, which was then glued to the door. The sign was printed separately and applied directly to the “plywood”. I weathered it by hand using craft acrylics. I think I went overboard on the sign but it won’t be seen very much anyway.

That’s all for now…

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#76

I really like the way you did the door. Outstanding!

#77

Great attention to detail, Ray!

#78

That door looks great.

#79

Great idea on the door. Yet another tip from you that I will have to file in my bag of tricks.

#80

Ray
All your missing is scratch marks from a dog wanting in!
Another marvel!