Like the music…layout twernt bad either…
I started to spike the track. I found out that I really enjoy hand spiking. All the effort is worth it with the way it looks. I also experimented with taking an Arsito switch apart and then using the frog and rails to build a switch. To my surprised it worked great. Here is what have so far. Just need to do two more curves and few straights and another switch.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/9kcmit.jpg)
Looking great so far Shawn…you’re having way too much fun. You can set it up in the living room and run live steam all winter.
Looking good Shawn, Wile your at it make two and send it my way LOL.
Your gettin there…
Yep now graduate up to a three way stub switch…
Yeah but you didn’t have to bend the stuff with some do-hicky bender you found in a magazine now did you. If you had your vocabulary of terms frequented by sailors would have grown three fold.
Bruce Chandler said:
Surprising, one of the most commonly available household chemical you can use to darken brass is Palmolive Dishwashing liquid. Look at the label and see if it contains sodium bisulphite and other sulphur derivatives. These are very similar to the chemicals in Liver of Sulphur.
Apply the dishwashing liquid with very little water to the bare brass and keep rubbing till you get the color you want. This will take only a few minutes. When you get the color you want, wash off the dish washing liquid.
Very cool tip, thanks Bruce. I’m trying that today!
I hope it works, John. That’s just something I found on the net - haven’t tried it myself yet.
Bruce I tried the palmolive trick. No such luck on the rail. Next I will try the amonia. As a last resort I will get the stuff to dull it down. I think my AC moors has it.
Paint. Simple. Protects the ties, too.
Shawn I dont know if you’ve ever seen these videos, I think this guy is nuts, so of course I’m subscribed
Shawn,
Room in the Alcove, if you want to bring it.
Vic Smith said:
Shawn I dont know if you’ve ever seen these videos, I think this guy is nuts, so of course I’m subscribed
Falcon 101.
Steve Featherkile said:
Paint. Simple. Protects the ties, too.
I thought about paint but I really don’t like the way paint looks. I like the natural look.
Ric if I have room in the car I ll bring it down, thanks.
Vic wow he’s got some talent. Check this out. He uses a computer.
http://youtu.be/2QFG3wQBjQ8
I think that guys micro layouts were featured in a recent Narrowgauge & Shortline Gazette. Cool idea with the switch. I may try that outside where they don’t match the rest of the ties.
Terry
Just an update on the micro. The weather has been too nice to work indoors so I have not done too much. The main loop is complete. I just have to put the switch track in. My original idea did not work. The frog gave me some problems and the switch itself was too fragile. For now im going to use the plastic ties for the switches but paint and weather them to match the wood. I think once everything is ballasted you wont notice it much. Hopefully Ill get some pictures soon.
Progress report
Track is done. I stained the ties with golden oak and then did a wash with black acrylic paint. I think it came out ok. Once ballasted it should blend in. The trestle is also completed. The switch track idea failed so for now I just used the aristo switches with the plastic ties. It took some time painting them to match the real wood ties but I think I got it close enough. Once ballasted it should blend. Eventually I will make the switches but for now they do the trick.
My next step is ballast and then start building the sawmill. That wont be until we get some rainy days. Hopefully after todays winds the leaves will be off the trees and I can start clearing the outdoor layout for winter running.
Shawn ,looking great. maybe a close up shot of the trestle.Regards,Ron.
That’s pretty neat, will you have room for a little tunnel?