Category: Modeling Projects

This area includes random modeling projects that don’t fit anywhere else on the blog. Subjects include weathering or finishing techniques, models finished for others, and so forth.

Freight and Passenger Car Modeling, Modeling Projects6 Comments

No. 84: Weathering Models with an Artist’s Oil Wash

Golden1014

A couple of guys contacted me and asked how I weather models with the “black wash”.  I promised them a post to show how I do it.  In this post I am not suggesting this is The Only Way to apply this type of weathering, but it does work well if applied carefully. I apply a black wash on some models, especially single-sheathed and double-sheathed freight cars, to try and provide depth and a prototypical appearance.  Many real freight cars have black soot, dirt and grime collected in corners, between boards and other surfaces, and around fixtures.  This was especially true in the steam engine era.  But getting … Continue reading No. 84: Weathering Models with an Artist’s Oil Wash

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No. 69: Portugal…and Progress on Portage, Nov 2017

Golden1014

Portage Structure Progress This week I put most of the finishing touches on the tool houses and interlocking tower for the Portage, Iowa scene on Mike Moore’s Illinois Central layout.  I installed shingles from Minuteman Models on all the buildings and, after a little trial and error, ended up staining them black with a Sharpie pen.  Below are the photos of the “shingling” in progress. As I mentioned in a previous post, I attempted to paint the shingles black because I accidentally ordered light gray shingles instead of dark gray or black, but painting them did not work well.  A … Continue reading No. 69: Portugal…and Progress on Portage, Nov 2017

Modeling Projects2 Comments

No. 66: Progress on Portage, Oct 2017

Golden1014

It has been a busy week on Albersbach’s only railroad.  Some good progress was made on the Portage buildings for Mike Moore’s layout, and I got a little bit done for my layout too Progress on Portage When we last saw the Portage buildings they looked like this: This week I have been working on cutting, prepping and painting all the trim and detail parts.  First I cut out all the trim and all the detail parts and taped them to a piece of cardstock for painting.  Cutting out the trim for the corner of the buildings is a little … Continue reading No. 66: Progress on Portage, Oct 2017

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No. 62: Portage Tower Project

Golden1014

I offered to build a model of Portage Tower for my friend Mike Moore, who is having a layout built for him in his home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  Clark Propst and Bob Gretillat are doing the heavy work.  I’m just helping out with some of the fun part. You may recall that Portage Tower was made popular some time ago by MR editor Jeff Wilson, who wrote an article on the junction and tower in the 1999 edition of Model Railroad Planning.  So when I heard Clark mention that Mike wanted to model Portage Tower on his new layout, … Continue reading No. 62: Portage Tower Project