Mike, good accounting of details atop houses. It’s amazing how many chimneys older houses had. A common design in this area for houses built back in the 1800s had a large fireplace on each end of the house. But there are other houses we’ve toured that have one or two large fireplaces, and then smaller ones War iron stoves in different rooms.
Mike, those are good ideas. I did that to some of my Rusty Rail castings. Also at an amusement park in the area (Dollywood), I’ve taken several photographs of shingles that are covered in thick moss. Not to mention other detritus from the trees, and the streaking they create down the sides of the buildings.
1 Like
Yeah, those roofs look realistic and a half!
Fred if possible perhaps you might share of few of the close-up photos of the rooftop moss. So far all I have been able to do (rather unsuccessfully) is to add some green pigments to my model shingle roofs to try and simulate moss growing there.
1 Like
Just a quick wash in your choice of black, brown, green or red shaders to the roofs can really spark up the appearance of an otherwise "stock’ plastic structure. Then maybe add some highlights of moss, dirt and general rot using pigments.
p.s. And always dirty up those brick chimneys with a black wash to bring out the brick detail!
1 Like
A Kalmbach book I just happened across last week at the LHS. This Art Curren fellow seems like a man after my own heart when it comes to kit bashing old plastic structures.
Some of these structures may how be no longer produced but that just makes it all the more likely you can find them on eBay or for sale at the traditional LHS or even find them for pennies in the shop’s “junk bin”!
I highly recommend this publication showing the how-to’s of customizing 23 different plastic kits with instructions, cutting plans and profuse illustration!
(All photos seen in this post are Copyright Kalmback Publishing/Art Curren ~ All Rights Reserved ~ Used here for discussion purposes ONLY)
Now what exactly was I saying about roof details? I don’t recall.
(Again all photos seen in this post are Copyright Kalmback Publishing/Art Curren ~ All Rights Reserved ~ Used here for discussion purposes ONLY)
3 Likes
This one is from Add-On Parts, a Flemish house IIRC. In the family of kits that are meant to be along the backdrop, not viewed from all around. “Ceramic,” I wonder if it is hydrocal? Added the gutters and downspout (NOCH product). I fiddle with it now and then as well as using it for reviews, i.e., Matho Models address decal.
3 Likes
This is another ‘backdrop’ facade, by Artitec. Resin. Like the building above, its destiny is a diorama I’m puttering to construct.
2 Likes
Very nice, VERY Nice!
I too need to be thinking about some “partial” background structures as well as some building flats!
1 Like
These are castings by Rusty Rails. Love these things. If you enjoy buildings surrounded by stuff but don’t want to buy ‘expensive’ cargo and tools, these are the way to go. I’ve only done some ‘casting 101’ and I am amazed at the undercuts.
Trapper or miner’s cabin.
Ice House
I have no idea who the model maker of the car is. I bought a lot of 6-8 of these years ago. Nice models, assembled well, although some show signs of ‘metal rot.’
2 Likes
Finally (for tonight), by NOCH, a laser-cut cardstock ‘goods shed’. NOCH’s laser-cut models are impressive and easy to build. (Expect to see a few in the future, hint hint.)
The laser-cut ivy looks better when it has been ‘teased.’
Ah, heck, in for a penny, in for a pound. Campbell rural freight depot. Built c. 1977. The roof came apart decades ago; I can fix it and I am starting to reinforce and restore it. You can see what my ideas of aged wood was back then.
2 Likes
Mike, I will. I just scanned through my on-line pix but found none. I’ll look in my drive tomorrow. And in some external drive backups. Gimme a day or two. 
As many of you may already know ~ I have been busy building bridges over on my “Small Bridges” thread. Since bridges are also “Structures” I thought I might show some of the finished product over here on this thread.
Single Span Tyco Warren Thru Truss Bridge:
With semi-scratch built end abutments/retaining walls.
Another Longer Double Tyco Warren Truss:
This time with both a modified massive center double pier and end retaining wall/abutments.
Some Details:
As Always ~ Some custom paint (rattle can * ) and some brushed on weathering shaders can really make these stock structures “POP” on your layout.
*I used Tamiya’s Red Oxide Primer, Matte Black and Matte Clear spray paints in the rattle cans and also the Citadel brushed-on “Nulin Oi” (Black) & Sepia Shaders here.
Sorry I just now discovered I had already posted these bridge photos earlier but I promise to be adding some new/different bridge photos here very shortly.
2 Likes
That reinforced piling is a feast for the eyes. I’ve got to build a few of those.
In the US we soaked lot of wood in creosote. As I’m working on a European Railroad diorama I’m wondering if they use creosote or something else? I’ve not been happy with the color photos I found of European railroad tracks. I asked the German Railway modeler site about it a year or two ago, I got to go back and look at the reply because I don’t remember what they said. Maybe the Germans use some form of oil?
Afraid I cannot answer that question nor know where to look for the answer.
Perhaps we could ask Angel over in the Armor section or even Darren who is in the UK.
I believe I found the answer. They used mineral tar oil or creosote, per European study association of wooden sleeper superstructures e. V..
Just for fun: Wood RR Ties: UNDERSTANDING SPECIES & DEFECT SPECIFICATIONS
Now for more structures!
Carolina Craftsman Kits: Millhouse
Pix from the build review on the old site. All images preserved, but no text.
2 Likes
Have always admired that engine house!
Perhaps you should double post that bridge section from your mining facility over on the “Small Bridges” thread? I have already been talking there about some various applications of small scale bridge parts to be used as building roof trusses in the larger scales,
1 Like