An upgraded Walthers Cryo reefer sits in front of SALCO on the East Rail 2 layout. If you’re a modern era modeler, graffiti is part of the landscape. Here are a few tips to make it more convincing on a model. Working with larger decals takes patience as far as getting them to ultimately sit […]
The challenge of having so much information instantly at our fingertips is, that when something particularly insightful is written, it can get lost in the background noise. There is no element of modeling that contributes more to visual impact and plausibility than nailing the colors. To that end, Tony Koester’s editorial on color strategy in […]
Tropical International was a large auto parts distribution warehouse next to SALCO. Although it wasn’t rail served, clearly at some point in the past a previous tenant did receive cars. A current check on the business shows that it’s now a Pep Boys distribution center. The model is a combination of traditional styrene methods with […]
As far I know, the only source of my beloved Cryo Reefers is the decades old Walthers model. Although it’s been discontinued, you can still find some kits on ebay. The one I picked up was clearly many decades old. The model came from the old era before the “find standards” freight car production boom […]
In August I wrote about the caricature trap, caricature being a treatment that has an “amped up”, contrived, “model railroady” look to it. There’s no shame in that…..as long as it’s intentional….as long as it something you enjoy looking at. Often though it’s not intentional, and that’s where it’s time to take a pause and […]