Model Railroad Blog

Domingo Produce Mar. 31

This weekend’s focus was on the structure face below the awning. The photo editing process left an overly uniform and smooth look to the coloring. In addition there is the ever present flat surface when dealing with photo laminates. I printed out a third image of the structure face, cut out the electrical boxes and columns, touched up the edges with a tan marker and stacked them on the existing surface. Conduits are added using styrene rod and spring wire. To induce additional chipping I firmly pressed pieces of duct tape on the surface and peeled it off. With techniques like this always, always test on a scrap first. To give a subtle mottled look to the yellow I lightly tapped a hint of beige chalk around the surface with q-tip (again, not without testing on a scrap first).

Rollup doors were fabricated from scrap aluminum tube. Note the signage on the cylinder from the decal scrap box. Don’t forget the door motor housings.

Domingo Produce March 17

This week’s focus was completing more of the 13th Avenue/22nd Street intersection, feathering in the ballast at the grade crossing, and adding the asphalt apron between the sidewalk and foundation. The foundation was painted, weathered, and photo laminates and dock bumpers added to the dock face.

A low angle shot of the dock face showing the photo laminates and dock bumpers.
A “helicopter view” from above. Yes, the seams between the photo paper sheets are evident but it’s the lessor of two evils.

Domingo Produce March 10

With urban layouts, pavement areas take as more or more time than the structures themselves. Today was spent doing the photoshop work and installation of the rest of the 13th Avenue grade crossing. I also completed the foundation for the structure. I used 3/4″ pvc wood that my Dad planed down to 9/16″ to represent the typical scale four foot height of a loading dock.

Domingo Produce

I’m still in the mood to do some more work on the Downtown Spur so the next project will be the eye catching Domingo Produce structure on 13th Ave.

Mocking things up with a sheet of paper I’ve found I’ll be able to maintain the prototype dimensions on the south face. The north wall will have to be truncated slightly in order to fit (which won’t be that noticeable I don’t believe).