Weekend Update 12/14/25

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@robert3985 said:
Dude, it's yard track, not FRA Class 6 mainline. C'mon.

Nice tip about the flux and solder.

No, I get it, those gaps in tie patterns stand out and draw your eye. When they do that they can ruin an otherwise GORGEOUS scene.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My 5-year-old grandson, after seeing videos of the CPKC Holiday train on the tube, decided that his Brio layout should have one too and came up with this:

Oh man. Beware. Similar modifications to my Hot Wheels trains started me down a dangerous path...

[wm3798]

I guess those 18 AA batteries aren't wired in series as I don't think any N scale electrical items require 27V DC!   

It's true.  Two of the packs power the track and the bridge motor, and one powers the lighting.
Lee

[chuck geiger]

From the less is more school of scenery. Going back after messaging Ed and redoing. Going for ballast and just static grass in waves over the dead track. New pictures after reworking tomorrow to make it look like the photo of the line Steve, but this is not the end result.

[SAH]

Well done Chuck.  The overhead view is particularly successful.

[Mike Madonna]

Really nice print.  May I suggest a piece of solid tungsten welding rod.  It will also help prevent any warpage as the model fully cures over time.

A few diameters to choose from:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013KZVFRS?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

John,
I was under the impression that Tungsten was very difficult to cut/shape, correct?

[Chris333]

Scribe around it and snap.

[robert3985]

John,
I was under the impression that Tungsten was very difficult to cut/shape, correct?

As for "cutting", the trick for Tungsten welding rod is to break it.  There are several demos on YouTube on how to easily do it quite precisely without doing any "scribing".

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Lemosteam]

John,
I was under the impression that Tungsten was very difficult to cut/shape, correct?

Yes it is, but in this case a straight score and snap (clean up with a cutoff disc) and it will drop right in there.  I have modeled in long holes for these in the past.

[chuck geiger]

Need to add static grass at the end of the dead main track, like the proto. Oh, and find a kid to mow the lawn. @wm3798, the boat is on order.

[Mike Madonna]

Gentleman,
Thanks for the clarification and "tips" on the Tungsten rods....

[garethashenden]

Tungsten is straight forward to cut, but you can't do it with a saw. A diamond cuttoff wheel is going to be your best bet.

[chuck geiger]

And we have a fairly representative area of the proto.