The M-K & Eastern RR

[graffen]

Some new pics.

C-25 at the engine house.




K-27 filling water.






The town of Holy Cross.


The mining company presidents residence.

[Hawghead]

Michael,

Almost like looking at colorized period photographs, Bravo.

Scott

[graffen]

Michael,

Almost like looking at colorized period photographs, Bravo.

Scott

Thanks! 
Installed lights in some of the buildings today.


The General store.



The Pool hall.


The Bordello.



It is great with LED lights.

[graffen]

I installed lights in more of the buildings and connected them on the layout.
















Now I'll have to see what else needs lights.

 

[Hawghead]

Don't you need red for the cathouse? 

Scott

[Cajonpassfan]

Stunning work, Graffen.
Otto

[Dave V]

Cue @DKS to make animated HO scale crabs for the bordello...  Nice work!  I love that kit...I need to track one down.

[CRL]

Nice job of setting the buildings into the ground like the foundations are real. I hate to see buildings just set on the layout.

[graffen]

Thanks! 
I installed the new lights over my layout today.
I use 6 W LED bulbs with 2 feet gaps in between them.

















It's a LOT brighter now!

[graffen]

Tested the new turnout control. I'm really satisfied.

[graffen]

I made some utility poles today.
It's an Auhagen kit.



I installed them temporary on the layout.




I will add E-Z line later.

[graffen]

I made a retaining wall out of Depron foam that I scribed with a pencil before painting it with gesso and some paint.


I glued it in place with hot glue.


I surrounded it with my homemade Sculptamold.
​​​​​​​

[amato1969]

Homemade sculptamold?  Tell us more!

  Frank

[graffen]

Homemade sculptamold?  Tell us more!

  Frank

Sure!
It's really, really cheap.
I use cellulose insulation material that they sell in sacks.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Greenfiber-Low-Dust-Cellulose-Blown-in-Insulation-30-lbs-Bag-INS515LD-E/301646615
I loosen and separate it, as it is very compactly packed as it's delivered.
In a can with lid, I mix it with dry plaster in a ratio of 4 parts cellulose to 1 part plaster.
Then shake the can vigorously to get the plaster mixed with the cellulose.
After that it's a simple affair to mix it with a little water to a good consistency.
My Sculptamold costs almost nothing in comparison with the ready made....

[CRL]

If you mix it with 50/50 water/latex paint (ground colored), you can put your texture material right over the top and it will adhere. Spray with wet water until the paint leaches through and it sets better.