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Well I've gone and done it. I've created a group on the Facetoobs that focuses on collecting, repairing, updating and running vintage N scale. I invite you to take a look if this would interest you. https://www.facebook.com/groups/543086996404531/members?notif_id=1588777349169535¬if_t=groups_member_joined&ref=notif
A modest improvement to an increasingly popular photo location on the layout... See if you can tell what I did...And then...Lee
@wm3798 Please take this as constructive criticism or better modeling thru peer pressure. While they help fill in bare scenery spots very quickly those inexpensive Chinese trees need work before using them as is on a layout. 1.) hit the trunks & branches with matte spray or dulcotte (to kill the sheen on the trunks & branches) then 2.) add some spray adhesive followed up with sprinkling of different color ground foam to tone down the neon green foliage and then 3.) finally hit them with unscented hair spray to lock it all in. I just performed the above steps on 22 of the same type Chinese trees this afternoon for my friends layout. They will be used as a test/mock up to see if they’ll work for a narrow background area he has between a siding & the sky board. Unless you put a lot of work into sprucing them up IMHO they work best in middleground and background scenes mixed in with better versions. I’ll follow up my post with before n after pics. Total time investment was about an hour (including rounding up the required supplies)
Quote from: 160pennsy on May 15, 2020, 03:33:11 AM@wm3798 Please take this as constructive criticism or better modeling thru peer pressure. While they help fill in bare scenery spots very quickly those inexpensive Chinese trees need work before using them as is on a layout. Pretty sure @wm3798 is aware of all that - he's intentionally going for a 1970's retro vibe on this layout, when trees had big broad plastic branches etc. Sure, his inner artist can get that stuff and the lichen to a point where it actually looks fantastic, but he's not aiming for accuracy.
@wm3798 Please take this as constructive criticism or better modeling thru peer pressure. While they help fill in bare scenery spots very quickly those inexpensive Chinese trees need work before using them as is on a layout.
What those guys said! Yes it's all I can do to resist the urge to throw those trees away. But the layout really is all about the quick and dirty old school feel.
Then I’m confused with why you would detail the stone arch bridge and not leave it quick and dirty out of the box?
And why call it "Hi-rail" when using the most widely accepted standard N scale code 80 track?!Just bustin' your chops Lee. You have your "logical" reason.
Thank you. After years of pursuing the best track, the finest running models, ultimate realism in the scenery, this project has reawakened the shear delight of just running trains I remember from my youth.It's also fun not having the hang ups of a Lionel collector... I don't care about original boxes, original paint or even original drives.Lee