Grain Elevator Diorama

[TomPM]

I have finally decided to try to get some of the pile of structures kits off the workbench. For a while now they have been teetering on the verge of triggering a kit box avalanche. I decided that I will build the structures and make small bases or dioramas to go with them. This way I can do some quick scenery and not just add them to the self orphan pile.

The first kit that I pulled out is the Walthers Farmers Cooperative Grain Elevator.

I quickly assembled the three buildings that are part of the kit.

 

[TomPM]

First I airbrushed the buildings and other parts with an undercoat using Apple Barrel Dolphin Gray thinned 1:1 with blue windshield wiper fluid.

Since I want to have a paint peeling effect I will airbrush the underlying wood color on the buildings.

 

[Matthyro]

A neat project Tom. We all should have a grain elevator or two on our layouts.

 

[Ralph]

Oh, this is going to be good! Elevators are a classic RR scene. I really like your collection of covered hoppers too! Do you happen to have a pink Klemme Coop in the mix?
Ralph

 

[TomPM]

Thanks guys!

I really like your collection of covered hoppers too! Do you happen to have a pink Klemme Coop in the mix?
Ralph

You mean like this?

This is a MDC/Roundhouse model. I also have an Athearn RTR one that is still in the box. I just reserved a couple from Intermountain's upcoming run. I think they are doing 12 numbers but I figured I'd start with two.

 

[TomPM]

For the wood color I first airbrushed a coat of Folk Art Raw Umber thinned 1:1 with blue windshield washer fluid. To my horror I ran out of Raw Umber before I could do a second coat. So for the second coat I used Folk Art Burnt Umber.

 

[TomPM]

To achieve the painting peeling effect I use rubber cement. I first brush on the rubber cement in places where I want the paint to peel.

 

[TomPM]

Once the rubber cement dries I will paint the final color. After the final coat dries I will take an eraser and rub off the paint in those areas. If all works I will have peeling paint.

 

[zedob]

Sure footed basketball player?

 

[TomPM]

Sure footed basketball player?

Oh that is one of the wife's many baton twirling trophies! She has so many they are stuffed all over the house and basement.

 

[TomPM]

Now I painted the final color for the buildings. I used Apple Barrel Red Apple. The undercoat of Raw Umber and Burnt Umber gave the red a darker and little uneven coloring which I thought looks better than the unpainted red plastic.

 

[TomPM]

Next I use the gray end of a gray and white eraser and gently rub over the spots where I painted over the rubber cement.

Here is how the grain elevator building came out. Since the building is so tall I had to take a couple photos of each side. I don’t know what the white dots are. They’re not there on structure. I am guessing they are a reflection.

 

[TomPM]

 

[TomPM]

Next we have the shed

 

[TomPM]

Lastly here is the freight house or warehouse building

Now everything is ready to be sealed and the window glazing and roofs installed.

 

[TomPM]

I got the window glazing and the roofs installed on the buildings. And in the case of the freight house building the base.

 

[TomPM]

The elevator:

 

[TomPM]

And the shed with its smoke pipe:

Next is adding decals and weathering.

 

[TomPM]

Now it is time to get the diorama base ready. First is a quick general layout of the buildings:

Coming up will be laying the foam road bed.

 

[MasonJar]

Nice work Tom!

Andrew