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Somebody has maybe mentioned this already, but I think it would be really helpful if Deano's section on weathering could be lifted out of the long thread where it currently resides and posted as a new thread. It really is a useful resource (and I would suggest that it belongs in the Academy).

It has been said already, but ezdays truly a class act and a foundation of the gauge. I wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.

I'm a little confused on the dimensions: 2"x4'x8' sounds like pink foam or another insulating styrofoam. Styrene is a non-porous plastic material, usually used for building model structures and cars. I think it would cost a fortune for a 4'X8' sheet. If it is styrene that you're asking...

You can also guesstimate based on photographs. Generally, the average exterior door of a house is between 30-38" wide and 78-84" tall. You can use this measurement to extrapolate the other measurements using basically the same process described by kirkendale above (i.e. the front of that...

If you're doing US style buildings, have a look at the Sears Catalog of houses: http://www.searsarchives.com/homes/index.htm For the first half of the 20th century, these style of houses were huge (and in Portland, you likely have some Sears or similar catalog houses in your neighborbood)...

One other thing: back in the days before readily available styrene, scratchers used cardstock of various thicknesses (usually available in craft or art supply stores). With the same basic techniques used for building in wood or styrene, you can build really good structures with cardstock. In...

TJ- I know you asked about styrene, but if you're interested in really getting into scratchbuilding, you might want to consider wood. You can purchase sheets of scribed siding that simulates common construction methods (like clapboard, board and batten, etc.). Micromark...

Alco Diesels are pretty cool. There's a pair of C424s that smokes their way along the local shortline, about 1/2 mile from my house every Monday, Tuesday and Friday. They've also got a RS3 that sometimes creaks and groans past. For steam, I'd have to say a toss up between Lima and Climax...

I do a mix of freelanced names and names of people that I know. I had a friend once who had named everything on his fictional branchline of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton after things related to the Detroit Tigers. The towns and big industries were things like Cobb's Hill, Corktown (the...

In the Rochester NY paper a couple weeks ago there was a short notice indicating that the Arcada and Attica has had to suspend excursions with the steam engine due to new federal regulations and insurance issues in New York State. The tone of the article suggested that it isn't coming back...

Ok, seeing as how time's up tomorrow, I'm going to go ahead and declare this entry as done. There's still a lot that I'd like to do -- need to build a freight platform, finish the interior, weather, etc. For now, though, the main structure is complete and I'll keep plugging away at the other...

Scupting figures is actually really popular among metal miniature wargaming hobbiests (e.g. Warhammer). I don't wargame, but 7 or 8 years ago I looked into making a 1/64 scale castle scene just for the heck of it and stumbled on to this hobby. Basically, you can build up a figure in two part...

I've lived in the British Isles for several extended periods of time in my life: I regularly rode both the Tube in London and the Great Western service between London and Somerset, and once took the overnight Caledonian sleeper from Bristol to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. That was...

Have you tried milliput or another 2-part epoxy putty? This stuff has the consistency of modelling clay, but will stick really well to almost any surface. It has at least 15 minutes of work time before it sets up and is basically indestructable (and paintable with acrylic craft paint) when...

I think Miles' idea is the one to go for, although instead of wood I'd wrap the Bic pen section in brown kraft paper (like on grocery bags). Either strips of paper, as in Miles drawing, or possible vertical lines drawn in ink if you don't want to mess around with really small detail work. You...

Next up are shingles and different pieces of trim. This is after about 90 minutes worth of work. The octagon cut shingles are from Rusty Stumps, and I highly recommend them.

I also had to decide what to do with the gingerbread panels under the eaves. Below is the worst photograph in the world, but it shows the prototypical arrangement. I went out to the station and looked carefully, and each of the lines you see is less that 1 inch in width. For the life of me, I...

Slowly but surely making progress here. I think there's too much work to be done in the summer (work entailing barbecues, baseball games, and the dreaded honeydew list). Anyway, I've finished the roof and made some decisions about the structure overall. Framing the roof ended up being not as...

I know this is heresy, but... For $150, you can buy a seat on an Amtrak train from New York City to Chicago. It will take 18 hours with one transfer in Albany. For $180, you can buy a seat on AirTran from NYC to Chicago. It will take 2 hours, nonstop. For about $70, you can buy two tanks of...

jawdropNice... Everything about this project is just awesome, and the video is icing on the cake.:thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb::thumb: