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Shamus, I mixed the plaster as you suggested and it sure makes the task a lot easier. I made a print of your photo attempting to copy the technique. 'Forget it' as the kids would say. Luckily I had a cup or two of cut blue stone 9.5 TO 1 cm) and stuck them into the plaster. At my skill...

Hi Shamus & Sumpter250, Let me start by saying I couldn't have gotten this far without your help and direction. I'm 40# into 'basecoat plaster' by USG and as you say Shamus, it's much easier to use than finished plaster and far better than hydrocal (although hydrocal is stronger)...

Hi Shamus & Jim, I know I'm repeating myself but Shamus you are unbelievable. I made a mistake when picking up the plaster and ended up with finishing grade rather than the scratch coat; that may be part of the problem; that coupled with uncertainty. I'll get the scratch grade and keep on...

At it again; needing help. I've formed the hills and mountaiins with hydrocal and plaster with pretty good satisfaction. The portals and waterfall areas came out good but I'm unable to develop the technique for rock and strata details. Could I add agrigate (crushed concrete or crusthed rock) to...

Charlie, thanks for the information and the excellent demonstration on how to construct rocks from styrofoam. I've already built the plaster shell but am going to try to use styrofoam pieces to simulate outcrops and small rocks by adding the styrofoam to the wet plaster as I'm applying the...

MSH, Charlie, Casey, I'm off to the store but next week (nearest discount chain is about 60 miles and we group our purchases for the 'day away'. Another question if I may. I just finished the hydrocal shell coats and am now focusing on the fock formations, I have some rubber molds for some...

MSH, Can you identify the shade or tint information on the Home Depot paint? The price is right and I'm getting ready to start the coloring phase of my project. Thanks, Jim

I was having a lot of problems with metal wheels on IHC trucks after trying Kaydee and P2K & was told to try Intermountain. They are more money (bulk rate is about $50/100) but sure work great. I don't know anything about 'The Tool". Does it reshape the truck pockets & /or confirm the axle...

Thanks everyone for your inputs. I decided to go with Phil's recommendation and order the Stewart Hoppers @ $5/ea, not only for the low price but also I'm from the Hudson Valley and the name selections have good NE selections plus the couplers look like Kaydee. All I need to do is change the...

Shamus, Great hearing from you and hope you get back on the high road real soon. Take care, Jim

Great work Charlie, thanks for sharing. I was asking (on another thread) how dark to stain the wood. Your trestle color is great. Take care, Jim

Casey, Thanks again for the info. I just received by dimensional lumber yesterday and looking forward to staining the batch. Take care, Jim

Casey, Thanks for your inputs. A few questions if I may: 1. the ink to alcohol mix; was that a 16 oz bottle? 2. what was the mix for your structures? 3. your attached photos look great. The first one has the tressle wood looking like a brown but the second has the wood...

Val/Mike & CO. I'm also starting to put together tressle bridges and would like help on selectiing the stain. I was going to use a walnut wood stain but what is the advantage of the alcohol/ink mix? Also what is the mix ratio? Thanks, Jim

Our thaughts & prayers are wilth you and hopefully you will be better real soon. Take it easy and let the world catch up. Jim

Ron, thanks for the tips. I would have soldered the rails because I never thaught about the risk of shorts. Also I use flextrack and never hand laid the rails so I need to find out about manually spiking the rails. This hobby is loaded with details. Take care, Jim

I used tortoise machines with Peco turnouts and am very pleased with both products. The base is 1/2' plywood and I substituted the 23 mil piano wire supplied by Tortoise with 30 mil wire to provide adequate spring action. I also found the template drawing supplied by Tortoise was a must when...

Thanks everyone. I'll use the lighter gauge 9Code 83) and bring the rails to a point (solder) thereby making one unit and easier to install. I'll use the gauge to make sure of the clearances. Take care, Jim

Thanks guys, I'll make a few with the scrap code100 sust to get a hang on how to make the fixtures and gauge. I'll pick up Code 80 rail when I'm making the remainder. Bye the way, I'm planning to fab the guardrail in 4" lengths, (point to point) [1.5" taper on each end]. Is that...

Thanks to Shamus sharing his skill and experience we always learn from his work and strive to reach his level of expertise. Thanks to the internet, we can follow his leadership. Technol- ogy also provides, glue, hot gun, clamps, chop saw and acrylic paints that make modeling easier than in...