HO/HOn3 Backwoods Tie Mill

KKarns · October 20

I'll look at that Tom, as a slight angle would certainly work. Let me fiddle with it a bit and I'll post a couple possibilities. Thanks much.

TomMich · October 20

Sounds good.

KKarns · October 22

As I work through the final arrangement of the structures for the Backwoods Tie Mill, the work flow now dictates shifting gears a bit to some scenic work that needs done before proceeding with the mill complex.

I felt that the entrance I had established for the Mill created a bottleneck in that the vehicle traffic would have to turn around and head back out the way they came in. I decided to provide additional road access on the other side of the mill. This creates opportunities for some nifty detail work as well as improving the overall work flow of the mill.

The flat area where the pine tree sits is the area for the mill. The "new road" will come in from the bottom of the picture, across the drainage ditch by the tracks at an angle and head in the direction of the pine tree. Faint marks on the ground is about the location of the road. There will be a drainage pipe under the road where it crosses with water in the ditch etc. This liberates the vehicle traffic to come in and out from either direction.

View looking up the track to the road cut. Note the faint lines estimating the road layout.

This area is where I'll be doing a lot of scenic work before proceeding with the mill complex. The ditch will have a small amount of water with standard tree, brushes, grass, litter, etc. scaled in.

The detailing will start here on the right side of the cut. The upper portion is done with more detailing needed on the cut slope and of course the trackside.

The ground work was done with Sculptamold over foam base. Rock outcrop carved into the plaster after it set up a bit. Cut was detailed with real rocks and dirt. Trees are wire armature with sawdust trunks and static grass needles. These are about 2-3 foot trees...step back 2-3 feet and they look pretty good! lol. Still perfecting the process that's for sure. I always like to try something different and challenging with every build. This one was the building of a large number of pine trees and to create a legit appearing pine forest. More later...Ken

KKarns · October 22

A word about track work. It is of my opinion that track work, on a scale diorama, can have a huge impact on the overall impression it leaves with the viewer. I spend an inordinate amount of time on track detailing which of course slows down the process, but in the end it is worth the extra time and effort. I model virtually all my SWSM dioramas in HOn3 with light code 55 rail. I use pre-weathered rail and make my own ties from strip wood. With the issue of ballast, some backwoods lines did not use ballast at all and some, more mainline tracks, did apply it. For the Backwoods Tie Mill diorama, my tack is more a main line and thus is ballasted. In addition, tie plates were seldom used and I never do and is of my opinion they detract from the backwoods "feel" of the light rail. I make my own spike heads, albeit tedious work, from disks of smushed oval solder wire. These disks are then darkened in Jax Peweter Blackening solution. They are then applied individually with fine forceps. Various pigments are used to highlight the rail, ties, etc.

Final results of my track laying and detailing for this project. Once the scenic work is underway additional detailing with vegetation, grass, debris etc. will be filled in.

KKarns · October 22

KKarns · October 22

Better close up.

TomMich · October 22

Your track work is always stellar. Looking forward to seeing the final arrangement.

ALCO · October 22

Gangsta!

admin · October 22

wow, looks amazing. Adds so much to the diorama.

KKarns · October 23

Thanks much Tom. I'll have the layout finalized once the road is roughed in.

Appreciate that Al!

Hey Brett, thanks so much and time well spent that's for sure.

KKarns · October 23

As scenic works continues I take a break now and again to work up some additional 3D printed details. The diorama is going to feature SWSMs Cletrac Tractor. This is such an awesome detail. I have the main body of the vehicle done with the tracks, side engine panels, gear select cluster, and final weathering to finish up.

Here is the Cletrac as it stands right now. Of course the tracks just make the model so we'll have to wait to see them installed. Well used but not overly weathered is my plan...

kebmo · October 23

damn i sure wish you a layout for all your models. i can only imagine how cool it would be.

KKarns · October 23

I hear ya Kevin! I need to do something about the storage and display of all my dioramas. Getting to be an issue for sure.

TomMich · October 23

Going to be a nice addition to the diorama

KKarns · October 23

Thanks Tom, think so as well. Just put the tracks on and began weathering...looks the part. Back to scenery work. I decided to put an old fence along the upper portion of the railroad cut, felt it needed something. Update forthcoming.

TravisS · October 23

She's a beaut Ken! Looks like a lot of fun to weather up.

MuddyCreekRR · October 24

The raw wood really looks great....adds lots of character and tells a story....Liking the brick foundation...I'm thinking of adding a floor and maybe have stone peirs on the corners....Thanks for the inspiration.....I'm also all about building slightly out of square too...

KKarns · October 24

Thanks Art, appreciate it. That sounds really good, looking forward to your take on things.

KKarns · October 24

Here is the Cletrac with the tracks on and weathered.

Primed the track pieces with brown Tamiya spray paint from a rattler can. Detail painted with acrylics then weathered with pigments and oils. This piece is going to really dress up the scene! NOTE: Shift cluster is missing as I destroyed it when a lost track of it on my paint stick and set my arm right on top of it! Replacement on its way thanks to SWSMs "we got your back" top notch service!

East Side Lumber Co. · October 24

That weathering is phenomenal! I keep telling myself I won't tackle the Cletrac till I finish the mill, I may not make it lol

KKarns · October 24

Hey Aaron, appreciate that my friend! The tracks installed really make the thing come to life. I plan on a scene where this guy is being serviced (ie side engine hood up). Now that its about done, back to scenic work...a fence and the road over the drainage ditch and tracks.

Jim M · October 24

Beautiful job on the Cletrac.

KKarns · October 24

Thanks much Jim, it's a great little model and builds up super easy and the detail is amazing.

glandesjr · October 24

Looks superb, Ken, from the machinery, to the Cletrac, to the development of the diorama. The detail work on the weathering is really amazing. Great work. Learn a lot from your work, Ken.

KKarns · October 24

Nice hearing from you as always George! Appreciate the support and kind words for sure. Thoughts from you and this group of amazing modelers means a great deal.

TomMich · October 25

Great job on the tracks and weathering. I really like the build up of mud on the tracks and the collection of debris in the corners and back. Looks well used, but not abused.

KKarns · October 25

Thanks much Tom, that was the look I was going for. It will make a nifty maintenance scene.

MuddyCreekRR · October 26

My standard statement...."it looks realer...that real..."

KKarns · October 26

Thanks Art! Things are coming along. Made some progress on the scenic work, fence posts are in, working on the road today and some additional land forms by the creek.

Jerry · October 29

It looks wondeful Ken. It will be nice to see how this all plays out!

Jerry

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HO/HOn3 Backwoods Tie Mill

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