July 30, 2008 | Comments Off

The 2008 National Train Show was held at Anaheim (site down? try Google Cache) on July 18th-20th.

Some Highlights
Model Railroader has a preliminary and a final report listing the new products that came out.

Model Railroad Hobbyist has a bunch of product videos including Microsoft Train Simulator 2 first public showing.

Some of the better photos from the event i found were Mike’s and Harry K. Wong. Both have a ton of pictures from the show to satisfy all who could not be there.

Orange Country Register’s video of the show sums it all nicely.

July 28, 2008 | Comments Off

I have been trying out different methods of making windows
and finally settled for this method. Its fast and the windows come looking decent.

Glazing
I use Butyrate Sheet (0.010 thick) made by K&S engineering. I had got them from Micro-Mark but they are not available there anymore. I did find some at Internet Trains or you could look for it at you local hobby or craft store. Some also call it clear acetate sheet.

Frames and Muntins
For the window framing i used 1/16″ White Matt Graphic Tape and for the muntins i used 1/64″ tape. These i got from GrafstickTapeLabel. It not expensive as the 1/16″ was $1.50 and the 1/64 was $3. They also have a ebay listing.

Left: 1/16″ Right: 1/64″

Assembly Process
I used ModelBuilder to create and print out my HO scale windows that i used as a template. I used three windows at a time to speed up the assembly process.

1: Window template taped

2: Butyrate sheet placed/taped on the template.

3: Used the 1/16″ as the window framing/casing. Cutoff the excess/overlap using an xacto knife.

Using a template helps in keeping the lines straight.

3: Used the 1/64″ as the window muntins. Cutoff the excess/overlap using an xacto knife.

Don’t bother with trimming the excess window framing as they will be hidden.

4: Windows done and ready for cutting

5: Windows installed.

Dirty Windows
Since this will be a workshop, i wanted to weather the windows. This is a neat trick i learnt from the Easy Weathering DVD to dirty the windows. I used a file to ground a brown pastel chalk.

Ground brown pastel powder

Dab a dry paintbrush in it and apply to the back of the windows in an up-down stroke.

Dirty windows

Once you are done, spray the wall with a Krylon “Preserve-It” matt fixative spray. This will prevent the powdered chalk and the printer color from fading over time.
Note: Spraying it with Krylon, made the windows look frosty/unclear. Since this is to be a workshop structure, i was happy with the way it came out, however i would not do this if it was a residential structure.

Dirty and frosty windows after the Krylon application

You can use this method for any window opening. Check out actual windows manufacturers sites for sizing and print and re size the images to use as a template. Hope you will find the pictures and explanations easy to follow. Drop me a line if you have any questions regarding this method.

July 25, 2008 | Comments Off

Funny Intercity advert…

July 23, 2008 | Comments Off

Pictures are better than words but a video can explain everything much better. I had read articles and magazines on weathering techniques but never attempted one. Was a bit afraid of not knowing how much to put and thereby messing it up. So i decide to get the Easy Weathering Techniques DVD to see how it is properly done.

This DVD, a transfer from a VHS, runs for around 60 minutes and costs $24.50 It shows the various standard weathering techniques that modellers use. Dave and Bob take a squeaky clean rolling stock and then weather them using Pastel and Dry powder, Stains and Washes. They show Dry brushing techniques, Commercial weathering products and how to use them.

The clips of each technique are close-ups and they go slowly with the brushes so that we can see how its done. They also show a prototypical photo of a weathered boxcar and show how to get the same effect using all of these techniques.

NOTE: Check out real railroad pictures. Hidden Images has great closeup photos of locomotives and rolling stock that you can study for real-life weathering.

The last 20 minutes of the DVD is devoted to airbrushing. They weather a freight, oil tank, passenger, steam engine and flextrak using this method. I don’t have an airbrush but Dave mentioned in the video, that you can achieve the same results using the earlier methods.

They showed all products they used. They explained the steps in detail and recapped it at the end. Watching them apply the pastel powders and seeing them dry brush, my apprehensions were laid to rest and i might try their technique on some of one of my boxcars.

The DVD mentioned about a Quick Reference card listing the tools and materials used, mixing formulas, and suppliers that was included. Mine did not contain any cards but you can download them off Dave’s site.

I really learnt a lot from this DVD and is a great addition to your model railroad library.

For more details, check out the sample clip via Micro-mark.

July 21, 2008 | Comments Off

10 great rail journeys as depicted by the Telegraph.

July 18, 2008 | Comments Off

July 17, 2008 | Comments Off

If your next flight is short and you are purchasing the tickets within 14 days of your departure, maybe you want to check out the rail connections. Travellers Notebook did a cost comparison of short hops between trains and flights and found 21 cheaper trains.

In this article, Boston to Portland via train is $48 compared to flying at $353. Considering gas prices these days, they could have added that to show train travel becoming a better alternative. Boston to Portland is around 225 miles. This in a 30 mpg car with $4 per gallon gas would be around 30$ for the round trip. Now you include the hassles of driving, miles on your cars…Train travel wins!

July 15, 2008 | Comments Off

Trainz Classics
For those who are interested, the third volume of the Trainz Classics has started shipping. It is also available via digital download. The price of both format is $25.99.

I am not sure if i will go for it yet. I use Trainz 2006 and feel let down after purchasing the earlier Classics. As it was not compatible, i could not bring over my favourite locomotives and scenery from Trainz 2006. However, I really like the screenshots and new features of Classics 3. I also like passenger operations. So maybe?

Subway Simulator
A new ingame video has been posted. It runs for about 3 minutes and is around 65MB. I extracted a 20 second clip as a teaser. I really love the lighting effects but i dont think my current pc configuration will be able to handle it. Anyway, enjoy the teaser and then download the whole video.

July 14, 2008 | Comments Off


I use Chipboard as the main building component. These come in various thickness. I generally use 0.024 inch thick for the roofs and
0.04 inch as the walls. Again, there are no hard and fast rules. I choose these thickness as i found them to be sturdy enough but also can be easily scored and cut.

In relation to the real world, a 0.024 inch thick would be the thickness of a cereal box and the 0.04 would be the backing of a writing pad or the thickness of a US dime.

If you are staring out building your first structure in card, you can use the cereal box and the writing pad. Also, sometimes, the photo framing section of your craft store like Michael’s sometimes sell scrap matt board cheap. These are usually thicker than 0.04 and you will need a few extra passes with your knife to cut out windows. However, you can try them and see what you are comfortable with.

If you are making a lot of structures, you will need a good supply of cardstock. I get mine through ckresale. They have a lot of different sizes and price wise they are reasonable. If you want you can try their sample set for $1 + free shipping. Payment is through Paypal, so is safe. I did try out their sample first
and then looking at the various thickess and sizes settled for .02 and .04 thick in 8.5 x 11 size for my models.

The other material i use is matt photo paper from any office store. Keep a lookout for some deals on photo paper. Since i use Model Builder software for plans, i print them to a photopaper. It has some weight to it. I then use gluestick to apply the plan onto the cardstock.

In Part 3, I will talk about some cuting cardstock and making windows.

Here are some of the work-in-progress based on my Scratchbuilding using CardStock series.

Plans and windows printed on photo paper

Photo paper stuck on cardstock using gluestick

To make window frames, you can cut out the whole frame as i have done. This gives it a one piece look. More about windows will be in a later post.

One wall and windows cut out.

Walls, windows and doors all cut

Close-up of a wall
July 11, 2008 | Comments Off

Ben Jervey, for GOOD Magazine, recently took a trip from New York to San Francisco to understand what the American Rail system lacks. He files this excellent report called Train in Vain. What he had to say about the types of passengers was very true.

I counted four types of passengers. There are thrifty ones looking to save a few bucks on plane tickets. There are those who are scared of flying, a group that has no doubt grown in recent years. There are the zealots—without exception, older men—who describe themselves with charming lack of inhibition as “rail junkies,” “railroad nuts,” “train buffs,” or, my personal favorite, “railfans.” The rest—indeed the majority—say they’re here for “the experience.”

[via Mefi]

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