The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[davefoxx]

Looks like every random field along US25 on the way to Grandma’s house in Greenville; seriously well done!

Thanks, Sawyer!

DFF

[muktown128]

Dave,

I think the road looks really good in this photo.  The curve, grade approaching the bridge, weathered asphalt with a few new patches all comes together very nicely.

Scott

[packers#1]

Can you tell?   

DFF

Now that Mike mentions it, you will see those draped in kudzu as well. You usually only see it on newer poles though; an older pole like that was usually just stuck in the ground.

I will also add to the chorus that likes the road, the patches are like what those fancy folks up in there in North Carolina do to fix their roads and it fits well with the bridge.

[C855B]

Now that Mike mentions it, you will see those draped in kudzu as well. ...

Oh, that's why I pointed it out. Kuzdu climbing up guys with a tendril aiming for the top is an iconic mental image from my years in the South.

[Bob]

I think the road looks great, Dave. Styene, then light gray paint.  Did you use weathering powder or something else for the darker 'streaks'?  Also, I hate putting in road stripes.  The Woodlands Scenics paint pens just don't work well in my hands.  What did you do for the stripes?  Also really like your kudzu! Bob

[davefoxx]

I think the road looks great, Dave. Styene, then light gray paint.  Did you use weathering powder or something else for the darker 'streaks'?  Also, I hate putting in road stripes.  The Woodlands Scenics paint pens just don't work well in my hands.  What did you do for the stripes?  Also really like your kudzu! Bob

You hit the nail on the head almost exactly.  I used 0.060" black styrene sheet for the roads.  I was able to buy 2' x 4' sheets of styrene from a vendor on eBay.  After the road was cut to fit and sanded to provide a tooth for the paint to stick, I used Rustoleum Light Gray Automotive Primer (my go-to color for faded asphalt).  I used those WS paint pens for the yellow and white traffic lines, and they don't work well in my hands, either.  They're the primary source of dissatisfaction, but I had already started with them and couldn't change back to colored pencils.  I have had success with colored pencils in the past, but, for some reason, on this layout, the white just wasn't covering well enough, so I tried the paint pens.  I hid the worst mistakes, including puddles of yellow and white paint where the pens leaked, under those asphalt patches.  Weathering was just some ground-up black and brown (mostly black) chalk that I spread on the road with a soft brush and blended by rubbing it down with a paper towel.  On the bridge, I also used weathering mixes, which is just powdered chalk in an alcohol solution.  I still have to apply a clear flat spray to the roads and the bridge and then possibly do some final weathering with chalks, if necessary.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[C855B]

Robyn says you need to add the kudzu blossom aroma, one of her favorite memories of our many railfanning excursions. (For you Yankees, it smells kinda like grape Kool-Aid).

[davefoxx]

Robyn says you need to add the kudzu blossom aroma, one of her favorite memories of our many railfanning excursions. (For you Yankees, it smells kinda like grape Kool-Aid).

That would be awesome.  Chiggers and kudzu blossoms for scratch and sniff modeling, perhaps? 

DFF

[CRL]

The smell of kudzu blossoms is interesting. The type of Mountain Laurel we have in the Texas hill country smells like grape cool-aid when it’s blooming. Wonderful smell, and without the downside of kudzu.

[Jbub]

Russian Olive trees in Utah every spring, they smell sweet but not quite sure what like.

[Bob]

So you used the Woodland Scenics paint pens - theoretically they should be good, but mine either don't put out ink, or they leak like crazy.  Has anyone else used these, and are there any tricks to getting the darn things to work better?  Any other fine-tipped paint pens out there?  Very frustrating!  But, as you note Dave, from the distance of the photo your road looks really good.  I have gotten large sheets of black styrene as well, and think I will stick with it.

[Steveruger45]

I used fine point paint pens from Michael’s. They worked ok when brand new and first used but still have the same issues as the WS pens described here when reusing them a day or three latter.

[dem34]

So you used the Woodland Scenics paint pens - theoretically they should be good, but mine either don't put out ink, or they leak like crazy.  Has anyone else used these, and are there any tricks to getting the darn things to work better?  Any other fine-tipped paint pens out there?  Very frustrating!  But, as you note Dave, from the distance of the photo your road looks really good.  I have gotten large sheets of black styrene as well, and think I will stick with it.

I used Mr.Hobby Gundam markers for my roads. Didn't seem to have sputtering issues. Just kinda expensive.

[peteski]

I used fine point paint pens from Michael’s. They worked ok when brand new and first used but still have the same issues as the WS pens described here when reusing them a day or three latter.

Are those the ones that have removable nib?  If so, you could soak the nib in lacquer thinner to dissolve any hardened or thickened paint.

[narrowminded]

For cleaning acetone might work, too.  New nibs are also available at Michaels and probably other craft stores.  You'll have to know the brand or figure out the size but I seem to recall them being standard sizes.