The Carolina Sandhills Lines in HO Scale

[davefoxx]

It would have been a lot easier to build, if I just let the kudzu hide the sins. 

DFF

[LIRR]

Good idea……decals for roof shingles. I’ve used shingles-printed-on-paper a few time but that would never work on anything but a flat surface

Well done

[Bendtracker1]

[davefoxx]

Think of the effort I could have saved, Allen.  You know?  I have to find a place on the layout to do something like that.  Hmm.

DFF

[Bendtracker1]

Think of the effort I could have saved, Allen?  You know?  I have to find a place on the layout to do something like that.  Hmm.

DFF

  

[davefoxx]

Ask and ye shall receive, @Bendtracker1.  As soon as your post hit my brain, I got inspired and figured that I could throw something like that together with minimal effort.  So, I took scrap black styrene and scratchbuilt this:



Then, kudzu attacks! 



Unfortunately, I have run out of my kudzu leaves, as evidenced by the bare kudzu vines in the yard around the house.  That’ll all get kudzued.  I’ll have to place an order with Scenic Express for more Super Leaf #SE6123 (Spring Green).

Truthfully, I’m not enamored with this location on the layout, because it’s too close to the tracks.  But, I don’t have any other good spot, since I want to limit the kudzu to this corner of the layout.  On the bright side, this is now the first thing you see when you enter the layout room, and I didn’t know what I was going to do with this spot between the track and the aisle anyway, so . . .

DFF

[Tad_T]

That’s cool 😎

[Bendtracker1]

That's awesome Dave!!!
You could also do a small fence line and some telephone poles like it's an abandoned house, which would also give you a perfectly good spot for Kudzu Jesus.
You could have some fun with this space!

[davefoxx]

Thanks!  This will forever be known as “Allen’s house.”   

Unfortunately, I don’t have the stock of the necessary SuperLeaf product to get fancy with utility poles and such.  But, I did dig deep into the SuperLeaf bag and discovered a stash of leaves underneath the package’s bottom flaps.  Success!  At least the project is not left looking half-finished.  I can come back later and fill in the holes in the vines and add more details.  It’s close to the aisle and a really small space, so I probably won’t go too crazy here.





DFF

[davefoxx]

[Danny Harmon voiceover]  “It’s May 1971.  We’re on the S-Line- the old Seaboard Air Line main- somewhere outside of Southern Pines, North Carolina.  This little-known spot is referred to as ‘Allen’s House’ to the locals, presumably, that’s the kudzu-covered shack off to the left of the tracks.  This is a great place to railfan.  On this day, we’re treated to a meet between two mixed freight trains with first- and second-generation motive power on the point.  So, if you’re ever in the area, be sure to find ‘Allen’s House.’  You won’t be disappointed.  Oh, and it’s just down the road from Grady’s BBQ, where they have the best Carolina Pulled Pork sandwiches.  Tell them that Danny sent you, and don’t forget the hushpuppies.  From sunny North Carolina, this is Danny Harmon.  Out.”  [/Danny Harmon voiceover]





DFF

[mu26aeh]

Excellent !  I heard it exactly like his videos.  Always excited to see one pop up on my YT feed

[davefoxx]

Excellent !  I heard it exactly like his videos.  Always excited to see one pop up on my YT feed

Haha!  Me, too.

DFF

[Chris333]

Nice Chia pet.

[davefoxx]

Nice Chia pet.

"Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!"

[davefoxx]

I applied several different colors of Doc O’Brien’s Weathering Powders to the roof.  I hesitate to spray a clear sealer over top, knowing it will erase much of the weathering.





DFF