Roca Grain Elevator build

[wazzou]

It looks great Mark.

[dnhouston]

The elevator looks great, nice work Mark.

[Mark W]

So, uh...  surprisingly, I've never actually got this far in any of my layouts.  What's the best way to place/secure buildings?  Do I fix permanently or keep removable?

Keep in mind, this is going on portable modules, however they are designed to be flipped on top of each other and secured with special end plates for transportation, leaving space between to protect the scenery/structures. 

One idea I have is to embed a metal footprint in the terrain and attach magnets to the structures.  This would keep them quite secure, yet removable if need be. 

Any better thoughts/suggestions? 

[railnerd]

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Lots of rare earth magnets here…   keep with the smaller weaker ones; the strong ones are actually quite dangerous.  and the weak ones are dangerous if eaten (by kids, pets, or even grown ups)

[Mark W]

Finally got some more progress on this one.

I hate to admit, I've been stuck on this crossing since my last post, and not for lack of trying. 


Most of the trouble was with the BLMA grade crossings which I've painted, stripped, and re-painted no less than 4 times.  I admit defeat on trying to paint the iron border around the concrete slab. 
Suddenly I had a eureka moment!  Just sharpie it in!





Began with a coat of sienna.  Then black, thinly around the edge of the etch.  While the black is still wet, re-do the sienna and it will mix quite nicely. 


Getting closer...  Making it all up as I go, but closer nonetheless.   

[Catt]

Looking like a winner to me.

[basementcalling]

Late to the party, Mark, but had a couple questions.

Does the software that comes with the machine include drawing software, or do you have to own a CAD type program to use it?

How satisfied were you with quality of the edges of the cuts? Some of the early pictures before painting had rough looking edges to me. Was that true in person or just the effect of the photograph?

What thickness styrene are you able to cut?

Do you think the Silhouette is enough machine or is it worth considering the Black Cat Cougar, which is a major step up in cutters, but also probably 3x the price of the machine you have?

[Mark W]

Does the software that comes with the machine include drawing software, or do you have to own a CAD type program to use it?

Included, extremely easy to learn/use.

How satisfied were you with quality of the edges of the cuts? Some of the early pictures before painting had rough looking edges to me. Was that true in person or just the effect of the photograph?

.010 will cut through, very clean.  .020 will cut deep, but require me to "pop" the part free, or go over it again with an xacto.  So this makes the edge a little rough, but the pattern is perfect. 

What thickness styrene are you able to cut?

.010 and probably .015 can do full cut.  .020+ will only get a deep score.  But an automatic 'trench' guide is WAY easier to re-cut than measuring and following a straight edge.

Do you think the Silhouette is enough machine or is it worth considering the Black Cat Cougar, which is a major step up in cutters, but also probably 3x the price of the machine you have?

  Not familiar with Black Cat Cougar, but as it stands, the Silhouette is the most worth while scratch building tool I've ever bought, by a very long margin. 

[Mark W]

Things are starting to come to life.






Playing in the mud.

[tehachapifan]

I don't know how I missed this thread until now, but that is some outstanding modeling you've done there!!!!

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Looking groovy, and great variation of textures to separate the visual focii.
(not sure about that burning bush though...)

Always love looking at your layers!

[Mark W]

Finish line in sight!!

[peteski]

Cool!  How did you model the field? It looks very realistic.

[Mark W]

Thanks.  Just dragged a segment of old C80 track through grout.  Tie edges made a good plow. 

[peteski]

Thanks.  Just dragged a segment of old C80 track through grout.  Tie edges made a good plow.

Nice!  Simple method - excellent result!