The Housatonic RR in N scale

[Pomperaugrr]

This layout is genuinely such a great example of what modern shortline railroading has to offer; just wonderful!

I’m not sure if you’re aware or not @Pomperaugrr , but Dave Blaze on Facebook has done several chases of the Housatonic and has a great collection of material documenting them. You’ve nailed several locations he’s photographed to a T!

I will have to look for that collection on Facebook.  Thanks for the compliment. 
Your forum name is awesome, by the way.  My wife and I are both team owners individually.  Go Pack Go!

[Pomperaugrr]

The latest project was to paint and ballast the spur track leading into Specialty Minerals.  I added some limestone spillage and weeds too.  The second project was painting and ballasting the track and scratchbuilding the unloading area for Stratas Foods.  They take in vegetable oil and corn syrups, then repackage them for consumer retail sale.  That was Sunday night, thanks to a few hours of unexpected free time.  I still need to add unloading hoses, spillage containment equipment, etc.  There is no anti-fall protection at the proto location, so that is one less thing to have to model.

Edit:  In reviewing the photos, I actually think there is not enough randomness on the weeds near Stratas Foods. I may remove a few clumps and add some sparse static grass as weeds between the main and the sidings. It will hopefully add a little more in the way of color and texture variations.

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[sd45elect2000]

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Here is a shot i got today while trespassing. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

It still tickles me everytime I see the boxcar

[Pomperaugrr]

Here is a shot i got today while trespassing.

It still tickles me everytime I see the boxcar

I just got back from vacation and saw this.  Those are awesome shots!  Thanks!

Eric

[sd45elect2000]

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Heres a couple more with tons of little details

[Pomperaugrr]

Heres a couple more with tons of little details

Awesome.  Thank you again.

[Pomperaugrr]

I worked on the Neeltran location yesterday. I built in the craft foam paved area and weathered it, and then added some scenery back around the plant. I still need to weather and detail the building, but for now, I am focusing on general scenery.

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My "high tech" ballast application system. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
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[packers#1]

That looks really really good! Can you explain the craft foam paving a bit more, or is there a post somewhere that dives into it?

[Pomperaugrr]

That looks really really good! Can you explain the craft foam paving a bit more, or is there a post somewhere that dives into it?

Thank you.

I used 1/8" craft foam sheets that you can get at any arts and crafts store, like Michaels.  I simply glued it to the foamboard where the industry is located.  I used lightweight spackling compound to build it in and hide the seam between the 2 sheets and weathered it using pan pastels.

[Pomperaugrr]

I added some bushes and weeds to the Neeltran scene tonight.
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[Pomperaugrr]

Life has been hectic, but I did make some time to rough in some pavement and sidewalks in the New Milford area on the Housatonic layout. This is only gray craft foam being fitted in place to represent streets, sidewalks and parking lots. Shown are roads in downtown New Milford and the H.H. Taylor & Son Hardware and Lumber retailer at the end of Railroad Street. No paint or weathering has been applied yet and nothing has ben glued down, except the base layer of craft foam. There is still a lot to do, but this 5 foot long area was in need of more than just brown painted foam board.

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Your craft foam streets FINALLY got me to try it myself.

Results are promising so far.

[Pomperaugrr]

I like the texture of the foam, and weathering with pan pastels produces an acceptable appearance.  For New Milford, I will scribe expansion joints in the sidewalks and stipple on some various craft paints for aged concrete tones.  The roads will get a light airbrushing with darker grays, I'll apply the road markings and then add pan pastel weathering. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like the texture of the foam, and weathering with pan pastels produces an acceptable appearance.  For New Milford, I will scribe expansion joints in the sidewalks and stipple on some various craft paints for aged concrete tones.  The roads will get a light airbrushing with darker grays, I'll apply the road markings and then add pan pastel weathering. 

Yep. But then a certain idiot got brown paint on his... so I've gotta paint it anyway. lol

[Pomperaugrr]

Yep. But then a certain idiot got brown paint on his... so I've gotta paint it anyway. lol

It happens!  I have been experimenting with different techniques on each application.  I figure, worst case, at $.99 per sheet, mistakes are easily replaced.