This is the first article in what several of us on the Forum are trying to develope. Not that many haven't already shared their projects with us in the past, but a more in depth series of "how to project" topics which might answer someone's questions and help them take the initial plunge into constructing their scenery. I know from my own experience that even though you may have the ideas, starting can be very intimidating.
I am far from an expert in this area but believe if I can document how I went about developing this project from the initial idea to the finished product it may be a little more helpful to some. If you have a project, let's see it.

I have a small area behind the chimney on the layout with one lonely clapboard flat that I had built a while back. It is also in an area that does not stand out when viewing the layout.



I decided to put together some hybrid flats using a combination of building materials that I had on hand and at the same time needed to configure them to be more noticeable.




I mocked up some walls and positioned them where I thought they would enhance the existing flat.



Using Ameritowne fronts, foamcore, clapboard siding veneer and plastruct brick sheet I glued them in place. (I finally realized that it is better to put hot glue on the brace and then install it rather than trying to glue in place, you see the mess that makes)




I wanted to be able to detail the inside later so devised a hinged bracket to securely hold the sidewall to the front and still be able to separate them.



This is the basic structure in place for try out purposes



Now some finish paint, some weathering and signs







I will keep updating this as progress is made. Lots more to do!

Ray,

Nice series, and I for one think that OGR Magazine might want to rethink the policy of NOT publishing photos/with how i did it captions, as you just did. I'm only guessing, but will stick ny neck out that there are plenty who just read forums, and many others who just read magazines.

Nice series of photos of the process

Ed R

Very nice. Looking forward to your progress.

Gene Anstine

Ray,

Staggering the buildings is a great way to provide more relief to what might otherwise be a relatively flat scene. Nice work!

Dennis Brennan

Nice work and great ideas. Keep 'em coming, please!

outstanding as always Ray - and a great idea not only in what you accomplished, but documenting it here.

tip o' the cap to you . . .

love the ingenuity displayed with your 'hinge' technique! isnt it amazing what a few scraps of balsa and popsicle sticks ...

Very nicely modeled and described.

Thanks,
Jim

In fact, that's such a good idea, I think I have to steal, er "borrow" it . . .

project update
time for some paint on the store section
I rarely use paint from the bottle without mixing it with another color to tint it and also thin it out.
Fot this section I mixed light brown with a little darker brown and a couple drops of black to get a nice moca color for the storefront but mixed it a little different for the windows.
Like I said the paint is thinned down mainly to keep from filling in any detail so I usually have to do 2 coats but the 2nd one goes on real fast.



after the paint dried I mixed some black paint and water and used this wash to age and dirty up the fresh paint.





while I was down stairs having the BLT my wife made for lunch one of the mini people must have thrown a rock at the windows I just installed



it's a good thing we boarded up the lower window





the left side of the structure is aging quite well



another dress rehearsal

Ray, your mortar work is great! Love the cracked windows. You need some "little" cops that patrol that area.
Also, I may have missed it, where did the original clapboard flat come from?

ray: i agree with vulcan: the mortar work is top notch and the cracks in the windows certianly adds a layer of realism ... do you know if anyone sells curtains for the windows? i think some of those pull-downs would look great on them ... perhaps its something that can easily be scratchbuilt.

can you give us some info on applying the posters to the structures as well? thanks so much for taking the time to post the process and share it here ... i'm learning a lot from your work!

Very good point, Gizzmo. Threads like this need to be preserved somehow.

Ray, great job and a very nice way to use these flats. I'm going to have a corner of the layout where I could definitely use this technique. Thanks for taking the time to show this great project!

I must say that brick mortar is never easy for me.
It may take several iterations before I get something I'm satisfied with.
On this store front I ended up using a heavy light grey wash and wiped it down while wet with a tight weaved cloth. After it dried I sanded the brick face leaving the mortar.

Vulcan the clapboard flat was my 1st scratch job about a year ago.
I have pictures of how I made it and if this "new project" topics idea goes over may use it as a future topic.



bfishma check out the curtains, that is dress trim etc.
it is about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide and comes wound on a cardboard card.
I happened across a large quantity of different colors and styles from a local company that was going out of business.

as far as signs and posters I use the old sand the back until it is super thin, paint a thin layer of yellow glue on the back and stick it.
After it sits for a short time use your finger nail to seat into all the mortar lines and clapboards. I start with a piece of masking tape in the center of the back because when sanding the middle tends to thin out 1st.
If you want the sign to look older you can even scuff the front with the sandpaper and run some stains down it or even sand a section right off.

CSX Al thanks, I did learn a lot from your great house project

I still have a lot more detailing to do inside and out as well as sidewalks and street etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Vulcan:
Very good point, Gizzmo. Threads like this need to be preserved somehow.

... how do you spell formaldahyde?

I've had to "fudge" the depth of most builings on my small layout. I even went so far as a line of "HO" buildings as a background city scene (lit, with Miller signs on top). Joe

Well done, Ray!

First rate job, and a very useful series. Thanks

not too much progress, was only able to rough out sidewalks from masonite.
Will need to detail them and finish street.
On a sad note the old man fell from his chair and can't get up!

Hope he has a "Clapper". Good work, Ray.

quote:

Originally posted by dgauss:
Hope he has a "Clapper". Good work, Ray.

or a medic-alert bracelet!

Aw, he'll be alright....once he sleeps it off.

Good work, Ray!

cut a section of spare roof shingles to use as a street

will be sanding it and using talc powder or cement dust on it to tone it down.

Ray:

In case I haven't mentioned it before - you do really really nice work.