Interior detail shelving model

As part of creating interior detailing for my dyeworks garage and repair building I decided to build a small shelving detail.  The photo below shows my model on the right and a similar Sierra West resin casting on the left.  My model is largely made from card stock that is slightly heavier than index card stock.  You can see an HO figure behind the SW casting.  The contents of my shelving are mostly bits of plastic sprues and small pieces of wood.  There is one commercial detail which is a small double ended wrench on the top of the shelving.  In the center of the top I tried to simulate a row of bottles by glueing small bits of wire to a piece of styrene and painting them different colors.

Building this small detail was actually quite easy and took maybe an hour of actual work time (with glue and paint drying time in between).  It is likely that this will be hard to see once in place with the roof on the building even though the front of the structure is almost completely open, but it has been fun doing it.  I plan to do more of these kinds of detail parts in the future.

Dyeworks tank

This is a stand-alone tank made from parts of a Walthers modular industrial tank.  It connects to one of the pipes on the first dyeworks building.  The tank is sitting on a base made from Doctor Ben's Baby Building Blocks which give a rough edged appearance.  There is also a small plaque with a raised #6 on it - part of the leftover plastic sprues I keep to use for pipes and such.

The third and last dyeworks structure is partially complete.  It is a wood garage and repair shop - mostly open so I am detailing the interior.  Interior detailing takes time.

Dyeworks building 2

Although this structure is not complete I thought I would show where I am at.  There are details to add and fixes to be performed, plus I still have yet to add signage to the structures.  I have made some preliminary signs using the Apple presentation software and am tweeking them.  This is a three story structure with office facilities on the top floor.  There will also be an elevated walkway from the opening in the railing on the top level platform which will connect to the roof of the first building.

The structure includes a variety of building materials including brick, clapboard siding, straight wood siding and corrugated metal siding.  There is also an enclosed exterior stairway on the left side.  When I started on this structure I only had a vague idea of how it would end up so it is what it is.  More to come.

Log pond water

As I mentioned a while ago I finally poured the "water" into my sawmill log pond.  I used EnvioroTex Lite.  One aspect that has caused me to procrastinate on this pour was the logs, log boat and log haul that would be encased once I did the pour.  It seems to have turned out well and I am happy with it.  Next I will be doing more detail work around the pond.

I also have a Fantasonics sawmill sound effects installed under the mill providing a realistic environment.

I am still working on the next dyeworks structure.

Dyeworks progress and water

Progress on my dyeworks has been slow this week due to other projects, mostly working in the yard now that the weather has been unusually warm and the grass and weeds have been growing out of control.  I am working on the second dyeworks structure of what will likely be only three (not counting outside tanks of which there will be more).  Below is an old photo which has provided some inspiration for the structure that I am now working on.

The building I am using for inspiration is on the left.  The structure on the right looks like it may have been a stable.  My structure is actually three stories with the top floor being wood.  There will be an elevated walkway to the previous structure.

Another activity taking some of my time has been the finishing of my sawmill log pond.  I have procrastinated pouring the water since once that is done the pond is fixed for better or worse.  I have poured water effects on my layout many times but with the logs and log tug to be encased I want to be sure I have it as right as I can.  I have seen dozens of model log ponds done in varying colors - some way too bright colors for my tastes, so I have played with various colors and finally settled on what is sort of an olive green over top of a semi-dark brown so that the pond is not a solid color.  The greenish color was done using Dr. Ben's pond scum liquid.  I guess I will go with this colorization.  Last night I did a test pour in a paper cup of some EnviroTex Lite two-part epoxy resin.  The reason for the test pour is that I have had the unopened bottles for at least 15 years and wanted to be sure they were still good before I poured the stuff in my pond.  This morning the epoxy seems to have cured just fine so tonight or tomorrow I will do the pour in my pond.  My concern has been that if it does not go well, the logs and the base of the log haul with be encased.  Oh well, it is only a model!

I have used Envirotex Lite in the past with success my biggest project being my port harbor.  I have also used Magic Water and Woodland Scenics water (I will never use that again as over time bubbles have appeared).  I have done several streams and two waterfalls so water effects are not all that hard.  The nice thing about the Envirotex is it provides a harder surface for the long term.  I poured my harbor over 10 years ago and it is still good.  The biggest ongoing issue with water has been keeping it dusted.