Task: Finish Coal Loading Facility

Here is the almost finished Clark Coal Mining coal loading facility. The model is lacquered and awaiting final weather dusting. I placed some of the detail items that will accompany it on the layout. Also displayed is the company's MP-15DC switcher locomotive, an Atlas Gold with QSI sound model.

Once I place it in its final position on the layout, I plan on lighting the main structure from within and also spread around coal. I also have an HO scale chain link fence to install, as well as jersey concrete barriers and two port-o-johns.

Task: Complete Coal Loading Facility

I began the final stages of the only industry I plan for the layout - a Coal Loading Facility. This model here is part of 3 total that I have built. These are all made by Walthers Inc. This one, a coal loading building that can load 3 cars at a time is undergoing a rust and grime wash. I had washed the roof with a dark gray mix a few weeks ago after spraying the entire building with an airbrush mix of gray and tan. The metal supports for the coal loading area I airbrushed a black and grey mix diluted with rubbing alcohol - I like the texture it provides with the cheaper acrylic paints from Apple Barrel and Folk Art (sold at Walmart for less than a buck).

As you can see in the photo, I am applying Raw Sienna acrylic paint from Folk Art with car window washer fluid. I am trying to portray the rusting that is common with aged Aluminun/Metal buildings of this style. After the rust, I will wash it with my grime/black wash. I will then install the window glass - the plastic window glass is modeled with framing and for that I will use a fine tipped black Sharpie maker. After the that I will seal the model in matte acrylic lacquer then I will dust it some with weathering chalks. I will then install the stairs and doors. Lastly, I have printed "Clark Coal Mining" signs and mounted them on 3x5 card stock. I will glue these and then dust them some.

I will post more pictures of this structure once completed.

Task: Wood chip car completion

So while I await funding issues to clear up for the additional elevation riser sets, I completed a new piece of rolling stock I purchased recently. Its a CSX Wood Chip hopper. These cars are used to transport wood chips from various lumber related industries to paper-related industries that use pulpwood (e.g. toilet paper, paper towels and printer/copier paper).

The car is a "gold line" car from Walthers, meaning it comes with prototypical couplers and metal wheels, and nice details already installed - like the hand brake used for spotting the car on sidings for example. I added a little extra weight to the car's empty hopper prior to installing a cardboard filler into it. I did this to ensure the center of gravity was as low as possible to prevent "wiggling" when it is moving. I used real wood saw dust left over from the benchwork creation as wood chips. I glued it using a watered down mix of white glue. 24 hours later - the wood chips are dried and hard, I weathered the car with a few washes of Raw Sienna acrylic paint mixed with car window washer fluid. Then I applied a black wash and finally a coat of Dull Cote lacquer. Next step will be to apply a little weathering chalk dust to it once the lacquer dries.