details – Page 7 – Notes on Designing, Building, and Operating Model Railroads

Down to the details

A few emails from fellow prototype modelers have inspired me to push a couple of models further along. I built the models when I lived in El Paso but they need just a few more details. It’s time to wrap these up. I spent time making the details the other day. Can you tell what they are? They are grouped together in a one-inch square on my workbench. Now I need to find the freight cars and install these final parts.

This all reminds me of the chorus of a Tom Waits song from his Mule Variations LP. The song lyrics are pretty dark, but this project isn’t at all!

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Roster shots

This 36-foot C&O boxcar is one of my recent builds. This resin kit and the decals were created by a friend.

I often snap photos of projects as they progress on my workbench. It is so easy to capture images with a cell phone, point and shoot camera, or a digital SLR. I’m able to share ideas and techniques with friends and I can send out a call for help when I screw something up.

Easy boxcar update

I like to wrap up a project or two before a prototype modeler meet so I can take the models for display. A couple of months ago I came across an Accurail 36-foot boxcar that I had detailed but had not completed. That’s how the model appeared when I decided to finish it off.

Photography

I use a camera to document lots of model work. My iPhone is typically used at the workbench to capture details during a build but I also like to snap photos with my DSLR to document stages of construction. It’s more of an official company photographer act. This post leads with a photo of my studio set up in the garage. I keep it simple.

Tidbits

It’s been hot and humid in middle Tennessee, plus I’ve been in and out of town. I haven’t done much modeling but a couple of tasks were completed. The lead photo shows the M-15 boxcar trucks. Of course, the B&O couldn’t use the same type of trucks on different car sub-classes. It’s just another detail to work through as the models await a decent day for the spray booth.