This and That

First, the latest sunflower picture.

How many sunflowers can you find?



Now, some model railroad stuff.

I believe this is a Dyna Models haberdashery or shoe store. Many of the glue joints have let go. It was assembled with Ambroid glue, you can see where it caused the paint or wood to change color. Or something. My grandfather built this in the 50s. The top of one of the end walls is missing. That is one reason the roof is so crooked.



In my attempt to rehabilitate it, I took off the surely-patented Dyna plastic roof and cleaned off MOST of the Walther's Goo, using lacquer thinner and and brass wire brush. It took a long time, and was not entirely successful. This is about halfway through the job.



This is pretty much what it is going to look like, finished. It's now a bicycle shop! Imagine that!
I think the roof is not really crooked, I think (I HOPE) that it just isn't seated completely.



A close up, showing how little I did. I guess grandpa painted it after assembling it. Boy, that Ambroid glue really soaked into the wood and affected the paint! I am hoping that when I hit it with some Dullcote, that sheen from the glue will disappear.



The whole top side of this wall was broken off and disappeared, so I had to replace it. I also got new plastic windows to replace the missing metal ones. The replacement siding is not clapboard, but scribed, but you can't REALLY tell the difference!



Looking through the window we see the poster hanging on the wall, and the door that really needs more frame around it! Poster and all signs are from the telephone book.



Through the other window. That Schwinn sign looked better when not so enlarged!
I intend to get some bicycles to display in the window and inside.



Things I should have done differently:

• Should have disassembled EVERYTHING!
• Should have squared-up the walls a bit more carefully
• Should have replaced warped floor (from being mounted in wet plaster)
• Should have then painted everything properly.

Woulda coulda shoulda!

I decided on a business and made a sign for the container office. That white window glazing is not so effective, I'm thinking. I'm going to get some heavy equipment, like a bulldozer, to display outside the office. The model was inspired by this one, which looks so much nicer, plus it's only half as long. Mine still needs an air conditioner.



This HO scale farmhouse was built by my grandfather, back in the 50s. I believe it was a Revell kit. Looks a bit worse for wear!



That's about it for now!

Friday In The Garage

Boy, I bet you're getting sick of this garage!

I dug a chunk of Sculptamold out of the layout and stuck it in.



I put the camera on the tripod this time. No more blurry pics!



Peeking in the side window.



Night time on the railroad. Oh noes, a little light leakage!



Despite my best efforts, including a black paper light block under the roof, you can see a bit of light coming through. Well, it's (the roof) glued in (hope the lamp doesn't burn out!) pretty solid, so that's what we're stuck with!

Workin' On A Boxcar

Some pics of my latest project: A boxcar!



I selected this boxcar because "The Family Lines System" reminded me of some covered hoppers I saw in Alabama a couple months ago.



The red plastic is where the Tenax cement ate away the pre-painted, uh, paint. I didn't realize the couplers were already colored rust till I saw this photo, I was going to paint them!



Tiny little parts! I thought I could handle them, because I built a Ambroid 1 of 5000 wood "craftsman" kit, back in the day. IT turned out well. Wish I still had it! It was the yellow outside braced reefer. I also had the vinegar tank car that my grandfather constructed.



A blurrier image, with thumb for size comparison.