New Peco turnout control system

Here's a youtube introduction video to the new Peco turnout motors and control systems called Smartswitch.
A huge improvement over the old snap type motors.
Smartswitch is a complete set of a control board, screws, mounting brackets and 4 servos.
MFRP is £65,- , but I've seen it advertised at £55,- already, which makes this a very attractive set. Additional servos retail for about £13,95 each at this moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4nT3aO1jmU

New Look

I decided to update the look of this blog with one of the new templates provided by Blogger.
I'm sure I could make it look a bit better, but that is something I'll do another day.

The main reason for this update is so that the actual blog column is a bit wider, and is better capable of displaying the newer wide screen and HD Youtube video's, that didn't quite fit in the old design anymore.

I do need to look at the header picture, as it's not wide enough for my liking....

Greely Freight station museum layout

Enjoy!

Adding Posters to a structure wall and more

Here's a nice tutorial of how to add posters to a building wall using just plain printed paper signs.
The usual way of doing this is using decals. This tutorial shows it can be achieved in a simple way.



The product called Mod Podge is available in the UK in Hobbycraft stores, you'd want the matte version which can be purchased in 236ml containers for 4 pounds.

To get you started, here is  a link to some signs, mostly aimed at 50's 60's modelers: Signs

If you let the video play on, there's also a tutorial on building vineyards and scratch building a shed.

scratchbuild supplies

Sometimes it is fun to build something completely from scratch, eventhough 'ready to roll' dominates the market, and not everyone likes (or has the time) to scratchbuild, or kitbash.

Yet from time to time there's something I'd like to try, but it's not always easy to get the parts you need.
Thankfully Model Junction has recognised this too, and they're slowly expanding their range of scratchbuild materials. They've recently added Plastruct, and Evergreen styrene items.

Pay them a visit, order something, and make it worthwhile for them to keep sufficient stock in house, we can all benefit from that, and not having to rely on foreign orders here in the UK.

Model Junction Scratchbuild supplies

OUPS......

I thought I was nearly ready to apply dullcote to the shell and start weathering, but then I discovered something:

 I used the wrong WINGS!

They should be a bit bigger,these are second gen diesel size (low short hood),  looking through my drawers I don't have any in stock, so I've ordered the correct ones.

What confused me is that the illustrations that came with the pack showed these applied to a high hood diesel too... 

I need an eye test...

Winter scenery operations

I recently came accross this video. You might be familiar with it. It is filmed on Mike Confalone's Allgash layout.
It shows his very convincing late winter scenery. Looking at it , you can almost feel the near 0 degree temperatures, and makes a nice change from the usual summer grasses and blossoming trees you see so often.
Also nice is the ALCo RS , with a nice engine sound, it made me want a model like that too, beaten up and weathered of course :-)