Probably My Final HO Model

[finescalerr]

Yes, sometimes I really do build a model and this one was to see whether I could still build in HO scale. Fortunately I managed and the result seems at about the same level as I achieved around 1990. The materials are the same: Strathmore cardstock with a minimum of stripwood, in this case a single piece of scale 6x6 for the deck footings and timbers. The inspiration was a 1958 model by Jack Work. -- Russ

[finescalerr]

The photo really doesn't show it but all those bricks are three dimensional. The roll roofing is printed laser paper. The trim is 100 lb. Strathmore Vellum, 0.013-inch thick, just about perfect for HO scale inch thick boards. I cheated by using Grandt Line windows; it's just not worth the hassle to make your own windows in such a small scale. -- Russ

[finescalerr]

I used a Lipton tea bag to represent the vent screening. Even the deck planks and stairs are printed paper but I stained them with an artist's marker to reduce contrast. I think the total expense for the project was between one and three dollars although that seems almost pointless in an age where you can't buy a decent HO diesel for under about $200. Anyway, I managed to muddle my way through building the tiny structure and am very unlikely ever to scratchbuild another in a scale my eyes barely can resolve! -- Russ

[SandiaPaul]

Very nice, I really like the bricks, how did you make them 3D?

[TRAINS1941]

Nice job Russ.

Next you'll have to do one in 120.3!

Jerry

[finescalerr]

Paul, the bricks were mindlessly easy: I had photographed a wall so I scaled the bricks to HO in Photoshop. I had drawn plans for the structure in CAD, printed them as a PDF, and imported that into Photoshop. I added the board artwork (also a scaled photo) onto a new layer, pasted the bricks onto another layer in Photoshop, erased everything but what I wanted, flattened the image, and printed the walls with my photo inkjet on Strathmore. Then I embossed both the board lines and the brick courses (both horizontal and vertical) with the blunted needle from a grade school compass. Even in HO it couldn't have taken more than 20 minutes. -- Russ

[SandiaPaul]

Thanks Russ, they look great. I love those old Jack Work articles. I guess that shows my age!

[Bill Gill]

Russ, The 3D brick paper worked well. Being inspired by a model over 60 years old and building the structure for a couple dollars can serve as an example for the rest of us.

[Lawton Maner]

Satisfactory.

[nk]

FOr that scale you would be hard pressed to include any better detail. Beautiful work.

[Ray Dunakin]

Sweet!