Build a model train

Rob wanted to build up the canyon walls beside the stream on Barbara’s HO layout, once again using left over building materials.

Cutting and bending some old fence wire for support, he attached torn sections of leftover blown foam insulation.  Leftover wire from securing rebar for the house foundation pour was used to secure the foam to the framework while the glue set up.

Canyon walls begin to form on Barbara's model train layout

While detailing and painting may consume a lot of time, this intial construction went very quickly.  The result reminds me of the structures in some Disneyland rides – puffy and cloud-like.  Of course, they may look very different when finished.

Another shot of the canyon walls in process

Barbara’s model train table had to have a river, so Rob got out his handsaw, drill with a wire wheel attached, and his shop-vac.  Carving the foam with the handsaw, he roughed up the surface with the wire wheel while dragging the shop-vac hose back and forth.

Next, he mixed up tile adhesive, Elmer’s glue, and reddish colored grout and spread it one place and another.  Its primary purpose is to secure the platforms the trestles will rest on.  The trestles themselves are not glued down at this point for easier painting access.

Natural flat rocks from the slope outside his workshop will be added later.  He is still experimenting with various goops and will eventually paint the riverbed with acrylics and add the final clear coats to make it look like water rushing through the canyon.

As he put it. “This is only the start, there is a TON of work to do ahead.”  Next on the agenda will be to create a wire frame for the canyon walls.  Keep coming back for more developments.

The early stages of building the HO scale riverbed

Another view of the riverbed

Yet another view of the riverbed

Rob has also begun the early work on the little canyon on his own N scale model train layout.

Rob's N scale canyon - the early stages

What is a model train layout without a drive-in movie theater where movies actually play?  Barbara wanted her little people to be able to enjoy getting out on Saturday night dates.

After cutting a hole in the 2 inch foam base, Rob continued cutting a hole in the table itself.  Adding spacers, he installed a support board for a DVD player which will serve as the movie screen.

The removable parking lot was cut from scrap lumber and placed so as to hide the lower part of the DVD player.  Black paint sprinkled with sand gives the desired parking surface.  More sand will be added later along with tire tracks.

"Movie theater" in place

Unfinished removable parking area set in place for drive-in

Roads and theater parking lot getting surfaced