In doing research for industries to build for my layout, I came across an interesting fact about the 1950's era that I (and several others) model. One budding industry that I've never seen mentioned (in a model railroading sense) was air conditioning. We often see the use of ice houses being modeled for this period, but AC and refrigeration were bursting onto the scene.

Quote:In the Jan. 29, 1951 issue of The News, it was reported that sales of household refrigerators for the first 10 months of 1950 had exceeded 5 million units.

Waterfall Tutorial
Steve.....That's an awesome tutorial....straightforward and well illustrated. And the results are terrific..!!!
Guess I'll have to make room for one when I get around to building the peninsula section of the layout....

How to make a waterfall

MATERIALS NEEDED:


1) Liquid Nails “Clear Seal”

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(it does not dry “milky”) It worked great for me. You could try a substitute….but why would you…LOL!
2) A non-stick cookie sheet (don’t use your wife’s)
3) Cotton balls (use your wife’s)
4) hairspray (your call)
5) Toothpick
6) Craft Knife

STEPS:
1) Prepare the area. This includes finishing (texture and color) all the terrain around and BEHIND the future waterfall. what method you used is entirely up to you (in this case I used Sculptamold and paint)
In the photo below, you will notice(in the red circle) that I made the edge, where the water will spill over, protrude further out than the rest of the rock face. This will allow the "water" to fall without interruption all the way to the bottom. This would not be necessary if you planned on a series of smaller falls spilling into each other on the way down.

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2) Measure the length and width of the falls. Add a quarter inch to the width and a full inch to the length to account for shrinking (I didn’t notice any).


3) Run beads of the sealant to the proper length and width.

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4) Work it with a tooth pick in downward strokes to pull all the separate beads together and rough up the surface.

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5) Pull the sealant out to the sides at the bottom. This is where your falls will strike the surface of the lake/stream etc.

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When finished let dry a few days. It remained tacky even after waiting but that actually helped with the installation.

6) Carefully peal the “water” from cookie sheet (it may stretch a little…don’t worry about it) and cut to size.

7) The backside of the sealant will be very tacky…use that to attach it in place.

Make sure the waterfall is taut and straight. I used small pieces I cut off at the bottom to simulate the “splash” of the falls entering the water.

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Now, you can stop right here (especially on a short waterfall) or take it to the next level and add the spray effects.


Spray effects:

Take cotton ball

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And pinch a little between your fingers and pull it carefully away (keeping it attached)

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Keep going back to the ball itself and repeating until you have a lengthy, wispy looking piece of cotton.

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Place on the falls. Move it around and see where you like it. It should stick on its own, at least temporarily,(if not use a FEW TINY SPOTS of white glue to help).
Make as many as necessary and don’t forget about the sides of the waterfalls (this really helps make it look like the water has volume and isn’t flat!)

9) Once everything is where you want it…spray with hairspray (a few light coats are better than one heavy…bet you heard that before…LOL)

Some time in the future the cotton may become dusty or discolored…you can always pull the cotton off and replace it….good as new!


Looks good in person….looks good in pictures!

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Deano took this bottom picture...can't ya tell!...LOL

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Deano, your pics are flat out THE BEST!!!!



There are many ways to do one of these...this is ONE way.

But I will say one thing for this method...It is very easy and almost "Steve Proof"!


Steve

Dear Employees and public:

Today 8/22/09 at the GERN factory in Eaton change has brought an end to the production of Gern products to be shipped out thruough Eaton as of next week. Yes it sounds as if the economy cought up with Gern here but not to worry as it is changing pace and assumes to keep all employees, rail traffic and tends to hire at least 120 more to add to its 285 employees. We here at the GERN plant are going to change hands to packaging supplys to the rest of our factories and alike to help save extra funds needed else where. As stated we will construct a addition on our current plant to be able to handle the expected work load.

Good Day All!

I was wondering if any of the fine folks here on the guage can point me in the direction of a supplier who carries scale size nut and bolt details.

I found one on-line dealer so far. http://www.scalehardware.com/

They have some pretty decent brass and nickel plated nut, bolts and threaded detail parts. Some fairly small sizes that could pass for 1" or 2" nut and bolt details at pretty reasonable prices too.

Just curious if any of the scratch building gurus here have a reliable source for this kind of stuff.

Thanks a bunch!

This is the reason you can not currently buy a Rail Runner locomotive. I have been told the locos have been made but can not be released until this issue is cleared up.
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Mike

FYI, I just got a reply to my inquiry with Roundhouse/Athearn/Horizon about their upcoming USRA light 4-6-2.

If you want to model a steam railroad, the most generic and appropriate roster would feature USRA light 4-6-2s and USRA light 2-8-2s on the mainline, USRA 0-6-0s in the yard, and modern 2-8-0s. There are a number of light 2-8-2s out there, as well as 0-6-0s....so getting the 4-6-2 again is nice since they are hard to find. Previously, the subpar IHC 4-6-2 was the only option (I have one...it is seriously lacking). Hopefully, the 4-6-2 will be upgraded from the original Genesis version.

The plain version is expected in December and will list for $150. The Tsunami version will be in March and list for $240. I'd guess they'll have discount store prices of $100 and $160...with lower street prices after the initial introduction. I need these enough that I'll probably buy two when they are offered and keep an eye out for more at the street prices later (I picked a $280 list price 2-8-0 for $70...new...a few months back).

Just arrived today after almost a year wait...as soon as I can for those who are interested, I'll post a review with some pictures. More to come!

United Corn Growers is a cooperative owned by more than 900 farmer producers in the nation’s Grain Belt region, including: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and others.

The region combines excellent work ethics, good transportation, a strong agricultural infrastructure, diversified crop and livestock enterprises, and progressive farming practices to create a spirit of cooperation and partnering.

We provide quality farm inputs to our member patrons. Farm supplies include feed, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and petroleum.

The Project

Anyone who models the pre-1960's era can appreciate wooden grain elevators, which once littered the North American landscape. The vast majority of these structures are gone now, having gave way to concrete facilities. If anyone is interested, please feel free to use the above image on your own wooden grain elevator project. This way, these magnificent structures can continue to live on, if only in miniature. Perhaps UCG can represent what once was, and be a multi-layout, multi-scale, feature across dozens of landscapes.

Personally, I will be using the Branchline Trains Laser Art wooden structure for my own build. I'll be sure to post progress pics here! Maybe we can have another GERN-like phenomenon.