Streets how do you make em?

[NJ Devils Fan]

For paved city streets, in HO Scale, I've used regular roofing shingles. If you flip them over, the backs have a smooth, black, weathered appearence. When a structure is placed on a shingle, it gives a "curb appearence". It looks as though all buildings have a curb. Traffic lanes and markings can easily be applied with different color tape. Street signs and lamp posts can easily be installed as well by pre-drilling a hole and inserting them. Shingles can be easily cut with a utility knife and shaped to fit any area. Heck, if your really into details, it's easy to "cut in" a pot hole or two. (What's a street without a pothole anyway?)Because of the length of 1 shingle, you can cover a lot of area quickly. A couple of well placed "roadbed" nails easily holds the shingle in place.

As for using a shingle for a grade crossing, I haven't tried that yet. I have always used putty for crossings. For that, I have always removed (yes removed) the ties that will be "paved over". I use a small putty knife to spread the putty into the area. Once shaped, I roll a spare truck through the putty before it dries, to create the flangeways. Once dried, I sand it smoth and spray paint the area to desired color. I've never had a problem with the track coming "out of guage". Once the putty sets, it holds everything in place from the bottom up.

I'm sure the shingle could work in the same way - by removing the ties in the crossing. If you bring the shingle up to the rails on both sides of the crossing, it's almost flush. (in HO) All that would be required is to cut ut the center piece leaving enough room for the flanges.

I'll have to try this and let you know how it goes...Back to the drawing board.