|
There is a lightweight
joint compound (for drywall) and we are going to mix a batch
of the stuff, watered down instead of Plaster of Paris. Next
for the binder, hardware stores sell a product called "Box
O Rags" and we will dip these into the watery joint compound
mix, and place it onto the foam substrate. It will require 2
layers. Then with the miracle of paint and some scenic materials,
it will appear as real as nature intended. The 4 wooden supports
will be replaced by a removeable wooden trestle because, it all
needs to come apart for the move to another state. This section
is the first area we began to foam, so will most likely be the
first to be "Plastered"
You may ask...
"What is the advantage of a "Box 'o Rags" soaked
in thinned out joint compound be over simple Plaster cloth?
We are old enough
to remember making mountains out of a flour and water paste and
newspaper strips covering chicken wire stapled to wooden supports.
You then used Rit dye, and sprinkled some of the green sawdust
about, and you were done. The concept of plaster cloth is something
newer. It is simple, and is great for small layouts, but can
be a very costly method to cover a large layout. So the joint
compound/rags technique is being used for economic reasons.
The table area
is 320 square feet. Considering the vertical surfaces and inclines,
it's at least 600 sq.ft. to cover, and it needs to be 2 layers
thick, so 1200 sq.ft.. Plaster cloth is .85 for a sq.ft., for
a cost of $1020 for the plaster cloth. On the other hand, it
will take 10 lbs. of the joint compound and about 4 boxes of
rags for a cost of about $80. Big, big difference.
Just a quick
update for those who were following this project. The layout
has been completely disassembled, and is curently residing in
a barn. The client has moved to Kentucky, and is currently building
a building to house this layout, the new building is 35 x 55,
so naturally he has ideas to expand the uncompleted layout. Meanwhile,
parts of the layout are at the shop and parts of it will be reassembled
at our off-site facility to be detailed, and then transported
to Kentucky to be reassembled in the new building. We're starting
to think there is going to be a book in here somewhere. This
is easily the largest and most challenging layout project we
have ever been involved with. More photos will be posted as things
progress.
The use of Fastrack
choice was made by the client. He wanted a playful layout for
running trains with his 3 grandchildren and was not interested
in such details as ballast. We had not used it that much, and
were not respecting the product, because Lionel took so long
to get all of the pieces to market. Needless to say, we were
apprehensive about working with an unproven product. It was,
however, a complete joy to work with. Our style of layout building
is not to over-engineer the design, so it will have some flexibility
during construction. We did make changes and adjustments as we
built and the Fastrack was completely unforgiving about it. The
connecting pins worked perfectly through many disconnects and
adjustments. Also, when it came time to dissasemble the parts
of the layout to move it into storage, it was very easy to remove
track at the joints between the tables, thus allowing the tables
to slip apart easily. We suspect that it will only be a matter
of putting the missing pieces between the tables and bolting
them together as the tracks slips into position.
We are now, of
course, converts to the Fastrack system, and there seems to be
a trend among customers towards track that has the ballasted
plastic base. The only negatives we've observed are of course
the track is very loud, and must be insulated from the table
tops, but really, what track doesn't?
The client has
already moved, and his new building is under roof, He just came
back to visit me and we discussed his paint colors, floor treatment,
lighting, shelving and also the large scale layout that will
run around the outside walls. We're involved with the entire
process so the it's not just a layout, it's an entire experience.
So we'll be taking a few vacations in Kentucky, most likely starting
for a week next summer. |
