Union Pacific 40' Boxcar mini-scene diorama

[robert_goslin]

Hello. I have a family friend who is into model trains, but not model railroads. Just likes static displays on a shelf.
I have helped in the past, with research and selecting / buying various locos & rolling stock.
One display he has is a selection of Union Pacific rolling stock. one of each type, boxcar, reefer, flatcar, gondola etc lead buy a Bigboy that I built for him from a plastic model kit.
He bought one too many rolling stock, so gave me this HO scale 40' boxcar a few years back. Nice as it is, I have no use for it, so will make a small diorama with it, and give it back to him as a gift.

[robert_goslin]

It's a Bachmann Silver Series. Beautifully detailed, so should be a nice starting point. As tempted as I am, the boxcar will not be weathered, as he likes his models clean & new. So I guess this one has just been delivered.

In the past he also gave me a box full of Peco OO / HO set-track. So I will use a piece of that too.
And I have a fancy MDF base lying around not being used. Perfect size.
And basically zero cost to me, so let's see what I can come up with from the below parts. Should be a quick build, as I'm seeing him next week, so want it done by then.



to add a bit of character, I'm using a curved point, instead of just a straight piece of track

the base marked out.

[Carl_B]

Interested in seeing you work this out. Not much room!

[Michael_Hohn]

Rob,

Doing something for a friend is nice.

It used to be the case that Bachmann equipment could not be called "beautifully detailed."

Mike

[robert_goslin]

Thanks Carl. Yep, being a small vignette is a part of the challenge.
And also just seeing what I can do with what I have on hand.

Mike, I've heard that with the older Bachmann stuff, and maybe some of their cheaper offerings may not be as good as others, but this is a Silver Series, so certainly has plenty of nice detail. The rivets are really sharp, all the ladders, handles etc are applied separately, it has metal wheels, extra weight, and the underneath detail is also all separately applied.
Only thing lacking is the doors don't open. Maybe have to move up to the Spectrum Series for that.

With my Nscale rolling stock, most everything is moulded on, so certainly not as nice as the HO items. Guess you HO guys are spoilt.

[robert_goslin]

OK, As I'm leave, I have some time to get this moving.
So cut some roadbed from picture framing mount board, and bevelled the edges, and glued to the base.





While that was setting overnight, I painted the track. Undercoated with grey rattle can primer, then painted the sleepers / ties with various browns & greys


Then did a black wash. Photo doesn't really show it up too well. Will do some further weather after ballasting. The rail sides and plates have been painted a rust colour
Switch is glued down to the roadbed now.

[CNE1899]

Rob,
Nice build, and nice gift! I am imagining something like this in Z.

Scott

[Michael_Hohn]

Scott, if this were Z you could build a complete layout on that base Rob has made.

Rob, I agree that the boxcar is one fine model. These days it's pretty typical for doors to be nonfunctioning on better models; it makes for a more prototypical look.

Mike

[desertdrover]

Nice progress Rob, and, Idea for a locomotive I'd like to display only. Just a note, and a pet peeve I have is all the nice detailing on the underside of rolling stock that no-one ever gets to see. What a shame. Looking forward to your progress.

[robert_goslin]

Thanks Scott. In Z, you could certainly make a decent size diorama in the space I'm working in.
As I'm normally an N scaler, It's doing my head in regarding the size of the HO track........and the boxcar.
Both 40' boxcars.


Mike, yep I understand about the doors, when a train is running, but being able to open them in a yard, or delivery siding would be nice.
Especially for taking photo's, with a load inside.
A lot of my Nscale boxcars the doors slide open.

Louis thanks for dropping by. Yep a diorama display rather than just sitting on a shelf is much nicer.
And all that nice detail underneath, not even seen, ........... except in a wreck scene.
Funny thing is, if you were being judged by the NMRA and left off that detail, you would get marked down a lot.

[robert_goslin]

I've got the ballasting done. Just using oversized N scale ballast I have on hand, so about right for scale HO.

Did between the tracks first. Just poured ballast down the middle, then used a dry paint brush to get it just below the tie height and spread it evenly.
Then wet it down with rubbing alcohol, and while still wet, , used a 50/50 mix of white glue & water applied with an eye dropper to glue it all together.
The alcohol breaks the surface tension, and helps the glue soak in, rather than pooling on top of the ballast

After setting for a couple of hours, tipped it upside down to remove any loose ballast.

Then for outside the rail, I brushed on full strength white glue along the bevel, and then repeated the above procedure to finish off.

Finally did some touch up weathering of the ties etc.

[CNE1899]

Rob,
Thanks for the alcohol tip!
Scott

[robert_goslin]

Have added some rocky outcrops. I used some I made myself using expanding foam sprayed into one of my moulds.




So while that is gluing, I decided I wanted a couple of pine trees in the background.
Just made them using the wire & rope method, but coated the wire in gap filler first. This does two things.
Hold the rope in place, and give a bark, rather than twisted wire, look to the trunk.
These two scale to about 50' tall.




Then added the trunks, made from 7mm dowel. Roughed up with a rasp, added some wire limbs, and painted.

[Rick]

Track and ballast look good as do the trees.
My only other comment would be in regards to the ballast.
I've always found it easier to put the ground cover down first and then the ballast.
This way the ballast sits on top of the ground and is easier than trying to butt the dirt alongside the ballast.

[CNE1899]

Rick,
Need to remember this! Sounds practical and realistic. But I have never done scenery, so what do I know.
Scott

[George_D]

Nice looking trees, Rob.

George

[robert_goslin]

Thanks Rick. Interesting method. Everything I've read, folks tend to ballast first, but your idea makes sense.
Will try it when I start my new layout, to see what results I get. I like doing scenery, but not ballasting.

Thanks George. I'm happy with the trees, Twice the size of my N scale ones, but same method, except the lower trunks are detailed.