Category: Structures

Some new structures and scenery update on the SP Burbank Branch in N scale

New structures and scenery update on first section of the layout to receive full scenery. I assembled, painted, and weathered several buildings to serve as warehouses or general industry-related structures.

I used Walthers kits as well as a scratchbuilt building flat from styrene to add a bit more depth to the backdrop. I also finished the bridge over the LA River.

Then, I added lighting with small LEDs and Woodland Scenics goose lamps to make the night scene more interesting and realistic.

In addition, I used styrene strips to build a wood grade crossing. I hand-painted the styrene with a mix of gray and brown acrylics. Then, I sealed everything with a coat of flat clear from a spray can.

Furthermore, I weathered the area between the rails using powdered pigments mixed with plaster of Paris. Then, I and applied the mix on the track with a flat brush. Finally, I misted the area with water so the plaster would set and seal everything in place.

After installing the bridge, I placed the ConRock Ready-Mix Cement Plant

The layout corner where the ConRock Ready-Mix Cement Plant is located will be the first area to receive scenery.

I added rough terrain texture near the bridge and ballasted the first section of track. To protect the bridge scene, I laid a couple of towels over the riverbed.

Then, I installed the cement plant structure. The building is a Japanese laser-cut paper kit that fits my needs perfectly.

The kit is made by a Japanese brand called Advance. It is a 1:150 scale model, but it still looks very good and fits the scene nicely.

I first sprayed a 50:50 mix of alcohol and water to reduce surface tension. Then, I sprinkled on some terrain powders and followed up with a 50:50 mix of matte medium and water.

The kit was weathered with powdered pigments, and the surrounding terrain was glued in place using Liquitex Matte Medium.

Before securing the structure to a sheet of styrene, which was later glued to the plywood base, I installed a micro LED to illuminate the scene at night. I secured the LED with CA glue and poked a hole in the structure base to run the wires through.

Adding Details

The cement plant is finally in place and it feels like the scene has gained real character. Next I will focus on adding life around it, because the area still looks a bit empty.

I added a couple of Woodland Scenics wooden streetlights. I drilled two holes, passed the wires through them, and glued the streetlights in place with matte medium. While the glue dried, I used some metal machine blocks to keep the poles in their final position.

Afterwards I positioned a couple of concrete mixer trucks near the loading spots and added a tree.

Once more vegetation is set, I will install a metal fence to frame the whole structure. So the scene will grow step by step and the finished area should blend nicely with the rest of the layout.