Shortline Modelers

[...] Product Scale: All Scales Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author. The search for the perfect spikes has been the topic of discussion [...]

[...] Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author. In the past, when I completed a new model freight car or locomotive, [...]

[...] Product Scale: All Scales Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author. Many of us are familiar with the hairspray technique for creating [...]

[...] Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. When I was newer to the hobby, I was content [...]

[...] by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author. Bill of Materials Evergreen Scale Models Styrene Ak Interactive .040 Sheet AK708 Dark Rust .010 x .250 Strip AK710 Shadow Rust .080 Angle Strip AK711 [...]

[...] Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. Bill of Materials AK Interactive Chipping Rust AK Interactive Track Wash AK Interactive Old Rust AK Interactive Earth AK [...]

[...] seem to be the most popular for this hobby that aren't too expensive? On the home page I saw AK Interactive but have never heard of them. If when posting replies and IF links are allowed here, please [...]

[...] which, with a little practice, really allow you to show age and neglect on your models. AK Interactive http://ak-interactive.com [...]

[...] look. As you can see, the rust has been applied and the mineral spirits is almost dry. The rust color as flowed onto the wooden ties. To tone down the rust color, I use an extremely thin wash of [...]

[...] to really darken and hide the areas that are not going to be seen very well. Back to my Dark Rust color to add highlights to the bracing that will be seen followed by the shadow Shadow Rust. Next, to [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. In part one, we laid out the elements of our trackwork that will be the fo [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. When I was newer to the hobby, I was content with laying flex track on ply [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. Bill of Materials AK Interactive Chipping Rust AK Interactive Track Wash [...]

[...] wash will tone down your rust and blend it into the undercoat. To finish up my model, I will use real dirt, Earth and Engine Grime washes. I will add earth color and dirt on my pallet thinned with  [...]

[...] onto the rail and ties. Allow this to dry and heavily dust the entire deck and rails with real dirt. The earth color will highlight details and the dirt will tie the entire thing together. [...]

[...] . To finish off the weathering, I dust on Medium Rust pigment from AK Interactive followed by real dirt. I then spray on a coat of dull varnish and then call it complete. The completed girder bridge [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. When I was newer to the hobby, I was content with laying flex track on ply [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. In part one, we laid out the elements of our trackwork that will be the fo [...]

Written by Shawn Branstetter, photos by the author unless otherwise noted. Bill of Materials AK Interactive Chipping Rust AK Interactive Track Wash [...]

[...] bracing. You will notice that there is no rivet detail at this point. My plan is to use decal rivets from Micro Mark. Archer also makes printed rivets that are slide decals. More about that later. [...]

[...] thought. The plan is as follows: Scale underframe - The entire underfame will be built per prototype photos using sheet and strip styrene. As much pipe and electrical detail (that I can find) will be [...]