Classy Model Trains » Z Scale

Weathering Wooden Model Train Structures

BIGBOY4884 — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:39:16 +0000

Weathering Wooden Structures

One of the essential components of creating life like structures is weathering. Weathering is the altering of newly modeled structures and prototypes to closely resemble it's true to life counterpart. There are points on and within your structure that will need attention if you're considering weathering with any degree of realism.

Roof tops and outer walls are the most visible aspects of your structure so you'll need to focus on their cosmetics first. Inner walls and windows are next. In order to make this work you'll need a hand full of tools and condiments. Stains such as Weathering Mix… Light Grey, Micro-Marks… Age-it-EASY, Weather-It, and Timber Strain are commonly used by experts in the hobby to bring their layouts to life.

many of these stains have a water base so after applying we suggest you place some type of heavy flat object on top of the stained wash to prevent it from warping. When applying stain, make sure you use a small 1/2' brush. This will allow for optimum control over small areas.

A good trick of the trade to prevent future warping of walls over time is to craft inner walls to be used as braces to stop warping. Be sure to prime the inner walls and coat with a realistic interior paint to give the illusion of accurate scale depiction.

Distressing your structures can give your buildings and prototypes the added boost they need in appearing real to the naked eye. Wood finishing pads and distressing tools are awesome for delivering this effect.

When weathering roof tops use peel and stick three tab shingles as they make it easy to give the roof a random effect by allowing you to omit patches of shingle when desired. Here is a quick tip. Always have a photo of your prototype handy for consultation. Soot stains, peeling paint, broken glass, and bleeding rust marks are just a few attributes you should look to reproduce when considering an authentic weathering job.

Broken glass simulation is as easy as an #11 blade used to simulate shattered glass. Use a clear flat to simulate dirt and grime within pains.

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Related Model Train Posts

Ready to Run Trains | model trains for beginners | ready to run | electric train sets | all scales

BIGBOY4884 — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:30:34 +0000

Ready-to-Run model railway sets are the way to go for beginners and young model train enthusiast. ClassyModelTrains.com and Amazon.com are teaming together to bring you the absolute best in Ready-to-Run Model Railway Sets.We won't waste any more of your time with words… here are the products that will make your modeling experience favorable… not to mention affordable!

…. Here are the "stars" of the show!

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Guest Photo By: Gary Lenhoff |Courtesy of His Personal Collection | Model Train Pictures

BIGBOY4884 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:00:45 +0000

Thank you Gary for the Fabulous Pic. Classymodletrains.com has taken the liberty to checkout your Facebook page and we see that you are an exceptional modeler… we would love to see some more of your work posted on our BLOG, and so would our readers! Keep them coming….

: MOPac Uboat Climbing Hill @ Chesterfield

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Z Scale SD40-2 Model Train | sd40-2 diesel locomotive

BIGBOY4884 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:50:24 +0000

What's That… General Motors Builds Trains - Z Scale SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive

For 14 wonderful years GMs' Electro Motive department banged together and shoved out one of the all time best selling diesel engines of the century! There where a whopping 3,957 SD40 diesels meticulously crafted to traverse the worlds rails. You can still spot these worriers rumbling across landscapes from Canada to Mexico.

The world famous Micro Trains Line has brought this 3000 hp, worldly locomotive to life in true miniature style. These exact replicas are astonishing at 1:220 scale.

You can thank Micro Trains for delivering all the realistic detail such as:

Underbelly Fuel Tank
Horns
Magne-Matic Coupler
Directional Headlights
and Detailed Plastic Railing

This middle aged blue collar strong man is offered to YOU by authorized Micro Train Dealers. Did we mention he's DCC ready!

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Model Train Scenery | model railway scenes and supplies

matryx — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:34:08 +0000

Realistic Scenery and Layouts – How to Articles that Will Give "YOU" the Skinny On Creating Life Like Scenes

Model Train Scenery and Structures

Realistic scenery is everything when it comes to building authentic, life like miniatures. There are a handful of tricks used to create active, moving layouts. ClassyModelTrains.com will share these tricks of the trade with you in the form of informative how to articles.

There are subtle differences in preparing the various gauges of scenes. We'll do all that we can to cram your head full of this knowledge and hopefully you'll bless classymodeltrains.com with a photo or two. We're always looking for individuals like "yourself" to send in pictures and videos of your hobby in action!

Within the confines of our model train scenery and model railway layout department, you'll run across articles and resources for:

Building Tunnels
Crafting Bridges
Building up realistic rock bed
Finding life like accessories
How to articles regarding weathering and painting
Locating merchants who offer hard to find structures and moldings
How to build structures from scratch
Access to auctions that span the globe for exotic accessories representing all scales and gauges

…And much more!

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Model Trains | z scale modelrailways 1:220 | miniature train sets

matryx — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:10:14 +0000

Z Scale Locomotives – Do Model Railways Come Any Smaller?

Z Being the last letter in the alphabet makes it the perfect symbol to represent the smallest(popular) Scale of miniature railroad.

Scale, as you know refers to the ratio between dimensions of the model and those of its prototype.
Gauge, refers to the distance between the inner rails of track also called "running" track.

Track may be slightly wide to gauge, although usually maintains strict limits of variance for operation and safety purposes.

Z Scale Numerically Breaks Down Into This Ratio –

1:220 of Full Size.
This Translates into (1) inch on the miniature… representing (220) inches or (18.333333) feet of "Live" locomotive!
Z Scale (Track) Gauge = 6.5mm (distance between "running" track)

To help put this into perspective, that would be like placing a (1)inch model next to an 18 foot "live" locomotive.

Ultra small means ultra tricky to detail. The big plus setting up Z scale replicas is the landscaping. You can submerse yourself in realistic fixtures and details that'll give you the experience of looking down from Mount Olympus and passing out "fates" to all the frozen little figurines in "YOUR" tiny town.

Those of you who're familiar with miniatures can attest to the practicality of micro models. You can construct a realistic masterpiece on small tables, desks,or in any location larger than 5 square inches.

For many, this convenience is priceless. You can run a complete z scale city or town in 1/7 the space it takes to setup an HO scale, which is arguably one of the most popular scales to date.

Z scale tracks have been known to curve as sharply as 5¾ inches
At that bend "YOU" can fit a Z scale replica into a tiny shoebox……………..no kidding, you can!

To Answer the Question Do Micro Trains and Railroads Come Any Smaller -

Yes, T scale, which is a 1:450 ratio. Our site does not yet cover this scale as it represents the least popular of scales. In the future we are sure to review the accessories, trains, and nuances of this line but until then where sticking to the main scales and the things that make them tick!

Within the Halls of this Z Scale Railroad Community You are Going To Discover:

How to construct realistic z scale layouts
Where to find quality z scale materials such as miniature landscaping tools and supplies for virtually any z scale railroad project imaginable.
Locate figurines
Z scale model buildings and structures
Z scale accessories
Decoders
Controllers
National Events
Books and Magazines
Electronics
Z scale train sets
Z scale track
Z scale scenery
General articles of interest provided by die hard Z scale enthusiast and active Z Scale model train lovers around the globe.
And… a collection of how to articles that will pour wisdom into the soul of any newbie!