Page 11 - May June 2010

Irish Whisky whose slogan is “get stoned without a headache!” A great product and it should go far!
Weathering
I distressed each individual board by scribing a fine horizontal line on each with a number 11 blade. I followed this up by brushing in one direction with the metal bristles of a suede brush. I ran a pounce wheel vertically along a steel rule, at scale 3 ft intervals, to simulate nails. Next I brushed on a wood stain on all the walls. I use Minwax Wood Finish – 2126 Driftwood. This produces a nice weathered look to the wood and highlights the nail holes. I then used an acrylic paint to stain the walls. I painted some areas of the walls with full­strength paint and then diluted the paint with a few drops of water for other areas. In some areas I left the wood stain showing through. Finally I weathered the building using powdered chalks and my alcohol/ink mixture. This was varied to show the different ages of various elements of the building.
In weathering any model for a contest one always takes a chance. The Contest Judges’ Guide states: “It takes knowledge of how nature affects the appearance of the prototype. Be careful here. This is an area where your personal biases could influence your thinking. Remain an impartial judge.”
Conclusion
The diorama was great fun to build. FSM kits are quite demanding in kit form, but obviously as I was building from pictures down­ loaded from the web rather than kit plans, it was a little bit more taxing. There were over 1100 pieces of wood involved in the construction. Whilst I had some of the details to hand, I did have
to purchase additional wood. I estimate the total expenditure for the buildings to have been £25.
It has been announced that Oatman’s Mercantile will be the last diorama kit that George will produce, as he has run out of space on the Franklin & Manchester. The kit is now sold out, and the only way to obtain one is pay a premium price on the secondhand market, where the kits are regarded as a collector’s item, or scratchbuild your own.
In the Swindon NMRA British Region Contest the model came second in its category, being awarded 104 points and a merit award.
The judge’s comments written on the reverse of the score sheet were:
1. “A very well constructed model.”
2. “Conforms beautifully to pictures of FSM kit; less so (?) to
any prototype. Forge area conforms well, good
documentation.”
3. “A little more consistency in the weathering would have
improved the model.”
PS
I am happy to report that my other diorama “Patience Quay” as featured in the December 2009 Roundhouse, judged by the likes of Kathy Millatt and Iain Rice, was awarded first place in the Swindon Arrow Static Display contest. However this model, as it was built from kit parts, would have not fared as well in the NMRA contest. As it was not scratchbuilt it would only have been eligible for a maximum mark of 110 points out of 125.
The National Model Railroad Association Inc’s 75th Anniversary Photography Contest
Win a cab ride in a Union Pacific steam locomotive!
The National Model Railroad Association and the Union Pacific Railroad are pleased to announce a model photography contest to help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NMRA. The NMRA will pick one photograph submitted by an NMRA member in good standing depicting one or more models of UP equipment and/or structures in a realistic scene. The photograph will be judged for prototype fidelity of the modelling and scene as well as for photographic art.
The member submitting the photograph will win a cab ride in one of the mainline steam locomotives operated by the Union Pacific on the Kansas City to Jefferson City leg of the Missouri River Eagle Excursion. Airfare (up to $500.00), two hotel nights, and transportation to and from the excursion will be provided for the winner by the NMRA.
To be eligible, the photograph must be in an envelope postmarked (or originated in transit by a third-party service such as FedEx or UPS) by August 31, 2010, and received no later than September 7, 2010.
Only one photograph may be submitted per envelope, but there is no limit on the number of photographs a member may submit. Photographic prints, slides, or digital images are acceptable. Prints must be 8” x 10”. Digital images must be taken with a camera of 7.1 megapixels or greater to satisfy the printing requirements. All submitted photographs shall become the property of the NMRA, and the NMRA and Union Pacific may use the photograph in any manner they choose. All members participating in the contest agree to provide to the NMRA the original medium of the photograph (negative, transparency, or digital file) if requested.
Please send all photographs to Robert J. Amsler, Jr., 514 Dover Place, St. Louis MO 63111. Be sure to protect photographs from bending or mishandling in the mail.
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