On The Workbench

On The Workbench #4…

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For this edition of on the workbench I will continue with the roundhouse as that’s all that I have had time to do. I won’t have time to do major construction on the layout for about another two weeks.

Last I left you I had a list of things yet to do. I have been slowly working my way down that list. First I got the service pits in and painted, as well as the windows and service door at the end, the large doors won’t be installed till the roundhouse is put in place.

Roundhouse with service pits in place.
Roundhouse with service pits in place.

Then the tracks went into place.

With the tracks in place.
With the tracks in place.

Looking at the pictures I guess I did the doors and windows after these pictures. Then came the weathering. I do enjoy this and slowly worked my way up to where I’m happy with it, working stall to stall. The staining on the floor represents dirt, oil and rust stains.

With the weathering done.
With the weathering done.
Weathering on the shop floor.
Weathering on the shop floor.

Next was the lighting, but first I added the details to the interior. Tool boxes, oil barrels with lubricating grease, jacks, acetylene tanks, etc. Figures to be added as I figure out there placement.

In the past when I have added lighting to past roundhouses, I had a pair of buss wires for each row of lights. This time I ran one buss and then ran all the wires to it. I also ran the wires from the lights on the backside of the beams as viewed from the cutout opening. I then painted all the wires including the buss wires a flat white so that they would blend into the ceiling.

Adding the lighting.
Adding the lighting.
Alternate view of wiring in progress
Alternate view of wiring in progress
Lights wired up and the wire painted to make it disappear.
Lights wired up and the wire painted to make it disappear.
Overview of the roundhouse lighted, weathered and detailed.
Overview of the roundhouse lighted, weathered and detailed.

And the finished product with the overhead lighting off and with the roof panels set in place ( which i have repainted a flat black).

Better view with the overhead lights off.
Better view with the overhead lights off.
Lighted and the roof in place.
Lighted and the roof in place.

While adding details to the interior, I came across an electric hoist on a beam in the junk box. I decided to add it to the interior. It would not be large enough to handle an entire engine , as some facilities would have, but rather larger items (such as the compressors as pictured). I staged a couple of shots to show work in process just for fun.

Added a hoist for heavy work. Had to stage a scene to get a feel for the finished roundhouse.
Added a hoist for heavy work. Had to stage a scene to get a feel for the finished roundhouse.
Another staged scene for the fun of it. Haven't had a chance to reletter this engine.
Another staged scene for the fun of it. Haven’t had a chance to reletter this engine.

So what’s left to do, well:

Place more workers in the roundhouse.

Install roof sections.

Prep it’s final resting place. Which means getting the turntable installed

That’s where I’m at for now. Till later – Happy Railroading…

 

 

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