G Scale Model Train Forum banner

My attempts at making stuff for my train...

823 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Talbot78SC
I'm not a modeler the way most of you here seem to be. My attempts have been simple to execute and were more of an idea of how to make use of some pieces of wood previously used in some other manner. In this case, we got rid of a wooden chandelier that had some pieces that were cut to a size I thought might make a nice load of lumber for our train set.
Train Vehicle freight car Rolling stock Wood

I cut them up to length and made a bunch of small pieces to fill in the ends so they're hollow and not too heavy.
This next load is supposed to be a more finished looking pile of boards. I forget where I found the wood.
Train Vehicle Wood Rolling stock Rolling

I used the same technique to build this load. I would have liked to saw them in half length wise as they're a little wide but I only have a chop saw to work with.
These last loads were made from a wood valance we used to have in the kitchen. The grid work had pieces cut to a nice size so I took it apart and cut them to length. The small load on top is heavy as it's solid and weighs quite a bit compared to all the others.
Wood Rectangle Wooden block Art Flooring

I had a lot of fun using the chop saw to make these and didn't loose any fingers in the process either.

What do you all think for a noobie playing with trains?

And yes, I'm aware that the car hauler car is all wrong for hauling wood but I don't have any other flat cars at this time.:confused:
See less See more
3
  • Like
Reactions: 3
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Well, I think that you have done a great job, especially as you re-purposed all the wood.
Cheers,
David Leech, Canada
Thanks David.
My wife was skeptical of my repurposing, but now that the loads are done and she's seen them on the trains I think she's come around to my see my madness in action. With no means to cut wood down to size other than length, I have to take what I can get.
I have some log loads made from broom stick handles but they don't look like logs since they're too finished. I may have to try cutting them up into barrels instead. Painted flat black I think they could pass as them easier than logs.
Very nice! Larger sized dimensional lumber isn't a bad thing. The thicker boards could be beams for construction. ;)
I have some log loads made from broom stick handles but they don't look like logs since they're too finished. I may have to try cutting them up into barrels instead. Painted flat black I think they could pass as them easier than logs.
Take an old saw blade, perhaps from a hack saw or old sawz-all blade and drag it lengthwise along the broom stick. Run the teeth up and down several times in long strokes and you will lift the surface grain into a much more believable texture. You'll also remove any varnish and then you can restain them in any "natural" color you like.
The hollow space might serve as a place for a sound unit.

Doug
Very nice work. That is how you become a modeler. Start small with simple projects and continue to challenge yourself with tougher projects each time.

A couple suggestions, not criticism, might be to add stickers (small pieces to allow air between the beams) every 3 or 4 beams high on the heavy timbers, maybe 2 or 3 on the length of beam.

Here is a link to a similar topic thread on the other LS forum Lumber load for centerbeams Lots of good information toward your goal.

I gave up using dowels for log loads long ago for the same reason you state. I now find good yard debris (aka sticks and twigs) that 'look' right. Not sure where you are, but trees with a thin, fine bark work best. Saplings are also pretty good.

Bob C
Thanks for the link, Bob.
If nothing else it reminded me to be more cautious when using my chop saw to cut small pieces.
I actually thought about stickers, but not having any readily available wood the correct or even close to correct size I opted to just stack 'em tight to each other. Maybe next load, we'll just have to wait and see.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Top