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g-pa1
Enthusiast
I just tried to 'fix' the mine so that it looks like a mine in the hills not just on a bunch of foam and now I think it looks like a buchaus. That's Italian for just what you think it is. I think I will turn the mine into a waste treatment plant and be politically correct!!! By the way I cut the foam to form a pond with the future waterfall coming over the track and into a stream.Can I just seal this foam area with plaster and then paint it black when it dries or is there something better to seal the area. I am not planning to go all the way down to the plywood just maybe tapered to an inch or so below the top of the foam. Gene
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g-pa1
Enthusiast
Does anyone know where I can get log retaining walls in N Scale? Or do I have to scratch build . If I have to scratch build where can I get a lot of logs to do it. I went to Walthers site but either they are sold in groups of only 4 or 5 or they are not suitable for bashing. Maybe I will have to take a trip into the woods! Thanks for the advice. Gene
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janesew
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If you have a prototype in mind you can easily scratch build... it just takes more time. Think of anything that might resemble the logs, from sticks, to straw, to bamboo skewers to those long matches etc etc. Then build away and stain/paint. An N scale ruler is always a good thing to have to help select the logs. Also use an N scale figure to get a good visual as to how big the logs are compared to you (or any other reasonable facsimile of a human 🙂 ). Fred
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janesew
Enthusiast
Actually, I just realized that I was thinking N scale because that's what I model. You need a scale ruler and figure in whatever scale you are modelling. Oops. F
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Gene, Yes, get a scale ruler. You're doing N with a little Z thrown in, right? Really cool tool! Marc
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g-pa1
Enthusiast
Fred and Marc. I'll have to invest in one of those rulers. I've seen pictures of a number of layouts with wood retaining walls on some of the vertical surfaces. Yes I am doing N scale with a small oval Z Scale train being loaded via a chute from the mountain.I am trying to assemble the track that came with the mine loco and cars that I acquired via Pete's suggestion a while back. I have to say I am not a big fan of lazer cut wood. I would make a lousy Doctor I wouldn't have any patients! Gene
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Gene, You will need to scratch built your "crib" retaining walls. There is nothing out there that I can find in N scale that resembles a log retaining wall. I assume that you are talking about the rock retining walls on top of tunnel portals. These are called "cribs" and were put in place to hold back loose rock that might fall on to the tracks from above tunnel excavations. They are composed of vertical and horizontal log pieces, sometimes with wire in the open spaces, to stop the rock. If you are talking about vertical retaining walls at the side of tunel portals like wing walls, Campbell makes these in conjunction with their wood framed tunnel portals. Other than that, just plain retaining walls would not usually be made of wood. So, again, I am trying to provide information without having all the facts. B-)
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Gene, I like the bamboo skewer idea. They would be about right for nice diameter N scale "logs", once painted. (And they're cheap!) Any decent "train" hobby shop should have an N scale ruler. Marc
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Marc, What diameter are the bamboo skwers in N scale? B-)
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crazyd37
Enthusiast

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Nice find Dot! GO FOR IT, Gene!!! Pete, I have no clue! I'm working from memory. I'm in my office, upstairs. The skewers are downstairs, in the kitchen and the N scale ruler is in the basement, two floors down. Frankly, I'm not that "motivated" right now! (I'm shopping MT couplers! 😄 😉 ) Marc
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Fine N scale products are nice. This might help you out Gene, but I'm still wondering what type of retaining walls you need. How high. How long. The usual 1,000 questions. The Really Old Codger
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janesew
Enthusiast
Thanks Dot, I will be "watching" those items myself! The skewers that I have are just under 2 foot in diameter. They vary in size. 150' long. Make nice conifers. Depending on where and when the cribs were built they could be made out of squared timbers as well. F
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g-pa1
Enthusiast
Fred look at this bridge. It is under N scale bridge heading. Gene GKirbi Arched Bridge---NIB---Gott@ H@ve.ene
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g-pa1
Enthusiast
Tried to bid on the retaining walls but outbid. I don't need the concrete part and visited the Fine N scale site and will buy direct and get just what I need.Thanks for the find Dot. I have never heard of the Fine co. before. and they have pretty much what I am looking for. Gene
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g-pa1
Enthusiast
Pete I am looking to cover the end of 3" foam and thought about a wood retaining wall type of thing.. Hummmm bamboo skewers interesting. Gene
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