Set the dock making sure the legs sink down into the wet scenery base. Notice all the weeds
and small plants along with scraps of wood, pipes, and paper scattered and strewn about and
under the dock. Fill the area up between the legs with materials of this type as this is a natural
gathering place for clutter and junk. This creates a sense of age with years of use.
The vine growing up the side of the stone walls hides the corner seam. This is
Clump Foliage teased and glued to the wall one small piece at a time with plain white
glue. Notice how it transitions from stone to clapboard helping to further blend the walls
together making them appear natural. Cut two short lengths of 2 x 6 about 3/8" long each and
use them to glue the sawhorse ends together. Once the pair has been made they can be
placed as shown with scrap wood between them. The door to the tarpaper shed may also
be glued in place ajar now as shown.

Glue all of the details to the dock. Chalk powder can be used to dirty the dock boards up a
bit. Try also dabbing a tiny amount of Polly Oily Black thinned with rubbing alcohol to simulate
an oil spill. This same technique is very effective on the still wet scenery base. Let a drop or
two of the paint fall on the ground then drip several drops of rubbing alcohol making it spread
and run naturally.

Glue the metal truck stop casting with the tires below the freight doors. Notice the taller
weeds in the rear, heavier brush, discarded chain, and large pile of gravel. The rear is a natural
spot for less detailed yet effective clutter like this. I also have a tendency to scatter coarser
ground material in areas of low activity like the rear since it would receive much less foot
and vehicle traffic than the front. When deciding where to place details look for areas like a
fence or wall to use as a natural backdrop. Placing clutter against a backdrop such as this
makes it more effective. Layer the clutter to create depth. Scraps of wood, weeds poking
through, and castings are blended together without looking planned but it does takes thought
and careful planning to make it all appear natural and without thought!

The details surrounding the truck repair shop are some of my favorite. You will notice the relative
lack of weeds and bushes in this area compared to the rest of railroad camp. I wanted
to create a contrast making this part of the diorama appear more heavily used. Especially in
the front by the gas pump the dirt is very smooth and featureless from years of vehicle traffic.
Keep any scraps of pipe or wood away from the corners of the cement pad casting so they do
not interfere with the shed wall when constructed and set in place later.

Glue two sets of the truck tires together then the workbench on top. Glue the
door in place slightly ajar as shown. One of my favorite parts of construction is when the painted
and weathered castings are finally placed making the diorama come alive! This is what
excites me about model building and sends me to my workbench time and again.

Start this scene by placing the large resin tire group casting in place then glue an individual
metal tire to the top of each pile. Now layer the scrap wood, weeds and other castings in place.
Glue some scrap styrene tube bits to the bottom of the wooden tool cart.
Notice the piece of chain thrown over the front end of the compressor’s trailer.

Detail the interior of the truck repair shop. Once all of the castings have been glued in place
oil stains can be added to the floor with Polly Oily Black and some chalk powder.
The stove pipe is a piece of styrene tube. Rust it up then CA it to the stove.
It is quite obvious how plain the outside in front of the shop appears.
This in in stark contrast to the cluttered interior. Keep in mind that a busy repair shop would have
minimal clutter in front. Try parking a vehicle awaiting repair or better
yet make a tow truck like the Linn truck I made. I have included photographs of mine at the back of this
manual. It was a simple conversion and provides an outstanding piece of detail.

Do not glue the incinerator in place yet as it may interfere with the boiler shop roof. For now
simply set it in place. Glue it down permanently once the boiler shop has been completed.
This is a highly cluttered scene full of junk piles, discarded old rusty boilers,and the large
crates. Notice all of the pipe and elbow valve castings strewn about. Heavily rust these pieces
up before placing. Add oil stains in front of the incinerator door as well as a scrap pile of old
wood weathered with the alcohol ink stain presumably waiting to be consumed in the incinerator.

Glue the porch details in place including the weeds by each post and the metal mailbox on the crooked pipe.
It’s a small detail but one of my all time favorites!

Add the details against the boiler shop annex walls before the crane is installed later.
This area is fairly clean as it would see periodic rail traffic bringing heavy parts in for repair or manufacture.
For this reason keep excess weeds and clutter away… Epoxy the four large boiler shop
rail doors in place now before the roof is installed. Another view of the cluttered area under the
crane supports with the large open crates and pipes. The left wall is lined with castings.
A few scraps and weeds are mixed in between. The vines on the wall and the outdoor
plumbing pipe casting will be added after the roof. For now keep them in mind when adding
the details along this wall so they do not interfere with one another.

Tucked along the inside of the back fence is the oversized junk pile casting. Sink it down into
the wet scenery base then use weeds, clump foliage, scraps of wood, piping (styrene tube),
and tires to blend it seamlessly into its surroundings. Notice how these details are fanned out
along its edges. The area around the junk pile is the perfect spot for some random oil spills,
especially next to the large riveted tank. The smaller junk pile is located against the left wall
of the tarpaper shed. It also has been blended into its surroundings…
Be sure to glue a pair of tires in place after the tarpaper roof installed.
This was a common practical way to discard of old tires!

Cut a 31/2" length from the 6" brass wire and CA it along the rear wall of the office as shown to hide the
corner seam of the stone wall castings. I love this back corner. The different and converging walls,
rooflines, and tattered fence is pure craftsmen kit fancy. A good view of the rear of the fence is
shown with the minimal amount of detailing added. Just a few weeds, bushes, and torn newspapers.
Construct your fence with lots of character and it will provide a ton of detail all by itself. Not only by weathering
the boards but also by adding a faded sign or two. The abandoned truck is a nice detail worth considering.
I have several trucks like this made up that I move around for photographic sessions.

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