ModelRailroadForums.com is a free
Model Railroad Discussion Forum and
photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
I have had these poles for years and can't remember what the manufacture is/was. Anyway, I have painted all the insolators a metalic green so they appear to be real, but these poles are plastic and just like that(plastic). I was thinking of deluting down so weather black to make a wash them down to add a look of realism. Would this be right or should I shoot for another color? Funny how you always see telephone poles and can't get a grip on what they actually look like.
If you look around your area, you'll probably see poles in many different colors from gray to dark brown. It all depends on the age of the poles and the weather they have been exposed to.
Jerome has it right. It comes down to what you prefer. If you are shooting for a slightly older but still creosote look, I have had good luck with painting the object railroad tie brown and then giving it a wash with India Ink/alcohol mix. The older the pole the lighter the brown that is used. Of course, new creosote is near blackish brown. Just take a look around town/country and see what you want to duplicate. Note: the wash will have better effects if you paint the plastic poles brown or gray first. Bare plastic that is dark doesn't take a wash very well.
I would try not to paint them all the same color either! Random shades. poles are replaced often and at diffrent times. you can have a line of a 1000 of them and no two looks alike! I seen old poles with bends in them for long periods of time also seen many leaning too. only thing i see they have in common is the spacing between them!
Very good point, Chris.
Depending on scale and how close they are to the edge of the layout, Put illegal signage on them, lost dog flyers, yard sale signs, and Need job? signs!LOL's
For convincing perspective, especially if you have photography in mind at some point, consider using two scales with the smaller ones furthest away on the layout.
~Another detail...Davey Tree Trimming crew trimming trees that are fouling the power/phone lines! Now that would be a cool scene too!
~Or downed Power lines!
Does any body make power co. maint. trucks!
Chris, Boley makes some utility company bucket trucks as well as hole digging trucks. That's a good idea about setting up a scene where a tree service company is cutting back branches from the power lines. You see it all the time in real life but I don't think I've ever seen it modeled. Woodland Scenic's lumberjack set and a few Boley truck would make a convincing scene.
yes i know this is a very old post, but. paint them a very light tanish gray. then do a black india ink wash. follow that up with first raw, then burnt sienna oils, and finally raw umber, all faded to match your prototype. remember, the darkest part will be near the bottom, lightest will be the top. I will post pictures when I have a chance
If you want most of them to look the same, just imagine an ice storm hit the area, that's what happened here, nearly snapped every pole (3,000 poles were down between my house and the power plant less than 30 miles away). But to complete the theme you're going to have to cut away half the branches on every tree you have, get that good "just was bombed" looke going.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website
(Learn More Here)
