I will often use latex paint and then sift on baseball diamond dirt through a stocking , have seen where guys took real clay from a creek and baked it and did the same technique but on thinned modge podge, either way it’s just a starting point .
Living in a city there's not much dirt around here.
Baseball field is a good option.
If you have lumber stores that’s where I purchased a bag last.@Lynnb
Not too many baseball fields in the UK from memory
@Smudge617
Instead of using real dirt, sand etc that might be hard to come by - take a look at Scenic Express Ground Covers, Dirts, Stones etc. It is pretty good stuff and not overly expensive. A lot of their stuff is also made from the real stuff as well, from what I understand.
The machine shop is the oldest structure, so lot of grass round the building, one or two bigger trees try and give an unkempt and older kind of look.
Thanks, I use mostly surface mounted switch motors as it's easier for me but I do use sub surface ones too. It's very hard to get anything Atlas here, so I use Hornby, Peco and Seep (Gaugemaster) switch motors.
That's a good idea, but for the small amount I need, most will just sit in the can and be wasted.
Easy, here's a wiring diagram, just need the top half of the diagram for Peco. The second diagram shows incorporating a CDU.How do you wire the Peco turnout motors (surface mounted) ? Because I have absolutely no idea how to do it.
Just remember to use a passing contact switch, or a spdt that returns itself to the off position or you'll burn out the point motor.
Not meaning to be discouraging here, but in the more recent eras, they don't have a lot of signs since they are the only place for miles around for grain farmers to go to, and they don't need the expense of advertising. But, trim back the white parts of the card and it will look much better. Many only have signs on the building itself, but not the silos, although they exist both ways, easier maintenance. As a side note, I know that you love lights, but most grain elevators are not lit at night, at least around here. They do have flashing red lights on top to warn aircraft though.
I had thought about putting it on top of the building, but decided on the silo, but it's easy to move, flashing red lights I have, I wanted to put one on the machine shop chimney, but hadn't got round to it, thanks Willie.
Smudge: Elevator lighting is a 'depends' thing. Satellite ones are close to the fields and solely dependent on when the grower cuts and trucks product in. During that season, some are 24/7 and lit up; while others only run when they know something is due in. Terminals take in from all the Satellite's and operate 24/7 loading ships, trains and trucks. These have lighting all over the place for walkways, stairways, ladders and areas. As far as signage goes, that depends too. Major players want their names on the things and keep up with building maintenance pretty good. Smaller players not so much. If you think about it, it is your railroad and there is nothing to say that other companies can buy advertising space on that huge silo billboard. Gives 'I love lights' a real place now doesn't it? There is a Terminal close to DT Spokane where the paint was falling off the thing. 20 years ago they went out for bid on painting. $200,000 to 'get-r done'. I can just imagine what it would be today! So you have freedom of choice to be decrepit, bright and shiny or somewhere in-between. I am off to Spokane tomorra for my yearly eye exam and will try to get a few pix to post. Won't be at night, but you can see what there is around here.I had thought about putting it on top of the building, but decided on the silo, but it's easy to move, flashing red lights I have, I wanted to put one on the machine shop chimney, but hadn't got round to it, thanks Willie.
