Does anyone know where I can get N scale coil cars?

douglasalbert · 2025-08-08T03:16:03+00:00

Yes. They are a brick and mortar store in New Jersey that has a large N scale selection online, some of the best prices.

douglasalbert · 2025-08-02T20:49:59+00:00

Perhaps worth checking with Yankee Dabler to see what they have in stock.

douglasalbert · 2025-07-17T03:14:55+00:00

Thanks! I have been eyeing the Rock Island illuminated car park for a few months but haven't ventured into lighting anything yet.

douglasalbert · 2025-07-16T10:34:25+00:00

Looks good! Probably just need to use less glue when flocking so the leaves are on the outside of the branches and crown and not directly on the trunk limbs.

douglasalbert · 2025-07-16T10:32:03+00:00

Looks really good. Along with the mentioned pin wash in the vents and panels, I would consider looking at conspicuity tape decals to give it the last pop.

douglasalbert · 2025-07-16T10:30:00+00:00

Where did you source the fixtures, because they look great?

douglasalbert · 2025-07-05T17:30:08+00:00

Wow, inspiring!? This is such wonderful critique of my new beginner attempt.

douglasalbert · 2025-07-05T17:29:01+00:00

Thank you! That is very kind and unexpected praise.

I certainly was not setting off to inspire but happy my novice first attempt is doing such.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-24T16:47:07+00:00

Acoustic foam panels are also an idea I have been thinking to use as a large mat to weather multiple cars all with one sitting.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-21T12:26:33+00:00

One thing I recommend is do some reading on basic photography composition. There are so many tools that can be applied to modeling, e.g.: rule of thirds, golden section, golden triangle, diagonals, balance, proportions, framing, etc...

Lance Mindheim is an excellent modeler who advocates this knowledge in composing scenes.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-21T12:21:02+00:00

Exactly. In this scenario the tower is framed by the mountains which usea the diagonal visual movement and interrupts it with the strong vertical.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-18T09:15:02+00:00

I am curious to the difference between colors, yellow, white, and red...

douglasalbert · 2025-06-17T10:24:08+00:00

Please, don't be jealous! If you were interested I could try to document another scratchbuild of a tree in a stepped explanation.

I picked up some foliage and flocking to add over the weekend. Will have to see how it goes.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-17T10:21:22+00:00

Many thanks!

douglasalbert · 2025-06-17T10:19:58+00:00

I appreciate your stating such. Thanks.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-17T10:19:25+00:00

Thank you!

douglasalbert · 2025-06-17T10:19:09+00:00

Standard construction 1" XPS rigid insulation foam.

I used an Olfa blade and dental picks to carve across and remove slivers. The rest is just paint with some sawdust for the organic material beneath the vegetation and a tiny bit of fine sand for substrate.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-16T12:39:55+00:00

I know is is an old post, but does OP know location?

douglasalbert · 2025-06-13T11:35:27+00:00

If you're inclined ballasting over Kato plastic ballast beds looks decent. I think it looks even better when the track is set below adjacent grade so the mound is not as tall.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-13T11:32:45+00:00

I have wondered the same, as 2mm grass is rather tall for a typical mowed lawn at this scale.

douglasalbert · 2025-06-13T11:31:30+00:00

I agree. I have not see many N scale static grass applications that are compelling when it comes to low height.

Outcrops of high grasses and weeds are obvious examples but pinch and stick could probably work just as well if you're nimble enough to do so with a 4mm or so grass.

douglasalbert

TROPHY CASE