Reviews
If you are building a model
railroad diorama for competition you might want to consider visiting your local
trophy shop. These shops carry commercially finished trophy bases which can be
just perfect for small dioramas. You might also check to see if a plaque (minus
the engraved metal message would serve you well for a larger diorama. Kessler
and Winar have some great color photographs showing what a professional touch
these bases can add to a scene. To see what I mean consult Chapter Eight of How
to Paint Realistic Military Figures by Lynn Kessler and Don Winar Kalmbach
Books. Scale Modeling Handbook No. 14. Published 1993. I borrowed my copy
at the George Mason Regional Library numbered as 745.592K. Reviewed by Nicholas
Kalis
"Painting
Cast Resin Vehicles"
John Pryke Model Railroader January 1999, page 153. All urban modelers
should read this illustrated article. Together with color photos, Pryke gives
easy to follow tips for painting cast resin vehicles. Pryke told readers how he
built his HO New Haven RR in the September 1997 issue of MR. Review by Nicholas
Kalis
"The
New Haven's
Waterbury Branch"
Brian Hutchinson, Photos by Lou Sassi. Model Railroader, January 1999,
pp.94-101. Hutchinson's
article contains seven color photographs of his exquisite urban theme layout.
Brian=s
track plan was inspired by Ed Vondrak whose name should be familiar to all
members of the Layout Design SIG and readers of Kalmbach's
Track Planning Ideas from Model Railroader. Review by Nicholas Kalis
"Car
card box and sorting rack"
Lionel Strang Working
on the Railroad Model Railroader February 1999, pp. 123-127. If you are building
an urban based model railroad you should build sorting racks for your car cards.
Strang teaches you how to build these easily. Review by Nicholas Kalis
How to build Dioramas
Sheperd Paine, Kalmbach Books 1980. Sixth printing 1989. Get this book.
There has been at least another printing since the sixth one I purchased. This
book could be subtitled, "Ideas
for Urban Modeling".
Here are the chapter
headings: Introduction, Ideas
and Planning, From the Ground Up, Weathering Techniques,
Posing and Painting Figures, Step-by-step:
The Elefant's
Dilemmas, Details and Accessories,
Superdetailing,
Battle Damage, and Interiors, Step-by-step:
The Lady Be Good;
Structures
for Dioramas; Step-by-step:
The Road to Damascus;
Shadow Boxes; Step-by-step:
The Meeting of the Admiralty Board;
Photographing Your Dioramas.
Review by Nicholas Kalis