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Making Block Ice For Model Railroad Scene
David asks readers for advice:
“I have a refer ice siding (house) on my module (Northwest Crossing RR Houston Tx) and would like to add people loading ice into the refer. How and what would you make ice blocks out of?”
Bruce asks readers:
“Is there any particular reason why when running two locos as headers one faces forward and one backward?”
Add your suggestions below.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Admittedly this solution involves a lot of micro-work!
Purchase some UHMW stock (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1580) which can often be found in woodworking supply stores for making jigs.
Cut the HHMW into the size pieces you want for ice and use fine sandpaper to round the edges and remove any saw marks.
The blocks will be white like block-ice.
Hope this helps.
Most ice modeling is done with Plexi-glass cut into scale sized blocks, then set into pools of clear gloss paint. Don’t forgot the trail of water from the ice house out to the platform
As for running locos back-to-back, it is a matter of convenience—you don’t have to turn the consist at the terminal, just send it out in the other direction as is. BTW, locos running nose to tail is referred to as “running elephant style”.
During visit to a local plastics shop I found 1/8″ square clear lucite rods that were easily cut into small 1/8 cubes. I used a jewelers saw which roughed up the cut sides then a few touches with the saw also made the smooth sides look like scale ice blocks. Clear fingernail polish ‘puddles’ on the ice deck added to the illusion.