Comments on: Making Block Ice For Model Railroad Scene

By: Roy

Roy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:43:36 +0000

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.

By: Br'er Shaygetz

Br'er Shaygetz — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:14:19 +0000

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”.

By: Ken Malgren

Ken Malgren — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:22:11 +0000

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.