Model Railroading > Tired old ties discarded beside the track

Wood ties get worn out and decayed.  The tie plates crush down on soft old wood, the spike holes become large, loosening the spikes, and the ties often split down the middle.
The track crew dug these two out along my HO scale SWP track, they have given their all.
Soom they will be hauled off to become fence posts or cribbing.
A batch of these little detail bits takes only an hour or two, starting with scale lumber.
The photo is about four times full size on the layout and not quite in focus, but you get the idea.
I'm thinking of a small article to submit to RMC, MR, or an on-line periodical like MRH  Any suggestions?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/11/20 21:28 by railstiesballast.

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Outstanding!

railstiesballast Wrote:
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> Wood ties get worn out and decayed.  The tie
> plates crush down on soft old wood, the spike
> holes become large, loosening the spikes, and the
> ties often split down the middle.
> The track crew dug these two out along my HO scale
> SWP track, they have given their all.
> Soom they will be hauled off to become fence posts
> or cribbing.
> A batch of these little detail bits takes only an
> hour or two, starting with scale lumber.
> The photo is about four times full size on the
> layout and not quite in focus, but you get the
> idea.
> I'm thinking of a small article to submit to RMC,
> MR, or an on-line periodical like MRH  Any
> suggestions?

Write it up, I'm sure RMC would probably be interested. Drop them a line and see if there is any interest.

I had to read carefully to make sure this was a model scene, the ties are that realistic!  Details like this can really make a difference on a layout.  I've got ties and lengths of rusty rail here and there on my railroad but the ties are just weathered plastic ones, not nearly as well done as yours!  Maybe I have another winter project to consider.

Bob

bobdavis Wrote:
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> I had to read carefully to make sure this was a
> model scene, the ties are that realistic! 

I had exactly the same reaction.  Close-up photography of models can reveal a multitude of flaws that the naked eye misses.  This photo reveals none!

Elizabeth

Thank you Elizabeth, but my eye sees a lot of dust that I could have blown off before taking the picture.
Here is another set of ties, salvaged from bits of flex track.
These are representing pre-plated new ties as used in some construction projects.  
The ties are almost black from fresh creosote and the tie plates are a silvered gray to represent the new tie plates and spikes.
The wood grain is cast in by whoever made the track.
I set them on a loading dock awaiting the next project along the line.
Again, these are much larger than actual size, and again, the dust from a 12+ year old layout shows up.
 

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railstiesballast Wrote:
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> Wood ties get worn out and decayed.  The tie
> plates crush down on soft old wood, the spike
> holes become large, loosening the spikes, and the
> ties often split down the middle.
> The track crew dug these two out along my HO scale
> SWP track, they have given their all.
> Soom they will be hauled off to become fence posts
> or cribbing.
> A batch of these little detail bits takes only an
> hour or two, starting with scale lumber.
> The photo is about four times full size on the
> layout and not quite in focus, but you get the
> idea.
> I'm thinking of a small article to submit to RMC,
> MR, or an on-line periodical like MRH  Any
> suggestions?

RMC?  Sounds good!  Check your PM!

Cheers,
Harry

nice work!

Super-duper!!!

Really good. It's also something to make an operating session interesting. Run a work train, pick them all up, then run a train with an office car.

TAW