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Magazine Articles By Bob Walker

"Scratchbuilding" Products

The author describes the various parts that go into scratchbuilding a model, such as wood and styrene strips and sheets, as well as detailing parts that don't need to be scratchbuilt. Includes many photos of the author's layout showing scratchbuilt models.

A High End Build

Bob describes how he built a super-detailed, high-quality stock car to Proto 48 O-scale standards.

A Little Philosophy

The author discusses how the hobby has progressed in terms of product quality over the decades and how scratchbuilding is viewed from different perspectives.

A Longer Project

After last month's one-evening project, this month the author expands on the same techniques to build a two-story structure that represents a building that used to maintain horse-and-carriages, but has since switched to the new "automobile" repair service industry. The building is part wood and part brick.

A Simple Shack Beside the Track

Consider building a small shed to get started in scratchbuilding. Also, the author states that even for experienced modelers it is nice to build a model in one day. The accompanying photos show lots of ideas for small sheds the author has built in various scales.

A Styrene Shed

Taking us through the process of building a simple, non-descript shed, the author describes how to work with styrene to make a structure look like it is made out of wood.

A Styrene Tender

Bob describes how he built a tender for a steam locomotive that he couldn't buy ready-to-run. Includes many detailed construction photos.

A Tale of Three Sandhouses

Using his own O-scale building as a guide, the author described how he scratchbuilt an HO-scale model for a friend, using new and improved techniques and materials. This, in turns, leads him to rebuild his own O-scale model.

A Wood Passenger Car

Since the author is building a 10'x20' Sn3 logging layout, he needed some wooden passenger cars, so this article describes how he built one. Includes construction photos.

Add to Those Walls

Planning the construction of a scratchbuild building should include gathering and layout out the many details that go on the walls of the building. Many examples are shown in the accompanying photos.

Added Strength

Various tips and techniques for making structures stronger to live longer.

Adhesives and Chemistry

Bob covers several glues, but the majority of the article is about how he makes his own stains.

Age and Weather

The author shares some new thoughts on how he paints and weathers structures and freight cars, with close-up photos of many examples.

Aging and Weathering

This article covers the effective use of colors on our models, and specific tips on weathering freight cars and structures.

An Old Trackside Barn

Building a trackside barn to house food for cattle transportation. The building is made from coffee stir sticks.

Another Big One

The author describes the reality of building a very long trestle bridge for his layout.

Attachment and Adhesives

This article quickly covers some of the standard glues modelers use, and some others not often needed, and several tips on holding things together while the glue dries.

Back to Simple

Evaluating the complexity of a project, purposely choosing a simple project, or making a project simple can yield a lot of dividends for the layout without it taking a long time to complete.

Background Building

Building a background structure from foamboard and printed textured brick paper.

Background Buildings, Flats and Philosophy

The author presents many ideas about how to make thin background buildings look more three-dimensional. He also discusses forced perspective.

Beyond Just Glue

Some joints require reinforcements beyond what glue can provide. Includes many tips and tricks and several photos of same.

Board by Board

The author shares his thoughts on when board-by-board scratchbuilding should be used, how to simulate peeling paint, and provides tips on how to put the building together.

Bob Walker's Dream Layout

The author writes the scratchbuilding column, but this article describes his large On3 layout. It models the Rio Grande Southern in 1942. About half of the layout is scenicked and looks beautiful.

Bricks and Masonry

Practical modeling ideas for brick buildings.

Build for a Contest

Building models for a contest is quite a bit different than building them for the layout. One such difference is the amount of time the project takes. The author shares his stories about entering contest, and the photos show many different contest models and photos.

Cardstock and Strathmore

Making buildings out of these two materials.

Castings and Kits

The author describes how he builds his own molds to cast a number of items. Includes are photos of his logging camp building and logging flat cars of which he needed a number for his Sn3 layout.

Challenges

How do you tackle a huge, complex, or intimidating scratchbuilding project? One bite at a time! The author describes various large projects he started, facing his initial fears.

Color and Light

Dealing with layout lighting and how it impacts the paint and weathering of structures.

Color and Texture Part II

The author covers painting buildings different colors so that they don't all look alike. Also, make sure that the colors look right under your layout lights, as well as the contest room lights, if that is your goal with the project.

Color Revisited

The color items on the layout are painted are highly dependent on how the layout is lit.

Colors and Textures Part 1

Bob gives us his tips and tricks for layout lighting to match colors, using chalks and stains, weathering almost all shiny items, and distressing buildings within reason.

Creating Building Signs

Bob discusses the various modeling scales he has used and why, explains the HO-scale layout he has added, and coming up with and producing creative building signs.

Creative Stonework Methods

Making masters, and casting walls for masonry buildings.

Cumbres Depot

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this D&RGW depot, including how to make a mold and cast roof braces.

Details

Bob's thoughts on the how and why of adding details.

Details Make a Difference

The author shares some ideas on how to add more details to your layout.

Details, Again

Bob's history as a detail manufacturer, balancing between buying and making your own details, and how details bring a scene to life.

Digital Cameras and Road Trips

Bob uses his camera to photograph the models he is building, taking "snap shots" of his own layout (as a memory for when it is later gone), and, of course, photographing the prototype for modeling purpose. Although not necessarily a second hobby, Bob recommends keeping a camera around at all times.

Distress

Using various tools to distress wood to give structures that aged and weather-beaten look.

Doors

The author describes how to model various doors, some of which may have to be built from scratch.

Doors, Windows, and Details

Scratchbuilding supplies for scale doors and windows. Includes several nice finished models.

Expand Your Horizons

Tips and ideas on how to get out of a modeling rut.

Feed Store

Step-by-step instructions on how to build the structure, with lots of close-up construction photos.

Finishing the Frenda

This installment finalizes the structure, by building two buildings that sit on top of the structure built in the previous month's issue.

Foundations and Bases

Making foundations and bases for structures, such as gluing structures to a mini base, which is later integrated into the layout, or leaving the bottom open for speakers, interior lighting. The author describes several methods he has used for building foundations.

Foundations, Bases, and Footprints

The author describes various materials that can be used to make building foundations. Footprints are important, especially when the structure is to set close to the track.

Frenda Mine Part 1

The author needed a small mine for his Sn3 D&RGW layout. The article shows how to measure and fit a new structure into existing scenery, and how to start with scratchbuilding the structure.

From The Beginning

The article covers the author's opinion of why we should consider scratchbuilding.

From the Scrap Box

The author talks about organizing leftover scraps, knowing when to throw a scrap piece away, using scrap to "super-detail" a scene, and using a blender to make scrap look unrecognizable for use in scenes.

Gathering Ideas

Bob shares his thoughts about how to prepare for and then actually gather data from prototype structures that you want to model, such as photographs and using a "walking stick" to place next to structures when photographing them.

General Store

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this small store. The interesting challenge was the two large windows right next to the front door, because that leaves a very weak wall.

Going the Extra Mile

The author describes his philosophy about which projects deserve going the extra mile for in their detailing, its construction, and how to know when it is enough.

Home Improvements

The author discusses how models you built a while back may not look right anymore. Either your skills have improved or they are not the right size. He suggests not throwing the models away, but rather built them into a new structure, or moving them to the back of the layout.

How I Scratchbuilt My First Steam Locomotive Part 1

The author shares how he got to write this article series, what the main steps are for building a steam locomotive from scratch, and the basic skills required.

How I Scratchbuilt My First Steam Locomotive Part 2

Bob continues his story of how he built his first locomotive. This installment covers the basic frame. It includes a materials and tools list, frame diagrams, and a drill size chart.

How I Scratchbuilt My First Steam Locomotive Part 3

In this installment of the construction of the Virginia Midland 4-6-0 covers the running gear, boiler, and cab. Includes diagrams and close-up photos.

Inspiration

Friends and fellow modelers serve to inspire.

Interiors - Philosophy and Practice

The author shares his views on when and when not to detail the interior of buildings, and how he creates some of the interior details he has used.

Jigs and Fixtures

The author describes his experience building jigs for trestle bents for his On30 layout.

Labor of Love

The author describes what he went through to try to build a static one-inch scale model of a Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0.

Ladders and Stairs

The author describes the construction materials and jigs he uses to make ladders and stairs.

Large Projects

Dealing with building those very large structures on your railroad, such as roundhouses, large passenger stations, or long trestle bridges.

Large Projects Part II

This installment covers how the authored dealt with building a large 32" by 48" stamp mill complex for his layout.

Large Scale Shed

Building a structure in a different scale is a good experience, especially one that is destined to go outdoors.

Light 'em Up!

The author used to be a locomotive engineer at the Illinois Railway Museum, and remembers enjoying running the engines after dark. Because of that, he puts lights in nearly everything on his home layout, examples of which are discussed and photographed in this article.

Lighting and Interiors

Building interior details of structures or cabooses is a waste of time if the viewer can't see them, or if it requires you removing the roof so that the viewer can admire the details. He describes his viewpoint of either building contest models (where roofs can be removed) or building model for the layout, where interior details only matter if they can be seen (e.g. via interior lighting).

Logistics

The author shares his ideas on keeping your supplies stocked-up and organized. Several ideas are shared, as well as an overall photo of his layout.

Made for Television

Bob describes how he built and uses a lap tray for doing some light modeling work while watching television.

Making Joints

This column is a follow-up to the June 2005 column about how to make successful joints in structures, in which the author describes additional thoughts about how to construct walls, trestle bents, and some of the tools he uses.

Making Stone Walls

How to make a wall master and then casting a number of them for structures.

Mass Production

The author shares his experience when it is time to build a lot of identical items or parts.

Mass Production

The author describes his history as a manufacturer (eventually starting Accurail), and at what point in time making multiples of an item or part is worth the effort. The photos accompanying the article show how he made 10 Fn3 logging disconnects for 5 cars.

Material Choices

The author talks about the different dominant materials we can use in our scratchbuilding projects, which materials to use to simulate certain prototype materials, and a bit about how to cut window openings.

Metal Working III

The metal working series continues with this installment that covers drilling and tapping.

Metal Working IV

This installment covers using a lathe to mill metal.

Metal Working Pt II

Bob continues his article on how to do metal working, covering filing and soldering.

Metal Working Pt. I

The basic about how to work with metal and some of the tools required.

Metal Working V

This installment (the last one) covers a basic milling machine and how to work with it.

Mini-projects

The author describes moments he grabs here and there to get a little bit of progress done on some of his larger projects. Over time this adds up and suddenly you have a finished model, or a complete scene.

Mock-ups

The author uses mock-up buildings made out of foam board to represent buildings that are yet to be scratchbuilt.

Modeling Building Roofs

Bob describes various roofing types and how he models them.

Modifying Doors and Windows

The author describes various means for modifying commercially-available door and window parts.

Mold Making and Casting Part I

How to use the mold-making and casting technique to take the chore out of doing repetitive work.

Mold Making and Casting Part II

The author discusses RTV rubbers from which to make molds, and how make castings from those molds. Photos of several examples are included.

More About Plaster

The author is learning how to cast structures in plaster, and this month's experience includes building a masonry building. The finished model is beautiful.

More About Roofs

The author discusses what kind of interior bracing he uses on which conditions for roofs, and how he models standing seam metal roofing.

More on Fixtures

Several different jigs are described, e.g. flat car stake pockets drilling jig.

More on Roofs

Bob describes various roofing techniques and how he builds the foundation of his model roofs. It follows up on his February, 2005 column on roofs.

More On Small Stuff

Bob covers how patience and self-discipline will eventually lead to the results you ultimately want. Organizing your tools helps you spend more time working on the models instead of finding tools. Keeping the workbench clean and organized helps prevent accidents. Also covered are some specific tools for simulating wood grain, and staining wood.

More On Walls

How you build your structure's walls depends on whether or not their interior will be visible. Includes a discussion on how to strategically light the interior of the building.

More on Wood

The author shares his views on storing strip wood, using glues, and provides construction tips (staining and cutting).

More Tricks

Bob shares his thoughts for a good work bench setup, including some interesting and useful tools.

More Weathering Part II

The author continues to shares his tricks for aging and weathering wood for structures.

More Workbench Ideas

The author describes the tool carousel he built to keep his modeling tools nearby without taking up a lot of desk space.

Not Quite Buildings

Scratchbuilding retaining walls, culverts, and abutments.

Notes for a New Scratchbuilder

The author describes how one can build a storage shed from scratch in under 5 hours of modeling time.

Of An Evening

Using your time, even small increments, to get some small modeling projects done around the layout. Try to set some time aside each week. Includes a number of photos of small things the author added to his layout that didn't take but an evening's worth of time.

One Day (Really?)

The author covers the idea of building a small structure from scratch in one day. The building in question is an S-scale small storage shed.

One for Gasoline Alley

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a scale 20'x28' old-style, single-pump gas station. He provides some sage advice for building structures in this article, to make sure it lasts. Lots of construction photos included.

Organization and Storage

The author discusses how he organizes tools, parts, and scratchbuilding supplies.

Out of the Fringes

Bob discusses what could be considered the fringes of our model railroading hobby.

Paper

Using paper for scratchbuilding. There is commercial paper, and the author also discusses how to take photos of prototype structure walls, print them, and apply them to your scratchbuilt structure.

Philosophy, Small Bridges, and Culverts

Bob covers his recent interview with "The Model Railway Show" podcast, and covers how to get started in scratchbuilding, and then continues with how to scratchbuild small bridges and culverts.

Photo-modeling

Using photos of prototype buildings or structures on the layout, the author describes how he photographs and prints walls to be glued to structures. This is great for back-of-the-layout type of structures.

Prove It, Bob!

Bob's wife challenges him to build a structure in an evening, based on his column from the previous month (he built a supply shed-type of building in 236 minutes).

Railroad Road Overpasses

The author describes how he scratchbuilt a steel girder bridge that covers automobile roadways.

Railroading Salt Creek Style

This club layout resided in Elmhurst, IL. It features four levels and mostly scratchbuilt structures and vast scenery. The club's history is covered.

Random Thoughts

Topics discussed are backdrop, background/flat buildings, using forced-perspective, his visit with John Allen, background trees made from unusual material, and incorporating humor with figures and mini scenes.

Rear Walls

Showing the rear wall of structures presents a different opportunity for modeling.

Resin Casting

This article covers how to make lots of detail castings.

Retaining Walls

Bob describes various retaining walls, how to model them, and the article is accompanied by three model photos.

Rural Freight House

The scratchbuilt structure is based on the building found on the D&RGW's narrow-gauge line in Gato, Colorado.

Sage Advice

Bob provides lots of tips and suggestions.

Sage of the Square Footer

Bob tells the story of how his wife competed in the 2014 National Narrow Gauge Convention's Square-Footer contest and won second place. The model is of an old engine being pulled out of a shed, modeled in Sn3.

Sand House

Bob shows his steps for building an open wet sand bin, a drying house, and the delivery tower.

Scale Drawings

The author discusses how to convert scale drawings in a scale other than the one you are modeling into the scale you are modeling. Conversion factors are listed.

Scene Augmentation

Adding several small details near the front of the layout to help tell a story or to draw attention. He gives lots of ideas in this month's column.

Scratchbuilding Freight Cars

The article covers how the author built a commissary car, but it covers a lot of information about why you might want to scratchbuilt your own freight car and what the general steps might be.

Scratchbuilding in Another Scale

The author discusses occasionally building something in another scale to not only keep your interests high in the hobby, but also to gain a different perspective and learn some new techniques.

Short Line Water Tank

The author builds a water tank as his foray into Fn3, and is surprised by how big this modeling scale is.

Signs

The author discusses various ways we can make signs for our structures, including using a digital camera.

Simple Rubber Molds

The author describes the process for making your own basic molds and castings. The photos show how he cast the parts for a log car.

Small Bridges

The author describes how to scratchbuild small trestle bridges.

Some Thoughts on Scratchbuilding

Bob describes his experience learning to build from scratch starting in 1956.

Something Big

For something different, the author scratchbuilds a 1:12 scale caboose.

Something From Nothing

Using the scrap box to build models, the author describes how he built a simple shed.

Sound and Motion

The author discusses some ideas for adding sound and animation to the scenery, and how not to overdo it.

Speaking of Tools

The author covers his family heritage with regard to woodworking, discusses how to buy tools (don't buy cheap, for example), buying multiples of the same tools (and which ones), and how to modify tools.

Stone & Masonry

The author shares various techniques he has used for modeling a brick or masonry foundation or structure using molds he made.

Stonework Walls

The author provides tips on how he models stonework, especially dealing with issues related to the corners in structures.

Storage, Again

Bob describes using every nook and cranny in your modeling space for extra storage. He uses his tubes of long stripwood, locomotive repair cradle, and paint bottle carousel as examples.

Strange Ideas

Bob shares his ideas of using cigarette ashes for weathering structures, staining wood with old coffee, and using an old blender to make scenery base material from left-over, non-metal scrap materials.

Sweat the Small Stuff

The author shares his philosophy about detailing the scenes on his layout.

Taking Notes, Keeping Track

The author makes a case for keeping track of notes and time spent on scratchbuilding projects. This would then make it easier to guesstimate your next project.

The Devil is in the Details

The author ran a parts-manufacturing business for a number of years. He shares his thoughts on details, and shows several photos of creative ideas.

The Lowly Shed

Description for building a handcar or storage shed. Two different models are shown in the photos.

The Trauma of Changing Scales

Bob describes what it is like changing scale and/or gauges. Included are charts comparing rail heights, scale dimensions, and typical lengths of equipment for each of the main scales.

The Workbench

The author discusses several ideas for suitable work spaces.

Things to Do Before Supper

The author describes various small things he does before he is called to the dinner table.

Thirty Minutes

Adding small details to structures or scenes doesn't have to take a long time, but can do a lot of the overall impression of the layout.

Tool Shed

The author details how he built this 9'x17' building on a raised platform.

Trees and Weeds

The author shares how to dismember a stuffed animal as a source for layout weeds. Also covered are how to use twine and rope for weeds, advice on using natural materials, using commercial trees, learning to make your own, and learning to paint your own backdrop.

Two-stall Engine House Part 1

The author shares how he started this project, by building the walls, the doors, and how to weather the walls.

Two-stall Engine House Part 2

This installment completes the construction of the engine house by building the interior trusses, center beams, and lighting.

Unconventional Materials

The author mentions his use of a collection of materials that he uses that a modeler may not readily think of, such as signage from antique store letter heads, marker pens, foils, etc.

Unconventional Tools

The author lists a number of his tools that are not necessarily found in modelers' tool boxes, such as a special dough-like substance for holding parts, a tool for cutting foam board, various rulers, metal blocks, etc.

Unlike Rome: Built in a Day

Covering a variety of scales and a variety of projects, the author discusses things that can be built in 8 hours or less.

Unusual Attachments

The author describes using screws, pins, styrene rod as rivets, metal tab catches, and hiding wires in tubing.

Up On The Roof

The author describes how he scratchbuilt and details building roofs.

Using Styrene

This is an introductory article about why and how to use styrene. It discusses the benefits of styrene versus some of the other building materials. There is also a short discussion on which glues to use with styrene.

Weathering Part 1

In this two-part series, the author shares a number of different techniques he uses for weathering structures.

Weathering Freight Cars Without an Airbrush

Making the argument that perfectly clean freight cars don't exist in the real world (unless they were just built), the author describes his steps for weathering the wheels, trucks, underframe (skipping the couplers), body, lettering, and adding scribing and waybills.

Weeds and Trees

The author describes the various materials he uses to make weeds, bushes, and trees.

Weekend Projects

The author takes on the challenge of scratchbuilding a structure for his Sn3 layout over the weekend.

What You'll Need to Scratchbuild

Review of a large collection of handy tools for doing scratchbuilding work.

Windows

The author shows how to scratchbuild windows, including a simple jig he uses to ensure that multiple windows are the same size.

Working with Plaster Part I

This introductory article covers the various types of plasters available, how to create your own molds, and how to cast with plaster.

Working with Styrene

After describing what styrene is and how it is used in making model railroading models and parts, the author describes how he works with the material to make scratchbuilt models.

Working with Wood

The article discusses when it is best to use strip wood and when sheet wood is better for models.

Working with Wood

The author describes the tools, stains, and techniques he used to work with wood to build structures.