David Baker layout tour

[NW Modeling List]

Hi,

Happy to share.

I use the N scale Arizona cinders. I'd get both HO and N, that way you can
decide what size you want best. The Arizona product is actual cinders, so
make sure you put a magnet over your work. I don't know about the other
brand. I do have a limestone ballast from them and it's good stuff.

I use a spritzer to fine mist some 50% IPA / water before the 50% Matte
Medium / water. It's a little more delicate than the limestone, but it's
not bad.

Yes for the LCC, but I don't have anything fancy for timing and effects
right now. But I really want the lanterns at the passenger stations to have
that oil lamp glow. I need to get on that.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/
It's been a few years, so no idea if they are still good.

For books:
How to build a small switching Layout
How to design a small switching Layout

I don't have the scenery book, but it looks good. Lances blog may also have
stuff on this or his tutorials on his site. He is pretty nice, I'll bet he
would respond with a product list update if you emailed him. Although I'm
still using the exact stuff listed, new as of 2 months ago.

I would also recommend "how to make vignettes" from Ammo. I can't stress
enough how impressed I am by the military modeling community.

David Baker


On Tue, Sep 23, 2025, 9:18 PM NW Modeling List via NW-Modeling-List <
nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:

> David, some questions for you.
>
> I like the very fine cinder treatment. What material to use for this? I’ve
> been content with Scenic Express’ offering (it’s relatively fine), but I’m
> always looking for other options. Never mind, Andre asked this later in the
> video - check me if I linked the wrong product.
>
>    - Arizona Rocks and Minerals
>    https://www.armballast.com/product/1032-lbs-black-cinder-ho-scale-ballast/
>    - Stuff that I purchased:
>    https://www.sceneryexpress.com/LIGHT-CINDER-BLEND-FINE-QUART/productinfo/SE0853/
>       - I’ve only used this on a small diorama and I thought it was
>       pretty good. The best stuff I’ve used, look wise (subjective, of course),
>       was the no-longer-available Smith and Sons. It was very, very fine with
>       color variation that reminds me of iron and sulfur impurities that I see in
>       real cinder. However, the fineness made it very hard for adhesive to wick
>       in - there’s almost no air space.
>
>
> Is your interior lighting also controlled by LCC? (I think I’ve seen some
> of your commentary on the LCC mailing list - good to make that particular
> connection).
>
> What vendors do you have for your plexiglass cutting work?
>
> You mentioned Lance Mindheim’s good color advice in one of his books. I
> think you are referring to this one?  “Scenery For Modern Switching
> Layouts”.  For everyone else, his books are here:
> https://lancemindheim.com/book-store/
>
> Thanks for sharing your layout!
>
> Matt Goodman
> Columbus, Ohio, US
>
>
> On Sep 22, 2025, at 7:33 PM, NW Modeling List via NW-Modeling-List <
> nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
> Thank you for putting this up!
>
> On Monday, September 22, 2025 at 03:19:35 PM EDT, NW Modeling List <
> nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
>
>
> Recorded last night's virtual tour and you can watch it on our YouTube
> site here:
>
> https://youtu.be/WyGGw7VVUAo
>
> Please let me know if you would be willing to show yours and if you would
> like to see others.
> Thanks,
> Jim Cochran
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