HO Scale Billboard - Model Railroad Scenery

In this build guide I'll show you a unique design you can use to build a large billboard for your layout.
The most important step is...... don't forget to model the back of the sign.
A sign that has been modeled both front and rear will look fantastic compared to one that is only the main billboard.
This will look great when your model trains run past this on your model railroad layout or if you model war gaming terrain then this can also compliment any scene you wish to place it in.
Hope you enjoy the video.
Cheers
Luke.

[@gerben9408]

Great video! 👍👌👍👌

[@Steveshappylittletrees]

This will be perfect for an HO gauge train layout I'm doing for my young children and myself. It's going to wrap around my entire basement and will be set in the late 60s and the 70s. This and your other vids have great content and they're very well put together as well. Best regards from Detroit.

[@swiv99]

wow that looks great...looks like a fun project and the outcome is perfect....thanks!

[@mdevidograndpacificlumbera1539]

that intro was hilarious!

[@CarmineRC]

Fantastic idea! In my opinion, it actually looks BETTER than many of the pre-fab kits.... I suppose because YOU the builder can choose how much or little details to add. Never thought of tissue paper for printing! There's a top tip!

[@subascosauce8288]

Your production value is amazing on all your videos! But this one I particularly enjoyed! You’re clearly a perfectionist and it absolutely shows and shines through. Absolutely fantastic.

[@fisalt8436]

I’ve never name a model in life. I don’t ever want to. But I can’t stop watching this dudes video and I don’t know why XD

[@Siletzia]

The intros always make me laugh. Then the real fun starts. So many great videos from Luke. Cheers!

[@ulc35]

Creative sense, a steady hand and patience.. You seem to have it all! Good and inspiring job..

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

***** Yeah patience is the key! I find for the really great looking details you need to spend a fair bit of time building! I'm glad you like the video.Cheers Luke.

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Luke- The reason for the Bevel on the top of the braces is so snow doesn't stick to the top and rot the wood! Good Tut Buddy!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate :) glad you liked it and thanks for the info about the bevel :) I'm often modelling things with no idea why they are made the way they are! Cheers Luke

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Luke Towan I love to watch your videos that give me ideas. Thanks Buddy

[@nikoligogle3153]

Kevin Barwiler Best conversation between the uploader and viewer in KZbin history. 😊

[@njRRtrainer]

Great job.. I chased and found a number of signs for businesses the same way as well a license plates for my vehicles for added details... Your Bill board looks super.. Thank you..

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

njRRtrainer Thanks mate, another person mentioned he made billboard advertisements from old magazine adds, pretty good idea. I like the number plate idea as well!Cheers Luke.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Thanks for the video with another lesson learned and downloaded. The fun part comes when you go to weather your wood frame, hopefully without getting any on your advertisement. That toilet paper taped to regular printer paper new to me.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah, I haven't weathered it yet but I guess you'll have to be careful... I like the method of printing on tissue paper because some of the wood grain shows through.

[@samiam619]

Old, bald fat man, The tissue paper isn’t TP paper! It’s the stuff that comes in 20 x 20 sheets. It’s what you use to hide that present you bought but were too lazy to wrap. And so you stuck it in one of those gift bags...

[@mattgraham-melville4087]

Beautiful as always. That billboard will look even better with lighting!

[@fourleafclover10]

4:39: small imperfections... great work!

[@randallhawkinson4727]

Luke, This was a very inspiring video. Thank you. The detail of your model was particularly interesting and will cause me to place mine in an area it/they can be seen from more than one angle. This will be quite the challenge for a rainy day next winter here on the left coast of the US, (California). Thank you also for demonstrating the micro chopper. I had avoided obtaining one of them until I saw this! I'm glad I signed on to your site!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Randall Hawkinson Thanks Randall, that chopper gets used quite a lot on my models, I use it for all sorts of things! Not just chopping wood... It definitely is a fun project for a rainy day. Cheers Luke

[@albertdeng8652]

Your tutorials are Awesome! Thanks for making them!!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate 😃 glad you enjoy them.

[@harryyoung4209]

excellent video, you are an inspiration, the hay bales are brilliant as well, thanks for sharing

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries Harry, glad you like the videos and I'm glad I've been able to inspire you :) Cheers Luke

[@ScottDowneywoundedbear]

Great how to on the billboard. I need some of that glue, cause I hate waiting for the PVA glue to set enough to stay in place. All that has to be done is weathering and lights. Great job. Scott

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Scott Downey Thanks Scott, yeah imagine how good this would look once its weathered.... and lights would look awesome! The Tac Glue is great, I too hated waiting for PVA! Thanks for the great feedback.Cheers Luke.

[@bojames3677]

Love all your videos.. this is some good stuff, thanks for taking the time to share it with the world.

[@robertl.finney3688]

Great build, a full material list would help first timers like myself. Thank you

[@mangolento589]

very good, I'm from BRAZIL, CURITIBA

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks :) Looking forward to the Olympics

[@TheMisterdan01]

Ha ha, love the first bit Luke! Great build mate, very effective! Cheers, Dan

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

TheMisterdan01 lol, yeah it's not to the 'Warner Brothers' standards of video graphics but it's got a bit of humor! Thanks or the great comment.Cheer Luke.

[@thatfarmer3485]

I added this to my model farm thanks Luke

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Cool :) glad I could help

[@albertbrzozowski]

This is very impressive to watch. I have never tried building a diorama but Your videos are inspiring me to try it! Thank You for posting awesome content and regards!

[@finster101]

Nice how-to and very clever intro.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+finster101 lol, thanks, had a bit of fun making that intro :) Cheers Luke.

[@TrainQuest-Model-Railroad]

Very nice video tutorial 🚂

[@artmay9088]

Excellent professional work as usual Luke

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Art May Thanks Art, it's great to hear that you see it as professional looking. Really positive feedback.Cheers Luke.

[@BurtonOnHumber]

Great video Luke and brilliantly edited as always. Really enjoy watching how you plan and execute your projects and the quality of builds you achieve as a result. Delivered with a good dose of humour as well, it all makes for some excellent entertainment ! :) - Sim

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

BurtonOnHumber Thanks Sim, it's good to here that my videos are entertaining, I'm always a little nervous when I post a new video because I'm not sure if anyone will like it!But I think I'm doing something right with the videos so far because I seem to get a lot of likes. Cheers Luke.

[@Sodabowski]

Great build (and funny intro!)

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Sodabowski lol, thanks again for a fantastic comment, glad you've been enjoying the videos so far :) Cheers Luke

[@michaelandrews7788]

I spit my coffee out when you fell.

[@williammosher9278]

Nice build

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

william mosher Cheers William, thanks for the comment.Cheers Luke.

[@marcelomacedo8828]

wonderful work as usual.

[@Goldchucker1]

In the real world, beveled ends shed waater. Good call.

[@dollhousesminiaturesandmor9586]

Awesome

[@WinterCrafter]

When you weather it, it will look 10 times better!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

true! I need to practice weathering a lot more 😀

[@WinterCrafter]

:D

[@projectclockcodes]

I remember you printing out this on my printer :-) turned out pretty good. Funny intro especially when you fall because you're taking photos! ...would have been a bit more realistic with flashes coming out the camera (just a thought). xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Anna Meresi Towan I never thought of adding flashes but that's a fantastic idea!

[@projectclockcodes]

Not certain? I'm only supporting my husband and I think he does a fantastic job.

[@mikejackieleach1080]

Luke Thanks a lot Mike

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

MikeJackie Leach No worries Mike, thanks for commenting. Cheers Luke.

[@davidbaber5445]

Ingenious....😬

[@stblad3]

Nicely done!!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

stblad3 Thanks for the comment. Cheers Luke

[@SouthBrooklynRR]

Love this stuff, good work.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

William Graham Cheers Bill, thanks for the feedback.Cheers Luke.

[@grandparails8858]

Great how to!!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

John Dilley Thanks John

[@WhiskyLima]

FYI Luke, the bevel that you created on the top of the posts is accurate as they would have done that in real live to prevent water from pooling on the top of the post and rotting the wood :) Nice work!

[@FarlandHowe]

Nicely detailed "how to".

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Rob McCrain Thanks Rob, thanks for the feedback.Cheers Luke.

[@richardguth6829]

Would love to see some scenery in O scale.

[@abp296]

wow very good from mexico

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you, glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@Jestunes]

Great job. Shame you didn't put in some light fixtures in front or top. I'm making a resin billboard sign and was hoping to find some billboard light fixtures to give it a final touch at night. Nice job though...

[@RobRobertson1000]

Awesome Build Luke :)

[@christophermcdonough3466]

Dude this is fuckin sick. great job!

[@Newsky79]

my God! you fell right on your head! ;) Thanks, I really enjoy your videos! :) have you ever tried creating a "board walk" you know like Atlantic City or Wildwood NJ?? seems like it would be tons of fun implementing all the shops, rides, people walking and ocean/beach backing :)

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Newsky79 lol, nothing an ice pack cant fix :) making a boardwalk could be a good little project! I'll have to put it on the ideas list! Cheers Luke

[@scottmcgrath272]

Hi loved the how to video. S there a supple list for this tutorial? Thank you Luke for taking the time to post this video. You always give clear and concise instructions. You just make it look so easy that anybody could do it.

[@keith021597]

I was looking for how to make miniature architectural house but ended up here now I want to make a diorama

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol, maybe you can turn your house into a big diorama :)

[@seanthomas1106]

Great video! Just one of many. Any chance you could post the template & parts list for the billboard? Thanks and I hope you keep putting out videos.

[@HobbyLifeSMF]

nice.wood　is　berry　real.

[@njRRtrainer]

Luke - I have them as a Word Document can send a copy along if you wish... Let me know, all the best G'Day Bill

[@Godrocks1998]

In a city billboard sign, I just thought of a way you might be able to do LED's. They have that giant overhang that people stand on to change the billboards. What if you wired 2 lights up through there to light it up, and then make a wooden pole and pull the wires down through that into the ground?

[@johnnyrailer]

The master did it again! Great build and video. Yea you got the same sense of humor as me. Haha!! Did you ever think of doing a video on how you make yours? I would like to see how you make your intros of your videos.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

model railer Cheers mate, I'm always laughing at your videos! I'll have a look into doing a bit of a video editing tutorial, I'm not very good at explaining the computer side of stuff! A lot of what I do for my intro's was learnt from other KZbin videos!Cheers, Luke.

[@inthelionsden6335]

Genius

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks :)

[@doubledarefan]

Thought you were gonna jump or fall into the back of the truck.

[@michalorlik7749]

I am only looking to yours videos and saying HOW THE HELL YOU CAN MAKE IT!!!

[@ron045]

Great Stuff. Thanks for sharing. Can I get some more info on that neat little razor blade chop saw?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ron045 no worries mate, the chopper was given to me by a friend, he got a new one and wasn't using this one, the name of it is 'The Chopper' and its manufactured by 'NorthWest Short Line', I think Micro Mark do a pretty good one as well. It's a very useful tool especially if you doing a lot of scratch building!Cheers Luke.

[@KerryEmery]

Hi Luke you don't say the sizes of the rear legs lumber and uprights on the back, also im having real problems trying to find the uk equivelent sizes of lumber,. did you manage to find the template you made or can you knock up another one please, looks great thanks

[@Blueberry10000]

i remeber a few years back i grabbed a lot of toothpicks 2 for each billboard and the stuck them in the dirt took me 7weeks to place them all over my car track going all around meh paddock and through it

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

That's a great idea, using toothpick 😃

[@colnagocowboy]

i added a pairof woodland scenics goose neck lamps to the topof my bill board

[@mistered1397]

This is amazing. Great job. Is the tissue paper similar to the kind used in shirt gift boxes or what do you recommend? Thanks for the informative videos.

[@ickleshouse]

would have sent a pm but its seams we cant anymore, so , who manufactures the vehicle you use ? I would like some diversity on my layout and some of yours a great !. When I am making my layout ( delayed due to new roof build on our workshop) and the 4x4's with snorkels would be a great add.

[@krvp1768]

If I may ask where did you get the cutter that you use for doing all the wood cutting? If possible could you share a link? Thanks and btw awesome work on videos so helpful to us newbies

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Ken VP hi Ken, the cutter was a gift and I'm not 100% sure where it was purchased from but micro-mark specializes in tools for hobby making and they sell one, it's called the chopper. Hope that helps. Cheers Luke

[@namnamv6174]

good joob

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate 😊

[@namnamv6174]

Ok by bro xd 😃

[@Bredli37]

2:10 optical illusion, I thought it was standing upright...

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Lucid lol, I took a second look and totally agree. Cheers Luke

[@1tombensky]

Excellent as usual! Thanks. What is the brand of the glue you are using?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

tombensky Thanks Tom. the glue I used was "Helmar Super-Tac Glue", Its great stuff and very strong! You only need the smallest bit to get a good bond.Cheers Luke.

[@1tombensky]

Thnaks!

[@rodney2812]

what glue are you using ? also great video!!!

[@akiren7730]

How would it look if you made the sign art in 5 parts? Like in irl where it would come in paper rolls ??

[@michaelleesmith5903]

Great video Luke. I was wondering about the "print on tissue paper" thing...are you just running this through a basic Deskjet printer or something more advanced? If it's a basic printer, how do you make sure the tape doesn't get hung up while it's running through the machine? Cheers,Mike

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Michael Lee Smith I can see your concern, I just use an ordinary printer bought from Office Works, $30! Although the ink cost nearly $60! It would probably be cheaper to go in and buy a new printer every time that comes with the ink rather than buying the refills! I make sure the tape is nice and secure around the edges of the tissue paper. I basically rub my finger along it a few times to make sure it's stuck down good. And it's good quality stick tape, not masking tape. Fingers crossed I haven't had it jam up in the printer yet! Cheers Luke.

[@mikejackieleach1080]

Hi Luke Love you videos. Can you tell me where you got the chop miter cutter for cutting the small pieces for the billboard. Thanks MFL

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

MikeJackie Leach Hey Mike, it was given to me by a friend who had purchased a new one for himself, its "The Chopper" by "North West Short Line". Hope that helps. I'm pretty sure Micro-Mark sell similar choppers if not the exact same brand and they cost about $26. It's on sale at the moment. www.micromark.com/chop-it,9547.html Cheers Luke

[@daviddragan1845]

you have the same printer as I do

[@dylxnchn]

Can you somehow apply led's to the billboard?

[@DoroMataSareanu]

I thought I clicked on a Whatculture video because of the music

[@josephinksstudionstuff3415]

Can you do a abandoned car? : )

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

What are the measurements of the bill board

[@PeterWark]

Hi mate where did u get the cutter from in this video

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+PeterWark It was actually a hand me down from a friend. I think you can still by them from "Micromark" they specialize in hobby tools. Cheers Luke

[@arthurmorgan9158]

Wear do u get your trains and cars from

[@namnamv6174]

luke

[@robociock]

Why dont u create ur own miniature character with the 3d printer?

[@fahmifaridi4296]

Hi how to make desert scene

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I'll add that to my list of ideas for future videos... Dessert scenes are actually quite difficult to get right. Cheers Luke

[@mdevidograndpacificlumbera1539]

Luke Towan that would be awesome brother! there isn't much on deserts out there, i'd love to see that too- you just got a subscriber!

[@lombokcreativchanel5519]

what name editing sofware

[@eldurangonzalezxiii4317]

HI HOW TO A MAKE A CUT GUILLOTINE PLEESE TELL ME I HAVE A ONE ONE TUTORIAL

[@erkiderkdank2730]

can we have the template?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Erik Larsson I'll see if I still have it and put it on my website. I'll post a message here once I do it. Cheers Luke.

[@TheKansasfull]

My last name is fuller lol

[@robertl.finney3688]

Anyone willing to pull down some aussie relevant billboards and reduce to size for me please only have the ipad. Size would be around 168 x 49mm or 140 x 42mm. If possible reply and I will give you a email to post. Thanks Robert

[@step2191]

How does one viewer click the thumbs down button?!!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

yeah, not everyone is impressed :)

[@step2191]

That 1 dislike is because that person thought it was too much detail to complete one themselves. Nothing in life is easy. :-)

[@granander]

Modellers envy for sure!

[@juanviveros3010]

No me gustan maquetas tan pequeñas

[@tiarnat5554]

I challege you to make a diorama out of rubbish, cheap art suplies and all under $20