How to Add a Story in Scale Models:The Barge: Ep 3

In Episode 3, the final one in the series, I have documented in detail how I added some fine details to the barge - starting from creating N Scale wooden hatch boards, scratch building N Scale tires, making a miniature tarp and even modifying N Scale figures to suit the scene.
Part 1: Scratchbuilding with Styrene - • Top Tips for Scratch B...
Part2: Painting and Weathering: • How to Create Realisti...
QUICK NAVIGATION:
0:00 Recap and Intro
00:56 Background
01:18 Weathering wood
04:45 Install hatch boards
06:24 Making miniature tarp
08:30 Making miniature old tires
11:00 Customizing N Scale figures
14:47 A load of grain
17:06 Installing the barge
I needed a barge for my layout, but I thought why not make it a little special for my KZbin followers! So, I thought why not build an N Scale model with fine scale standards? Why not try to see what's the best I can do building something from absolute scratch? Then I thought, why just end there - let's document every little detail of the build so that it can help others as a good reference.
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CREDITS:
Music Credit in the order of appearance:
Hurts So Good Blues by Unicorn Heads
This Little Light of Mine by E's Jammy Jam
Midnight Special by E's Jammy Jam
Red Eye by E's Jammy Jam
When Johnny Goes Marching by E's Jammy Jam
The Rising by Akash Gandhi
Back to he Future logo and Doctor Who clip are used under the assumption that it falls within the purview of Fair Use Policy.

[@vincentvandevorst5575]

Your solution for tires is a stroke of genuis!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@chrissharp5073]

Simply outstanding. Your attention to detail and the way you achieve it is absolutely brilliant. Great three part video. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Many thanks, and I am so happy that you found this series helpful. One of my tricks to achieve realistic details is that I don't see what others are making when it comes to details. I learn from their techniques and methods, but the details are always inspired by the real things. I learned this from Troels Kirk, one of my all time favorite model makers and painters. Thank you for stopping by and wish you and your loved ones can enjoy the holiday season the best you can. Cheers! 🙏🍻🎄

[@thomasm519]

WoW What an Eye Opener!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! I am glad that this was helpful. 🙏🙏

[@notjamesdood]

The tire from the heat shrink is very clever

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! Going cheap but producing believable models is a hobby in itself. 😉

[@ronaldvanpinxteren3644]

Great scratch build explanation with this series of 3 movies. Regards Modellbahn Rosenbahn

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Ronald! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it and hope that it was helpful. Thank you again for stopping by. Cheers! Kaustav

[@theouterarrowhead]

Thanks! Great set of videos!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Glad you like them! Cheers!

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Excellent work in these three videos. Thank you.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Glad you like them, Andrew! Yeah, it was quite fun going a little overboard with details in this project. This one will stay interesting and relevant for years to come. Thank you for stopping by. Cheers! Kaustav

[@jamesway5036]

Beautiful work

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ajkleipass]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you!

[@jh7553]

Great series!! Beautiful build. Yes, I'll be making my own tooth pick micro files!!!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! Those micro files are a life saver - I have started using them EVERYWHERE! The other day I made myself a few of them to clean really tough grime from my loco wheels too.

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

Excellent work. And I am stealing a few tips as well. Best wishes.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Please do! That is what all these videos are for, so that people can benefit from it. I am glad that you liked it and it is helpful. Cheers!

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

That is absolute magic my friend awesome job well done

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! I am glad that you liked all these little tips and tricks. :) Cheers! Kaustav

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

I’m looking forward to apply some of these techniques on my channel

[@SansP3ur]

Couldn't say what was the most helpful since everything you did was both educational and inspiring, but that tire building technique was really dope.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! The funny part is, it wasn't even planned. I was scrambling for the right material in my workshop to make tires and that's when it hit me that the rubbery look of the heat shrink tube can be used to my advantage. It's one of those rare instances where an experiment has gone right in the very first attempt. Thanks for stopping by and appreciate your kind words, glad that the video was helpful. Cheers! Kaustav

[@dacuzzz]

...that is really an awesome build Kaustav..2 thumbs up & thx for sharing.. vinny/cuz

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Vinny! I am happy that you liked it. :) Cheers! Kaustav

[@mr.e1944]

Great video series. I watched the first and couldn’t stop. It is now really late. Even though I model in HO scale I am going to use many of the techniques you used since my next module is going to be a small port. Keep up the awesome work, i am going to watch more of your videos!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

I am really glad that this series was helpful for you! Yes, all these techniques are applicable for HO scale too, in fact even the details will match pretty closely except the figures.I am making models in HO scale as well right now, and it's definitely easier to achieve finer details in HO. Good luck with your port. Cheers! Kaustav

[@mr.e1944]

@@TrainsandDioramas Thanks Kaustav!

[@DruSteel69]

It is pretty awesome. Great job. Thanks for sharing the details. I learned quite a bit. Take care. - Drew

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Drew! I'm glad that it was helpful. Cheers! Kaustav

[@DruSteel69]

You’re welcome, Kaustav. Take care.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

I agree tires are the best thing I learned from this vid. Never thought about using file for treads. I model hotwheels and rubber tires with tread is the biggest unicorn. Great work.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Glad it was helpful for you. Cheers!

[@jovetj]

I'm in awe!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Joseph! Glad you found me here. :)

[@jovetj]

Small world, indeed! ;-)

[@gerdeguelle1967]

nice work

[@trainguy5634]

Very good stuff. Loved it!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you for joining the premier today. It was great fun!

[@kevinburgess6112]

simply amazing!!

[@34136TS]

Can't wait - you're very good!

[@AndyDorsch]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing this series! I have learned a great deal from this tutorial! I can't wait to see what you come up with next! Keep up the great work!!!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Andy! I'm glad that this was helpful. Cheers! Kaustav

[@daviddavies5089]

Top class!

[@normanrowe2831]

Outstanding! Great series. You are very talented and a pleasure to watch and listen to. Wow....I guess I am a fan. That’s cool, later.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Norman! It's great to have you as my official fan. Now I'll have to send you a badge!

[@biglouie69]

Incredible work! Just beginning myself and a list of materials and supplies used would be greatly appreciated! I have only scratch built four landing craft and wish I had weathered them a bit.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Louie! The list of materials and supplies get revealed throughout the video as I move from one step to the next. But let me see if I can make a list and publish them on my website. I'll let you know. Cheers! Kaustav

[@DJCannon5]

As a former Leading Seaman on a tugboat, I have no idea where you got the ideals for your lines lol.

[@TrainsandDioramas]

I am not a seaman, but a model maker and I take reference from photos, videos etc. would you care to elaborate where the mistakes are, because that will help me take a corrective measure in future.

[@neilrogers1571]

Brilliant project I plan to put a barge into my project list after seeing you do this. I have a home for it on our club layout only difference is it will be HO not N. you have made a fantastic job of the finished barge and I like the idea of the sanding sticks. My only comment, hopefully this is constructive, is with the people I think you could try some of the techniques of the military and war gaming modellers. With dry brushing highlights and washes to give a bit more depth to the clothes and face. Neil

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you Neil! Your feedback is very constructive indeed and much appreciated. Honestly, I didn't want to spend too much effort on these figures because from 2 - 2 and a half feet away you hardly see any fine detail in N Scale. But my figure painting skills do have some room for improvement. I have a project awaiting in 1:72 and of course my future HO scale project will require a lot of custom figures. I'll keep your suggestion in mind when I start them. I'm glad that this inspired you to think about a scene with a barge in your layout. I'd love to know how it progresses. Cheers! Kaustav

[@neilrogers1571]

The sort of techniques I am talking about only take moments a very light dark wash over the face and hands will emphasise any detail that is there showing the eye sockets and mouth and a light colour dry brush over the body. You could go to much greater detail but you are correct about the length of time that can take. The things I am talking about are all very quick but when someone looks at your models thinking that looks interesting then notice the high lights they think it is even more impressive because it wasn’t noticed at first glance. Neil

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Sure Neil. I think I know what you're talking about. Let me try that and see if I can make N Scale figures look more realistic. I think you just gave me an idea about my next video! :) Cheers! Kaustav

[@kevinmaloney2391]

Love the barge build! You have done GREAT JOB especially the minute details. I would like to see how you constructed the other ships on the layout. Also are the cranes and gantries scratchbuilt, yhey look fantastic!!!

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you very much! The old layout build log is here: wrightsville.trainsanddioramas.com/?m=1 Unfortunately the other ships and cranes were built over a decade ago. I maintained the build log in a model railroad forum that has been long gone, so sadly even I don’t have any old reference of those days. Thank you for stopping by and glad that you enjoyed this build. Cheers! Kaustav

[@robertholiday9855]

?Where did that unloading crane come from?

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Do you mean the pneumatic unloader @17:10? That's scratchbuilt again based on what's used in the real world. :)

[@robertholiday9855]

@@TrainsandDioramas Incredible!

[@fazanhamrock3973]

Woodglut is a good solution for every woodworker.

[@jonescrusher1]

Great visuals and commentary, maybe the music track is a bit distracting?

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Thank you! Yes, I am getting rid of music for my later videos except in the areas where there is no voice. After all, I'm a model maker, video production is still not one of my strengths! Getting there... Slowly... :)

[@colnagocowboy]

LoL I've hacked slashed and poked myself with an xacto knife so many times I can't even remember