Custom mineral load

[playmofire]

Thank you Skywalker, Andi and manu. 

The next step is making the loads for the other two, which I hope to start soon.  (Well, some work has already been done because I painted enough polystyrene with PVA glue for two and maybe even three loads.

[Indianna]

I'm afraid that trains are taking over! 

That sounds like a good thing! 

Thanks for the photos, Gordon - they make a great step-by-step guide.  I had purchased several bags of Playmo "coal" but quickly realized that I still didn't have enough to do the job, but your idea solves the problem beautifully.   

Your use of styrofoam also suggests the possibility of cutting some larger random pieces of foam and painting them to look like boulders, either for hauling or for landscapes - I bet some folks have already tried this - anyone???

[playmofire]

Thanks, Indianna, and I'm glad my idea is helpful to you.

The idea of styrofoam boulders sounds interesting and I look forward to seeing what develops.   

[Skywalker]

styrofoam is great for a lot of modeling jobs. i use it very often for landscapes etc. it´s cheap , light and very good to work with. i use a proxxon thermocutter to cut the styrofoam. it´s a great tool and doesn´t cost a fortune. you can work very precise with it and can shape different forms very easy and in seconds.

http://www.proxxon.com/eng/html/27082.php

ps : when working with a hot cutter there is also zero flaking.

[playmofire]

I've heard of these but never bought one as I don't do a lot of stuff with styrofoam (in fact, it was only the fact that I had some used as packing in an eBay buy that I used it this time) but that's a useful link, so thank you Skywalker. 

[playmofirth]

I was going to mention the use of a hot wire to cut polystyrene.  I have heard that a current run through a length of fuse wire will do the job.  Haven't tried it so cannot say.

I think Gordon's method would also work well for (road) trucks such as 3141 and 3265.  Well done Gordon!

Mark

[playmofire]

Thank you, Mark.

A hot wire does cut through cleanly, but the heat can also cause the polystyrene to give off dangerous fumes.