I will soon add the 1x4 fascia board along the border of my 2" foamboard 4x8 layout. I've spent some time and effort on this little railroad and I want it to be attractivly framed. I am considering using either wood stain or painting it. Now I know in the end it boils down to whichever I want but I would like hear some opinions on the subject. Dark or light stain? Painted green or brown or black? Barn board might look neat but I've already bought the 1x4s.
Jim, Stain. No Paint. Use the opposite color for the trim color. If the border area is a light color, use a dark stain. If the border are is dark, use a lighter stain. The dark stain near a light border will cause the scenery to "pop" out at the viewer. Same with the lighter stain working against a dark border. Paint is just boring. A nice stain with varnish, polished, and even an engraved plaque centered with all the details you want to include will set that Zalma Branch off just right (IMHO). As for the wood, dark stains take to Cherry, while lighter stains take better to oak or pine. Pine however is soft and absorbs the stain far more than any other wood, so it might take more applications of stain to get where you want to be. I'd say Cherry or Oak.
Jim, Model Railroad Planning by Kalmbach has had various articles over the years dealing with the treatment of fascia. If you are leaning more toward your Zalma Branch as a "display" module, I think something that's stained might look more aesthetically pleasing. I'm of the opinion that a larger layout with valances above and fascia below are best painted in a color that compliments the ground cover - it seems to draw the eye to the layout itself. Best Regards,
Thanks guys. I will stain it and see how it goes. This fascia will make the foam board more rigid so that I can take it outside and to shows( if ever).
I Have so far, been painting mine the same color as my dirt, but I see that there needs to be some Greens and Yellows in there too. A dry rolling or brushing of Greens/Yellows might be interesting on top of the Earth tones. Tom Holley
I can understand paint for large fixed layouts, but Jim's is portable, and needs the extra edge of flair that stain will give it. A larger layout needs a subtle approach as in the pictures already posted. The paint acts as a bench work minimizer. On a 4x6, everything counts, especially since it could be at a show, a living room, or any other venue where everything is under much more scrutiny due to size. Jim, I still stand by my first post. The choice is up to you. It's your railroad. You know where you'll be and what you'll do with the pike. I can't wait to see whatever you do because I know your choice will be stellar.
Tom, It is a rare day I am able to find anything connected with my layout as fast as I found the paint sample for my fascia. I use Behr Italian Olive (S-H-390) in a satin latex enamel. Some call this David Barrow green. Good luck.
My visit to Rick's fantastic layout was VERY impressive! I liked everything I saw. I'd vote for his color scheme for the side fascias! It all blended well with all the KU Jayhawk stuff. RockChalk! Ken
Thanks Rick, That helps a bunch, I might get a quart and see how it does here, it is a good color, wish I had been there for the op session with Ken W. and all. And yes, by all means Jim, it's your choice. And I am also sure it will be good. I can't figure out what to do with this thing, much less be of much help to you . Never really thought about all this fascia color as much as I should have, very interest info. Thanks to all, Tom Holley|-|
Thanks to everyone. This forum is among my most useful hobby tool! I stained one 8' side tonight. I used Min Wax Walnut and tomorrow I'll put a finish on it and attach it to the Greenbrier (summer) side. I like the look so far. I'm thinking about decorative bolts down the sides and two miniature grab irons on each end. Kinda like a flatcar frame The grab irons would also make it easier to carry around. Anybody have any ideas to add? If I get tired of the stained look I still have the option of painting. Maybe Frisco flatcar color?
This may sound goofy, but since you are working with a 4x6 platform, maybe you should make the base a scaled flat car, pre-1911 Safety Era, with FRISCO markings. Now that would be totally cool!
Speaking firsthand, this is a very suitable, aesthetically-pleasing shade for those modeling the Midwest. Ken Wulfert, let it not be said that my sweater vest from a few years ago constituted vandalism to Rick's layout room: http://www.frisco.org/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=8117&d=1237724814 Best Regards,
This reminds me that it has been nearly three years (March 2009) since Mr. Abernathy worked on the Frisco Northern Division|-|. (Ethan has been here 4 times in the last three years, but who is counting?) You along with the Frisco nation are welcome to come and operate. I hope your not uncomfortable being only 20 miles from Lawrence. We don't seem to have a basketball team this year so you have nothing to fear (but fear itself). I may have to come to Columbia and get you. If I do, I will wear my gigantic Jayhawk head. I am up for another Frisco nation session. The more the better.
I'm also a paint person. I have a small can of medium brown paint I used for my former N scale layout, but I'm leaning more toward a darker color (since it's close to the Blacklands area of Texas, perhaps black to represent the soil, or a darker brown). I'll be using Masonite fascia on the front of the benchwork, so painting, IMO, is the only alternative.
To me this is a tough one because Jim is using 2X4's or 1X4's so the fascia is only between 3 1/2" and 4" deep. Also, he says that he plans to make this portable. Stain is far more forgiving to nicks and chips than paint especially if it is a light color. I have always liked the "David Barrow Green" that Rick uses because it blends with the landscape very well. Having said that, it may not blend with the winter side which is predominately brown tones. If this were my decision, I would try several different colors and then choose. Just my two cents worth.
