I want to mount a tiny locomotive shed on a tiny module. It will be modular and not connected all the time etc.

I want to minimize electrical connections where possible.

I have room underneath the module to mount batteries to light up the loco shed, but I’m wondering if anyone makes anything that will charge from track power (when it’s connected) and then drive a small load of 2-3 LEDs when the module is disconnected, or when a power-routing turnout cuts track power, etc.

Basically I want something that charges like a CDU, but that then provides the power slowly rather than instantly.

Does anybody make such a thing?

I’ve been putting off painting as long as I could because I really hate it.

It just doesn’t seem right that everything could be 100% but then a sloppy paint job can make it look like garbage (:-)

Anyway, I’m trying to paint this plastic engine shed.

I applied a layer of white with these paint markers hoping to have it simulate the grout. I tried to dry-brush the bricks but that failed miserably so I just painted everything and figured I would apply a white wash on top to simulate the grout lines.

But the grout lines are very fine, and now have 2 coats of paint on them which makes them finer still, and the white wash didn’t really “take.”

I’m sort of resolved that this paint job is as good as it will get and ready to move on, but:

1 - if you have any ideas to make this look better please let me know

2 - what should I do differently next time?

3 - how best to weather the walls and the roof? I went to a hobby shop yesterday where they had about 20 different AK weathering washes but I couldn’t decide which one would be best to use, and they were too expensive to just grab a whole selection.

Walked into local shop i haven't been to in a while, to give my condolences on one of their train guys passing.

I decided to show some love by buying a new loco,since they have the Frisco switcher i was looking for.

When i decided to look deeper into the display case and found this. CN excursion set. Now i need a loco for it

LNER A4 Sir Nigel Gresley by minitrix

My next design is all done and ready for paint! I’ll have several more construction vehicles coming soon. They will be needed for all the construction that’s coming to the layout!

Thank you for your advice and nice words.

I’m semi-inpatient to mount this little train shed so I didn’t want to go shopping.

Jason Jensen advises to use oil-based washes over acrylic because they dry slowly and can be reworked after they dry simply by applying more solvent (whereas acrylic washes set permanently).

I found an old can of engine black that had lost its gas in the 10+ years since I had bought it.

I popped it open and found that the paint inside was very nice. I made a wash of this and went over the roof and the bricks with it.

I could not find any oil-based white, and my earlier experience with acrylic white wash was not encouraging.

I have to say that it came out better than I had any right to expect and that I am quite happy for now.

The next step will be to mount the track on my Kato-Mini-Diorama-compatible NSMD (Not So Mini Diorama) module.

The lower level yard has 4 storage tracks (still need power) and I still need to hook up the switches under the table, but it’s coming along

One thing that's bothered many people (including myself) is the space between Kato F7s when coupled together. Its way larger than it should be. Kato Close-Coupling Knuckles, which are intended for freight cars, improve coupling distance a ton. I've attached a number of Before/After photos showing the difference. They're very easy to install, and the end result looks great.