Scenery ideas like bulidings, flock, grass etc

Hi Guys  - my apologies for the time between posts.  Its a busy world we live in. Finally got the the track laid, points in and all wired up with DCC control using NCE PowerCab . I have 2 Hornby Select DCC control units for sale if anyone is interested.  Now I was forced to use Hornby surface mounted point motors (cos I had a squillion of them and that's more than a million ) . Does anyone have any bright ideas or suggestions on covering them up with whatever nifty things that you can think of for a more realistic look. I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter.  Regards Budslots.

Depends on which type it is, if it's the R8243 that fits directly to the point, then not much you can do, I'm not so familiar with 00 things, but the equivalent type  from Fleischmann, Minitrix etc  can be mounted upside down  and let into the baseboard surface; if it's the R8014 then that looks like the Peco one which can be mounted on a plastic plate using a built in operating arm, either near the point or further away from the point connected by wire in tube, there is a hut, R8015, that can be used to hide the R8014, but any building could be used, e.g. water tower, small yard office, weighbridge office, station buildings, or even the side of a cutting, or bridge abutment.

Maybe choose one you're having trouble hiding and post up a photo.  We can then brain storm some ideas for you? Show it in context with its surroundings might help too.

Cheers

Marty

Good point Marty (sorry about the pun ………….).

I'm not familiar with the Hornby version but have used trhe Peco type.  Depending on the actual setting, I've seen them covered by a small lineside shed, bushes, retaining walls and almost any other thing you'd find close to the lineside.  If they're out in the open, then they can be painted to represent either the real thing (modern image) or with the track ballast colours to camouflage them a bit.  A "speckle" type of paint works well as a disguise.  If you can't cover them, the idea is to get rid of the straight lines and stark colours ……….that's called camouflage …..;-)

Hi Budslots, I,m not sure about Hornby surface mounted point motors, but I use Peco point motors surface mounted on their own adapters hidden inside buildings on my plank layout Lockoford Yard.





the motors are in the garage and the factory on the backscene if you look closely you can see the connecting rods to the points.

hope this helps, Pete.

Hi Guys - thanks for the responses so far. I will attempt to load up a photo of said Hornby Surface Mounting point so as to give everyone a better idea of the situation. Be back in touch shortly with photos.     Regards Budslots

Hi Pete -  I can see some sort of connecting rod between the point and your buildings but cant see what its made of or its dimensions. Can you tell me if you fabricated them and what with or is it a standard Peco accessory extension arm?  Thanks Pete.   Regards Neil

Hi Budslots,

Is this the type of solenoid (motor) you're using ??

http://www.newmodellersshop.co.uk/images/Trains/Track/r8243-hornby-surface-mounted-point-motors.jpg

Cheers, Gary.

I have used Peco surface mounted point motors in full view on the main line for years although they have mostly now been replaced by underfloor ones.  

Methods of disguise have ranged from none to embedding them in ballast and greenery.

I'll go hunting for some suitable pictures.

Hi Gary - you should be a detective mate !!  That's him . Any suggestions.   Regards Neil

Hi Rick -  Thanks mate and look forward to seeing some photos from you.   Regards Neil

Undisguised - just painted silver to look like point motor machine housings and with the flat wooden moulding painted to resemble weathered wood.



And somewhat hidden - if you can't spot it readily it's in the ballast to the right of the shunter.  Again with the curved top painted silver but everything else buried.

Hi Rick - thanks for the photos . I agree a bit of silver and weathering does seem to make them less obtrusive so I will give it go shortly. Also hope to post some photos shortly of the track laying so far. Thanks again.   Regards Neil