Development of the Sandflea and Redbud Garden Railway
Buildings,
People, and Details
I am planning to build scenes that are whimsical in nature. I'll
build most of the buildings "from scratch."
The first two buildings are associated with the troll bridge, which is described later.
Below are a series of photos showing construction of the troll house. The
house was made of popsicle sticks and other craft sticks glued on a wood
form (Fig. 1). The house was painted all black to see seal it (Fig. 2). Red paint was brushed
lightly on the wood for color, and the trim pieces were brushed lightly with
white to highlight them. An aluminum roof was placed on the house to shed
water. The roof was wiped with a wet paint rag to soften the metallic finish
(Fig. 3). The finished house (Fig. 4) was
placed under the troll bridge. Two trolls (purchased at a store) are beneath
the bridge struggling with a bag of money.
Below are a series of photos showing construction of the troll booth. The booth was
placed at one end of the troll bridge. The booth was made of four pieces of
cedar fencing nailed together to form a solid core. This was covered with
popsicle and other craft sticks (Fig. 1). The booth was painted with
several coats of flat black to protect it and fill all the cracks (Fig.
2). A thin coat of red paint on the sides and white highlights on the trim
boards gave it a final touch. A shingle roof was added to the top (Fig.
3). The roof and sides will be given a protective coating of polyurethane
after some aging and fading. The final photo shows the troll woman threatening
the train or any others desiring to cross the bridge without paying the toll. The troll woman was
constructed of Sculpey (see photos later in this section).
The series of photos below show various steps in making the troll woman. She is made of Sculpey,
a clay product. A crude "skeleton" is first made of twisted aluminum foil
(Fig. 1). The Sculpey is formed
around the skeleton (Fig. 2) and carved into a form. The crude form was baked as directed. Ears, nose,
mouth, and apron were then added, and the form was baked again (Fig. 3). The final figure was painted
a flat color to protect it (Fig. 4). She was then given detailed painting
and sprayed with clear polyurethane to preserve the finish (Fig. 5). She was placed at the end of the
bridge by the Troll Booth to collect the Troll Bridge fees Fig. 6).
A village (left) of stump houses is under construction. Two stump houses have been built and are in place (below). They need
additional detailing with people, etc.
A Homesteader's Shack, built for a previous garden railway, was added temporarily to add interest.
A mansion was placed on the hill. It has a solar battery that illuminates the inside of the house
after dark.
A Hermit's Cottage was purchased as shown.
A Train Station "birdhouse" was purchased as shown.
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