I have found a nice product that is a good representation for asphalt. It takes weathering very well, and is glued down well with Elmer’s or Walther’s Goo (which is what I use). It can be easily cut with scissors or an X-acto blade. Some of these pictures show it weathered and some unweathered. Since it is foam, it is impervious to water and nicks and dings or errant glue can be easily covered up with a large Sharpie marker.

If you are using a magnetic coupler, you will have to be cautious of the pin height, and maybe bend it up a little. As for me, I am removing my coupler pins and adding detail air hoses in their place- I could care less about automatic coupling. The height relationship was tested by rolling scale Mini Metals automobiles over the grade crossings, and they roll very smoothly- almost with prototypical amount of bumping over the tracks. I am pleased!

Here is the product with chalk weathering...

Here is the product un-weathered

Here is my effort at the rail crossing. Not hard to do.

Another view of the crossing

And yet another view...

I have started another scale structures group on Yahoo for HO Scale. It was borne out of a frustration on another thread when I asked a legitimate question about lighting buildings with LED’s. Anyway- I was booted off! I’ve since re-applied and am awaiting re-instatement.

Guess that I’ll just have to keep off to the side and be a lurker- and build another group where questions can be asked and answered without the fear of recompense.

My time and attention sometimes ebbs and flows with the railroad- I have a full time job that keeps me busy like a lot of people- so finding extra time can be difficult.

Anyway, I decided to take a few night time shots of my mill and a few have a little Photoshop work to add clouds. I hope that you like them!