Trees - and not by Joyce Kilmer

We went to the Sn3 Symposium in Albuquerque this last weekend. Much fun looking at new model train stuff and visiting great model railroads in peoples' basements. One of the exhibiters, the McKensie Brothers, were there showing their beautiful layout at the exhibit as well as selling trees that they make. About a year ago I bought a kit from them with which I can make similar trees. An interesting rig that twists hemp rope fiber between two wires. As the wire twists, the hemp fibers rotate until you get a bottle brush shape and a strong wire truck. Then you use scissors to trim to the shape that matches the trees in your layout local. You spray the fiber with brown paint, and sprinkle on fine ground foam. A few applications and there is a tree. The aspens are made the same way, but the trunks are actually twisted wire coated with glue stick, then painted white and speckled with black dots. Very realistic. The pine trees have trunks made from grape weed stalks, hand drilled.

The McKensie Brothers web site is:

http://www.mckenziebrotherstimberco.com/

Great couple of guys and a wonderful product. Also primo modelers. So I bought a few trees to act as models for my own efforts. The aspens are in the front - sort of fall colors. In the back are ponderosa pines, firs, and the little guys are pinon pines. Hope I can make them as well!

Next step and next blip will be the golden spike ceremony - I am finishing the last two turnouts and bit of track. Then I can finish the wiring and we can have the ceremony. Little scale people have been gathering in expectation of the event.