Showing posts sorted by date for query Ratio. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Ratio. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

What Colors Make Gunmetal?

According to the benevolent AI this is how you can mix-up the gunmetal color:

"Mixing black and silver paint or ink generally results in a dark grey or charcoal metallic color. The black tones down the brightness of the silver, resulting in a deeper,Gunmetal-like metallic shade, or a darker version of the original metallic sheen depending on the ratio of black used.

  • A deeper, darker metallic grey, commonly referred to as "gunmetal" or charcoal grey.
  • Effect on Luster: While black deepens the color, it can sometimes mask the brightness of the silver, reducing its sheen if too much is added.
  • Usage: Often used to create shadows or to create a more subdued, metallic look in painting or design projects.

For a lighter, brighter metallic finish, you would typically add white to the silver rather than black."

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Let's Complete these Structures

I have many half-done projects that I have packed up for another go at them. I am assembling another small model train layout and will need a few more small structures, so I have taken these half done structures out of storage.


Full sized plans for wooden water tank.

I really do not remember when I started this kit from Durango Press. It is a light craftmens kit that came with loads of metal parts. I have the basic structure complete, but still need to add the roof. After applying the metal roof I will deal with the metal detail parts. You might have noticed that the surface of one side hasn't been finished, That is because the building prototype was built into a hill. A thought just came to me, I could add a stone surface to this area.

This a Will's Garage Kit in 1/76 scale. "A 1930's style garage and petrol station." Although the 1/76 scale is slightly larger than 1/86 scale, 1/76 seems to blend into my 1/87 scale railway.

As you can see the on the picture to the suppliers webpage, the kit provides some basic detail parts and detailed panels, doors and roof parts.

Ratio 507 Grounded Goods Van Body. The grounded box car will fit perfectly on my layout. As you notice, there is very little to do in as far as construction, but there are a few details like a table, chairs, ladders, and wood planks.

Most of these parts are either still conected to the sprue or are at the bottom the box. Some like the table and chairs need to be constructed while other details need some weathering.

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Ratio N-Gauge Trackside Buildings and Accessories

 

I found a few part numbers for Ratio’s N- Gauge products:

Product #

Description

226

Pump House/Boiler House

227

Weighbridge/Hut

228

Oil Depot

229

Coal Depot

230

Water Tower(round)

231

Carriage Shed

232

Coal/Builders Merchants

233

Loading Gauge

234

Level Crossing (Gates)

235

Level Crossing (Barriers)

236

Midland Signal Box(interior no included)

Signal Kits

250

Remote Control

260

Home or Distant (Lower Quadrant)

262

Junction or Bracket Home or Distant

270

Home or Distant (Upper Quadrant)

271

Pratt Truss Gantry

Friday, February 15, 2019

Ratio N-gauge Builder Packs

If you are looking for scratch building supplies for those n-gauge projects, Ratio may have some of what you are looking for:

300

Gutters & Drainpipes

301

Brick Walling

302

Course Stone

303

Paving Slabs/Crazy Paving

304

Wood Planking

305

Slate Roofing

306

Tile Roofing

307

Chimneys

308

Flagstones

309

Industrial Windows

310

Domestic Windows

311

Doors

312

Corrugated Sheet

313

Roughcast Walling

Friday, August 31, 2018

N-Gauge Water Tower


Here is another Ratio n-gauge product, their #230. The kit includes two polystyrene runners and one brass etching for the ladder. All parts are in 1.148 scale, which is slightly larger than the US 1.160 scale, but not by much.

Friday, August 24, 2018

Ratio N-Gauge Polystyrene Railway Structure Kits

Kit # Name
200 Goods Shed (brick)
201 Signal box
202 Cattle Dock
203 Engine Shed
204 Station Building
205 Station Building Canopy only
206 Locomotice Servicing Depot
208 Apex Roof Canopy
209 Platforms (9"L x 1-3/4 "W)
210 Platform Ramps
211 Telegraph Poles (18 poles)
212 Lineside Huts (3 different huts)
213 Station/Street Lamps
214 Yard Crane
215 Water Tower
216 Lineside Fencing (white)
217 Lineside Fencing wood brown)
218 Laddering
219 Concrete Fencing
220 Stone Goods Shed
221 Pallets, Sacks, and Barrels
222 Concrete Footbridge
223 G. W. R. Wooden Signal Box
224 Signal box Interior
225 Flat Roof Platform Canopy

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Ratio N-gauge, #226 Pump / Boiler House

I am very impressed with the quality and the amount of detail the kit parts contain. The kit is scaled to 1:148, 2mm, that is British n-gauge. The kit included eight plastic runners. Two for the chimney assemble, two for the stone and brick pump / boiler house structure, one that includes parts for a wooden shed an open rectangle shaped steal tank, one for the roof sections, one sprue includes wood trim parts, one holds spouting, and the last contains some miscellaneous detail parts, for instance, several wall mounted supply cabinets. In addition, scattered through-out on many of the sprue are other various auxiliary details.


Thursday, April 5, 2018

Shack & Shed #11

This stone shack measures 10 feet wide by 12 long and stands 11 feet tall. That is in HO 1/87 scale. This polystyrene Ratio #524 (Pico) Weigh bridge includes weigh bridge, which I still need to paint (I am out of grey primer right now), and is scaled to 1/76, but that should not be a problem. I will make sure that I isolate this structure from other 1/87 scale structures or people.



Tuesday, March 6, 2018

What’s on my Work Bench?

I have three 1/76 plastic huts/shed buildings on my bench all in different levels of completion. One out of three, the Ratio #524 (Pico) Weighbridge and stone Hut is complete except for the window material and the painting of the weigh-bridge.

The other two structures are:

Wills SS12 Station Garage

This model consists of two identical buildings with twin wooden doors. I want to change the front of the first building to one single door and a window. To accomplish this I am going to cut out a new wall section out of some clapboard sheet and add a new door and window castings.

Wills SS31 Village Forge

I have had some trouble with warping on this model which is making getting the two slate roof sections to fit squarely a nightmare. I have, after doing some shoring up on the interior, added two sections of polystyrene sub-roofing and will affix some scale corrugated sheets atop of the sub-roofing.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

1/87 Brass Window Etchings


I have found some more brass etchings. The forty odd windows are from Ratio. Ratio is a purveyor of plastic models in various scales. Ratio produce model railroading structures and equipment along a British prototype. It is good to have several of the same style which this collection provides.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

1/87 Scale Telegraph and Telephone Poles

A few days ago a fellow blogger made the following post: “T is for Telecoms-Truck with Telegraph-Poles for Telephone-Line”. At about the same time I was reorganizing my model railroad gear and came across three different bags of 1/87 scale Telegraph and Telephone Poles.

These poles, I believe are from Atlas and comes packaged with twelve telephone poles. These telephone poles are made from a hard plastic, something other than polystyrene. Like those listed on Hugh’s post these poles have two notches on either side to pin the pole down to the layout.




The next set is from Ratio and of a European prototype. These do not have a base and will have to be placed and set directly into the layouts form board. There are sixteen to the package. This set feels like polystyrene.




The last set is from an unknown source and come packaged twelve to the package. Although all three sets of poles are finely crafted and detailed, this set with its green insulators is my favorite. I believe these are cast from polystyrene.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

1/87 Rusty Rail Log Cabin Ruin

The log cabin ruin has a lot of detail that are cast into this resin casting, including what is left of wood floor, trees, rocks and a discarded barrel. This Rusty Rail mini-scene measure 4" by 3" by 2". I did find a few small holes, left over from the casting process, which had to be filled with Squadron putty.

After the putty dried I sprayed painted the casting a flat white. After the under coat dried I started picking out different objects with splashes of color appropriate for the object. I followed this with some dry brushing and washes. I usually use light washes on dark colored objects and reverse the colors if I am painting a light colored object. Sometimes I will even go over an object with a second dry brush color.

I laid down a coat of diluted white glue, something like a four to one ratio. I sprinkled fine green blend and an earth blend turf on separate occasions. I fixed these areas with matte medium and then added course materials like green dyed saw dust, some very small gravel bits, and turf materials in a verity of textures and shades of green.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Projects for May

I am in a slump and although I have several projects sitting on my workbench at various stages of completion I have not completed anything for sometime. I have added one miniature to my completed list. This piece was completed back in March.

I haven’t added anything to my To Do List for the month of May and will continue to work on those outstanding projects already on my workbench.

New Projects

None

Old Projects

These projects are all at different stages of completion.
  • Reaper Miniatures, dragon fish; this 25mm miniature came in the same package as the moray eel. This is Reapers #P02948B set. This is one of those miniatures that have been languishing on my workbench.
  • Ratio HO-Gauge Trackside Buildings
    507 Grounded Van Body
    524 Weighbridge and Hut
  • Reaper’s walking fish thingy; Reaper #P03612A

Completed Projects


Reaper Miniatures
#03608: Aquatic Familiars II
Sea Monster (Aberration)
Mermaid
Octopus (Aberration)
Warhammer Dreadfleet
Graveyard - Leech Wyrm
Warhammer Orc Arachnarok Spider – Trees
Bombshell Miniatures
Pumpkin Buddy

Other
Ristuls Market Halloween Basing Kit (10 resin miniatures)

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Projects for April

I am back logged and have not been as productive these past couple of months. I have projects from last month and beyond on my workbench. I have pictures for some of my projects and some of my ongoing projects well as, still on my camera that need to be posted.

I will keep this month’s list short:

New Projects

Reaper’s walking fish thingy; Reaper #P03612A

Old Projects

These projects are all at different stages of completion.
  • Reaper Miniatures, dragon fish; this 25mm miniature came in the same package as the moray eel. This is Reapers #P02948B set. This is one of those miniatures that have been languishing on my workbench.
  • Warhammer Orc Arachnarok Spider – Trees
  • Ratio HO-Gauge Trackside Buildings
    507 Grounded Van Body
    524 Weighbridge and Hut


Completed Projects

Reaper Miniatures
#03608: Aquatic Familiars II
Sea Monster (Aberration)
Mermaid
Octopus (Aberration)
Warhammer Dreadfleet
Graveyard - Leech Wyrm
Bombshell Miniatures
Pumpkin Buddy

Other
Ristuls Market Halloween Basing Kit (10 resin miniatures)

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Ratio #524 HO Gauge Weighbridge and Hut

This model is from Ratio’s TrackSide series and is one of those models that will fit into an American themed layout with very little modification.

The model depicts a small stone building with a slate roof, and there are separate door and window castings. The instructions depict a fence and lamp, both of which are not included in this kit. A piece of fence from another kit could be added and lamp could either be omitted or found in a parts catalog.

As you can see from the kit instructions there are two pieces that are added to either side of roof. There is no material included for the front and back. I have added styrene strips to either ends to give the model a more uniform appearance.

This model will probably be placed at a salvage yard.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Ratio HO Scale Grounded Van Body

This van body is of a European prototype and will be used on diorama I am planning. As you can see on the instruction sheet there is a wealth of details included in this kit. The kit includes one complete table, an extra table top, four chairs, two sets of steps, ladders, steal barrels and stove pipes; various sized wood planks and boards, and other details. The van and a few of the detail pieces have been completed. The model and its details just needs some paint. 

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Available Fence Kits in HO Gauge

There are loads of fence kits in HO gauge. This list is not meant to be a comprehensive list; there are other fence kits available in the scale. I only listed the fence kits I found the most interesting.

In my upcoming post I will provide some ideas on how to create your own fence sections out of various materials.

Available Fence Kits
Name of Kit Manufacture
Rustic Fence & Gate Kit Atlas
Hairpin Style Fence Atlas
Picket Fence & Gate Kit  Atlas
Picket Fence Bachmann
Insta-Fence  Bar Mills
Chain Link Fence BLMA
Board Fence  B.T.S.
Chain Link Fence Busch Gmbh
Wrought Iron w/Brick Posts Busch Gmbh
Fences & Railings Set Central Valley
Paddock Fence Faller Gmbh
Iron Garden Fence Faller Gmbh
10' High Chain Link Fence
(Photo Etched Stainless Steel)
Micro Structures
White Fences Model Power
Iron Fences Model Power
Rural Fences Noch GMBH & Co.
2-Slat Pasture Fence Noch GMBH & Co.
Chain Link Fence Plastruct
Corrugated Iron Fence Scale Structures
G.W.R. Station Fencing Ratio
G.W.R. Lineside Fencing (36 posts with wire) Ratio
Lineside Fencing (4 bar) Ratio
L.M.S. Station Fencing Ratio
Concrete Fencing Ratio
Meadow Fence Vollmer Gimble
Cornerstone Series(R) Chain Link Fence Walthers
Cornerstone Series(R) Detail Parts 'Wood'' Fence Walthers
Barbed Wire Fence - Etched Brass Kit Yesteryear Creations

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Projects for March

The beginning of March means we are closer to spring and warmer weather. Although I got some of my older projects out of the way I didn’t get as far as I wanted on my new projects last month, so I have added them to my March list.

  1. Warhammer Orc Arachnarok Spider – Trees
    These castings were a lot more detailed than I first had thought and it will take some time to pick out all these small details.
  2. Bombshell Miniatures Belphegor Winged Monkey(almost finished)

Old Projects

In attempt to clear my workbench of half-finished projects, and for something different, I have added two old HO gauge projects to this month’s project list.

Ratio HO-Gauge Trackside Buildings
507         Grounded Van Body
524         Weighbridge and Hut


Completed Projects

Reaper Miniatures
#03608: Aquatic Familiars II
Sea Monster (Aberration)
Mermaid
Octopus (Aberration)

Warhammer Dreadfleet
Graveyard - Leech Wyrm

Bombshell Miniatures
Pumpkin Buddy

Other
Ristuls Market Halloween Basing Kit (10 resin miniatures)


Monday, February 23, 2015

Ratio HO Trackside Buildings

Although I model US prototypes I have purchased several Ratio kits. These plastic kits are of European prototypes and have been purchased for dioramas, while other kits have been purchased for small trackside or industrial buildings. With some minor modifications these kits will easily pass for American prototypes.

Ratio is now an affiliate of Peco, but still offers the majority of the listed models I found listed on the back of packaging from one of these kits. I will be posting more information about these kits and my plans for a diorama in upcoming posts.

Ratio HO-Gauge Trackside Buildings

500 G.W.R. Signal Box
501 Grounded Coach Body
502 Cattle Dock
503 Platform/Ground Level Signal Box
504 Station Building
505 Coaling Stage
506 Water Tower
507 Grounded Van Body
508 Pump House/Boiler House
509 Occupation Crossing
510 Industrial Fittings
511 Lineside Huts(2)
512 Skylights
513 Provender (Goods) Store
514 Pack of Assorted Pallets, Sacks, Barrels
515 Platform Canopy
516 Station Valancing, Notice Boards
517 Concrete Footbridge
518 Concrete Platelayer's Hunt (2)