"Realistic" log loads.....?

[Zerogee]

I think this may well have been asked before in the dim past (possibly even by me.... hang on, who am I again...?) but my Google-Fu is weak today and I really can't be ar*ed to go searching for it... besides which, there have been quite a few new members joining recently and it is the sort of subject that might provoke some interesting and useful new discussion; so.....

What do folks on here think is the most REALISTIC type of real wood to use for G scale log car loads? Personally I'm looking to fill half a dozen HSB stake flats with suitable loads, but I guess many ideas would do fine for the many US logging layout fans out there too.

I know there are several makes of artificial scale log loads available, from the really toy-like cheap glossy plastic hollow ones to some highly realistic and correspondingly expensive resin-like types - but I'd much prefer to use real wood if possible, IF I can get something that really looks "in scale" rather than just like a bundle of assorted twigs.

For the wagons I have, I guess the "logs" would need to be around 12"-15" long, reasonably straight and with a nice bark effect - though the latter is going to be the hardest thing to find to get the right "scale" look.

I've thought about Hazel Poles (lovely girl, apparently...) and have rummaged on the interweb for Coppicers who supply such things, but I'm keen to hear suggestions from others on here - especially anyone who has found something that they consider to look "just right"!

Over to you, chaps......

Jon.

 

[playmofire]

Real branches from shrubs or trees would probably work perfectly well, especially if you remember the "10 feet rule". When people see that you are using real wood, I think there response is going to be, "Look, the logs are real!", not "Look, the bark on those logs just doesn't look right".

 

[beavercreek]

Whilst I do use the unrealistic hollow plastic variety to keep the weight down for my inclines, I have painted and textured them and they are not too bad now, at least to my eyes.
But for some of the timber at the saw mill and perhaps one or two cars, I have experimented with a lot of bushes to get the right resemblance to the real pine bark. By accident as I was clearing the section of bushes to make way for new planting (now to also be the site of the new spiral) I saw that the hypericum bush`s larger branches/trunk had bark that was much like that of the real pine timber logs. It is a bit flaky and the bark is quite thin. But with a good coat of matt varnish they should be good to go.

The Bachmann logs painted etc

 

[Zerogee]

You're right, Mike, painting them does make the cheap plastic logs look realistic - so much so that they completely disappear into the background....

Just kidding - did you post the wrong photo? I really can't see any log loads in that one!!

Jon.

Edit: OK, that one's much better!

Edit again: yes, those DO look very nice..... and I take the point about the light weight of them being an advantage, especially with your gradients; I can see that locos would struggle with a long train of either resin logs OR real wood.

 

[beavercreek]

They look ok. Wonder tho', why they make the end rings so obvious?......

Very cheaply modelled and then moulded.
At least, using the light jobbies, means that my Shays can pull eight of the cars plus the caboose up the 1:10 gradient! (two of the rake in the picture will be left behind)

 

[Graham ASH]

Hi Jon
To me theres only one tree which produces very good logs, with very good bark and thats the Eldeberry Tree, I dont know its real name - sorry. The branches cut from these trees are excellent, and look very good when being transported on log skeles. The branches come in most sizes and its a case of looking around your local woods and cutting some down. They are available in most sizes, I tend to use around 2-4 inch diameter pieces, cut to about 12 inch long to fit onto the skeles.
They last well, and even the center can be drilled out to get them lighter, they cut beautifully on my circular saw and are long lasting.

If I can master this uploading of photos one day I will put some on for you.

My Shay, Climas`s Hiesler and Mallet pull them no problems

Graham

 

[playmofire]

The branches cut from these trees are excellent, and look very good when being transported on log skeles. The branches come in most sizes and its a case of looking around your local woods and cutting some down.

Not, I think, something that should be encouraged!

 

[Zerogee]

Thanks for the suggestion, Graham - like Playmo', I'm not too sure how people would react to me simply nicking some from the woods, but I wonder if there is a rather more "legitimate" source of it to be had (not that I'm suggesting you are doing anything that you shouldn't - for all I know, it's your own woodland!!).

If it's not too obvious, I'm guessing that the tree that produces Elderberries* is probably the Elder tree.....?
Ah yes, according to Whackypedia, Elder Tree OR Elderberry Tree is acceptable - though I'd now be especially careful about harvesting branches, as it says that in olde folklore and witchcraft: "If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge."

For the HSB log wagons, which are long bogie flatbeds with stakes rather than skeleton cars, I'd be looking for slightly longer pieces but smaller diameter - probably from an inch to an inch and a half - and maybe 6-8 "trunks" per flat.

Anyway, a useful suggestion and worth checking out - thanks!

Jon.


* "Your mother was a hamster...etc."

 

[Richie]

I have used Acer campestre ( field maple ) on my log cars as they have a very realistic bark for logs in are scale .
On another subject how do you get the LIKE on your post ?

 

[Zerogee]

There's a "LIKE" button on every post EXCEPT your own ones, Richie - clicking it simply gives one "like" to the person who made that post, and you do have the option to then "unlike" it again later should you feel the need to do so....

You've gained one "like", so somebody has clicked the button on one of your posts!

Jon.

 

[chris m01]

It may depend upon what era you are trying to create but modern era log trains do look rather like a bunch of twigs.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=452500&nseq=24

Kind of nice to know that log trains still run pulled by locos that are over 50 years old. I reckon this train would look more realistic if they had put bulkheads on the ends on the wagons.

 

[Zerogee]

I have used Acer campestre ( field maple ) on my log cars as they have a very realistic bark for logs in are scale .
......

Thanks for that, Richie - another good suggestion; the thing is, where do you actually get the stuff once you've decided what to use? Is it simply a matter of finding a tree of the right type somewhere and then either asking permission or going round after dark with a saw? The biggest problem I can see is getting enough reasonably straight branches of suitable length - because our "need" is so specialised that no-one is actually going to grow and market suitable pieces just for us G-scalers... though maybe there is an opportunity there for an enterprising person with a spare acre or two....

Jon.

 

[KeithT]

I don't have a problem using forsythia twigs and branches. They look fine and are very light, not quite balsa but still v light.
As far as looking smooth is concerned, at 1/24 scale or thereabouts that will happen but there is enough texture to look better than most plastic ones I have seen and they cost nowt because there are several of the shrubs in the garden.
I would not be worried about purloining wood from somewhere after all, you are only using a few inches of the stuff!!

 

[Richie]

There's a "LIKE" button on every post EXCEPT your own ones, Richie - clicking it simply gives one "like" to the person who made that post, and you do have the option to then "unlike" it again later should you feel the need to do so....

You've gained one "like", so somebody has clicked the button on one of your posts!

Jon.

Thanks for that Jon

 

[Zerogee]

It may depend upon what era you are trying to create but modern era log trains do look rather like a bunch of twigs.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=452500&nseq=24

Kind of nice to know that log trains still run pulled by locos that are over 50 years old. I reckon this train would look more realistic if they had put bulkheads on the ends on the wagons.

A very good point, Chris, and a nice pic as evidence! Yes, maybe I'm looking at it wrong, perhaps a bundle of smaller sticks WOULD look OK after all?
Still reckon I need to find a source of reasonably straight ones... perhaps the coppiced hazel needs further investigation.

Jon.

Jon.

 

[playmofire]

I would not be worried about purloining wood from somewhere after all, you are only using a few inches of the stuff!!

If it's on the ground, that's one thing. If it's on the tree, then it's quite another. Breaking or cutting twigs or branches off can harm the tree, opening it to infections or attack by insects, as well as setting a bad example and encouraging others to do the same.

 

[PhilP]

Coming at this from the other end..
I would start with prototypical photos for the era / area I wanted to model.. Study the form (shape) of the lumber, and the depth / pattern to the bark.
Then wander round the garden / park / (public access) woodland, and look for something suitable.

Though I would think the 'ten foot rule' would apply to most people viewing the scene anyway..
I sometimes thing much of the modelling of this type of thing exaggerates the effect in a 'Disney' way.

 

[Gizzy]

I used cut up branches and twigs from conifers, when I had to trim the damn Leylandii.

Worked for me....

 

[beavercreek]

Her`s another view with the cheapo Bachmann hollow plastic short logs painted up.





Then one of the `Arrowhead` sawmill with a collection of preformed logs large and small. Some are plastic some are resin and some are high density foam and just at the top left, a few `real` twigs.

 

[beavercreek]

Looking closer inside the sawmill at Pointrock (when I was putting the lighting in), nearly all logs are from the old Elder tree that I had to remove when it died. Also a couple of Hypericum twigs thrown in.
The log pile can be seen at the back, (I didn`t have to treat these with preservative as they are protected from the wet and are lying on the `concrete` (painted roof felt)