Workbench Wednesday: Poly Dome Markers

     I've been a subscriber to Model Railroader Video Plus (now Trains.com) for several years.  One of the episodes of Cody's Workshop demonstrated how to make right of way features.  The host went step by step in how to make poly dome markers to identify buried cables.  I decided I would give it a try since I've been on this detailing the right of way kick.

    I started by cutting .040" styrene rods into 8 scale foot sections.  Actually, I started with .047" styrene, because I didn't have .040" styrene, but I included it in an online order I placed during the week.   The order arrived before the weekend, and I liked how the .040" styrene looks compared to the .047".  I used my Northwest Chopper to speed up the process of cutting.  If you've never used one of these, it makes cutting styrene or wood strip a piece of cake, especially if you need to make several cuts of the same length. 

    

    Poly domes have a rounded top.  I used a tool called a Wire Rounder to round off the tops of the rods.  The effect is subtle but makes a difference.  I picked up my Wire Rounder at JoAnn Fabrics here in town.

    

    Depending on what is buried the color of the top of the dome varies.  I am modeling buried communication cables and so I painted the top 18 scale inches Poly Scale Utility Orange (no longer available).  I let the paint dry and scraped off any paint that ended up below the 18-scale inch mark.  I just used a hobby knife to scrape it off.   

    I started installing these near grade crossings and other spots along the CN mainline.  I started by trimming the styrene so that the markers did not look so big, I had them sticking up about 4 scale feet from the ground.  I then put a t-pin into the roadbed along the right of way or drilled into the benchwork needed.  White glue was applied to the bottom of the poly dome marker.  This was a pretty simple project to do and adds just a little bit more realistic detail to the layout.