Holiday Details – David Zolnierek

Tichy Train Group #8155 Lamp Posts 

8 Piece Package is $4.00

• Drill Press
• Bits 
• Sprue Cutters 
• File
• Reamer 
• Razor Blade cutter 
• Soldering Iron 
• CA Glue 
• Paints 

Begin by cutting the post from the carrier sprue.

Next cut the pole from the base and top lantern base plate. 

You will need a hollow tube to run the concealed wires. 

Prepare your drill jig holding fixture by gluing a piece of O scale tie to the jig.

Now drill a hole in the jig base plate .093 #42 to hold the base and top.

Start by drilling a small pilot hole .0320. Go slow and clean your bit from the Delrin. 

Next increase the bit size to .048 and drill the second time .

Finish with drilling a third time with a .0625 bit. 

Next drill a .0625 hole in the bezel/lens just far enough far enough to insert and glue in the LED with canopy cement. 

Cut the 1/16” brass tube with a cut off wheel to the desired length. 

I used 10’ for my fixture to be above grade, plus added for the thickness of the layout base material. 

Deburr the hole use a drill bit-#66, reamer or the point of a #11 Exacto blade to clean up the inside of the tube. No burrs! 

Take a piece of .010 Phosphorus bronze wire and solder it at the top of the pole about a ¼” down. This will be the flower pot holder (after the holidays).

Glue in the 6030 LED into the hole of the bezel/lens with canopy cement .

Note my close pin helpers with their jaws taped!

Optional wreath or planter hook .010 Phosphorus bronze wire.

Flag holders. Cross arms, scroll work can be added.

Solder these parts on to the pole. 

Paint the pole and top cap before installing the glass globe. 

Some colors:

• Black 
• Pewter Green 
• Bronze 

Dry brush with a tan color. 

Bezel lens with lantern cap glued on with ca. 

Note: The holder is a small mixing stick with holes. The cloths pin add the weight to hold the assembly in place until the glue sets up. 

Thread the lantern top thru the brass tube and glue to the base. 

Coat the glass globe with Future floor wax. 

This will make any scratches in the plastic disappear and milkiness in the bezel lens and will add an old, real-glass look.

Note how the burner part shows up inside the lantern!

Now drill a 1/8” hole through your layout and set your lamp in place. 

Hook up the wires to your power source. Don’t forget a resistor in either conductor.

Hang the wreath. 

Turn on the power and let there be light! 

You have just completed a to-scale illuminated streetlight!

“CITY SIDEWALKS ALL DRESSED IN HOLIDAY GLEE”

YOUR LAYOUT,
YOUR TOWN, USA 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Nice Trees Wrong Scale!!

Cut your own… go to the woods ..or to a friends layout !!

LED Star

Painted Pin ornaments 

Wood tree stand – hollow hides the resistor

Paper tree skirt

Paper points star 

Cardinal birds 

Painted pin ornaments 

Fly tying material for garland 

Star punches for ornaments  

Aqua Net Hairspray (all weather it’s winter!)

Scenic Express EX810 – Spring Green Fine flock

WS Static Grass Flock – Dark Green 

Chenille Stems or Pipe Cleaners 

1. Trim the chenille stem as close to the wire as you can.
2. Use a ¼” dowel and begin wrapping around till they meet.
3. Trim with wire cutters at the point where they meet. 
4. Do not allow to overlap, becomes to bulky.
5. Shape ends if needed. 

1. Spray the stem with hairspray.
2. Flock the backside with the WS static grass.
3. Spray again.
4. Flock the front of the wreath with the SE fine ground foam.
5. Trim center and long branches to shape up.
6. Spray again to seal the foam and fibers. 

Materials

• 1×4 pine board.
• (2) 3d finish nails.
• Masking tape.
• Hackle pliers (fly tying tool)
• Embroidery thread 

1. Cut the heads off the two finish nails and file off any burrs.
2. Drill the two holes with about a credit card thickness apart. 
3. Separate the embroidery thread to only one strand.
4. Tape off one end (blue tape).
5. Make three wraps in a figure eight around each nail. 

Tie off the wraps with a separate piece of thread. Use a square knot, this will become the bow tails  

1. Here the pins have been pulled from the jig.
2. Take the 4 tails and move all in one direction.
3. Slide the loops off the nails, shape and trim the tails. 

They should look about like this, although I have found that no two look alike! 

Glue the bow to the wreath with Arlene’s Tacky cement. 

• Foil papers for box wrapping 
• String & floss for ribbons 
• Paints –glitter paint 
• Balsa, strip wood, styrene, dowel for the box cores.