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Miscellaneous Details This article serves as a “catch all” for interesting details like block and tackle, pulleys, etc. Pulleys – First Generation Several of my structures have used pulleys for constructing block and tackles or lifting spouts, etc. My preference for the basic structure is the large pulleys (HO scale) from Alexander Scale Models (Item number 424). You can use a pin vise to *carefully* drill an axle hole through the center of the pulley and then use small wire (I like breadboard jumper wire with the insulation removed) to form the axle and holding structure of the pulley.  | If you are going to use solder to attach things (like chains) to the wire axle, do that *before* attaching the pulley. These white metal pulleys are essentially constructed out of solder - at least they act like solder does (that's sad experience talking). |
Pulleys – Second Generation The one shortcoming of the above pullet design is that there isn’t enough of a guide to keep the chains on the pulley. So, I went back to the drawing board and realized that a much better pulley results from using a small bit of brass wire for the pulley axle and bending an appropriately shaped piece of copper sheeting to form the pulley guide.  | | |  | | In addition, these chains can be cut and used in brake linkages on the underside of cars. | | Coal Buckets The lifting buckets show above is from Durango Press (Item number is DP-76, and Durango Press has been bought out by JL Innovative). To attach the handle, use a pin vise to drill two small holes so that the bucket could tip. Fortunately, the handles for these buckets included a loop so that I could attach the lower pulley directly to them. 
Mining Equipment  | For both the freight and passenger stations, I felt that some packages, barrels, and other items would add some nice color. For the basics, I started with the [18" gauge mining equipment] from Durango Press. The pick axe, wood axe, sledgehammer, coal shovels and spade, I used Tarnished Black for the heads/blades and Mud for the unfinished wooden handles. The final touch up of edges was done with Rust for general weathering. |
Rather than paint the crate, I used it as a pattern for building my own from scratch. In this way, I could get the weathered look that I wanted and I could build as many as I liked. Crates were built up from weathered 2"x6" and 2"x2" wood surrounding a 10"x12" core. The cores were assembled first: 
weathered 2"x6" planking were then laid over the cores,
and 2"x2" boards were used as banding (note, the numbers in the scale are millimeters) 
Barrels After some searching, I've came across Campbell Scale Models, that sell turned wood barrels in HO scale. These are available from the Walther's catalog as item 200-249, and come in a package of 12: 
For the passenger and freight stations, I used two weathered barrels at each. Wheelbarrows For the freight stations, I felt that a wheelbarrow would be appropriate detail. [Selley Finishing Touches] sells a package of two white metal wheelbarrows, which are available from Walther's as item 675-1391. 
I painted the wheelbarrows with Tarnished Black, Mud and Dark Green. The idea being that the metal/iron parts would be tarnished black, the less used wooden parts would be painted and the wooden pieces that needed to be replaced (due to handling or contact with the ground) would be unfinished wood. Paint was applied with brushes and carefully touched up. |  |
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