First let me say I was not sure this was the right spot for this thread so feel free to move to the appropriate section if needed.

So as most of you know and several have pre-ordered the Plarail Nemo and Dory trains that were recently on Hobby Search. I managed to get in on the pre-order and am very excited to see the trains when they arrive. In the mean time and seeing as the new Finding Dory movie recently came out I was thinking of first doing a couple extra cars for each of the trains. Now I am thinking or making a small set for them including track and accessories.

Here is the start. Picked these up this weekend. These are the From Finding Dory and are the Blind Bags.

I had already picked up Marlin (Nemo's Dad) the other day, but here we have Crush, Pearl, Sea Otter, and of course Dory.

So, if you had seen my recent thread regarding "Treasures FromJapan" you may recall I had picked up a couple clear cars. Here is the Marlin( which I am using as Neno) and Dory. Marlin I have already mounted in the car. Basically I drilled a hole and had to trim his fin a bit to make him fit. I am still planning to do some sort of sand or water look to them as well.

Here are some of the other characters and some possible flat bed options.

Here is a look at what I am thinking for the basic track layout which is a simple figure 8 look which I am planning on doing something to the track. Maybe a sand tone grit texture paint or maybe a neon orange paint speckled look?

Finally, just for fun because de was out, we gave the animals a ride on D10 with my recently acquired olive green troublesome trucks. 😃

Stay tuned for more. And let me know what you think or any suggestions. Thanks for looking.

Some great ideas Ripley, anxious to see how they turn out.

I like how the transparent coaches look like undersized, waterless aquariums when the Finding Nemo/Dory characters are in them. Was that what you had in mind?

DalaGStanator wrote

I like how the transparent coaches look like undersized. waterless aquariums when the Finding Nemo/Dory characters are in them. Was that what you had in mind?

To be honest I had not thought about that but I see it now and it makes sense. My main goal was to try not and modify or make anything permanent on the clear coaches, that way they could be used for other projects. Potentially a Christmas coach? Who knows.. 😃

Those rainbow transparent pebble things made for aquariums could look cool in one of them.

It wouldn't be a smart idea, because there's no space and they could get into the axles and/or cause a wheel failure. Good thinking, though.

Perhaps if you covered the bottom of the inside of the coach with something. Maybe 3d printing something would work? Or, if it fits, some kind of small cardboard-or-something pieces to tape together into a sort of arch for the wheels that can be fit to the inside, and it would keep any rocks or sand (maybe not sand actually) for hitting the wheels and axles. you could paint them blue like water or to match whatever else is going to be in the coach other than the figurines.

Mr Ripley, if you can find it definitely a neon orange sandstone type spray for the tracks, go on do it, do it, do it!!! 😃

You could get some of those small metalic type coloured beads used for making necklaces to go in the bottom of the clear coaches, they should be small enough to look good, but big enough not to leak out of any holes 🙂

Nigels wrote

Mr Ripley, if you can find it definitely a neon orange sandstone type spray for the tracks, go on do it, do it, do it!!! 😃

You could get some of those small metalic type coloured beads used for making necklaces to go in the bottom of the clear coaches, they should be small enough to look good, but big enough not to leak out of any holes 🙂

What if we tried a sandy texture with neon blue, green, and orange spots on top? I know the sand one exists. A few years ago Mom bought a can of spray paint for my older brother's school project that's meant to look like sand with some speckles of rock and grit in it, and it really does look just like that.

sinkillerj wrote

Those rainbow transparent pebble things made for aquariums could look cool in one of them.

I like this idea. I could see these or just translucent blue maybe. Thanks.

Miksolo wrote

Perhaps if you covered the bottom of the inside of the coach with something. Maybe 3d printing something would work? Or, if it fits, some kind of small cardboard-or-something pieces to tape together into a sort of arch for the wheels that can be fit to the inside, and it would keep any rocks or sand (maybe not sand actually) for hitting the wheels and axles. you could paint them blue like water or to match whatever else is going to be in the coach other than the figurines.

This is exactly what I was thinking. I was going to try and use a thin piece of wood but it will probably not form to the bottom very well. I do not have access to a 3D printer but that would be ideal. I may be able to mold something, will have to check and see. Thanks.

Miksolo wrote

What if we tried a sandy texture with neon blue, green, and orange spots on top? I know the sand one exists. A few years ago Mom bought a can of spray paint for my older brother's school project that's meant to look like sand with some speckles of rock and grit in it, and it really does look just like that.

Yeah, the Sand texture spray was just what I was thinking. I had seen some at a hobby store. I will have a look this weekend maybe.

Nigels wrote

Yeah but neon orange would look like coral 🙂

I may end up doing partial as sand and partial as water (blue plastic track) with neon orange. I think the look may be cool. Will have to see and test on some pieces first.

7 days later

Small update. I picked up this at the hardware store this weekend. For some reason I could not locate any at the hobby store. This is one coat of the spray. I may try another or leave it like this. I think this way it looks like a light coat of sand maybe blew on the track versus habit it completely sand covered?

Anyway, let me know what you think. The Nemo and Dory trains are preparing for shipment now so they should be here soon.


I like it, you'll also find the 'gritty' nature of that spray will help with traction on climbs, its one of the recommended ways of helping Advance trains climb non-advance gradients 🙂

Still think you need some orange corel though - maybe if you got some pipe cleaners, painted or dyed them flourescent orange, then bent them into 'trees/coral' to go alongside the track and/or made a loop over the track (like a very narrow tunnel) that would look pretty cool 🙂

Nigels wrote

I like it, you'll also find the 'gritty' nature of that spray will help with traction on climbs, its one of the recommended ways of helping Advance trains climb non-advance gradients 🙂

Still think you need some orange corel though - maybe if you got some pipe cleaners, painted or dyed them flourescent orange, then bent them into 'trees/coral' to go alongside the track and/or made a loop over the track (like a very narrow tunnel) that would look pretty cool 🙂

Thanks Nigel. I agree, it needs some color. I am thinking now of making it a "duplex"/"split level" where the top has the sand texture and maybe the bottom as well, but the bottom would look more like it is underwater. Also trying to incorporate a clear tunnel in as I think that may look cool. More to come hopefully soon.

4 days later

As promised here is some color.. 😃

I was out and about and had to check out a local craft store with the wife. Well I am glad I did. They had these 2/$1 so I picked up a couple. Hoping to try and shoot some thin coats (like a "splatter" look) on the other side of the track/layout to give it a coaral look maybe.

Here is the look right now of the track.

Very cool colors Ripley and you can't beat that price. Have you thought of checking the pet supplies stores like Pet Smart or the pet sections of Meijer, Walmart etc, to see if they make some fake coral or something else?

Super wrote

Very cool colors Ripley and you can't beat that price. Have you thought of checking the pet supplies stores like Pet Smart or the pet sections of Meijer, Walmart etc, to see if they make some fake coral or something else?

Yeah, I was thinking about that the other day. I may have a look and see what I can find. Was thinking maybe a tunnel or something maybe. So many of the fish type features are pricey though, but wouldn't hurt to have a look.

17 days later

Quick update. The train have arrived, finally!!!

(Note - the Nemo train has a clear plastic cover for the last car, but it just falls off so I left it off)




I still think Mr Nemo needs some fins 🙂

Very neat trains. Is the clear plastic cover suppose to simulate an aquarium do you think?