I know its been quite a few weeks since the last post, but a lot has been going on in the last two weeks. About 3-4 weeks ago, I ballasted the track, using a variety of ballasts, or I should say colour and grade. Over the last couple of days, spring has sprung and it must be the rain we have been getting down here in Sydney, as the grass has grown like wild fire...! PVA had been liberally spread around the layout and dirt was applied to form the sub strata. Fine gravels were applied around the same time to mark out the roads. I really think i should have used a lighter coloured gravel for the roads, but this can change with a sweep of the airbrush. Using a mix of Woodland Scenic, Heki and Noch static grass, the bare soiled areas sprung into growth. 1. An overview of the layout now the road and grass has been applied. 2. I think the wall needs capping stones... I must clean up that air dry clay of the lower section of the retaining wall ! 3. Down the line... 4. The signal cabin and store has not been grounded into the layout yet, still plenty of ground work to do around them. 5. A long shot with some buildings in place. Still a lot to do in regards to the ground scenery, ie weeds, bushes, trees and general railway rubbish. One thing that I do need to purchase is either some Hayes bumper stops (buffers) or some wheel stops. I have seen the wheel stops on a layout at the recent Forestville exhibition. Here is a pick of them.. These wheel stops would do the trick, just need to locate some of them, otherwise it will be the Hayes bumper stops (Walthers). Cheers, Gary.
Its come on great guns Gary the scenics are making a massive difference A++++!! Ian vt http://www.click
Thats looking great Gary, I've just put a sleeper across the track near the crossing gates the same as the real thing but those stops look a grear idea!! Like the static grass! CheersRon
Last night I was looking at the level crossing and thinking that the white of the clay underneath is quite raw and can be seen clearly by the naked eye. Not only that, but when running the track rubber across the rails, it wasn't as level as I first thought... So, only one thing to do... From this... To this... ...and finally this... The timbers still need more weathering, but I find that they do look better. Whilst this was curing, I pulled out an old carton of Heki pine trees. The foliage that came with the tree armatures didn't look right for pines, so I decided to do something a little different... Below, a flat armature on the left and one that has been twisted about on the right. I took the armatures with twisted branches and painted them a different colour using artist acrylics. Going through my scenery stock pile, I found some old dark green grass fibres. Painting the tree with PVA, I charged up the static grass applicator, added the grass fibres and away I went. This is the result, but I'm not 100% happy with the way they turned out. More experimenting needed I think... So, I set the tree aside and got on with soldering up handrails for the stair case that sits at the entrance to the furniture factory. Soldered together prior to filing the solder down. The handrail, filed and painted, mounted on the stairs and verandah. I knocked up the stairs last night and allowed all the glues to dry before painting first thing this morning. ...and how it looks in place... More air dry clay needs to be applied around the stair case and then finish of the ground surface. Other greenery has been added around the layout but more of that later. Cheers, Gary.
Gary the crossing looks brilliant you have captured that well worn look really well. It's been well worth digging out the old crossing
Definitely prefer the timbered level crossing Gary, and the tree has a monkey puzzle tree look about it, all good . Pete.
Hi Gary and Jack, Well do me on picture of the week. The whole thread is yet another masterclass in scenics. always a joy to view. Cheers Toto
Congrats on another POTW Gary the crossing is really a nice addition to JDub yard The layout is coming up a treat
Congrats on pic of the week Gary, It`s up to your usual standard of excellence and pretty to watch....... http://www.clickGormo