Ok, how in the heck does a new guy go about making the water scenes, what is used to make the “hard water” what colors it and how do the waves get in it???
Any links on this?
I’ve been searching here and I’m not sure under what headings I should be looking?
I’m still trying to figure out how to use this site.
Thanks Everyone.
Jess Red Horse, New Bee model rail road screwer Upper!
What has worked for me, with no odor and little mess, is artists gloss medium. Create your river bed, pond, or waterfront with plywood, paint the deep areas black or dark green, and feather up to the shores with a sand color. Then start from the back of your area, applying the gloss medium with a small bristle brush.
If you want a superb resource on the subject of water scenery get the DVD by Dave Frary
http://www.mrscenery.com/ I was delighted to meet the man himself and pick up a copy of what I think is a really well done DVD.
You can also find help right here on the MR site. Go to: http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=1126
For my own layout I used casting resin (available at Michael’s Crafts) and am pleased with the result. Some object to the odor while it cures but since my layout is in a garage it did not matter and much and disappeared anyway in a day or so.
John Timm
Wow great stuff thanks folks, I’ll let you know how it works out!
This is what worked for me. First I leveled that section of my layout, so the it was dead on level. I used a couple of automotive scissors jacks. Then I mixed up about a pint of plaster of paris and made it about as thin as cream. I poured this in the water hole and let it set and dry for a couple of days.
I went to the craft store and bought bottles of the cheap acrylic paints that crafters use. This way, at 50 cents to a buck per bottle I got lots of shades of green, olive, brown, gray, and I got some black. I painted the pond bottom like the previous poster recommends, dark in the middle and fading to a sandy olive color near the shore. I let it dry.
I glued stones along the shore and in the water where it would logically be shallow enough for rocks to appear above the surface, I also planted some tall grass to look sort of like cat tails and the other shoreline vegitation. Tacky glue works well for the grass; hold a small bunch with tweezers and dip the bottoms of the grass in glue, then stick it in place.
Finally, I poured in two quarts of Woodland Scenics Realistic Water. It is oderless and cleans up with water. It’s pretty thick (like corn syrup), so I had to coax it around the trestle piers and some of the rocks. A toothpick and patience work well for this. The material gives you a couple of hours of working time, so take your time and be careful. In 24 hours, it was set and looking good. Over the next few weeks the material continued to cure and the surface irregularities appeared, it went from glassy smooth to a very realistic watery look.
It was my first try at a water feature, and I feel pretty good about it. I think I’d have made the bottom a little lighter if I had it to do over. You can kind of see it in this picture:
Phil,
That is awesome, great looking water, I’ll have to look into the water gel you wrote about hopefully it is not too expensive because I’m going to need a lot for my lake.
Is it possible to put fish in it and not have them float to the top?
Thanks for replying with some good info and a great pic, where can I see more pics of your layout?
the Realistic water costs about $15 per pint, if I remember right. Anyway, I used two bottles for my swamp/lake. The plastic water is only about 1/8 inch deep - I dont think it would be wise to make it much deeper than that. You paint the bottom to make it look deep, then the “water” is just there to give it a wet texture.
I thought about including fish, but I was afraid they would float and look silly. It might be best to either paint them on the bottom, or use a little of the Realistic Water to glue them in place (install the fish, then let them dry for a couple of days, then pour the lake over them).
You might find it wise to make a little pond, like 2" across, to practice with the material. That way you’ll have a good idea of what works best for you.
Thanks for the complement. Here are a few more pictures, starting with the track plan (my layout has a furnace in the middle):
I’ve used both Envirotex and Gloss Acrylic medium/gel. Here’s the result:
(Click to enlarge)
(Click to enlarge)
You can see the details of how I’ve done this in my scenery forum clinic here.
Here’s a link:
Wayne
Without a doubt, that is the best looking replica of water I’ve ever seen on a model railroad. The rest of your scenery is excellent, too.
Thanks, Phil!
Your first attempt at water looks very good … you should have seen mine (that was only 41 years ago now … sheesh).
Phil that really looks awesome…now where did I put that fishing rod…
I have had very good success with Woodland Scenics Realistic Water. Care has to be taken to ensure the lake bed is level and properly sealed. I painted the base black for deep water and gradually altered colors to the shore line to simulate water depth. I then pourd a layer of water, do not exceed the 1/8 inch recommendation as the water will dry hazy. Allow to dry for twenty hours before appying another coat. Just prior to the last coat drying, take a paint brush and dab it into the water from end to the other to simulate waves. For heavier more rough looking waves, after the realistic water has dried, use Woodland Scenics water effects to build up waves. You can mix white paint (a hint I used from MR magazine) to make really rough looking waves.
Good luck,
