Hi all, wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I am Duane. I have been reading the forums for some time now, though I wish I had done so when I started my layout about 8 years ago or so. So many things I would have done differently with some info instead of going gung-ho with what I thought made sense.
Anyway, my layout models no particular prototype, merely mountainous terrain, maybe somewhere in the western US, and takes place circa???, late 1930’s- 1940’s ish. It contains two lines, a main freight and passenger route with “rough” 3% grades, and a coal/logging route with grades from 3-12%! The main route is handled by either a 2-8-0, 2-8-2 or 4-6-6-4, depending on what my fancy is at the time. The coal/logging duties are handled by a single 3-truck Shay (the logging and coal outfit are owned by the same people who are mysterious at this point). With those grades, she only pulls 3-4 short hoppers at a time, sometimes pushing empty log cars to the landing when pulling empty hoppers. The coal mine can only accept 3-4 hoppers at a time anyway, and the primary purpose is to supply the coaling tower on the main down by the station.
The station has a small switch yard with primary function being the transfer of logs from the skeleton cars to main line flatcars. The station also receives freight for both operations as well as for the few scattered residents out in the country.
Much of this took place with an idea but no plan- sounds familiar from reading other posts! I made typical mistakes, not really planning for roads and building placement other than the station, coal and water towers! Now I am in the process of tying all the elevation changes in with realistic scenery which includes figuring out a road to the station and other places. So far so good. I’ve used the usual materials (sculptamold, ceiling tile, styrofoam) and have begun using Aspen bark- free when you cut wood for heat- the stuff’s been staring me in the face for years!
I am using it for rock faces, like you would use cork, though cork I think makes better gulches. I’ve used the bark on more sheer surfaces or to create rock outcroppings, using sculptamold to blend in to the surrounding areas. I use acrylic paints for pretty much everything, and will blend colors of the bark into surrounding areas, usually dry brushing or maybe wet washing surrounding color onto the bark.
Okay, so now I feel stupid. I’ve read it on here numerous times but didn’t pay attention. Could someone please tell me the secret to posting pics? I would really like to get some up and have searched all over this site but no luck. Thanks in advance for any help!
Early on when we started to scenic the club layout, many of us had our hand in doing scenery. This pic show a spot that was sort of a training ground where all sort of methods were used. This area has gone through a few facelifts. When a div crossing was added as for the final plan, we hacked into it. You can see the original scenery w/ the pine bark chunks that were used for rock. I was working on another area honing my skills w/ hydrocal castings. If the bark is placed properly you do end up w/ a decent rock face/ cut. Like ceiling tile, the bark can be broken to suit shapes and desired textures
You see the progression through the layers in this pic. Goes from the original bark, then a hydrocal casting to represent shale and now the base is pink foam to tranition to a sloped embankment up to the bridge abutment at the crossing.
And the result
Another spot showing the pine bark (rocks) that were retained, has the same look as using broken ceiling tiles.
Done w/ patience and a bit of fill-in painted and highligthed they can be quite convincing.
I’m not sure if mine is that convincing, especially with no ground cover or other detail yet, but I think it’s okay… just got to find out how to get pics up for others to see and critique. Your work looks great! I can’t wait for ground cover, bushes and trees to start growing!
