Been making some headway on scenery. I was trying to figure out what to do with the sidewalls of the raised tracks, and I didn’t like my first try at it
Didn’t like it, so I filled in the gap with some WS foam putty to form a slope.
And this is what it looks like now, I think it looks more natural. The cornfield backdrop is going on this wall here. (should have that up next week)
Also got some more trees planted on the mountain.
Let me know how I’m doing…
Thanks,
Michael
Looking real good.
How are you doing? Superbly! Way better than most beginners Ive seen.
Only thing you are doing wrong on the track slopes is the weeds are too evenly spaced, also anything that steep next to another track would probably have at least a small retaining wall.
You need to find someone’s scenery style that you like and copy it. I like Zgardner18’s scenery style for instance. Here is one of his pictures. If I could get my scenery to look as good as his, I would be happy.
Copying a scenery style from another modeler is the highest form of flattery.
Thanks everyone for the great feedback, as always…
I will add some more random weeds on the slope.
I’ve also started carving the creekbed, I’ll post up more pics as I progress on that. I still need to get a small bridge and two culverts, looks like another trip to Caboose, they must love me, they already know me by name! [:D]
I wish I could copy that scenery style, easy to say and difficult to do. This is my first experience working with all these scenery products. I’m learning as I’m going. Maybe on my next layout after I learn what works and what doesn’t. For instance, the mountain tunnel could have been done a better way, so my next mountain should look alot better.
I’ve come a long way in only 6 months, and getting help here I have learned a wealth of knowledge.
Thanks,
Michael
I’d say you’re making good progress, Michael. Certainly better than those of us who have yet to build any benchwork and lay down some track. [%-)]
Just one question - what is that shiny green stuff on the mountain? I like the effect of that tree line on the ridge with the big mountain behind. Looks like if you walked beyond the trees you’d be in for a serious fall. Nice!
Looks good to me too. One thing I’d suggest is to remove the re-railers, unless it happens to be where you place your cars and loco’ on the layout.
Thank you Chuck. For the mountain I sprayed expanding insulation foam and then painted it green.
Actually what I’m going to do is move that rerailer down to line up with the grade crossing.
Thanks Jim, appreciate the feedback.
Michael
Nice! Photo backdrops?
Don’t be afraid to use things from the backyard like dirt, sticks, and pebbles. And along the lines of what Driline said, don’t be afraid to copy real life too. Take note of the colors, how muted they tend to be, lack of shiny surfaces, etc.
I like to think in terms of layers, or levels of scenery. Base layer of earth toned paint, layer of dirt, layer of grass, another layer of grass, layer of weeds, layer of trees, layer of animals, layer of structures, layer of people, etc. Each progressive layer covering less than the prior and typically containing more detail.
And details, details, details. You’d be amazed at how much they can change a scene.
Looks good to me. You are further along than I am.
Micheal I do enjoy seeing your work, and only in 6 months you are light years ahead of me in the same time frame.
On the raised track, you could use old rail ties driven straight down into the slope. I have seen it done in my neck of the woods.
I all so second losing the auto rerailer.
Weeds, try cutting them little more uneven and flatten them a little. Funny thing is after I got into trains I started looking at weeds, trees, ditches and rocks.
I posted this in the last Weekend Photo Fun, but it is time for you to make some trees and mix them up. They are good looking trees but looks like a tree farm, not not a forest. You all so need dead fall under the the trees so it does not look like a park. I have used and really like Woodlands Dead Fall Forest Debris #EX896B.
Lot of the clutter is the Dead Fall.
Look at super trees as well, all so by Woodland.
I don’t know your neck of the woods, and it more than likely mainly ferns trees. But mixing it up some will help it to look more real.
You might all so try the foam sheets from Home Depot and Loews. Easy to work with and easy to paint.
All pretty much the same section. Just use latex chalk to hold the section together, sand and glue down to the bench with chalk again. If you find a damage section at Home Depot, if you ask for a discount you should get 75% off turning a $28 piece into a $8.00 one and it goes a long way!
I all so posted this before, but I think in the long ru
Ken, not at all, I appreciate the help and suggestions you give me. Yes I agree I need more variety of trees, and also the deadfall is a great idea.
I am little confused about rerailers, you guys don’t use them? I thought they were a must have? I have like 4 of them on the layout right now. But that one you see, I’m gonna line it up with the grade crossing.
I appreciate the help from everyone else with their suggestions.
Thanks,
Michael
Michael,
it is a joy to see, how your layout is coming along. I can really feel, how much fun you have in building your layout. I very much like the way you have blended in that backdrop of yours - that´s a [tup] from me.
Thanks for sharing your progress with us!
Thanks Ulrich, for the thumbs up. Yes I am having a blast building this thing. The great thing about this hobby is the myriad of different things to work on. From building the benchwork, to laying track, scenery, oh and the best part…running trains!!
I plan to start the benchwork on the 9’ x 9’ extension room in about a month or so.
Thanks,
Michael
Micheal, I use to think they where must have as well. They are a must have when you start and have not refined your track laying and rolling stock skills. I have not added any to my layout for a good 100 feet of new track, in other words a few years. I think I still have around 5 never installed.
If you are going to add a road to that section then the rerailer will be OK. Lot of people here will uses match sticks instead if you are looking for the wood look.
One other thing I have learned, is do not forces the Look just because you have to. In other words, do you think you need a road somewhere because it looks real, or are you trying to cover up a mistake you have all ready made.
Looking forward to more pictures for me to nick pick. [:D] That is what we do when we are not working on our own layouts!
Ken
Quite well, I think! The revised approach to the bridge turned out especially nice.