I am currently working on construction of a module where the track will run through water vice having a bridge (modeling a logging line on this module). My question is has anyone had experience doing something similar, and if so, did the water material react with the track components (spikes, paint on rail, paint or stain for ties etc).
Im thinking of building a short test section in a box and pouring water over it, but I figured I would ask if anyone has already attempted this.
Woodland Scenics E-Z Water is small plastic pellets which you melt on a stove and pour onto your layout. I found out the hard way that it will melt (and therefore destroy) any plastic that it comes in contact with. It will also crack plaster similar to the way hot oil may break a cold glass. I would not recommend using it. Their other water products might be fine. I haven’t tried any of them.
That is good information to know. I was not planning on using Ez-water as I have been told it cracks with wild temperature swings that happen to modular layout in this part of the US (75F → 30 or less then back to 75-85 in the show hall when full of people). Works out rather poorly. But the info about the product in general will be useful to know for other projects, thank you.
I intend to use either the deep pour water or the realistic water for this project. Has anyone heard of either of these products interacting with paints stains or other metals (leaching of color or otherwise, so that I might avoid disaster)?
We used the Woodland Scenics Realistic Water in a couple of pond areas on our club layout. There was a variety of scenery materials some new, some 10 or 15 years old. We had no problems. Go to our club website look for the January 26th 2018 meeting and you’ll see a shot. at http://www.emrrc.com/index.php/home/2018-past-announcements
MOPACJAY,
Thank you for your response. I hope to visit your club sometime, possibly in the same trip as visiting the only extant L3 Mohawk.
All,
I have run a test with track materials and scenery. The results are posted at the link in the signature below.
Obviously, the “water” can’t be above the rail tops, so you could simply add whatever scenery or landforms are suitable for the scene, colour it appropriately, then apply a clear gloss finish.
Too many modellers seem to think it necessary to make deep “water” when all that’s required is to make water which looks deep.
I use clear, high-gloss water-based urethane over Durabond patching plaster, painted first to create the “depth” which is required for each particular scene. A quart will go a long way, and there’s no mixing or odour, either.
Wayne
Wayne,
For technical reasons, yes the water must be below the railheads.
This would be pretty neat to model though.
Im trying to get as close to this as possible, just imagining that the creek level is lower…
Yeah, real steam locomotives could operate in water deep enough to render diesels immobile, due the the vulnerability of the traction motors.
Wayne