That's what I was thinking, since they ARE full of my train stuff. Well, most of them are, anyway...the others are full or partially full of misc. junk I've accumulated over the years (you'll understand when you're 47! lol).
Another nice shot. I guess I need to learn to use my computer for more than internet access! I think during the course of this week, I'm going to start moving boxes...or at least repacking them. It's about time to get some trains running again.
Building the creek scene. Arighty then, I just got a package of scenery supply's so I can get back to landscaping! I thought this would be a good time to document the scenery process on my layout from start to finish. I chose this scene with a culvert and stream to document. Prepare for a lot of photos! (1) The painted plaster base. (2) White glue has been brushed on. (3)Woodland scenics light green static grass is "dabbed" on to the glue. I do this instead on sprinkling on the grass because I think it stands up better. Just take a pinch and dab it on.
The grass is applied. There is a bit of extra grass lying loose on top that will be vacuumed later. (4) Large rocks for the creek bed are pressed into the glue. I found these just in my driveway. (5) Small gravely rock are sprinkled onto the glue. (6) A bit of sand( in this case highball products "light earth") is sprinkled atop the rest.
(7) I soak the creek bed with diluted matte-medium. (8) The static grass is brought closer to the creek bed. And now I wait for it to dry. Next is ground foam!
Nice job Caleb. Thanks for the tutorial. And thanks for the hint on the static grass. Filing that one in the "copy this guy's technique" file. Your layout is progressing very nicely. You've done alot with your limited space. You've also taken away the excuse of not having the space to build a realistic layout from some of us. Good job!
Thanks Ron! The stream bed is still drying, but have continued to add ground cover... (9) The excess static grass has been vacuumed up now that the white glue has dried. (10) A sprinkling of WS burnt grass and green blend fine turf atop the static grass. (11)The foam is then lightly rubbed into the grass. This gives a bit more color to the static grass. (12) Close up on the textures.
Last thing before bed. (13) WS burnt grass coarse turf is sprinkled on sparingly. (14) Soaked with the diluted matte medium! I'll let all that dry overnight.
Very interesting- never seen the static grass applied with anything other than an electronic static grass applicator. I will be tring this out for sure. Jamie
Time for heavier undergrowth. (15) Poly-fiber is stretched thinly over bits of the scenery. BTW, the poly-fiber I used here already had some ground foam attached. (16) A sprinkling of fine ground foam atop the fiber. (17) A spray bottle was used this time to mist the scene with diluted matte-medium. (18) I took this opportunity, with the scene all covered in diluted glue, to touch up the static grass in certain areas. Used the "dabbing" method again. Now that has to dry. Then It'll be time to add water to the creek!
Very nice! I can't wait to see how you do the water. I may have to add a creek to my layout in planning.
I looked all over for my Gloss-medium for the creek but couldn't find it. So I've had to improvise. I found a bottle of craft glue, the kind generally used for bonding paper. It says that it drys clear and shiny, so we will see. (19) Spreading the glue. (20) Waiting to dry. (21) Waiting to dry.
This is a great thread. I now have learned a new way to apply the static grass as well from reading this. The scenery is extremly awesome and even gave me some new ideas of ways to do the scenery when I am ready for that part. Thanks for the great pics and keep up the awesome work. Love the back drop as well.
Bob, I've heard of "future" and someday want to try it. Didn't have any on hand though. And thanks Raymond, happy that you like this thread! The creek is has almost set up! I have also started ballasting the remaining track portions.
Took a break from ballast today and worked on roads. The roads are cut from a styrene sheet. The dirt on the edge was made mixing Highball products "light earth" with some diluted matte medium to create a past. This was then spread along the road shoulder. I find that is much easier to create a smooth surface this way. I've still got to add some weathering to the road... Also, I touched up the static grass along the dirt road.
Caleb, I've been following along with this thread and you have some amazing talent! How in the heck did you get your ballast to look so darn good?
