N scale D&RGW Secret Places Sub layout progress

Thank you! Abandoned only as long as I need to keep slop off the rails. Maybe this weekend I pull the tape for a photo op.

This is the look I am shooting for:

 

I haven't decided on the snow scene--I know I want one, but where? There's so little light in this canyon in winter; sun doesn't really directly shine on Tunnel 26 for months. I might make Tunnel 25 the snow scene? I haven't made up my mind.

 

Polly Scale Rust and RR Tie brown from an airbrush at low PSI.

You know, a snow scene on the T25/26 side of the layout would make the intricate rock detailing less important... I might have to find what Mike Dannemann used on his snow scene. His inspired me to do a snow scene.

 

I tried (unsuccessfully) to get a copy of that issue, but I figure it's similar to the larger in-depth article in NSR mag a while back. I have that one.
The Spire has been rebuilt, the spine of the rocky spur below it is revised as well. All thetrees on the T25/26 side of the layout have been removed in preparation for the snow scene. My Wig-pak with a couple Trainworx 86-footers and Hydrocal came in the mail last nite, so as soon as basic scenery colors are finalized, I'll let it snow.
Mt AZ Rock & Mineral order came in too, so I have ballast and "snow" as well. Just need to finish the pistol case Z layout, and I can resume the N.

 

The forecast says 100% chance of snow this week....
I just finished making about 170 trees, prepping them and making them snowy.
The removable tunnel tops are snowed in, something like 12-18 scale inches worth.
While I wait for the recent scenery adjustments to dry completely, the trees are curing, then it will be blizzard time.
Pics soon!

 

Cant wait to see the photos!

 

The National Weather Service has issued the following severe weather warning for the entire Front Range from Denver to Glenwood Springs: 4-6" snow accumulation expected in 5000 foot elevation, up to 18" in the mountains.

Looks like the North Yard trainmaster might need to send a Moffat plow extra.

 

Here's the overall scene:



The cast-off ties, and talus slope just out of Tunnel 25:



The Spire:



A rail and tie retaining wall, and more cast off ties near T26:

 

With the snow done, the next step is pulling tape off the rails, vacuuming off loose material, and installing trees. Last step will be "snow" ballast.
Not as nice as Mike Dannemann's, but I like the effect.

One hint for those thinking about doing one of these snow scenes:

Don't put down ground foam first. Trust me, it makes a mess of things.
In fact, the hydrocal soaks in, and the color dye from the foam bleeds through. Multiple coats of "snow" doesn't really hide it. Flat white spray paint does, however.

 

Thanks, Keith!
I used sifted Hydrocal. I simply sprayed the whole scene with wet water from an atomizing spray bottle, sifted Hydrocal over the scene, misted more wet water over the scene to set the material. I let it dry overnight.
I did the trees off scene. I did my usual tree thing, but didn't do much hacking and slashing. The sifted Hydrocal went over the trees, one side at a time (prepped as before); then the trees were was left to dry as well.

I virtually copied Mike Dannemann's method as detailed in Jan/Feb 2007 NSR mag.

The forestry department delivered about 170 trees today, and installed them on the mountain. I need a good 50-70 more to complete the scene. The installed trees really hide most of the removable tunnel gaps, when viewed from trackside viewing angles.

 

Dave & Keith,
Thanks for the kind compliments. The SD40T-2's are buring in storage, but a lashup of grungy SD50's will have to do.

In this neck of the woods, coal loads (eastbound) go downhill. The heavy westbound trains were manifests and grain trains. I'll see if I can stage a quick photo op before ballasting begins. Maybe I can grab pics tonight.

 

Last night the snow fell on the ROW. As much as I like the quality and consistency of AZ R&M products, their "Snow" is somewhat difficult to work with. Since it is a heavy, dense powder, it is challenging to glue. Placing is not hard, but since you cannot really sprinkle it like ballast, it doesn't "flow" off the spoon like regular ballast does. Using Mike Danneman's article as a guide, I built a quick and dirty template to "plow" the snow, to keep it below railhead level, and out of the flangeways. I soaked it with full-strength iso alky, then dribbled on glue-wet water mix. The glue mix almost liquified the snow. Maybe I added too much, but I put on the same amount I always do when applying normal ballast. The mix kinda "flowed" whereever it wanted. It got messy. I think I added too much glue mix. I donno how Mike made his snow ballast so perfectly shaped in the NSR mag article. I woke up early this morning to check on it, and the glue had soaked in and dried to the point I could check the flangeways, and clean the railheads before the mix set like concrete on the tracks. The mis had settled down to tie level, but ties were still too visible for the amount of snow I sought. I checked with an Atlas caboose and GP35, and they rolled fine without hitting. I might try to add more to build up the level of snow tonight to cover the ties, and add small snowbanks from a Jordan Spreader. (wish I had one....) Maybe some pics, too...