More time was spent on the western transition in Maple Valley. I started by adding a new landform made from a 1/4 inch cork scrap. I added this for multiple reasons. I needed a hillside to hold back with the retaining walls, I wanted to span the gap between the two pieces of backdrop and I wanted a more convincing 3d look to the scene. I taped off the cork and the seam in the backdrop. I placed flexible caulk in the seam, then painted the cork our standard brown. Before everything dried, I pulled off the frog tape. I let the paint dry, then went back to work on the scenery. About midway through the evening I decided to add a rock outcropping. That necessitated using our rock painting technique for a single rock, ugh. But we found the spray bottles and it only took a few minutes to get the color saturation to a realistic look. Clump foliage, vine foliage and our pillow batting (simulating scotch broom) filled out the balance of the work. The T-pins hold the pillow batting in place while it dries. Next week we will pull the pins and glue it in place. While I worked the tunnel, Ed made progress on the defect detector. He had both infrared sensors in place by evening's end. Scott began to repair his railfanning scene. We had done some unfortunate damage to his fine work here while repairing the Franklin switches, so rather than continue to inflict damage, we pulled much of it off the layout and set it aside. Glad to see it retaking shape. Finally Doug began trimming the back side of our trees so they can sit flat against the backdrop we just installed. They look great. Well, that's a full night's work. More next time.
Hi Mike, I don’t want to nit-pick, and you can certainly tell me to shut-up. But the rock looks out of place. I think it’s more the shape is off. It looks too round. Would a more flat type of strata work there? When I first looked at the picture, it just grabbed my eye and took it away from the whole scene. Just my impression. The brush looks fantastic, but I think the rock the way it is, detracts from it. As always, I love to see your Progress! Dale
Maybe it’s what I am used to in our part of the country. I am used to seeing the strata of the rock and multi-hue colors. The top photo shows a face that was drilled and blasted.
The Pacific NW is predominantly glacial till and much of it is basalt. Here are local examples: Gray colors, rounded sharp edges and often look as if they popped up out of nowhere. This was on my mind as I chose from the rock castings I have. I do have castings with horizontal striations, so I'll check those out.
Mike, I went back and studied the picture some more. The rock definitely has fracturing. Possible it needs some more color strata in it. It also looks like it’s just perched there. Possible some rock below it supporting it?it be why it looks oddly placed. Maybe even recessed back into the surrounding cover.
Actually those are from the Arbuckles, south central along I-35. The rock I notice around NE Oklahoma seems to be smaller pieces. I will have to be some pictures.
I did not write that very well. Was thinking of where Michael resides, in Washington. My old home State.
Final thing for now, cleaned the ties along this section of track. Nice to actually see them all again. Amazing what a little wet water and elbow grease can accomplish. Also hit the track with a Brite-boy and the longer cars ran through here very nicely. Next week maybe we can get the new ballast down.
I like it very much! They look like outcroppings. I also like the fissure between the two over the retaining wall.The use of the brush around them gives them the buried in the ground look. Well done Michael!
