I ‘glued’ the foam in using expanding foam. I saw someone do this on YouTube. I decided to go this route because not all of the layers were tight to each other. I think my only mistake was putting too much in between each piece. I’m hoping it carves out cleanly tomorrow. Also, someday a church will be behind the rocks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have color! Well, it’s not a bright color but at least it’s not pink. I still need to apply other colors but it’s nice not to have pink rocks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
More color! I finished carving the inside rocks. I smoothed it out with drywall mud. I then painted black in the cracks followed by gray. I would spray water on the rocks at every phase to even out the mud and paint. I need some red and orange to add highlights to the rocks. They are also a touch dark. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m done with the rock walls for now. I added highlights with white and touches of rust with red. I think it needs more of the red as it’s almost too subtle. I also tried yellow highlights in a spot and didn’t like that at all. Some time in the future I want to and vegetation to rock gaps. Now I need do the other side of the canyon. I don’t want it all rock like the other side. I’m thinking of layering rock between dirt and grass. I’m just struggling figuring out how to do that. Any ideas? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Looks interesting and well done. "Church Behind the Rocks" sounds like an upbeat name for a contemporary worship center. I am sure you will develop the tones and colors that look right for the rocks. You are on the right track. And...dare I do one more pun? Rock on!
Haha! It’s got me thinking. “Rocky Top Church” anyone? “Rock of Ages”? Or if I make it a school “School of Rock”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I started work on the other side of the canyon. I wanted less rock while still tying it into the rock wall on the other side. I decided to cut 1” strips of foam at an angle to match. I applied plaster cloth (another first) to the areas between the rock. Next step will be a thin layer of mud and then paint. I’ll need to figure out how to finish the earth areas. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well, I worked on my first thing since early March. It has been a tough year. At the beginning of April, I had open heart surgery to replace two valves in my heart. There were complications that both delayed my hospital stay and my recovery. Roughly 8 weeks later things got a lot worse. My wife had a seizure that some how turned into encephalitis. She has been in some form of medical facility since. To make maters even worse, she should have been in a rehab facility for the last 5 weeks. The insurance company won’t approve a move back after she went to the hospital for a minor procedure. Did I mention that I am 46 and she is 44? I haven’t worked since April. Most of my time has been consumed by visiting my wife, taking care of kids, and all the rehab related to my recovery. I’ve also been consumed by fighting with the insurance company. It’s been life altering and I was too depressed to work on the trains. Finally I am starting to have the desire to do something fun. I don’t get much free time but I did manage to paint my bridges. I wanted do some type of black wash on them but my kid messed up some of my paint stuff while I was in the hospital. I did have a can of Testors olive green that did a good enough job. Two things I discovered. I need a paint booth so I don’t have to spray outside. I need an airbrush. The can wasn’t that accurate. Well, I hope I didn’t depress you with my tale. Over the next 6 months, I don’t see having many free moments to work on the layout. Hopefully I can sneak an hr or two every couple of weeks. I need all the distractions I can get. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good timing on posting the trestles as I'm trying to decide how to make some. Bad timing on all the health problems. I can feel for you. Had to take 5 months off life in general to be with my wife trying to beat leukemia back in the early 80's when we were both in our 30's. Sadly it didn't work out. You will both be in my thoughts getting through your health setbacks hopefully only for a while longer and will come out the other side. You are for sure doing the right thing by working in the train room when you get a chance. Take care of yourself so you can be there for her. Sumner
Sorry to hear you had do go through that back in the 80's. One thing I have to keep telling myself is I am getting better. Barring a relapse, my wife will also get better. It's just very frustrating that just when we felt she was ready to take a big step forward, the insurance company started denying coverage. As bad as it was to have to visit her in the hospital for 3 months straight, I have to remind myself its not at bad as cancer. I have no idea what it's like to go through that. As for the trestle, I like how mine turned out. Well, there is one thing I would change. I don't think the flex track on top of the bridge is very prototypical. I starting making the trestle as a temp fix until I could 3D print steal trestles. Now I like them to much to bother. Let me know if you have any questions on how I did mine.
SD, as much as I am enjoying your layout, you are in my prayers too. Been through the health issues here over the decades, so I understand.
