The Elmwood Subdivision

nolatron Sep 1, 2010

  1. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Playing around with some foam to try some new formations on the hill.

    The foam would eventually be covered with scultamold (where i'll try my hand at cliff making) or something like rubber rock molds.


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  2. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Awesome! I like the progress. I'd say be careful not to make the transition to the rest of the mountain too even. Make sure to break it up a bit, to look more natural. Higher in the middle is good (so it looks like they chopped out more mountain) and lower/more variable on each side. Digging the ridge, too! You should blend it down to the corner, again to look like it's the continuation of the mountain that was cut. Maybe also make it higher towards the right side, sloping down to the left. Keep it comin! :)
     
  3. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    After taking a hiatus for the holidays, it's time to get back in the garage. I had already did a little work on the foam cliff face to add some variation to it so it wasn't so uniform. This morning I started to rebuild the lattice work for the sub structure. Just a little more is left before it gets a masking tape overlay
    .

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]


    More than likely I'm going to with one of these two molds (#1 #2) from Bragdon to mold the cliff face itself.
     
  4. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've never tried casting sculptamold in molds.
    I made some stratified cliffs with scuptamold. Instead of using molds I made a very coarse wire brush, something like a little broom, and scratched the lines in before the scuptamold set up. The cliffs have not been colored yet. There are some photos in my album, but the pics aren't that good.
    I'll get you some better pictures latter today. Right now I've got the Honey Do List to tackle.
     
  5. upguy

    upguy TrainBoard Member

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    In my opinion you should break up the uniformity of the mountain with a small drainage or indention of some sort or even a ridge that continues over the track (gives you the opportunity to build a short tunnel). An extensive cut would have been a lot of material for a struggling railroad to have to move, and, then (from an engineering standpoint) there's the problem of where did the balance of material go? For every cut there is a fill somewhere. Smooth, even lines just aren't natural in nature unless it's something like the Bonneville Salt Flats, but that's just me.
     
  6. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    In trying to vision how I wanna do the rock cliff, I simply decided to experiment. I slapped some plaster on the cliff face and used some little tools I had laying around to scrap and poke at the plaster as it set. For my first my time ever doing this I think it came out pretty well.


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  7. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Built up a little tunnel formation to go into one of the corners of the peninsula. I'd rather not have to redo the fascia so I'm gonna fill in the empty area soon.


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  8. Curto

    Curto TrainBoard Member

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    I think that looks great... imagining it with some appropriate colors/weathering it'll be awesome
     
  9. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree with you Curto it looks great. Some nice washes of coloring and weathering will really bring out the texture.

     
  10. logging loco

    logging loco TrainBoard Supporter

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    Shaun,
    Here is the small brush I made to add fine stratifications to my rocks.
    IMG_1534.jpg

    The bristle end is only about 3/16 wide.




    IMG_1542.jpg
    I cut some strands off another much larger stainless steel brush, wrapped some thread around the base of the handle until I got the arangement I liked then locked them on with some glue.



    IMG_1544.jpg
    I used it on carved Sculptamold. I smeared on the Sculptamold, worked it with a spatula and picks, then went over everything with this little homemade brush. The shadowing is all light effects. I've only colored it with my basic earth color following Dave Frary's Water Soluible Method
     
  11. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Work continues on the peninsula makeover. The cliff face is mostly done. Before I can permanently install the tunnel roof and 'sculpt' it over, I need to paint the rock work on the inside. So that'll be the next major task for area.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    You may have noticed a change in ground color too. I ran out of my "red dirt" color and switched to an can I had from two layouts ago of '"tan dirt". I kinda like it better after using that red for so long. I might even re-do all the red with it.
     
  12. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Next up I began working on placement of structures. I dug a few small items that's been packed away for a while and placed it out on the layout. I also got around to cutting out my background flats from Kingmill Enterprises. Started placing them all out along the background of Elmwood. Really does help fill the scene with them in place. Once I'm happy with the look I'll use some Elmer's spray adhesive to attach them to the backdrop.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  13. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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  14. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Work on the control panel is progressing too. Here's a look a the panel after I drilled all the holes.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I've since added the final overlay of the track plan to the the metal plate. Just need to cut out all the paper holes and put all the switches and LED holders in. I also ordered the DTM30 controller board this weekend. So we might see this thing in action in a few weeks.

    And lastly, here's a new overall view of the layout.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Here's a look at the new panel with all of the LED holders and (most) pushbuttons installed. I came up short two pushbuttons, so I need to order those this week.


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  16. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Construction Is Over

    Yes, you read that right. It pains me to say it but construction on the Elmwood Sub has ended.


    Last night the wife and I got an email from the owners of the house we rent. They want to move back in on April 1, 2012. So we’re starting to house hunt and packing will start this weekend probably.


    While the layout is sort of modular, it was done so with the intent that’d we buy a house 3-4 years from now with space to accommodate it. Right now, that’s all up in the air as we pretty much have to pick something in the next 2-4 weeks to move into (be it another lease or buy).


    So with that in mind, there’s a very strong chance the layout will see a full diss-assembly if that “perfect” house isn’t out there right now for us.
     
  17. TwinDad

    TwinDad TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, wow! What a bummer!

    Here's hoping you can preserve and restore much of what you had built... and that the new digs has an even bigger train room!
     
  18. gregamer

    gregamer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sorry to hear. I just started following you. I hope you find a way to get back up and running.
     
  19. tommyh

    tommyh New Member

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    Agreed. I've been enjoying watching your progress too. Good luck with your house hunting, although a little short notice on your landlords part.
     
  20. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Good news! I'm be turning in a deposit today for a new leased house that has enough space that I'll be able to put the layout in it's own room inside. So it looks like the layout may live on.

    Now the question will be... will those hidden staging tracks line up after reassembly!?! :shock:

    This week I'll start the diss-assembly for moving in about 2-3 weeks, just ahead of the "big" move.

    Stay tuned!
     

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