Here is the link to make your own grass applicator: http://csxdixieline.blogspot.com/2010/06/howto-static-grass-applicator.html?m=1 It was pretty straight forward and actually sort of fun to build. I used parts from a baby sippy cup for the grass container. Bob, I thought that I had an aluminum cookie sheet but couldn't find it. I simply placed a sheet of parchment baking paper over top a scrap of aluminum screen. It's amazing to see that static grass dance once the applicator is turned on. By the way, I recommend Heki brand grass. To me it looks far more realistic than the Woodland Scenics grass that I initially bought. The Woodland Scenics has an unnatural sheen to it. I spent a couple of hours making trees of varying sizes this evening in perpetuation for putting in the basic landscaping in a couple more areas in the coming week.
Also, for these tufts I used matte medium dots. Previously I tried white glue and tacky glue; both of which made for an unsightly whitish base to my tufts. Given the low cost of this production method I simply tossed those out once I realized that matte medium is the way to go.
LocoHorn, It sounds like you are determined to strike a memorable experience for anyone viewing your layout through photos or in person so no holding back. This comes from someone who has built a few layouts but am currently a modular guy with no backdrops on them. For now anyway. I look at the photo and can easily see that the curve is sharp enough to suggest that it turns back on itself. Meaning the railroad goes nowhere. Ouch! Can you hide that implication with a structure, more tree, or a land mass of some sort. The idea is to focus the attention of those viewing the location and keep them interested in that space. This will help increase the apparent size of the scene and overall layout. The backdrop shows the shadow of your train and leaves nothing to imagine beyond the immediate area. I would ask yourself what shadows would be acceptable and can it be added to this scene. Could the horizon be raised and the painted or photo backdrop depict the area modeled? Painted=talented artist or photo backdrop=expensive. You could move the curve away from the backdrop so the shadow is not quite so apparent, but the horizon issue would still leave the viewer wanting. The bridge and abutments look good, but the foliage under it does not seem correct. I am a Socal guy so all our creeks are sand or concrete with little or no water and are generally just storm channels, natural or not. I would think you need to decide on water or a dry bed, but again I do not live nor have I visited enough outside California to know what is best for your chosen modeled area. Would more robust trees in the basin be more appropriate? More water=more vegetation. The track itself can also draw the eye so a color consistent with your area besides black is in order. Around here the tops are shiny of course and the sides are a brownish rust, but not red or black. I agree with Jim that the fascia is something that should be left out of photos, but I think your color choice was good. So many choose a color to contrast the scenery so sharply that it become distracting. Black or green seems to be a favorite, but an interior designer might argue to use a color on the wheel of your scenery base. I say to leave the fascia out but I do like the occasional shot of an operator working the layout to see if the surroundings are comfortable and to steel ideas..
In the first two photos, I don't see any thing that needs to be changed. The fascia I did not even noticed until some one else mentioned it. Blends in very well. As Robert3985 stated fences and power poles were every were in your layout era. Signs at the edge of the bridge really do give a complete look. In fact RR signs of all types where the 1:1 would use them makes the layout pop! I do like the cattle idea also. I have some small herds of dear grazing here and there.
