Thanks all, I am looking forward to finishing all the bits of trackwork tidying up and fitting the rest of the switch machines and wiring so I can get on with scenery and structures. Jesper, yes a camera is merciless in showing up imperfections But real road edge white lining is not always very good either I have seen the term spackling used several times, but I have not seen any here in the UK. What the heck is it?
Alan,spackling compound is used to fill nail holes and the like.I believe its origonsal purpose was to patch cracks in plaster walls.
My mistake, it's called Spackling Paste and not Spackling Compound. This is the link to the brand they have at my local Home Depot. http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/onlyproducts/Int%20Spackling%20Paste%20DS.htm Jesper
Ah, sounds like something here called Pollyfilla, or several other brand fillers. I use lots around the house during redecorating, also on the layout.
Lookin' goooood there, Alan!! You have a heckuva switching puzzle there! My layout has progressed from an empty room to this: *track mocked up--backdrop painting to commance tomorow!*
Great, at least a trackplan we can study and at first sight it looks like seriuosly developped switching layout. Ilike it. Paul
Alan, Great to see the track plan it certainly has a lot of switching capabilities BUT where is the intermodal terminal?
Alan, I have enjoyed looking at your pics and layout diagram. I noticed a brand of switch machine I didn't recognize - I am guessing it is made in Europe. What brand of switch machine are you using?
Paul, no space for an intermodal terminal! Sacriledge, isn't it Rick, the switch machines are made in England by SEEP. They are sort of like a Peco one, but much more robust and have a built in switch for frog polarity switching.
I have done preliminary ballasting of the track. Most of the siding tracks will be topped up with earth, but the main running lines will be left as ballast, but airbrushed to different degrees. The backscene to hide the staging tracks has been fitted (Robin, I used cardboard) To blend in the screen I painted it pale blue/green and glued teased-out Woodland Scenics poly fiber, then brushed wood glue onto it and pressed ground foam onto the glue. Trees will be placed in front of it, and hopefully the foliage on the backscene will fill the gaps between the trees. This photo shows the backscene and the unballasted staging tracks. The roads have been made with plaster, but still need to be smoothed and painted. The flangeways on the grade crossings also need to be cleared!
Next, with the ground foam applied, and some trees in front. Note that the trees in these pics have just been propped up, and not properly "planted" [ 28. July 2003, 15:28: Message edited by: Alan ]
This shows how I have tried to use the backscenes to make the staging yard and other tracks and the road dissappear from view behind trees. Obviously lots more foliage will be added to the area, to hopefully complete the illusion.
Wow Alan. Looks good sir! I can't wait to get some track layed on my layout... How did you make that road??? I was thinking plaster was too liquid to stay still after you apply it. And how are your trains going to go across those filled grade crossing??
Mathieu, I will be cleaning out those flangeways The roads are made with a wall filler here called Polyfilla. It can be mixed to any consistency by adding more or less water, and does not set very quickly, so giving plenty of time for working with it. I just spread it along where i want the roads. The edges will be deal;t with later, they can be cut back straight with a knife or chisel. I will post pics as i work on the roads.
Alan- Am sure glad that you have a drawing of your layout posted with this thread. It makes following what you are doing very easy. I can quickly look, and see how each scene relates to the whole concept. Boxcab E50
Thanks Ken Looking the other way, the buildings in the corner will be developed, and there will be more to the right of the road, which will help to hide the road going off the back of the board!
