Eucalyptus trees were imported to Southern California from Australia, they're mainly used as windbreaks in farming areas. If you're gonna model, say, some strawberry farms in Oxnard, you'd see a row of Eucalyptus trees at the edge of the farm.
The Cypress looks great. As others have said, wouldn't normally be seen along the Santa Barbara channel beaches. Probably the closest area on the line where you might see them would be up around Lompoc and Vandenberg. But, a lone one, probably planted by a Northern Californian transplanted to SoCal, is fine. The eucalyptus and/or poplars for windbreaks are what I associated with the channel coast (plus all those palms).
Thanks Rick maybe I am going about this wrong. I really am not sure what type of trees they are. I am working from the on the ground feature of google maps. The spot I am looking at is southbound highway 1 near the sign posting 3/4 mile to Summerland. There is a cluster of trees in between the ralroad tracks and highway 1. The bigger trees appear to be a Eucalyptus, there is also one distinctive Palm in the mix and several Poplar? and Cypress? I really am not good at identifying trees. If you are inclined to help out a fellow modeler and able to use the "on the ground feature" of google maps you can see what I am talking about. I have finished building five of what I think to be Eucalyptus trees (photo posts to follow) one I am not sure of species maybe coastal cypress? and I beleive I have about 2 more tree types to ad to the scene to capture this area. What type of trees do you think they are?
Joe, Yes, that is mostly a stand of eucalyptus, along with some Monterey pine and a couple palms. But you are absolutely correct, there is a cypress there, too, the big one along the left side of the highway, on the left-off ramp! (And I've driven past that many times -- usually cursing the traffic around/through Santa Barbara). As I said, one can find these trees down there, just not naturally. Someone put it there, just like the eucaplyptus
Eucalyptus and others The photos attached are intended to depict mostly Eucalyptus. I think I need to darken the Foliage on the Eucalyptus. The tree to the left is an imitation of what I thought was a coastal cypress. What ever it is darn it I am still struggling with it. Anyway thanks to all here who have commented. As many of you probably know its hard to find qualified critique. My neighbor looked at it today and said boy thats a neat train set. As much as I appreciate the sentiment its not quite as good as the feed back I have enjoyed from you all. Thank You
For the eucalyptus, put a little bit of blue/gray color into the foliage. They are not "green" trees. However you do it, this little scene looks great! I had originally wanted to do a scene along the coast, but then just couldn't figure out how to fit it in.
Boy that's a neat train set! To make it more Santa Barbara coast, I'd: - Lessen the light green bushes/foliage (there's some but it's more an accent) - The darker green is just right - Remove the red bushes/foliage (or color them a very dark brown to simulate California chaparral) - Add a generous amount of golden grass (whip out the static applicator!) don't forget, California is named "The Golden State" not just because of the stuff found in the mines! - Darken the eucalyptus foliage to a greyish-green and lessen the amount of foliage. The "blue" color in eucalyptus doesn't really show unless you're looking at a whole forest of them (which we don't have in the US). Also, if possible, darken your beach sand a little bit.
I agree with the above suggestions. The colors could generally be toned down a bit. I like how this scene is turning out though!
I used to live just south of Ventura and drove the coast highway pretty much every weekend for 3 years. You are missing driftwood and seaweed on the beach. There's always something washing up and if your modeling the winter time, there will be kelp washed up on the beach from storms along with other items. There's also bits of kelp and other stuff that leaves a line from the high water mark. You could also model the beach being cut by heavy surf. I would also think about a kelp bed in the water, maybe along the edge. They do grow close in some spots. The terrian at Summerland would be neat cause while the railroad and highway go pretty much flat and level, the land goes up and down all over. All those houses along the road would be cool as well. I think there's a banana orchard at Seacliff that would be interesting to model. You cold also include some oil pumps. There were also some of the last wig-wag signals at Summerland and Seacliff. But it looks like some places I've fished!! :tb-biggrin: P.S. There is a short tunnel at Chatsworth. It's before the long tunnel.
Joe, I'm going to start a post here to ask about the eucalyptus trees. here is a photo of some cool looking ones...
More stuff around the surf I think your right an oil pump and derick would look well placed. I don.t know if will be able to fit a grade crossing in though. I would need that in order to have a Wig Wag. The scene is set in the Summer. Hows the fishing there in the Summer?
Most of the oil is drilled offshore. You can put little black dots on your beach, though! Oil/tar spots are a common sight on the Snta Barbara coast!
Does anyone else have some good pics of eucalyptus trees they've modelled? Also anyone know of commercially available eucalyptus trees?
Nice!!! I just took the Pacific Surfliner up to SLO last week, so I can say the scenery is pretty accurate! Keep us posted with any updates; everyone loves the SP! Fun Fact: SD&AE #103, a C-9 2-8-0, and sometimes other engines from that SP subsidiary sometimes ran locals on the coast line. I have a link to building small SP steamers here if you're interested: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=124121&highlight=2-8-0+4-6-0
Wow...that is a great shot and awesome scenery. Looks just like that area, and the Daylight looks right at home. Well done!!
SD&AE #103, a C-9 2-8-0 I have a undecorated 2-8-0 and a Model Power Vbuilt tender that I would like to use for an SD&AE C-9 2-8-0. However I have to device a good draw bar configuration. Do you have any pictures of what you used for the draw bar on your conversion.
