More work on the Renton Library this afternoon, this time on the base. The prototype is a slab poured on a bridge deck. I wanted to mimic that, so I started by painting the wood deck aircraft gray. While it dried, I built a false front bridge deck out of styrene. Once both were ready, I glued them together using Aleene's. I let that sit for 30 minutes and here's how it turned out. Then it was off to the paint booth for masking and the bridge color, Model Master Hellblau, same as the bridge to the Boeing plant. Here is how it turned out: Put in an order for wrought iron fence and people, once they're here we're done.
After dinner came out to continue the cleaning process, man do we make a mess. Once I got tired of that I added the first layer of Water Effects on the upper Cedar River. The lower Cedar River is looking great, although I did add a touch more Water Effects among the rocks. Next step will be to add the white paint for the wave action.
It all turns clear, you then go back and dry brush the white highlights. This pic is right out of the tube.
Cool. BTW I have a feeling those will be some rather tired salmon, after swimming against that current.
I wanted to give you a before and after shot of the water effects I put down yesterday on the upper Cedar River. Here is right after putting the effects down: Here is how it looks tonight: You can see the ripples if you look closely, but in order for it to look correct, you need to dry brush on acrylic white paint.
I have never tried this technique. My primary hesitation is the method for brushing so they look correct for stream flow, and around obstacles. Whether strokes would be best. Stippling effect. Or both?
It really depends on your stream. Proto photos really help. In PNW streams the bed is pebbles to rocks, so even ins shallow water you get ripples under all but the lowest flow regimes. Stream bed driven ripples generally flow in the direction the water is flowing, with turbulence (and foam) around rocks and other obstacles. Gentle brush strokes would probable work in the stream; stippling would work for the foam around the rocks. Tons of videos on youtube as well.
Oh yes. I do know about PNW streams. I spent my first almost fifty years there, foothills of the Puget Sound western Cascades. The farm where I grew up had one of those rivers flowing right through it. A lot of various debris, sand bars, glacial effects, volcanic effects and also even newer rock with sharper faces. Depending upon where you are, rapid, rushing flows, to slow and meandering.
Very cool Michael! Your stream looks very real. It makes me anxious to get started on the new POCR. Thanks for taking the time to keep us up on your progress always!
Had a blast last night. Earlier in the day we found out the nmra tour was postponed, so we were off the clock. We decided to keep cleaning and get the railroad running and have some fun. There were a couple of projects that needed to get done; putting the bridges back in place and a rail gap issue on the Molzahn Bridge. Ed tackled the gauge issues and was successful in getting it fixed. Wain brought in his RIP shed for test fit and we were all pleased with the progress. Later he put the finishing touches on the approach road to the shed. While Doug and Bob hit the rails with bright boys, I added the wave action on the lower Cedar River. As you can see, we also pulled the dam out. Here's the same shot with the bridges back in place. Scott hit a couple of projects, including adding a foam bumper inside the Boeing Building, we're hoping the bumper will help us avoid derails with the end of the track not visible. He also pulled up the approach track to the lower Cedar River Bridge. We decided to change the angle of approach to help ease the transition into the turnout. Before we called it a night, I used drawing paper to build a template for a foam insert for the east wall. It's there only to protect equipment from going to the floor. Later we'll add the Stoneway Concrete plant on that site. We had a fun night, we're going to fire the layout up next Tuesday. Cross your fingers for minimal shorts.
Some weekend updates, trying out a scenery method I found on YouTube from Deryk Glass of DG Modelworks. He takes a poly fiber material from Walmart and stretches it, paints it, then hits it with ground foam to create background scenery. Here's how I did it. First the canvas: Then the fiber. I first teased and stretched small sections (about a foot) in place. Once satisfied, I took it outside and hit it with Krylon paint. I started with black, then brown, then dark green and light green. Only the black and brown were sprayed everywhere. The greens were sporadic. Once it dried, it was soaked in hair spray. I then dribbled flock and blended turf over the fiber and added some fine turf earth foam in spots. I let it all dry, then took it back into the layout and used foam nails to put it in place. On Tuesday if the fellas like it, I'll hot glue it in place. Here's another piece I'm trying along the lower Cedar River crossing. More later.
