The JACALAR RR

Thanks Jerry. This went together easily, once I pieced together the tunnel itself. I just kept fitting pieces of 1" foam around the curve, to form the walls, and then placed another full piece as the top of the tunnel. It was the bottom three that gave me a bit of a challenge, mostly so that it could all be lifted as one piece.

I've stuck with the Woodland Scenics method of putting crumpled newspaper under the plaster cloth to create the terrain. I then cut about 3 inch widths, and lay the p.c. on, and smooth the plaster out on each section with my fingers. When everything was dry, I also put a very thin coat of joint compound on the mountains where ever the plaster cloth had holes, or the gauze was too apparent. I just literally rubbed the layer on with my hands, then, once dry, gave a very light sanding. Will do final touch ups when I get to the actual coloring and landscaping.

 

It isn't that I'm trying to "keep up with the Jones" (or Mark), but for whatever reason, we both decided to work hard on our mountain scenes (and his look fantastic). Here's the latest progress on mine

Here's the Calif Zephyr, up in the Sierra's with a great overlook of Donner Lake


The trees haven't been glued in yet, so please forgive the couple that are leaning. There will be a low hill coming towards the camera, and you can see the top of the lower tunnel in the foreground. Here's wide angle



Here, we see the tunnel that the CZ is entering. This is on the removable portion of the mountain (seems, etc., will all disappear when all is complete)



And finally, the CZ disappearing into the tunnel



(once I looked at this pic, I realized I have to do some touch up paint inside the tunnel)

 

Trestle Bridge almost done

Since it got really hot here for a few days (yes, I know, most of the country has been suffering all summer, those of us in the Bay Area have been cold most of the summer, with just 4 HOT days this past week), I went back to working on my trestle bridge (too hot in shed). I have pretty much finished it up (still actually have to attach the track, and guard track, etc)







I still have to finish the gulch this will drop into, and all the legs will be shortened to one extent or another.

 

two more pics. This bridge took me to my limits in model building.

 

Lots of Tectonic Activity

The continental plates created quite an upthrust the last couple evenings, and mountains have risen. (I actually didn't get much done on the weekend, we got to cruise SF Bay on a 44 ft yacht: pics here )

First, a picture of the terrain coloring for the removable piece. I just "stuck" the trees in, and didn't bother trying to make them straight right now



Here's a view looking down at where the gold mining operation will be, as supported by the spur. The mining town will be where the pink foam is




Here are the portals for the right-most lower, and the upper tunnel. The mountains will actually continue forward, creating the ridge/gorge for the trestle on the upper track



A slightly wider view. The trestle/gorge will be to the right of the ridge (just out of frame) and the river will come down from the ridge, and follow the blue foam towards the camera.



I still have to go over the plaster with joint compound, etc.

 

Thanks Jerry. I had a break this afternoon, so got the joint compound spread to hide all the holes in the plaster cloth.

 

The Gorge takes shape

I'll need to come up with a good name for this area, but, got everything ready Thursday evening, to start on the gorge this morning. Here, you can see the mountains have been given an undercoat of coloring, awaiting final scenery (all the trees have been "deplanted"). These random pieces of foam will be inside the mountain, just my support.

This photo taken at 9am this morning (Sept 4) (track floating in air)



2.5 hours later - first layer of plaster cloth in place. Still need some patch up work, and then fill gaps with joint compound (but it is lunch time)



Here are before/after of the backside and the lower tunnel entrance





This area still needs a lot of work, and finishing along the bottom. Have to figure out where the river will "start", maybe come out from under a rock face along this cliff.

Interesting side note: I had started out using the WS Plaster Cloth, which is expensive, but I've always looked for good deals. I recently found 5lb rolls of Rigid Wrap (available on Amazon or on-line Target). It is about 40% the price per square foot, and the plaster leaves a lot less holes to be filled. Tighter weave of the cloth, too.

 

A few additional views

The upper tunnel portal, leading into the gorge



Looking up the gorge



Looking along the route of trestle

 

The Rigid Wrap is actually 12 inches wide! I had just never seen it before.

 

A forest grew!

After lunch, I got the joint compound spread, and let it set. Still needs to go overnight before adding the pigments, so I planted my forest, to see how it looks









The tops of the mountains, and the side extending off to the left in this photo will also have plenty of trees. The ones shown here are my "high quality" trees, reserved for this signature and "up front" spot on the layout.

My plan is to have the bridge in place by end of Monday. But, I may have to only put in temporarily, until I get the creek done.

 

Thanks guys! These last couple days have reminded me about my excitement last year with the train station. These mountains came together real well - the planning on how to handle the 4 tunnels paid off. Once again, I surprised myself. I only wish I had a bit more depth to work with, I've ended up with a shear cliff on the backside, which isn't quite what I was thinking. Works, though.