When from flat layout to some mountains, running is a lot more enjoyable. Don Oct 9,2024 Oct 25, Nov 23
Scenery always brings a sense of commitment to the plan, but sure makes running more interesting. I have a hard time looking past certain steps in layout building which causes my bad order stack to grow and locos that don't run so good to get shelved. I hope you continue to share the layout with us.
Really neat Trains! Like the flatlands but the new mountains are going to be neat. Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
I think my dirt is to dark? After watching some train videos I think I should I go lighter? It's not that shiny, that's the over head lights. Don
I think adding some highlights/graining to the rock-faces will help a lot. And of course vegetation, etc. I really like the look in progress! My terrain is all stacked foam insulation boards, and WS incline starters on grades spanning the layers, so I will have some natural strata in the cliffsides.
Trains-- I think it is a bit light. Put in some variation, and I think you will like it. Below is a picture of one of the mountains on my layout in the build process. I use styrofoam boards of different types and thicknesses, broken up by hand and glued together with caulk. You can make a lot of mountain and texture in a short time. I get a lot of the foam from shipping packaging. I fill cracks with cheap caulk before painting. Then, paint on different colors of diluted acrylic paints (cheap stuff from Michaels), then different colors of ground foam like Woodland Scenics stuff, followed by a spray of isopropyl alcohol. Then, I use an old Elmer's bottle, filled with Elmer's diluted with water and isopropyl alcohol (for wetting). I dribble it liberally to fix the foam. The waterfall is caulk/paint/Woodland Scenics water ripples goo. Trees are from various suppliers, painted with acrylics, and glued into a small hole poked into the foam. Then, large surface texture with "Dead Fall" also from Woodland. Glue it in place also.
This is where I'm at so far, been slowly working on scenery. I hate to do it! 19" radius curves, all # 6 switches. Don
The curves look great. The layout design I'm working on right now has 20" minimum curves on the mainline. Your layout gives me a good idea of what that will look like.
1/4" graph paper, pencil and compass. I had this layout 22 years ago with Atlas flex track and Peco switches. My youngest son and I was working on it till he passed away. I was going to sell all the N scale but the wife told me to keep it. I sold the track and switches, but kept the trains. Don
