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Scenery continues on the Johns River Journals/Blogs
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Super User 1,277 posts ChrisNH Super User 1,277 posts
ChrisNH

HBlog-26.jpg Now that I have knocked off the spray booth project I can continue with my scenery project. I am focusing on a tree-lined river being skirted by a causeway. I am drawing elements from the B&M running along the Connecticut River in Vermont as well as the actual operational location of the B&M crossing of the Johns River near Whitefield, NH.

To the left is an area I have created to try my hand at rock carving like Joe showed in his video. This is a nice, open, easily accesible space where I should be able to put a nice signature rock piece. Depending on how it comes out, I may put a focus light on it so it is not shadowed. On the other hand, the shadow may enhance the depth. Behind it where the ROW cuts through I plan to use castings since it is a less accessible area.

 

The pictures below show the river scene being constructed using a webbing of cardboard that is covered with masking tape, also ala Joe Fugate's scenery video. I am actually finding the tape doesnt seem to smooth out as much as it did in his video. I am wondering if I need some different tape? I have a copious supply of this wide stuff left over from other projects.

One thing that has become apparent as I do this.. I am going to need to paint some slope and the suggestion of background trees into the backdrop. There is not enough depth or height to frame the scene properly otherwise.

You can just see the track dissapearing to staging to the left ("inward" operationally). I plan a foot bridge to hide the entrance to staging and to scenic behind the cut-out the way Paul Dolkos showed in a previous Model Railroad Planning (I think..) to make it look like the scene is continuing.

The girder bridge will be supported by a casting of a chooch abutment I did using drywall joint compound. I need to cast another. Painting and weathering those as well as completing the bridge track and bridge detailing will be a significant project!

I just wish my grandfather, who never did get "our" layout to scenery, could see this happening!

Regards,

Chris

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“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.”           My modest progress Blog
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joef MRH Founder 17,506 posts
joef

Sometimes adding more tape helps

Chris:

Sometimes, adding another layer of tape helps to smooth out things. The tape is mainly to just plug the holes in the cardboard strips ... the final plaster coat is what really matters.

At any rate, this is looking really good ... can't wait to see updated photos of the progress!

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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BlueHillsCPR
BlueHillsCPR

Scenery...

Chris,

The scenery project is coming right along.  I'm guessing your grandfather would be proud!  I too am looking forward to updates to see how it's coming along.

On my last layout when it came to doing rock faces I tried a technique that I found in a book/magazine.  The author used molds made out of aluminum foil to apply large, (the biggest I applied at one time was about 12" x 6") plaster molds to a scenery base.  The foil was first crumpled up and then spread out again.  Lips were formed around the edges by bending the foil up to form a "dish".  I filled the mold with plaster and allowed it to partially set up.  Getting the setting time right takes a little trial and error.  Once the plaster was set enough to handle the mold and apply it to a vertical face I sprayed the scenery base lightly with water and slapped the mold in place.  You have to hold it up until it begins to adhere to the base but once it does it bonds well.  Once dry I went back over the molds with carving tools and a small wire brush.  A few spray washes with different colors and a dark wash to bring out the "cracks" made with the wire brush and it looked pretty good.  Somewhere I have a few grainy/blurry, badly lit photos that I may be able to scan and improve with Photoshop.  Maybe I can post a pic.

I should mention my scenery base was muslin and plaster.

I haven't seen Joes videos yet...I'm hoping they will be an early Christmas present! :o)
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ChrisNH Super User 1,277 posts
ChrisNH

Thanks for the encouragement!

I appreciate the encouragement!

Kevin, I had read about that but not tried it. Its definitely worth checking out. I have been collecting rocks to make molds using more traditional methods and I will probably start with that. The carving "from scratch" I want to try just to see how it is to do so I can decide how much I want to use that technique vs casting rocks.

My scenery base is going to be a 50/50 mix of vermiculite and plaster (per Joe's video but without the cement..). I plan to experiment with some paint tints I picked up that Dave Frary recommended using to pre-color the mix in case it chips.

Chris

“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.”           My modest progress Blog
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redsaw40 New member 1 post
redsaw40

Mirror Image?

Hi Chris,

Amazing start! Looking over your entries, I realized that you and I have a lot in common. I'm building a practice layout too, only mine is in HO scale. I'm pretty much following Lou Sassi's recommendations in his "Beginner's Layout " book. I live in Western Massachusetts, so his book really appealed to me, (having modeled New England terrain). I also am a fan of the Boston and Maine, so that helped seal my fate too. My "real" layout will hopefully center on the B&M Conn River Line in the mid 50's era, between Springfield, Mass., and White River Junction, Vt.. I am behind you in progress, as I am only up to dropping my power feeds. Looking forward to your posts, as additional tips/information is always a good thing. Not to mention the, "Get down to the basement and get some more done on your layout, 'cause Chris is kicking your butt"  type of inspiration it provides. I hope to be near completion in a year or two....I may be dreaming.....

  Keep up the great work, Neal
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