Too big/too much relief

Basically, I think that's what it comes down to - you rarely (at least I don't) see that many boulders of that size closely together. It also looks like you've got two or three types of jointing (geology classes talking here) in one location - with the same type of rock. On the far left, with the horizontal formation, you've got what is called "platey jointing" (common in andesite lavas) and in most of the rest you've got blocky jointing (more frequently in basaltic lava flows).

A rock wall that had been blasted (which, judging by the location, this would have been) would actually have a much smoother face - this looks like a jumble just waiting to fall on the rails, which is something that would never be tolerated.

The coloration is also very, very starkly dark - in my experience rock weathers more grayish than that. That looks like Hawaiian basalt almost.

The trees don't work too well for me either - I think there are too many of them for the little amount of soil they'd have to take root in.

Okay, enough of the criticism - now for the help, what little I can offer - asking questions to help you think about it:

What geographic region is this in? Appalacia, New England, PacNW, Calfornia, Colorado Rockies?

Which naturally leads to the next question: What sort of rock is this supposed to be? In Kentucky you get limestone, Vermont marble, the Pacific Northwest various volcanics (andesite, dacite, basalt), California granite....

Then it's time for digging up photos...

I'm trying to model Eastern,

I'm trying to model Eastern, KY. I work on the railroad and you would think it would be easy for me to model rocks but truthfully I was able to model pretty realistic rock before I got the job and now there are disasters.

Donald

Photos of cuts

Since you work on the railroad you should have an excellent opportunity to take photos of the rock walls in cuts along the rails. Working from photos should help.

Rock Faces

Joe describes how he does rock faces in his scenery clinic on his Siskiyou Line Forum.  You can also see the technique on video from model-trains-video.com.  I recently got the two DVD scenery set and I am very impressed.

I don't like to criticize other Model Railroaders But ?

The first thing I feel you need to do is head to the library and pick up a couple books on the Geology of Kentucky. If you can Find a book (mine is soft bound) called-- "How to Draw Landscapes" by Ian Sidaway, it's a step by step guide for Beginners but it's my bible because it brings you back to the basics and shows how to make beautiful Backdrops for beginner or a refresher for the advanced. I bought my copy on line from http://www.newhollandpublishers.com its $14.95 U.S. next spend $20.00 and buy Paul Scoles DVD called-- "Advanced Techniques for Realistic Scenery" it will show you how to make rocks and mountains of Museum quality. When I started model Railroading I made the exact same mistake you have here. I thought I could just make Rocks and mountains and then paint them and TA-DA they looked like Crap. After That I picked up every book on model Railroad scenery on the market and finally came down to the fact that they are really very easy to make if you build them in in steps, 1st throw all your Gloss paint away and learn the technique of Washes. When you use washes and layer the different colors rather than just painting the mountains they look much more realistic and less toy like. IF you don't have the extra money for Books on scenery there are a lot of short films on U-Tube under Model railroad scenery that will show you how to do what your trying to create and make you and your friends sit back and say Wow.

I'm only being honest with you. If I were you I would discard or at least set aside those rocks and try the wash system even if you want the rocks Dark the wash system works much better and looks much more realistic I hope this helps you out I didn't want to sound like a critic but I really believe you needed some help. Dan

Thanks guys. Don't worry

Thanks guys. Don't worry about criticizing me. I can take it, but I do need all the help I can get. 

Donald 

Rocks redone

I took some of your guys advice to completely redone the rocks. I think they turned out pretty good. Now just to paint and weather. 

Donald

They look more consistent

I suspect a few india ink washes will bring out the details and add some character to them.

Interesting solution where you needed room for a turnout throw - if you don't mind redoing some of the rest of the scenery, that might be a good place for a seasonal waterfall - with a culvert under the track there to let it drain through.

Yes, some dark washes ...

Yes, now apply some dark thin washes to those rocks, and then dry brush them with some white and they'll start looking pretty good.

Have you seen my plaster powder dirt mixes? You basically get yourself some dry powder pigment and mix it from 10 to 1 -  20 to 1 with regular old plaster of paris to get some "homemade dirt". Mist your scenery with some water to make it damp, then dust this powder on your scenery and then spray it again lightly with a mist of water.

The mositure combined with the plaster in the mix causes it to set up and once it's dry, it's a permanent part of your scenery - yet it still looks pretty much like loose dirt.

It's basically Linn Westcott's zip texturing technique that's fallen out of favor because of all the rage today - ground foam. But I find Linns methods are still quite valid with a few little updates.

I'm thinking of doing an article in issue 3 of MRH to discuss my updated zip texturing techniques.

I find combining paint washes, dry brushing, and zip texturing dirt powder methods gets some very nice looking scenery (which I cover in depth in my video volumes 4 and 5 - yes, shameless plug).

Plaster powder dirt mix & Zip texturing

Well I'd have to say there is nothing shameless about Joes plug.  I recently purchased the two scenery DVD's he mentions and I am very impressed.

Donald, believe me it would be money well spent if you picked up the scenery DVD's from model-trains-video.com

Really, everything about the videos is top notch.  I can't say enough good things about them.  I sat down with my wife and my 11 year old boy to watch the DVD's and we all enjoyed them.  I've read a lot on doing scenery and practiced the techniques I've learned until I was getting good results.  I used to think I had some pretty good techniques for doing rock work and making trees, for instance.  Then I saw Joe's techniques...his rock carving blew me away too!

While the youtube video looks and sounds really good, the real thing is even better.  Check them out for yourself.

Also included in the scenery DVD's, Joe shows how to build and use a static grass applicator that is nearly identical to the Noch retail applicator but Joes only costs about $30 while the Noch applicator is well over $100

Now those look Like Rocks and Trees

100% better!!! Add some washes for the depth details and we can break out the climbing Gear. Much Better application and it no longer looks like the back of a fish tank. Keep up the good work, your headed in the right direction. Remember one thing and that is the whole planet is layers upon layers upon layers and gravity is rule "1". When you build anything think about it as full size and and "WOULD YOU STAND UNDER IT". Some places will require Cribbing and retaining walls where Rocks don't exist or where you have no other way of supporting one track above the other. The little things in scenery construction and details will make all the difference. Take your time and never rush your hobby. It may take longer to finish but, your finished product will be or look much more realistic if you model real life. One thing more if it doesn't look right do it over now rather than forgetting about and leaving mistakes for later because later may cause you more problems than you want. Take it from someone who has actually taken a chain saw to his model Railroad!!

I felt your first rocks were

I felt your first rocks were perfectly fine for large outwest basalt or reef material.  What killed it was the groundcover.

When you get these next rocks done, look into groundcover techniques.  They will go far!!