Inspirations for the new project

I had never seen the real Cal-Sag Channel, and just kind of imagineered what it may be like.  With the new bridge, the ready availability of photos of just about anything on the internet were so useful in gaining a more realistic view:

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Views of the new project

Many thanks to Deborah Szczesny for background painting efforts.  A background surely makes a difference. The new bridge is a Walther's double-track truss bridge model.

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Trial setting of the bridge on the abutments for test fitting and aligning tracks.

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A view of what would be to the west and the background painted by Deb.

A view under the bridge.

The water.

The technique of using plexiglass-like material for water surfaces has been around for a long time.  What I used here and that was also the old Cal-Sag Channel is a ripple-textured acrylic product.  I've had some pieces of this around for decades and have not seen it in the home stores around here.  It is not the ripple surface shower door material that is more glass-like.

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I painted the base that will be under the acrylic a black with mottled artist oils:  Noir D' Ivoire (Ivory Black), Burnt Umber, Bleu De Prusse (Prussian Blue), and quite a bit of Vert Olive (Olive Green).

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I then painted in a mottled fashion the back, or down side, with the same artist oils, keeping the blue to a minimum as it can be too intense, with again a lot of olive and black, and some burnt umber nearer the edges.

After drying, the oils do take a while, I place the acrylic painted side down on the base.

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A few more views:

Bob!

What a great scene Bob! And that water is as good as any I’ve ever seen. Looks like it’s about to flow right off of the layout. Really well done!

As always

Bob, wonderful scene. The water looks great and a lot cleaner then when I was a kid. We actually learned to water ski on the Cal-Sag. Wet suits were required and you learned quickly that when you fall your mouth better be closed. Thanks for the memories.

Tom

Love this

Where are the rats?

Every story I've heard about the Cal Sag included tales of watermelon-sized rats.....

But seriously.  That water looks great!  And I'm always happy to see someone replace that Atlas bridge, a perennial feature in "Bad bridges and the modelers who love them."

Scott Chatfield

Background Art

Hey Joe!!!

Where are the adds?  Right here!!!  I need a bridge, some plexiglass water, and a good background artist!!!  And of course a very talented modeler!!!  Great work and presentation Bob!  *****. (5 stars!!!)

Nick

fantastic

That water looks great. The background is amazing as well. Thank you for sharing. 

Thank you all!

I really appreciate the generous comments on this post.

Love It

Great looking scene. Your right about the glass material. Not sure I have seen any shower doors made in that style for quite some time.

Jack

Your attention to detail really makes the scene look realistic

That plexiglass method is interesting I may have to look into it for my layout. I was expecting layers of epoxy and an undulating river bed. The concrete barriers for erosion control seem like a an identifying feature.  

LC Railroad -

I have also seen and used plain flat acrylic where the bottom is painted and the top is built up with artist's gloss medium.   If done with care, a good undulating effect can be achieved.

Wow

That's some beautiful work. That rippled plexiglass sure looks nice.

the water looks great

well done

That Water is Amazing!

I have to admit I did a bit of a double take when I saw the pictures you posted of the new bridge. I couldn’t figure out if it was real or not! The water looks so transparent and deep, I though the pictures were of the real thing at first, not a model! Really great job!

I had seen the real thing.

Bob: I was born in Chicago and had seen the real thing. What you have is great. That water and backdrop are FANTASTIC! I'm not a critic nor positive, but you "could" have some critters (But don't use O scale! LOL) and scum on the surface. Not a lot. Just a hint. That canal was moving water and scum didn't stand out a lot. Just enough to "doll it up a bit".Thanks for showing this. Great work!