Thanks, Mike! Progress!! I weathered the ballasted portion tonight--drybrushed Polly Scale weathered concrete for the sand (upgrade), and a 6:1 mix of PS Rust and Grimy Black for the brake dust (downgrade). A bunch of random splotches of grimy black were drybrushed in between the rails as well. Here's the look I am seeking (Chuck Conway photo): http://www.drgw.net/gallery/CCEastoftheMoffat/5338_Crescent This is a really low angle, and I think I need to tone down some of the weathering: And the helicopter view (the lighter ballast nearest left is "Chuck's Ballast" from Australia, the darkest stuff is AZ Rock & Mineral--I tried to blend it...):
More progress! With some Christmas downtime, I have been getting some modeling time in. Starting with ballast on the west half of Crescent: Gross Dam Rd closer to completion: I extended the MOW access road, and added some ground cover to West Crescent:
Looking thru the cut east of Tunnel 19 toward the tunnel: From Tunnel 19's hill, looking back at the ROW: I planted close to 100 bumpy chenille trees here on Tunnel 19, still needs about that many more. A patch of wildflowers is at the upper right:
A few more weeds and clumps of grass in the ballast, and you'll just about have it! Nice work Hemi!!!
Interesting thread Hemi, I've enjoyed reading it and look forward to seeing more of the layouts progress!
Indeed it is, Ken, you are correct. Had I been modeling modern day, I would have to use a different type. But I am modeling up to 1987, so the cinders from the CF&I mill in Pueblo are whay they ballasted the mains with. Here's a period shot of Crescent: http://www.drgw.net/gallery/CCEastoftheMoffat/5338_Crescent_3
You can still find the slag ballast along all the DRG right-of-way, it's just covered with the "new and improved" ballast (which actually sucks). Most of the yards in Grand Junction are still slag. Just so-ya-know
Thanks Jerry & Craig, I used Arizona Rock & Mineral SP black cinder. Since the company's owner seeks to retire, I bought a schwack of them, for a future layout as well, just in case. I used their marble dust (snow) for the snowy section of the layout.
Thanks guys! I need to weather the rolling stock, but I love the way these scenes are shaping up. That same coal load exiting infamous Tunnel 26; a nocturnal rockslide blocked the tracks in the wee hours of 30 Sep 1991, and the crew of a freight could not stop in time before derailing with loss of both crewman's lives. SP at the time erected a nice plaque at the west portal where the slide happened as a memorial to the 2 lost men. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/630/T26_plaque.jpg The coal load sweeps around a tight curve in South Boulder Canyon, filling the icy air with the deafening shriek of flange squeal: Just a few hundred yards downgrade lies Tunnel 25:
The coal loads exit Tunnel 19, and enter Crescent Siding: After they swing around the 150° curve, they plunge into Tunnel 18:
Very nice work Hemi. The slag balast sets it off perfectly. In a couple of the shots, I could hear the dynamics and wheel flanges really talking. Nice job. Carl