This is a progress update on the Hectorville & Pleasent valley Sub. I have reached the interesting stage, time for scenery. I had a great time during the spring layout party making a lot of progress. Now it is time to push on and build some land forms. Here are some pics Added some greenery to the wye The mountain was created using rolled up newspaper taped down and plastered over. The photo behind shows the type of rock formation I am attempting to model. Carve it up a bit and apply paint. I will post some shots after I finnish maybe next Monday?
You are doing fine! Remember, eack rock is different. I haven't yet found two rocks alike. (Just testing my bug. He is supposed to be running around, so guess he died here.)
Not finnished yet but looking ok. The view from wye point. An aerial of the rock formation and the coalmine, also the big hole behind the mine. I need to construct a lift off access hatch structure that will support the next mountain behind the mine. During the week I painted these rocks about four or five times with different washes in an attempt to get the right look. I am mostly happy with the result but some touch ups are required here and there. Thanks for the comments and support Mr X, Conagher and Watash much appreciated
And now for the biggie... contruction of the mountain behind the coalmine. At the moment just the base, then latter the hatch lid. I plan to hinge the lid off the back support. Anyway, the base section will keep me busy for a couple of weeks carving and scraping the plaster to form the rock strata. Then painting and basic scenery. The framework. Tape down some newspaper, cover with damp paper and slap on the plaster. I mixed in some black poster paint with the plaster. If at some latter date the plaster cracks or chips it won't show as badly. Cover your tracks , this is a messy buisness! Done.
I have finished plastering the base and have applied the first wash of paint. I have posted before and after shots, comments?
It's been slow progress but I have the hatch in place. Still alot to do like apply scenery to the top of the hatch and blend it in so there is no obvious seam when it is down. Super tricky job as I also have the backdrop to think of when I raise it. This is proving to be alot of work for something I hope never to use, or at least not often.
Cleggie, if you make the scenery at the hatch a little bit lower than at the other part you will not recognize the seam. Wolfgang
Yep, that's the plan Wolfgang. I've done a little more plastering today and I think I'm getting the hang it. I have a tendency to tell myself that a job is harder than it accually is and therefore put it off. Or is it just plain procrastination? Still I don't think it will be as tricky as I thought.:teeth: The view at just below eye level.
Ken What size room is your layout in? From the pictures it looks alot like the room that mine is in. Chip
Hi Chip, It's a small spare room that measures 9' x 11' 6" here is a link to my original thread "Third time lucky". There is a discription of the layout and the basic design. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=81510&page=2&highlight=time+lucky
Quality work Ken, next time you're in Seattle area, I'll have plaster and fixin's ready for ya. Give the RGW a little Kiwi flavor! Michael
Believe me, I'd love to come over a slap some plaster around, but there are some serious financal constraints . Maybe when I retire from work, I might have the time and money to do a trip to the USA. Till then, just dreamin' my friend:angel:
Made more progresss and am now a the stage where I am starting to think about building a diarama on the hatch lid. Maybe a service facillity for the heavy machinery that works in the open cast coal pit behind the backdrop.
On my old layout, I had an access hole underneath a large mountain. It worked but you can imagine it was a little dark... I really like the hinge. Well camouflaged, you'd never know it was there. Love the pics. It's looking great Cleggie!!
Ok, confession time... I have been a bad boy and have not done any work on my scenery. AND I have not given much thought to the hatch cover, bad, bad,boy. Actually, I have been somewhat distracted by some electrical issues that have poped up, there is a short in the signal circuit. I have narrowed it down and will sort it out this weekend hopefully. I spent last weekend cleaning track and running trains. This is a long weekend for us here in Godzone, Queen's birthday, yay! So I may have time to do some scenic work and take some pics
