11” by 14” Mini Layout

Curn Oct 2, 2013

  1. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    So much great stuff in one small layout! I love it!
     
  2. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looking at this never gets old.
     
  3. Curn

    Curn TrainBoard Member

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    Got the water texture applied. I used Scenic Express acrylic water gel, which is similar to clear acrylic gels found at art stores. A few weeks back I test applied some of the gel to a flat surface using a variety of methods. I found that using a plain old popsicle stick gave me the look I wanted. I then just pushed the boats into the gel to attach them to the layout. The gel takes a long time to fully dry, especially in thick applications. The gel has been drying for two days and still has a few cloudy spots in the thickest parts, like at the base of the red trimmed sail boat. One video i found said it takes up to 72 hours to go completely clear. Overall I am pretty happy with the effect. IMG_2418.JPG IMG_2423.JPG IMG_2424.JPG
     
  4. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    Water looks great ! I think that sailing boats could have a bit more colour on deck. I also suggest to paint masts and booms (metal, silver, black or wood colour). In most cases there would be also rolled up sails. The bridge should have some mechanisms to be a drawbridge ! If not fishing ship the boats are not able to leave the bay ! Sorry for beeing extremaly logical. Generally I like the atmosphere of your layout very much.
     
  5. ViperBugloss

    ViperBugloss TrainBoard Member

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    I think that the sailboats look fine. For that size of boat the sails would probably be removed when not in use. The water looks a little choppy so I think that leisure sailing would be over for the day. The boathouse door is slightly open so no doubt the sailors have taken the sails and other gear inside, and are probably inside, safely ashore, but boasting of their heroic exploits on the water. At least, that is what I would be doing. That is what is so wonderful about this jewel of a small layout. In fact, layout is rather a weak word to describe what is a work of art to which each viewer can attach their own back story.
     
  6. ViperBugloss

    ViperBugloss TrainBoard Member

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    As an addition to the above, I have now come up with my own back story for the bridge and fishing boat. The bridge used to be a drawbridge but, following the fire, it was necessary to remove the mechanism which raised the bridge, in order to make the repairs. This has resulted in the fishing boat being permanently located in the dock, so now plans are being made to convert it into a floating seafood restaurant (perhaps serving Maryland soft shell crabs). Again, this is simply my piece of fiction when viewing this art work.

    Rob (aka ViperBugloss)
     
    zdrada69 likes this.
  7. Curn

    Curn TrainBoard Member

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    Also, the train also only goes in circles. This layout has some limitations being it will be shoved into a shadow box, so not everything makes sense. You may think I'm trying to make a super accurate layout, but I have been approaching it as a diorama intended to practice scenery techniques. Except this diorama happens to be functional as a roundy round layout. There have been alot of first for me on this one, such as first time pouring plaster roads, first time using ink washes to weather wood (wish I used it on the wharf), first time using a static applicator to apply static grass, first time using epoxy water, and first time texturing water. I kind of regret my decision from page 1 not to build a draw bridge, but at this point it would do more harm than good trying to replace it.

    The sail boats will get additional weathering. I tried a light ink wash on them to help the details pop but it didn't take well. I will go over them with weathering powders like I did the fishing boat. The masts may become aluminium, or may just be weathered darker to get the effect. What no one noticed was that the sign on the side of the shack says "Stan's Previously Owned Vessels" (does anyone get this obscure video game reference?). These boats aren’t going anywhere unless a buyer comes by. There isn't any way for people to get to Stan's, and the sign isn't visible from the road. Plenty of things don't make sense on this one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
  8. zdrada69

    zdrada69 TrainBoard Member

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    Curn,
    Congratulations for the layout ! Most of the people would not notice so many "first times" mentioned by you.
    The story of bridge temporarily out of order sounds really good. Of course yachts can be possibly transported away by train ...
    Another story is that the bay is really deep with steep shores. The layout is model at high water moment. It is possible to to get away from the bay at low water providing the mast can be folded !
    It is great that you plan to weather the yachts. Those two look like a just built new ones.
     
  9. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I want one.
     
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  10. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Me too. It boggles the mind. All we need is a video.
     
  11. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid TrainBoard Member

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    That is some very nice modelling! I haven't seen better in any scale.
     
  12. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Anything new on this layout?
     
  13. rrunty

    rrunty TrainBoard Supporter

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    I usually don't peruse the Z forum, so I'm a little late to the party, but what a well done little layout. Great job. Just curious what brand and size static grass you used. It looks great.

    Bob
     
  14. Curn

    Curn TrainBoard Member

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    No major updates since the last post. I kind of fell off the Z scale wagon for the last month. Played some video games. Binge watched Breaking Bad. Started planing an HOn30 layout.

    I did manage to wire the layout. I had been using some type N power jacks from Radio Shack, that I couldn't seem to find another source for. So I found something a little more universal, the same type that comes on the Snail speed controllers, a 2.1x5.5mm power plug/jack. I wanted to keep the option of removing the insert from the box, and to do that it had to be able to drop out from the back. So I had to cut down a power jack to make it the width of the box. I drilled out the shaft from the side to allow the wires to be attached from the side. Then those wires go to a 2 pin JST connector that tucks under the layout. This way I can remove the insert at any time. And since I switched to the 2.1x5.5mm power connectors, I went ahead and also changed out the plugs on my suitcase layout, and Rokuhan controller. I also managed to redo the shingles on the depot buildings.

    Bob: All the static grass is 2mm. I used the Scenic Express Silflor Summer, Late Summer, and Autumn color grass. I also used Noch brown in a few places. All the tufts are also from Scenic express and are the short size. I would also recommend the Noch Grasleim adhesive. It works much better than white glue.

    IMG_1566.JPG IMG_1590.JPG IMG_1592.JPG
     
  15. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    Fantastic updates! Thanks for sharing....just an absolutely awesome layout.

    Your end result with the static grass is perfect, or at least it is the best representation of what I'm used to seeing and I would feel fortunate if I could replicate that on my layout.
     
  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This sounds really interesting. Can't wait to learn more!
     
  17. southernnscale

    southernnscale TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looking outstanding. Great job! Ideal on bridge here is a bridge that you could design this one 3D print photo in Z scale but hasn't been printed yet still need work! but the design would work with what you have started! http://shpws.me/HThZ
     
  18. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Beautiful, just beautiful!! What a great mini-layout, and awesome inspiration!!!
     
  19. ztrack

    ztrack TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    I agree!!! Great job!!!!

    Rob
     
  20. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Two thumbs up from where I stand. Excellent. This should be a 'wow' winner at any train show
     

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