Well done ( once again ) Envirodude, nice tree, great looking bridge. I always wanted to try at Super Trees, but found their trunks to be too small in diameter. I think you find the right solution by teaming Woodland Scenics armatures with Super Trees branches. Could you please specify: 1) What kind of glue was used to fix the branches to the armature. 2) What is exactly the WS product used for the leaves. Why is the bridge offset in relation to the piers and abutments center ? Jacques
Jacques, I explain about the ground foam on the trees here: Super Glue! The bridge is just resting haphazardly on the abutments and piers right now. I still have to paint( and as Hemi suggests, weather) the girders and add bridge shoes before its set in place permanently.
You do some outstanding work!! Top quality modeling (and great photography also)! You've got an amazing amount of detail in your layout. I've also come to the conclusion that gray is the best base color for trees. Keep the progress shots coming!
Now that I've gotten my own HCD, I'm going to have to go back and re read this thread when I start on my scenery. Nice work as always!
Thanks Dave and John! I painted the ties a more even, creosote-ish color today. The girders will be painted and weathered next, then it's on to the bridge shoes, but I am not sure what to use for them yet...:tb-err:
This young man has talent that is unbelievable. I do hope this parents encourage him to continue and develop. He will be doing museum models in no time.
Thanks. My parents totally support my work so that's cool. And for the last progress for this weekend, I replaced the main curve leading away from the bridge. It hurt to do so, I really liked the way it looked, but it was necessary. There was a bad rail joint right in the middle of the curve that trains would sometimes get snagged on and I was having a hard time connecting the new bridge to the old track. Heres some shots: Thanks for looking.
What are you using to hold down your track? I used to use the ol' standard track nails but on my last layout, I used the same Liquid Nails I used to glue the foam to the plywood. It seemed to work great and was easy to remove the I dismantled the layout. It's for the best if you redid the track if it was giving you trouble. Bad trackwork only leads to frustration and loss of desire (ask me, I know). You'll be happier in the long run!
I have not glued the new track yet, and I am debating what to use. I used white glue for the old track, but I think that it increased the noise when running trains. Like you suggest, I think I'll try that adhesive caulk/liquid nails stuff this time around!
I don't know if white glue or Liquid Nails transfers sound from the track. I've heard that track nails do, if they're long enough. I have an oval of UniTrack on my door right now and the sound goes right to the HCD and can be pretty loud. I'm hoping a layer of foam and some Peco code 55 will cure that.
Thank you Envirodude for taking some of your valuable time to reply my inquiry about the trees. I ordered the Scenic Express supertrees starter set today. I think I found the perfect natural tree armature: last week I was at my sister's home and picked some plants of the "Lowbush blueberry" specie. I'll take pictures of them tomorrow in daylight. About gluing the tracks, I use DAP kwick seal plus adhesive. It's easy to apply, dry fast but still gives you a few minutes time to adjust the track position. http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?BrandID=21&SubcatID=5 About the ties, just my opinion here: I prefer the ties before you painted them a more even, creosote-ish color . By the way, what color are you using for the creosotish color ? Jacques
Thanks, that sounds good, I'll check that out! I sort of agree about the ties, I think the lightly weathered ties may have looked more interesting, but the well maintained ties fit my prototype more accurately. As for the color I used, I can't help you much there. Its just a mix of many different paints I had lying around. Can't remember half of them myself!
Good work! I hope to begin scenery on my N-scale shortline in the near future and may return to your photos for ideas.
EXCELLENT work there, Caleb!!! I've read your thread on your layout from beginning to end...a lot of neat modelling tips! Your layout looks very cool so far! I like how you use real crushed leaves and rock from your area on your layout. When I worked at the Transflo terminal years ago, CSX's yard was right next door to our terminal. The yard tracks were black from all the bits of busted up coal over the years. I was able to fill a plastic container with the stuff. I plan on modelling a CSX Transflo terminal and yard, and I can ballast the yard with the real deal! Keep up the great job on your layout, and thanks for sharing your photos and ideas with us! :thumbs_up:
Thank you Envirodude for taking some of your valuable time to reply. Here is a picture of the trees armatures I found. The one to the left is from ... Brazil. My Brazilian nephew picked it in his backyard. The one to the right is the blueberry plant found in the province of Quebec and in some Northern US states. Jacques
That blueberry plant looks really good. I need a way to make some fruit trees for my layout. Still have a ways to go before I get to that point.
You do some AMAZING work, especially in such a small scale!! The Bridge is turning out to be a beauty, and your trees and scenery are just outstanding. Keep up the great work, i know myself and lots of others enjoying seeing your work and progress pictures!
