GREETINGS, I titled this project Thunder Ridge Lives because Mark Watson inspired me when I joined this site back in September of 2011. I know he just disbanded his layout due to career change, I just want to give forum members an insight of my version of his inspiration. I used a little different building technique mainly: 1 inch foam board, and 1x4 grid construction, with 2 inch foam board carvings, with additional plaster casts. The layout is 43 inches wide by 7 feet long and 30 inches high so that I can move it through doorways. I am unfortunetly missing some of my starting construction photos, but will add some today and do following updates as time permits. I know that Mark Watson copyrighted his design, but I have varied it to my thoughts and ideas, and they say that there is no finer tribute to someone than to find inspiration in their work. My techniques and construction methods are somewhat different than Marks. Anyway, as mentioned back in September on the introductions thread, I have named my version of Thunder Ridge: Quimett Canyon and Eagle Pass Subdivision. Regards and Later kewatin (a.k.a. Ralph Parks)
Looks great, Ralph. Mark put the ideas out there for folks to consider, and your variation on TR is wonderful. Would love some better pictures of the canyon side.
THANK YOU GARYfor your kind remarks, i am a 71 yr young modeller and i forgot to mention ,that i designed this primarily DCC but also decided to incorporate DC into it also as i have a lot of quality atlas,kato&con-cor locos that due to my age and eye inmplant situation cannot upgrade to dcc. also i am using kato unitrack, {first time ] for me because of reliable almost problem free operation. i reside in WALLACE BURG,ONT CANADA and have found this forum a wonderfull site to learn from others, i am also enjoy painting in arcylics &am presently painting both sides of my backdrop&will post more photos as i make progress. i model mostly CN&CP PLUS ONTARIO NOTHLAND. regards&later KEWATIN a.k.a. ralph
thanks rick, i will post more photos,hope all goes well as ijust learned lately how to do so. you have on occasions helped me with some of my questions for which being a member on this forum is so great, people learn from other people. i used some what different methods than mark, ie 1" &2" foam &1"x4&2'x2" lumber, i carve my foam and then coat it with a soupy version of drywall mud and then painted all of it with latex brown. lots of work still to do and will post as time permits LOL im retired. regards&later KEWATIN
thanks for the kind remarks,fireball i am really enjoying this build and look forward to posting more info &photos, i hope i can keep every one's interest. i appolagise for starting to put the build out ass backwards but just learned how to post pictures, a senior moment perhaps. regards&later kewatin
hello RATON MAN the track plan is based on MARK WATSON'S plan but i incorporated some ideas from other forum members ie i wanted a double xross over etc and min radius of 11" for the inner loop and a maximum of 22" for the outer, also i have one less siding and used 19"radius to start all curves. the inner loop has a 2 percent grade starting from the town side and continuing back to the town side. lots of work to do yet.hope it keeps your interest. regards&later KEWATIN
I like the perspective of large trees up front and smaller to the back. Gives a nice feeling of distance.
thanks for the nice comment, yes i planned to put the larger trees up front and gradually get smaller as they go back, so when my back drop painting is finished & installed it will im' hoping give it a 3 d look with the river disappering around some mtns into 2 lakes in the distance with the effect of 100's of trees in between. i am working on the mountain side of the back drop,but is taking time as it is 7' long x12" high.in my mind it has to be right to make the sense of depth correct. i hope to be able to post pictures this wk end. thank you for your interest and hope you will check back. regards&later KEWATIN A.K.A. RALPH
greetings CHUGA CHUGA yes i made those pine trees my self, i used those wooden shis-kabob sticks from the dollar store 100 for a buck &cut the to size i wanted ,stuck them in a foam chunk and painted the trunks a dark browm. i then use green scouring pads 3 m ,get them at walmart. cut little squares 11/2 square & let them get smaller in size,next the hard part,seperate the layers and trim them round and install 4 to 6 per tree. i have about 200 made so far &more to install. i also sray paint the topside foilage deep dark greens &the undersides black. the common trees ie maple, birch etc are weeds from the roadways outside of town, many varieties to choose from, i gather these after the first frost of the season,take them home spray them different shades of green &then spray with aylmers aero-sol glue,sprinkle some woodlands scenic fine grass,paint trunks etc and we are done. i can post some photos of the process if you like, let me know. thank you for your interest and hope you visit often. regards&later KEWATIN A.K.A.RALPH
