Got the basic ballasting done, but lots of 'fine tuning' to do to make it look more "industrial"! Also progressing with structures. A few shots of progress thus far.
Those buildings which are presently mock-ups, will you be building their permanent version from scratch? Or doing bash work from existing kits?
Ken, the buildings which are mock-ups at present will be scratchbuilt in styrene and embossed styrene. Should have the brick embossed styrene in a day or two. Basic scenic work started to get the boards covered. Fine tuning will be done later.
Farm Supply loading platforms are now in place, ready for painting/detailing. I will fit an end-loading ramp for tractor loading.
Just took another couple of shots of basic scenery. The road is being made of card. Final pieces to glue down then painting to represent asphalt.
RE: Making ballast look industrial. One thing I used on a layout for an industrial area was fine mud. I went out and skimmed the cracked pieces of dirt off of a dried out puddle. The lighter and finer stuff naturally ends up on top and can be easily gathered for your layout. Then I used lots of water and glue to make a slurry that I rubbed into the ballast. It created that really neglected industrial spur look that is seen everywhere on American railroads, where the ballast under the track has been subsumed by washed in soil. The ballast is there, but all you can see is dirt and beat up railroad ties. All I could google up was this image, which is taken in india, but the effect is the same.
Yes, Matt and I use a mud/glue mix to 'submerge' industry trackage. Cannot beat the real thing - (and it is free) Alan www.andersley.co.uk
I am very keen to get to the "industrialising" stage. But for now I want to get some ground cover (don't like seeing bare boards). Also the basics of the buildings. Alan www.andersley.co.uk
There is a low energy light bulb in the ceiling of the garage, a fluorescent strip light directly over the layout about two feet above the boards also a small strip light at the left hand end just above the backdrop board. Alan www.andersley.co.uk
My wife's Fujifilm camera seems best of our various cameras for photographing the layout and models. The pivoting view screen is also very handy when taking shots where you can not get your eye to a viewfinder! Alan www.andersley.co.uk
Not used any dirt yet Paul. Will use it to fill up the tracks in some areas, over the ballast. Never used it before so will be a learning curve for me! Matt has used it too good effect on a previous layout. Alan www.andersley.co.uk
