Building the RK&M II: Hillside & Grain Elevator Extension

I have finally finished the ballasting of the track along the hillside. I also installed two ground throws.

 

Using Woodland Scenics Talus I added talus to the hillside.

 

Your work is coming together really nice. I look forward to your next post..Keep up the great, inspiring work.

 

Very nice Tom. What method did you use to secure the talus?

 

Thanks!

Lots of white glue straight out of the bottle.!

First I spread the glue out on the hardshell in the area I was going to place the talus. I then placed the talus and then went over it with the glue again. I was somewhat heavy with it.

After a night of drying I checked for loose rocks. If any were loose I hit them with more glue.

 

Tom:

The layout is coming together very nicely. I'm enjoying looking at your progress. What will be the final dimensions of your layout?

Stay cool and run steam.....

 

Thanks!

It will be approximately 5 foot by 18 foot. I do have room for a small extension, about 6 feet in length. That is a few years away.

 

Tom, the white glue didn't frost or dull the Talus' surface?

 

Not that I have noticed yet.

 

Tompm: I think you are the only person I know who ballasts first. It certainly seems to work for you. I have considered doing that for sidings where I want it to appear overgrown with foliage.

 

Thanks guys!

Now it is rock coloring time.

Using a cosmetic sponge I dab onto the rock face the following colors in order:

Folk Art Clay Bisque




Folk Art Burnt Umber

 

Raw Umber




Slate Blue

 

Next using a paint brush I dab a second round of paint onto the rocks

Clay Bisque




Burnt Umber

 

Raw Umber




Slate Blue

 

Next is to go over the rocks with a Raw Umber wash




At this point I feel there is a problem. The coloring appears to be too dark. I am not sure if the Slate Blue was too dark or perhaps the Raw Umber Wash was not diluted enough. Anyway I need to think about a solution.

 

After taking a day to think about I decided to do it one more time. While this may seem like a lot of work it not. Also in the past I have done up to five applications on some rocks to get the effect I was looking for.

So here it is with clay Bisque




Burnt Umber

 

Raw Umber




The next color I changed. This time I used Folk Art Settlers Blue which is lighter than the Slate Blue. Also the Settlers Blue seems to be closer to the Amish Blue I used to use until they discontinued it.