The central VA door layout progress

I really like the field you did. It just looks so natural.

 

Wow! Excellent work, man! I love all the detail you've got into it already!

 

Caleb,
Do you bake your dirt before you put it down, and how do you secure it?

 

No baking. I just sprinkled the dirt on, dragged a deckled piece of cardstock through the dirt to create the furrows. I then soaked it with alcohol and then diluted glue.

 

So I guess it's perfectly dry before you adhere it down? Cause when I used dirt it always clumped together, and ended up like Brown Black.

 

You just have to find the right stuff. Mine was the top layer of dusty dirt from a dirt road. Running it through a sieve also helps to break it up.

 

It's not "wet" enough, I think. The adhesive needs more alcohol or a wetting agent so it won't clump.

 

Ok, here is a few updates.

First, After looking at proto pics of the area I'm modeling i realized that the tan/dirt colored ballast I used for spur track was not realistic. The prototype shots showed more of a grimy cinders mixed with dirt and grey ballast from the mainline.

So here is the new spur...

 

Also, I've started on the road bases. These are made from hardboard and joint compound is used to smooth any joints between sections of the board.

 

MAN, that is some beautiful work you are doing!! I LOVE the scenery, keep up the great work!!

 

Thanks Josh!

And here are some "finished" shots.







As always, questions comments and Criticism are welcome.

 

I like the look of that siding!!

 

That is a great picture! Send it to Trackside Photos. That should give you enough money to replace that Chessie unit.

-Gary

 

Not a bad idea Gary. I doubt MR pays that much though.

 

Better idea: submit it to their 2009 photo contest. Deadline is Oct. 30; 1st prize is $750. You can submit up to 3 entries.

:thumbs_up:

 

$750 buys a LOT of Chessie units! Go for it!

 

I doubt I could hold up with the pros in that contest, but I'll give it a shot if I have time.

I often thought about entering the Walthers reference book contest too...

 

Love the work that you have done so far. Here is a question that I dont think that has been asked yet. As we all know, there are various ways to paint the rail sides. Can you explain your method as I am fishing for ideas here on that myself.
Thanks.

 

I use a brush to apply polly scale RR Tie brown to the rails and ties. I then dab on bits of black paint on certain ties to simulate creosote. I'll also drybrush some rust colored paint over the rails, tie plates and spikes depending on how well maintained the track being modeled is.

 

What all shades of WS turf are you using for your trees?