Building a Traction Layout

[sumpter250]

experience has told me to get the scenary stuff done first , this way the wire does not come down or get caked in plaster

Hey Chris, now, where's the fun in that ?
Saw some overhead wire at the National Train Show.......it's a good thing I'm in "ships" mode right now, that is so tempting.
Looking good ! keep the updates coming,
Pete

 

[interurban]

Thanks Andrew and Pete, Overhead does make you look twice eh?

Here we go

For better or worse as the saying goes.

Here is the step by step.

After it had all gone flat and dry.
I got my paint brush and the bottle of WS water effect and got cracking.

These first pictures are of the initial application.
(big words for the start)

As you see it goes on white, boy it`s scary

 

[interurban]

Then after 24hrs or so we have these pictures


Here are more pictures from different angles to catch the waves so to speak.


And the last pics

All that with a paint brush.

 

[interurban]

Well guys I did like it before it went flat, I hope I have put back some of that river flow look.

More will be added to this scene later.

 

[TruckLover]

THAT LOOKS GREAT CHRIS.:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

I hope my little creek turns out to be that cool.

 

[interurban]

Thanks Josh.
I can now put in the bridge main line permanently


Look forward to your creek post.:thumb:

 

[TruckLover]

I just ordered the culverts. My little creek is going to come from off the layout and go under a road and then go back off the layout. I think that I am going to brop the creek down in the table because it is a very small space and I don' have room for a bridge + the 2 mainlines are right there so there are 2 gradecrossings right next to the mini creek. Post some pictures when I start.

 

[RailRon]

Hey Chris, that WS water effect stuff really has something to it! I'll give it a try, too, when I come to put in some creek scenery.

Your creek surely looks outstandingly great! And you say, that scenery isn't your strongest point. Wow! Now I wonder what might be your strong points???

Ron

 

[interurban]

Thanks Ron, I must of got a bit better over the years sign1

I think patiance is one of the keys



Strong points???? zzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappppppppppppppppppppppp ouch!!!

 

[interurban]

Hiding the plywood or scenery work

Well it`s back to basics.


Filling in and making it come alive.
I use 1" foam / inpregnated plaster cloth/ and rocks from my old Layout .

 

[interurban]

I also have a hard to reach area, this section I am thinking of making a winter scene.

First I have to "Rock it".

 

[interurban]

So no one is intrested in a snow scene.

Well I am so here is a 5 ft corner I just put together.
It is not finished yet

 

[Nazgul]

Hey Chris,
That winter scene looks great! I especially like the ice hanging over the edge of the roof. Those little details make all the difference.....I just read this entire thread.....WOW! What a project! Have you posted the track plan? How big is this LO? Keep up the good work and keep posting!:thumb:

 

[interurban]

Hi Steve,
You read the whole thread

Thanks glad you enjoyed the read.
Yes it is a big project, as I am taking time to treat each section as a mini scene and then blending them in .

You know you are the first to enquire about the track plan, I just threw this together as I knew from past layouts what I wanted to do with his new venture, then got stuck in so to speak.
I will draw one out soon and post it.

 

[MasonJar]

Chris,

Nice work on the winter scene - I am thinking of doing one myself (on a module, when I get around to constructing it... ), so I appreciate the ideas!

Andrew

 

[Iron Horse]

Can you give a simple how-to on the winter scene ? What did you use ? It looks great.

 

[interurban]

Can you give a simple how-to on the winter scene ? What did you use ? It looks great.

Thanks Iron Horse

The pictures show the corner formation with the rocks from several rock molds.

I use pollyfiller, which is mixed to a sloppier mixture than normal.
Have a small vessel of water and small paint brush ready.

Then start plastering the snow put some whereever you think a snow storm would drop it , moutain tops etc, the cabin got the overhang snow look, the snowed trees I bought two years ago for $12 canadian.

The tracks I just dumped it over in sections then worked the plaster along with a very wet paint brush so you could see the road bed.
It took about two hours to get it right with three mixes of polly filler.

After it dried I used a jewelers flat screwdriver to clear the inside rails.

Does that lot make sense??

Hope it helps Iron Horse:thumb:

 

[spitfire]

Awesome Chris!!!! You are making excellent progress on the layout. It's going to be "grrrand" as Wallace would say. I like the idea of a winter scene, and I think sometimes we get too caught up in a certain date and time and forget that it's nice to use a layout as an opportunity to model some of the things we'd like to.

I'm still in the planning stages on my layout "do-over" and one of the things I was thinking of doing is having a transition along the mainline from summer, through fall to winter.

Anyway, enough about me - your layout looks great!!!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Val

 

[interurban]

Thanks Val.

Hope to see you this Thursday?

It`s been awhile friend, glad you are finding time to look at you redo.:thumb:

 

[interurban]

Hey Val

Remember on the last double header tour ,, a layout had different seasons.
It looked great , and gave me some ideas.