Scenery

[g-pa1]

I just tried to 'fix' the mine so that it looks like a mine in the hills not just on a bunch of foam and now I think it looks like a buchaus. That's Italian for just what you think it is. I think I will turn the mine into a waste treatment plant and be politically correct!!! By the way I cut the foam to form a pond with the future waterfall coming over the track and into a stream.Can I just seal this foam area with plaster and then paint it black when it dries or is there something better to seal the area. I am not planning to go all the way down to the plywood just maybe tapered to an inch or so below the top of the foam. Gene

[g-pa1]

Also has anyone modeled water using the two step resin mix enviro-tex? It looks like it is very smooth glass- like when it dries.At least on page 56 of the Model Trains step by step book. Gene

[ginzokid]

Rather than rewrite the books here, I again suggest you read the WS manual and Dave Frary's scenery book. There are many ways to do what you want. However, yes you can coat the foam with plaster, plaster cloth, drywall mud, sculpamold etc. WS also makes a foam putty to fill the gaps. Then paint it with a latex based paint. A solvent based paint might eat into the foam in any bare spots you might have. Enviro-tex is fine. Just give it ample time to dry. Try the new WS pourable water. Much easier. Try a new technique on a small area before you go hog wild. B-)

[g-pa1]

Pete, The more I read and watch how to video's the more I find that there is more than one way to skin the cat. I am just looking for the best information I can get from hands on people. One picture might speak 1000 words but several experiences might speak a thousand pictures as experience is the best teacher. At present I am hooked up to both. gene

[ginzokid]

Gene, Now you have hit the nail on the head. Experience. You have to try a few methods for yourself to see just which one is most comfortable for you. We can all tell you what we do or don't do, but until you actually jump it with both feet and get wet, you will not have the experience to judge the merits of one method vs another. We each have our own preferences, so listening to us can only tell you our experiences. It's why they make so many different styles of cars. Personal preference and that can only be garnered by doing. You need to get your own hands on experience. Don't be afraid to mess up. I do it every day. Model railroading is not a test, not a job, not a necessity. It is a fun hobby. Nothing more. B-)

[crazyd37]

Gene, We have been reading and watching lots of videos on many rr subjects too but like you, find most of the best info right here in our little group. I seriously think you guys should collaberate on your own book. Has anyone ever viewed: The Clinic - Woodland Scenics ~75 mins. Painting Backdrops - Green Frog Productions ~80 mins. I just won them on ebay (#6354969738) and can't wait for the backdrop one. I don't have very good painting skills and hope that it helps as painting our own backdrops where we can on the layout is what our plans are right now. dot

[ginzokid]

Dot, I have the WS tapes and a three tape set by Dave Frary, available from Micro Mark, that is excellent for scenery and structures. Have not seen the backdrop video. One of my weakest points. I relyon blue sky and lots of trees to hide the background with the occasional ptinted backdrop of trees, hills, etc. B-)

[janesew]

That backdrop video sounds great. I'll be looking forward to hearing a report on it! My plan is to paint the walls in the room as the backdrop and I could use all the advice and tricks I can get. I have some ideas but, as I said before, I need someone to stop me every time I think I'm being "clever". Fred <--- eagerly awaiting Dot's Video Report and hoping for two thumbs up!

[untabubba]

Fred, I'm at work right now, but at home I have an MR from a few months back that had 2 great articles about painting backdrops. I won't be able to get to it today, but I'll (eventually) give you the month and you could, maybe, order a back issue. I'd say I'd photocopy it, but I think that would not do the illustrations justice. Marc

[janesew]

Marc, On MR's website you can look up past articles. I did that for the swing gate and for easements. I'll try the same for backdrops. I did notice, however, that MR was offering a PDF of all their backdrop articles for a price, so it might mean that they have pulled them off their web pages so they can now charge for them. http://www.trains.com Fred

[janesew]

WHAT WAS I THINKING??!!?? I just read Marc's posting in another thread. Of course Mr. Internet guy Breezoid would know the MR website. Please excuse my lapse in cognitive functioning! :8} Fred

[untabubba]

Bookmarks, my good man......bookmarks (My Favorites for you AOLers) Mr. Breeze

[g-pa1]

I'm in the process of covering my Mountain with poly fiber balls. Up close it looks like a chia pet or a hairy hoover but back up a bit take the car out of the garage drive down the road a piece and even the rock outcropping looks good! Gene

[untabubba]

Gene, I have bouts of madness over scenery. At one point I think I'm on the right path, then I think...."Plasticville City"......and I want to give up. I can see where this is going to be a long steep learning curve. My Christmas Village was purposely amateurish. I make no bones about it. I wanted it to look like a department store display...and it does! It's the "real" layout in the basement that I want to develop my realism on. Just keep plugging. Conceive it, build it, tear it out, rebuild it....... ;) :D Marc

[g-pa1]

Marc I thought your Christmas layout was cool. It was alot more involved than the one I put up but then I also knew my grandkids would want to run it and they did. The Jupiter loco that you see in the photo album took a direct hit.I knew it was too delicate for them. The tender drive train just couldn't handle the pressure. I got another HO loco that has a tender but the tender is a dummy. All the drive is in the loco. It looks good and seems to be much more solidly built.Its a Union Pacific with a vanderbuilt oil tender and it smokes! I know what you mean about scenery. I used all of sunday to do one part of the layout completely and I can see where I need to spend another day on the 'completed' section. I did however use WS water effects to form two waterfalls. It looks cool! I'm going to try enviro-tex for water in the creek, stream and the pond as soon as I can get up enough moxie to tackle it. Gene Gene