Been coloring these Motrack stone wall castings made of Hydrocal.
Stack of stone wall castings
These are colored, or really stained with many layers of sprayed dilute india ink and dilute woodland scenics burnt umber scenery color. They will be put up end to end with concrete buttresses at the joints of the separate pieces. Actual length of wall about 44 inches long total
Just returned from W. Springfield MA from the biggest model train show in the nation. Quite an experience. Over 400,000 square ft of dealers, manufacturers, modular layouts, etc.
Car in the parking lot right where I pulled in. No doubt I was in train land!
The show is in 4 buildings. this is the entrance to one of the four (Mallary Complex)
Mallary Complex
They have some canvas covered walkways between buildings
covered walkway
This is inside showing less than half of the largest building (Better Living Center)
Partial BLC Hall photo
Some of the manufacturers show a model in progress-undecorated.This is a Rapido Pre-production model at their booth
Pre-Production Alco RS11
They also have some special things like this Real 1895 Baldwin steam engine, built for SD Warren Paper Co, that has been restored to full steam operation.
SD Warren-No-2-2Ft gauge
All in all , a very enjoyable weekend
I have a concept of the walk-in aisle of my layout being a river or small bay, so I am making my scenery (rocky banks etc.) all come down to a common level as it would be meeting a bay.
Series of shots, showing rocky banks coming to a common level.
Bank by the concrete arch bridge
Continuation of banks at bay level
Further along the bank
This showing my suspended edge, not yet fully built up with scenery
This shot from a low level showing the way the edge is built
My thought is to build a rolling cart with an area of bay level water that can be raised into position anywhere along the walk in aisle, for photography of the layout, with extended water.
Getting track in place on the concrete bridge including ballast.
Concrete bridge with track
Still need to weather the track and the bridge.
Another view of the area from under the bridge.
Low angle looking up at some of the trestle bases
Putting the arch bridge in place and starting to embed it into the landscape.
Bridge being embedded in the scene
Next laying the track on the bridge, more growth along the water and weathering the bridge and the rock castings
Walnut Lane bridge over the Wissahickon creek
The Walnut lane bridge was certainly most of my wanting to reproduce something similar in HO scale. Although the Walnut lane bridge is a roadway bridge with cantilevered sidewalks, the main structural elements for a railroad bridge would be similar, and I did not try to reproduce an exact copy this bridge, which is right in my neighborhood.
Walnut Lane bridge from creek walking path
The bridge was built in 1908 and at that time was the longest masonry arch span in the world, just now finishing a restoration.
Rapids not quite finished. but moving along, flowing off the front of the layout.
Moving on from two posts ago, working with the water
Adding more water layers
showing a detail of tree branch in the water
Tree branch caught in the rapids
Adding more layers including highlights and foam
Rapids with foam
The next step was to airbrush the bridge with aged concrete.
Airbrushed bridge in spray booth
Then test fitting the bridge in place
Bridge in setting
Then working out the river area under the bridge with aluminum angle, foam, plywood, masonite and caulk
Working out the river course
Then fleshed out a little more with rocks, sculptamold, and the start of scenery
River and banks starting to take shape
More scenery and bridge weathering in a future post.
Back, finally, to casting the second side of my arch bridge, so to bring things up to date, here are a few shots of the mold and initial pour.
Wood & Sintra mold with steel wire re-enforcing rods
Starting pour
Pouring Hydrocal in a hurry – sets quick
and leveling off
Leveling Hydrocal
Then back to the present starting the second pour
original cast and second pour
Both casts with spacer cut from 3/4 inch Sintra (expanded closed cell PVC sheet)
I’ll continue detailing and assembly in the next post
Some Photos showing progress, and also trying arrangements of structures for the engine servicing facility, and how these would photograph in different light (time of day-or weather)
Working with laying track and stone wall at one yard lead
Track down and stone wall further along with concrete cap.
Trying position of servicing structures
Working it out.
Trying angles
Camera and lighting set up after placing structures and ballast, greenery etc.
Final early morning light Photo.
Early morning happening-Click to enlarge