Trying out a micro layout (or close to one).


The rock faces are done! Second time in my life carving rocks from plaster and first time using this technique for painting/weathering so I couldn’t be happier with the results.

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Thank you! Good question….I’m not sure at the moment. Haven’t had a chance to research any techniques I like. Any suggestions?

Google. Tunnel Portals photos and look at the colors to the real ones similar to yours. Remember as to how old the portals would have been there in real life.
A color wash and just before fully dry use relevant weather powders.

A case of seeing what see and not what you think you saw works every time.
 
I’ve begun working on adding the lines to the road and it’s been…interesting haha. I made a few boo-boos and therefore decided to make the road one that has seen better days and is slowly being replaced with blacktop.

I attempted to hand draw RR crossing markings with the Woodland Scenics Road Marking Pens and they were hideous, so the giant square patch of fresh blacktop is what has replaced it. I’m thinking a stencil and white spray paint is a better idea!

I also paved a section of road on the ramp where my road lines were also lacking in quality. I will say that one of the great things about this hobby is that when you screw up, you can usually fix it easily, atleast with scenery:)

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I “accidentally” painted my retaining walls a weathered concrete color when I attempted a wash and it actually looks great! It needs some touchups but I’m thrilled that I made this mistake haha.

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Lastly, I’ve attempted some weathering of the tunnel portals using an India Ink and alcohol wash and it turned out okay. Not my best work but I’ll continue weathering it with some acrylic paints to simulate soot from the locos.

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I am sure I don't have to remind you that roads are not one color. Oil spills. Tyre marks if a car brakes hard. Cracks/potholes in the road. Fading white lines. Repairs on the road giving a different color. Etcetra, etcetra.
 
I am sure I don't have to remind you that roads are not one color. Oil spills. Tyre marks if a car brakes hard. Cracks/potholes in the road. Fading white lines. Repairs on the road giving a different color. Etcetra, etcetra.
Hmm….oil spills and tire marks…I forgot about those details. I’ll have to add those details in somehow.
 
Work continues on the roads!!! I’m getting better at applying lines with the paint pens but it’s gonna take lots more practice haha.

I’ve spent some time scratching and sanding away ever so lightly to create a faded and worn look to some of the lines. I’ve also detailed the roads with splashes of India Ink to simulate oil spills and such.

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As work on the roads continues, I’ve realized that I made the roads a little too wide for my original application on the industrial boulevard. I planned on two lanes and shoulders which is what currently exists on the layout but it looks strange having such wide lanes with nothing else. I’ve opted to (possibly) add a bike lane to each side that extends from downtown into the industrial district via the ramp but I’m not 100% set on that idea yet.
 
Looking good, GuilfordRailman.

One comment if I may. Roads do not have to be wide; especially the further away they are. They look narrower.

On my layout most of the roads a 'single lane' whereas the real ones ar two or three lanes wide.

Here at 'Leeds Sovereign Street the road is just wide enough for the bus.

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A Crown Point Yard, beyond the wall is mainly one lane wide. By staggering the vehicles on it to make it look wider.

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I’ve applied most of the road lines, just need to touchup a few areas and add those last few lines. I also need to add a few more oil stains and cracks in the road. After that I’ll be moving onto painting the track with the Woodland Scenics rail paint pens.

I ultimately decided on adding a bike lane to each side of the industrial boulevard and part of the main st. I was skeptical at first that I wouldn’t like it but it’s turned out great so far!

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I’ve also begun working on another project to install two NJ International low design switch stands. I’m layering some of the 1/16” cork sheeting I have and will blend this in with plaster or paintable caulk to create the foundation for each switch stand.

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I’ve picked up some spray paints for each structure. I’ve decided on Colonial Red for the downtown brick buildings, French Beige for the bakery complex, Stone Gray for the sidewalks that are part of the downtown buildings, and Almond for the mattress factory. I also picked up some matte clear coat to apply to the mattress factory since the color I liked only came in a gloss finish.

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I’ve finally had a chance to complete the track painting using Woodland Scenics Tidy Track pens. I had used these previously on my last layout and while they worked good for Atlas code 55 track, it was a struggle to get good results using Kato Unitrack.

Due to the increased size of the nail heads, applying the paint to the sides of the rails was rather tedious and at times resulted in some areas of the rails not being adequately covered. I had to apply four coats in some areas to yield “good enough” results.

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I will be touching up a few areas here and there but the bulk of track painting has been completed and I’ll be moving onto the next step.

I have also adhered the cork sheeting foundations for the NJ International switch stands and painted them gray with some leftover acrylic paint I had in preparation for attaching the stands and ballasting around them.

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I’ve also received a set of metal storage tanks I found on Ebay which I’ll be using as the silos for the bakery.

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Here is my first attempt at spray painting a model railroad structure.

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As you’ll see on some of the pieces, there’s a few areas that need touchups. One particular piece has developed some cracking on the top coat of paint. I think the area I was letting them dry in was a little cold and may have contributed to that.

I need to paint the windows and doors but wasn’t sure if I should tape around them and spray paint them or do it by hand. Any suggestions?
 
Looking good GuilfordRailman.
Personally I would have painted the windows and doors first, but hey we do things differently. LOL
You can still paint the windows and doors with a fine paintbrush. If the window frames are white do not have them 'too white'. The same with the doors. Whatever color they are they should be a dull one. The 'older' the building, the more weather beaten it should be.

Some weathering with powders will help on the brickwork
 
Looking good GuilfordRailman.
Personally I would have painted the windows and doors first, but hey we do things differently. LOL
You can still paint the windows and doors with a fine paintbrush. If the window frames are white do not have them 'too white'. The same with the doors. Whatever color they are they should be a dull one. The 'older' the building, the more weather beaten it should be.

Some weathering with powders will help on the brickwork
Yeah, I wasn’t sure what way to go on that haha. I researched different methods and people do it both ways so I just decided to pick one and go for it. Thanks for the tips!

I’ve never used weathering powders before but have wanted to try so I’ll look for a set soon. Thanks!
 
Decided today to give most of the layout a base coat of paint for the scenery and to prepare for the eventual ground cover that will follow. Still need to touchup a few areas along the retaining wall and around the road crossings with some gray paint matching the Kato road bed.

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I also spray painted the sidewalk and foundational pieces for the Merchant’s Row’s kits.

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