Eureka Coast Route
- Thread starter Renodemona
- Start date
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I just found this thread. Great little layout.
I'm new to ballasting (and everything else) too. I think you did a good job. I don't know if it's just the pic but if you find you're getting a little clumping I addressed this problem by using very watered down glue and plenty of isopropyl alcohol. And I am still on occasion using a hobby knife to scrape some ballast off the ties and running a vacuum over the area. Your first attempt came out way better than mine! Looking forward to your progress
My least favorite part of building a layout is ballasting....then wiring. It's very time consuming to do it right.
You did great for your first time. There's a BIG learning curve.
There are lots of YT videos on how to ballast.
When you get some time watch this video.
I also make some of my own grass mats and use some from Martin Welberg also. https://www.sceneryexpress.com/Welberg-Wild-Mats/products/1402/
Just a suggestion when you add static grass. In nature there are dark green areas where there is more soil moisture and more yellowish areas where there is less. Mix patches of 4mm and 6mm and then sprinkle a little fine dark green foam down into the exposed glue. Use a little hand vacuum first to get the grass strands to stand up if needed.
Have fun and experiment.
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Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Painting result that is half decent. Not perfect but I like it. Now to make some decals. ECR #173 next to the furniture factory.
KriegslokBR52
Well-Known Member
Milwaukee "Bandit"?
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
CNW Milwaukee Northern Pacific California Northern derived ha But I think the actual colors are CNW Green and Milwaukee yellow/orange. May try some generic safety stripes on the ends as was the fashion by the 70s
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Couplers converted on good old #173.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Concrete footings and last of the ballast done.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
My first foray into ground foam. We'll let it dry, light vacuum and maybe add some static grass?
PMW
Well-Known Member
I just found this thread. Great little layout.
I'm new to ballasting (and everything else) too. I think you did a good job. I don't know if it's just the pic but if you find you're getting a little clumping I addressed this problem by using very watered down glue and plenty of isopropyl alcohol. And I am still on occasion using a hobby knife to scrape some ballast off the ties and running a vacuum over the area. Your first attempt came out way better than mine! Looking forward to your progress
My least favorite part of building a layout is ballasting....then wiring. It's very time consuming to do it right.
You did great for your first time. There's a BIG learning curve.
There are lots of YT videos on how to ballast.
Layer different textures and colors just like in real life. Your creativity will kick in.
When you get some time watch this video.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Very nice video especially building up cover. Tomorrow will be my adventure in static grass. Here's my 3 color mix base ready (maybe?) For static grass.
I added links to the 4 basic blends I use for ground cover. "Textural Variance" breaks up the monotone and adds depth.
I also make some of my own grass mats and use some from Martin Welberg also. https://www.sceneryexpress.com/Welberg-Wild-Mats/products/1402/
Just a suggestion when you add static grass. In nature there are dark green areas where there is more soil moisture and more yellowish areas where there is less. Mix patches of 4mm and 6mm and then sprinkle a little fine dark green foam down into the exposed glue. Use a little hand vacuum first to get the grass strands to stand up if needed.
Have fun and experiment.
FARM PASTURE BLEND - 32 oz.
www.sceneryexpress.com
ALPINE MEADOW BLEND - 32 oz.
www.sceneryexpress.com
natural green tone fine ground blended turf
BLENDED FLOCK & TURF TEXTURES-GREEN GRASS BLEND! Our finest green foam ground textures with just the right amount of natural highlights! Ground cover blends formulated for incredible realism that will save both time and money. Each blend consists of various ground foams, static flock and...
www.sceneryexpress.com
GREEN ADIRONDACK BLEND 32oz.
www.sceneryexpress.com
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
OK after careful review I ordered an externally powered applicator because the consensus is the battery ones are Krap. So, those holding their breath in anticipation of my static grass experiments sorry...you can breath! So today we will be working on other things. More to follow.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
My "other" hobby got some time today for a game of Infinity. Here's some of my recently finished troopers. Now I'm back to work but more updates coming hopefully Monday!
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Well i had time to swap in a dcc board on this Trainman GP-15 in California Northern livery. Great little unit! Eventually I will have an interchange with the CA Northern but that's down the tracks. Ha!
My son is into Warhammer 40K. I envy his young eyes and steady hands.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Starting on our little main street with experiments in brick! I will try the super watered down inking technique to try and add grout once these are dry.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Working on laying down turf base layer, a bit more brown between the tracks. I think looks good, some brown grass and weeds will be great.
Renodemona
Main Street of the Northwest
Had first operation session today. Picked up 4 cars from the interchange, swapped out the paper mill and pulled 5 cars back to the interchange. Good 25 minutes. Need to work on track more and get all the ballast cleared as some of the freight cars struggled. Only 1 derail but still takes you out of the zone.
PMW
Well-Known Member
Awesome! I love how long switching can take. Sometimes I let JMRI make me up a couple of trains and it takes me long enough in the yard to build them that I don’t get them out of the yard until the next time I play
If you’re still having derailments it’s not necessarily your track work but that is definitely a suspect. I like to hold off on ballast until I have high confidence in my track work.
A couple of my cars that had derailments issues out of the box were fixed by loosening the screw which holds the truck to the body. I guess sometimes they’re too tight from the manufacturer.
Looking good and keep posting
If you’re still having derailments it’s not necessarily your track work but that is definitely a suspect. I like to hold off on ballast until I have high confidence in my track work.
A couple of my cars that had derailments issues out of the box were fixed by loosening the screw which holds the truck to the body. I guess sometimes they’re too tight from the manufacturer.
Looking good and keep posting
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