The 5 Mile Railroad

[traiNscale]

this looks really nice! great work!

 

[NWP Dave]

Thanks. It was one of those projects that sat on the shelf for years. But to avoid building a bridge that I'm dreading, I decided to take the depot off the shelf.

 

[NWP Dave]

Maquire Creek trestle area scenery update. Add few more layers of water to the creek and touch up the creek banks and this area is pretty much finished.

 

[Colorado Midland Modeler]

Maquire Creek trestle area scenery update. Add few more layers of water to the creek and touch up the creek banks and this area is pretty much finished.

View attachment 195167View attachment 195168

That's amazing! It's so realistic looking.

 

[boatwrench]

Interesting that this came up today. I was out in an old growth grove west of occidental this morning looking for forest floor ideas. I could have just looked at your last two photos and saved my 50 mile each way drive.

 

[Marlin338MX]

That scene looks great, thanks for the pics!

 

[NWP Dave]

Thanks. It would look even better if the shay was painted and weathered.

boatwrench: Did you visit the grove on Fitzpatrick?

 

[boatwrench]

boatwrench: Did you visit the grove on Fitzpatrick?

Yes, that is the one. I have purchased a plastic pant from Michael's and the little ends might make a decent fern when snipped off and grouped together as a fern bush. Woodland scenic fine ground turf in medium green appears it would be good for the other ground cover. Someone suggested to me to use a coffee grinder and shred up eucalyptus bark for the wood duff. I will keep playing around until I figure it out, but yours looks excellent, almost like I am standing in Armstrong Redwoods.

 

[NWP Dave]

Yes, that is the one. I have purchased a plastic pant from Michael's and the little ends might make a decent fern when snipped off and grouped together as a fern bush. Woodland scenic fine ground turf in medium green appears it would be good for the other ground cover. Someone suggested to me to use a coffee grinder and shred up eucalyptus bark for the wood duff. I will keep playing around until I figure it out, but yours looks excellent, almost like I am standing in Armstrong Redwoods.

We were on the next ridge west of Fitzpatrick. I've had decent luck with ferns using Bragdon Enterprises https://www.bragdonent.com/finescal.htm tree material. I can't find the details of the product but I believe it was once a living moss of some sort. I cut individual pieces, then dip the end in liquid latex. Then stick them where I want and add more until I get the look I want. The problem I ran into was the material dries out after a year or so and I had to apply glycerin with a small brush to bring them back to normal (I think that was Bragdon's notes). This scene is on the Sonoma Mountain RR layout between Duncan's Mill and Cazadero. It was my 1st attempt with ferns added along water. http://www.davestrainsandtrees.com/SMRR.html


For the forest bed I use Black Gold potting soil to start. Sifted with a 7" wire strainer to get the big stuff out. That leaves some actual soil and some tiny wood chips (?). Toss all in the pestal/motar (I tried coffee grinders and blenders, never was happy with results.), grind. Sift with small 3" wire strainer. What comes through is the base soil for the layout. What's in the strainer along with ground up redwood needles (I saved from the property) is the duff for the forest floor. I usually add the big stuff 1st, rocks, branches and logs, followed by the soil to help blend things in. Then the duff and light sprinkles of woodland scenics' ground turf/foam/ products. That's pretty much the base, then my favorite part, detail!

 

[NWP Dave]

Laid the base layer for the dirt road over the tracks at the depot. It's too rough so I'm going to try for fine powder for the next layer. My Green River backyard dirt after being sifted is perfect but the fine stuff (just like flour) sank when applying wet water and glue. Now that the base is solid it should allow the the powder layer to sit on top. Spending a lot of time trying to get outdoor chores done (ha ha) before winter sets in.

 

[NWP Dave]

Progress on the truss bridge/trestle that I have been avoiding forever. The scratch built truss bridge will get some additional weathering and toning down of the nut/bolts but is mostly finished. I'm not happy with the terrain (rocks) in the area so I plan to tear up and rebuild the area before starting the trestle end. There is a good 6" of foam that can be cut out under the bridge to gain height/space below.

 

[michaeljoe]

NWP Dave, such great work.
The scenery and details are the best.
I love the deep woods, I think I saw Bigfoot hiding behind a tree.

 

[NWP Dave]

Thanks. Scenery is my favorite part of the hobby. Benchwork least favorite.

 

[NWP Dave]

Update on the truss bridge area.
http://www.davestrainsandtrees.com/5mile1tyronetruss1.html
Got rid of the rock wall.

 

[Marlin338MX]

The change looks great!

 

[michaeljoe]

It's looking very good.

 

[NWP Dave]

Thanks. There were too many rocks. I'm also getting rid of some around the bend too. Someday I will have a complete mainline loop.

 

[catnippertom]

The layout looks great. I love how natural the lighting in your shots adds to the realism. It looks exactly how it does in the real redwoods!

 

[NWP Dave]

Started adding static grass in the flat area under Larry Creek trestle before setting it.
http://www.davestrainsandtrees.com/5mile1larry1.html

 

[AuburnCentral]

Looking great