Trying out a micro layout (or close to one).
- Thread starter GuilfordRailman
- Start date
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
While I wait for the Celluclay to dry entirely, I decided to begin working on the chipboard retaining walls. I’ve cut out and taped the pieces together for the first portion to see how it will look. It looks great! I am however in need of some advice as to the best way in which I can seal and blend the gap between each piece. Anybody have any recommendations?
You’ll also notice in the photo that there are some additional pieces of foam stacked between the ramp and retaining wall. I didn’t like the gap there, so I decided I would build a foam foundation for some rock faces and landscape shrubbery that I’ll add later.
You’ll also notice in the photo that there are some additional pieces of foam stacked between the ramp and retaining wall. I didn’t like the gap there, so I decided I would build a foam foundation for some rock faces and landscape shrubbery that I’ll add later.
Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
If you are painting the surface of the retaining walls I would just use a fine bead of paintable caulk on the joints…. And maybe reconsider the rock face and just go overgrown grass hill, if there is a rock subsurface there is there really any need of a retaining wall?
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I still have some liquid nails for projects caulk left so I’ll give that a try.
And that’s true. In my mind I was picturing a section of rock subsurface that has become exposed over time with roots emerging. But perhaps you are correct, that could look funny. I’ll have to do some thinking on that. Thanks!
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Work is continuing on the retaining walls. There are still a few areas of Celluclay that aren’t as dry as I’d like so in the meantime while I wait, I’ve taken some time to cut out and fit the curved pieces for the retaining wall. I need to make a few adjustments but it’s coming along!
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I’m almost done with the retaining walls but I’ve come across one area I’m not sure how to continue with. It’s certainly not necessary to fill this part in with chipboard but I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it. Perhaps instead of doing that I might just put some Celluclay in there and blend it in with scenery when the time comes?
After I fix this area and attach the remaining chip board sections for the ramp, I will be closing the gaps with some caulking before moving on to using some plaster of paris to create the road crossings.
After I fix this area and attach the remaining chip board sections for the ramp, I will be closing the gaps with some caulking before moving on to using some plaster of paris to create the road crossings.
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Finally had some time to work on the layout a bit! I stopped by the local hardware store and picked up some Liquid Nails paintable caulk since the kind I bought previously wasn’t going to work to seal around the chipboard retaining walls. I’ll give this a couple days to dry and then I’ll sand down any rough spots.
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Yeah, mountains can be a pain. I haven’t made any for at least ten years. Last couple layouts had small hills at most.
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I formed the hill between the ramp and elevated portion. I was worried that the moisture would ruin the chipboard but it held up just fine! I’ve also begun working on creating the road crossings. Lastly, I’ve taped together the Merchants Row structures to get a sense of where I’d like the final placement of the structures to be.
I’ve discovered that I can actually include another small structure or two on the elevated city portion. I’m thinking of maybe creating an area that looks like the beginning of a residential area with a small house or two. Not sure yet tho, need to think on it.
I’ve discovered that I can actually include another small structure or two on the elevated city portion. I’m thinking of maybe creating an area that looks like the beginning of a residential area with a small house or two. Not sure yet tho, need to think on it.
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I’ve begun working on sanding down the first application of plaster of paris for the main road. The gray portion is an attempt at mixing India ink into the plaster to simulate a worn down pavement look but it didn’t turn out the way I wanted so I’ll be using Woodland Scenics top coat for all the roads.
I ran out of out plaster mix while making the roads so I’m in the process of adding plaster to the rest of the road to make it uniform. After it dries, I’ll touch up any imperfections one last time and sand the whole thing to a nice smooth finish.
I decided to make this road extra wide to accommodate street parking for vehicles waiting to deliver or perhaps spending the night after arriving early for their deliveries to the mattress factory
I ran out of out plaster mix while making the roads so I’m in the process of adding plaster to the rest of the road to make it uniform. After it dries, I’ll touch up any imperfections one last time and sand the whole thing to a nice smooth finish.
I decided to make this road extra wide to accommodate street parking for vehicles waiting to deliver or perhaps spending the night after arriving early for their deliveries to the mattress factory
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Work is continuing on the layout. The main industrial boulevard has taken a bit longer than anticipated. I’m trying to get the right contours and look to the road before I paint it.
I’ve also taken the time to touchup the ramp itself with a few patches.
I’ve also finally begun doing some work on the rock wall/ledge for the small hill in the corner. I’ll be doing the same thing for the small hill on the other side of the layout too.
I’ve also taken the time to touchup the ramp itself with a few patches.
I’ve also finally begun doing some work on the rock wall/ledge for the small hill in the corner. I’ll be doing the same thing for the small hill on the other side of the layout too.
Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
Looking good, great to watch you moving forward 
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
The ramp, industrial boulevard, and 1st rock wall/ledge are complete! After I construct the other rock wall, I’ll start working on the downtown streets on the elevated portion.
I have room for two more structures on the elevated portion, one of which needs to be very small. I saw a Dairy Queen kit at the Amherst train show so I might order that as well as some other small structure which is yet to be determined. I wanted to include a house on the elevated portion to simulate the beginnings of a residential area but I feel as though that might look a bit odd…need to think on it. This is the space I’m looking at for each structure…the available space is roughly 2” x 4” and 3.5” x 4.5” respectively.
I have room for two more structures on the elevated portion, one of which needs to be very small. I saw a Dairy Queen kit at the Amherst train show so I might order that as well as some other small structure which is yet to be determined. I wanted to include a house on the elevated portion to simulate the beginnings of a residential area but I feel as though that might look a bit odd…need to think on it. This is the space I’m looking at for each structure…the available space is roughly 2” x 4” and 3.5” x 4.5” respectively.
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Had the day off from work today due to a foot of snow that decided to cover everything! I’ve spent the day doing some additional work and finalizing the rock ledge as well as adding some Celluclay around the edges of the industrial boulevard where the crossings are. I’m hoping this will provide a smoother look when scenery is completed.
Here’s a link to a quick video of a test run with the train going across the “paved” road crossings:
Here’s a link to a quick video of a test run with the train going across the “paved” road crossings:
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Unfortunately I have to work all weekend as my job always gets bumped back a day or two when a storm comes around. I drive tractor trailers and my company doesn’t ship anything during storm weather so we’re always backed up a couple days afterwards. Oh well! Guess I’ll have to use some of that extra cash for more train stuffTuning in late, really coming along!
Sucks to have a day off to work on train stuff right before two days off to work on train stuff!
Oh wait… let me think about that…
GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I’ve wrapped up the industrial boulevard work and moved on to the elevated portion. I have decided I’d like to use the empty space to the right of the main street buildings for a small house or two to represent the beginnings of a residential area. I’m not sure yet how to make the transition but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.
When I created the hill between the ramp and elevated portion of the layout, I made part of it really steep and it didn’t look quite right so I also decided to add a small rock face to the hill in hopes that it will look better.
When I created the hill between the ramp and elevated portion of the layout, I made part of it really steep and it didn’t look quite right so I also decided to add a small rock face to the hill in hopes that it will look better.
Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
If I am looking at it right it is easy to see a little rock outcropping, gonna look very cool when done
