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


I’ve just about wrapped up on the gravel lots, just touching up a few areas. I’ve also gone ahead and installed the two crossing signals as well as two crossbucks.

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You can see from the top photo that I’ve also weathered the gravel lots using a method recommended by another forum member. They suggested utilizing a sponge and dabbing the lots with diluted India Ink. I think it turned out great!
 
Some scenery materials have finally been added! This is where the layout really starts to come to life:)

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As mentioned previously, I selected three colors of WS fine turf; soil, earth, and burnt grass. I utilized random mixtures of these on various parts of the layout to create the first layer of turf.

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Next I’ll be adding a light layer of random blends again along with a brighter green turf I had left over from my last layout. After that, the foundational scenics should be completed and I can move forward:)
 
I’ve gone ahead and ordered some more Osborn Models kits. I ordered some utility poles, light posts, chain link fence, guardrails, and some derails.

Meanwhile, I’ve started working on a couple side projects while I think on how I want to finalize the foundational scenics with the fine turf.

The first project is taking a set of ties that came in a detail kit I got on Ebay and painting them using the WS weathered tie paint pens.

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The second project I’ve started is the first steps towards making the vines and bushes for the layout using diluted acrylic paint and polyfiber.

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I’m using a method I found on Youtube. I linked the video previously when I first mentioned the idea of creating vines but here it is again:

 
The foundational turf has been completed and I’ve moved onto creating the bushes and vines. After dying the polyfiber brown, I’ve taken some mod podge and adhered the pieces to the retaining wall and tunnel portals. The next step is to apply the Noch scenic leaves.

I’ve also utilized some clump foliage left over from my last layout to create some bushes.

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There are also some pieces of polyfiber not shown in the photos that I’ll be placing on the landscape in various areas to simulate other varieties of bushes.
 
Scenery work continues. I’ve completed the vines/Ivy on the retaining walls and adhering the polyfiber bushes. I’m currently working on adding texture/color to the bushes using some more fine turf.

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I also received some stuff in the mail today from Osborn Models. I can’t state enough how much I like their kits! Pictured below is what I received:)

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Working on some smaller tasks this evening as I’ve been taking care of some other non-model railroading things lately.

I’ve gone ahead and have begun some of the scenic work on the elevated downtown district. I decided to fill in some of the surrounding space next to one of my merchant row kits with some more fine gravel. I plan to weather this of course and fill it in with weeds and such as an added touch.

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I’ve also taken some time to attach some thin cork sheeting where the gas station is located and have followed that up with creating a smooth slope using some leftover latex caulk. I need the gas station to be raised slightly to match the height of the road since the gas station has a sidewalk. I did something similar using cork sheeting for the merchants row kits.

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Lastly, I spent some time over the last couple weeks thinking about trees for the layout. For a while I was very set on getting the super trees starter kit from Scenic Express but with shipping it was $75.00😬. After some difficult financial discipline, I opted to go ahead with a cheaper alternative, and my go-to for model RR trees, the Woodland Scenics realistic tree kit. It was $21.00 with shipping.

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Got a little work done today. While working on the gravel lot for the bottling plant, I realized that my idea of having the structure fit snug into the gravel as shown in previous pictures wasn’t such a good idea. The edges were a little too high and took away from some of the height of the plants base.

So….I decided I needed to come up with a solution and I soon realized that I already had. Both my merchants row kits where sitting directly on cork sheeting and the gravel was filled in around it which made it look better. I don’t know why I didn’t do that from the start with the bottling plant and bakery buildings but now I have haha. Here’s the base for the bakery. I’m currently working on the bottling plant.

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I’ve also taken the time to do some scenics on the raised portion of the layout. I couldn’t decide what to do with the small area across the street from the merchants kits so I decided to make that space an abandoned lot which will include the foundation of a building that was torn down. I’ll be creating the sides of the foundation using some cork sheeting.

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I ultimately decided to make it less grassy up top. I’ll be including various detail parts to make the scene complete.

Lastly, I’ve finally had a chance to begin working on the tree armatures. I don’t like the bases that come with them so I toss them and snip the base of the tree off a bit, drill holes into the bottom and super glue in track nails with the heads snipped off as well. This created a nice “pin” to place the trees directly into the foam.

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Nicely done with the track pins! Much better than what I did, which was just use the little plastic nub that would normally go into the base. It's a lot wider than the nails, and not as long, but with a little Elmer's Glue, the trees all stood nicely. I usually had to use a small drill bit to start a hole. With those nails, just stab the tree into the foam!

I know this sounds odd, but I got a lot of satisfaction out of "planting" trees on my layout. To me, the trees added so much more to the landscape than the grass and rocks did.
 
Nicely done with the track pins! Much better than what I did, which was just use the little plastic nub that would normally go into the base. It's a lot wider than the nails, and not as long, but with a little Elmer's Glue, the trees all stood nicely. I usually had to use a small drill bit to start a hole. With those nails, just stab the tree into the foam!

I know this sounds odd, but I got a lot of satisfaction out of "planting" trees on my layout. To me, the trees added so much more to the landscape than the grass and rocks did.
Thanks! I couldn’t agree more, I enjoy “planting” the trees as well. They really do make a difference in the look of any layout.
 
Not too much work completed since my last update but I figured I’d post an update anyways. After starting some work on the Osborn Models chainlink fence kit, I decided I didn’t like it so I’ll be ordering a different one at some point.

I’ve also finished the DIY corksheet foundation I mentioned in my last post. I think it turned out alright! I might touch it up some more. Still need to add the scene details too.

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I’ve also gone ahead and used some fine turf to blend in the cork foundations I added in last week.

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Lastly, I’ve begun detailing the asphalt lot for the gas station. One thing that has bugged me from the start, meaning when I purchased the kit, is that with both the repair shop and gas pumps, it’s a real tight fit where I have it right now. I want to keep both but realistically it might not work out. I’ll have to think on what I want to do.

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