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Ok,
I've decided to go ahead and start posting pics of my layout. I'm by far no pro. I've learned alot by trial and error and by searching websites. This layout was originaly started about 15 years ago or so. Because of my job and money, I really never got it finished. I did have trains running around but none of the track work was permanant. I'd have to say it was roughly 20% finished or started, which ever way you want to look at it. About 7 years ago, I moved out of my house and tore it down and it's been in storage till about 2 months ago. I've got all the bench work back up and fastened. It's actually all level!! LOL! The first set of pics are my layout on the floor of my basement where its going to be.
and yes thats a N scale module on the floor behind my couch. I used to belong to a N scale club in Rochester a long time ago. Genesee and Ontario model engineers.
I've noticed I've lost the set of pictures showing the layout actually being put back up and fastened to the wall, so I'll jump ahead a little bit. The next set of pics show where I laid some track down and put some buildings up just to see what it would look like. I also cut some blue foam up to get some ideas for mountains. This was originaly built as a double main setup, but I've changed my mind and will be building it as a single main with 3-4 sidings and a decent size yard.
My plan is too keep the train hidden on the backside of the layout so it doesnt look so bad running thorugh the same scenery too much. My plan is once the train goes through the scenery on the front side, once it goes into the tunnel on the South side of the layout, it wont be seen again till the other side. I have really made up my mind yet, on whether or not it will be seen at all on the backside somehow.
Now that I have some idea on how I want my layout to look, I've stripped the layout of the track and buildings and such to start working on painting my backdrop. I decide to break out the airbrush and practice with some clouds and stuff. I have one side of the wall done and am working on the other wall this week. heres some pics
Very nice job, Johnny. Your hills are coming out really nice given the blocks of foam you started with. That trestle looks real good at the front fo the layout. The paint back drop and clouds are outstanding. The only suggestion I'd make is to lighten up the sky with a little white right above the mountains to give the illusion of haze you often see when looking over a mountain landscape. Keep up the good work.
Hey! Thanks you guys! very much.
Josh: Yes it's the Walthers kit with some extra pieces added to make it a tad larger facility.
Jim: I am going to try that. I want to try and paint some mountains on the back drop to blend in with the mountains I have against the wall, then try and give the haze look.
I'm very pleased so far with how the background is turning out. I've been waiting a long time to get this layout back up and running.
cct70: Believe it or not, This was my very 1st attempt at clouds. I've only used this airbrush a couple of times years ago, just to weather a few engines and cars. I was afraid to attempt the clouds because of my lack of experience, but after I did the first wall, I was very surprised at my outcome!! I cant wait to finish the 2nd wall tonight. After I paint the clouds on the one wall tonight, I'm going to attempt several background mountains. Thanks again for everyones comments! Much appreciated!!
Well, I finished painting the 2nd wall with clouds. I still have to go back and highlight the bottom of them with Gray. I also dabbled a little tonight trying my hand at painting some mountains to kind of fill in behind my foam background.
I try and do something every day on it. My main goal is to get the back drop and painting done. Then I can work on getting the track laid down against the whole back of the layout. Once thats done, I can start the process of the buiding of the mountains in the front thats going to be hiding the train. I spent today paint shadows underneath the clouds I painted the other day. I at least want to have the roadbed down and the mainline in place by Christmas.
