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Compare this photo with the one above and you will see my interpretation of 'high desert.' The plants are smaller, ground cover more sparse and changing color, more rocky soil appearing. Of course because of reach I have build back to front. The hard part will be scenicing the next 3 feet along the left wall from the tunnel. About 49 inches to get there. Earlier, there was mentioned about my benchwork. This is the original frame that has now had 6 layouts on it. Each larger than it's predecessor. It is strong and because of reach issues supports my 220 lbs easily. So I have not qualms about getting up on top of things! Jim
Sherril, 'What, me forget?' Those little things are last details.
A2T, Welcome. Spend some time in the thread. There is no set order with things, on purpose, but you can find answers and hints on all types of thing scenery, and photography. Jim
Work should get easier now that I have the rock placed on the left side of the layout. I was just able to reach the area where you can see the fresh Scultamold rocks. After a couple of hours of drying I will do a bit of carving and tomorrow add some color if needed. I may add that one of the nice things about Scultamold is that you can throw onto your plastercloth and it sticks thus extending your reach! Also, this rock addition finished off my first 25 lbs of Scultamold. I purchase another 25 lb bag last week. Jim
It was the "comin' round the mount'in" part of the song I was after, but in all the pages of this song on youtube, that was the only one with a MRR video attached, and only music. Bit of a flop.
Remember my shorty caboose without the windows. Well, do to customer input I got on the job and added glass, painted the end of the chimney, and added green and red to the lanterns. Weathering comes later. Jim
Thanks Sherrel. Not the best of photos but it does look better.
Here is a photo taken 3 minutes ago. Still moving left around the back corner you can see wet spray glue on the point of land between the mainline and a spur to an abandoned mine. On the mainline you can see half of a "cut." Remember this 'cut' device will separate you from the other modelers on the block. Cuts are as numerous as bridges almost. They are everywhere. If you don't use one or two on your layouts then you are missing the boat.
On the backdrop on the left you can see I sneaked in a couple of hills in the background. They soften the steep rock cliff just behind the mainline coming out of the tunnel. I'm no artist and don't put much effort into distant hills. They are there and serve their purpose of a transition to the blue sky. Jim
I still love those little bobber cabooses, they really add that special look of an older train system. Your back corner addition looks very realistic by including the cuts. The sparse landscaping adds to that semi-arid feel. - Chris
Just a word from my experience with cuts on the club layout (I am entirely in agreement of their necessity for realism). There are several on the layout but at least 2 have turnouts very close or in the cut. Bad idea. Worst place for trying to rerail engines or rolling stock of the multiaxle truck type.
Thanks guys. Toot, trouble with derails? Certainly cut didn't cause 'em! I'm thinking someone needs a lesson in track planning and preparation maybe? lol Jim
Here is an update photo taken from about the same place as the one above. The middle land is sceniced while on the left fresh Scutltamold is down. To the right is the mine siding and the small caboose. Compare the two photos. Jim
Thanks guys. Toot, trouble with derails? Certainly cut didn't cause 'em! I'm thinking someone needs a lesson in track planning and preparation maybe? lol Jim
No it's a case of a turnout that's been there since day dot, not closing properly, one of 3 in close proximity and right at the entrance to the cut (with steep sides). Getting fingers in there and seeing if the loco's properly rerailed (6 axle in a mid train helper role in this case) is/was difficult.
Since many of you are into narrow gauge maybe you can help. I just had an idea on one of my modules to make a mine. I'm therefore looking for some Nn3 ore cars. What would work perfectly are those cars you always see in the movies -- the bucket on wheels, but I'll settle for regular ore cars. Unfortunately, I can't find any at a reasonable price. the only cars I can locate are at Searails for $95-$150 a car!!! Not gonna happen. The only Nn3 I can find are boxcars, and I doubt they went into mines.
Any idea who makes rolling stock of this type?
Thanks
Walt
Oh, and thanks Jim for the idea of the mine siding. Mine (meaning me, not the hole) is not going to be a siding, just a narrow gauge line to transfer the mined ore to the full size cars.
Toot, I agree. No turnouts in cramped areas if we can avoid it.
David, Thank you. Glad you like it. One thing I've found about modeling this kind of terrain is less is definitely more. What I add to a scene has to have some thought to it. I view a area by my standing height and down at track level, just like guests would do. Also, modeling this area is much harder than say, my forests on the last PCM&T Co. layout. Harder on this one to hide mistakes!
Walt, Here is a photo that may help from back in the day. I believe these are MTL Z scale hoppers. They work with any larger scale as "in the mine" cars with appropriate trackage. Jim
