Module #2 - The First Siding

[KB02]

Been some time, but I am finally working on the next module on my layout. Simply track plan: Double main line with a simple turnout leading to an industry in the next scene.

I crushed the centerline into the foam with a dull pencil and then traced it out with a sharpie:

I have been experimenting with a new (to me) method for making rock faces out of foam. I liked the outcome so much I decided to include it in this scene. But, if there was going to be one rock the MOW crew had to cut through, there should be more, right?

Then, to help break up the monotony, I figured that siding should descend slightly. I'm not entirely sure why I hated myself so much to do this to myself, but that's what I went with. This is also about the time I realized I should not have glued the foam down just yet.
So, I started cutting away...

THEN... my inner redneck came out and figured I could really speed things up with a power tool but knew it would make a mess. So, why not use the shop vac?

I would have to say that my efforts were only about 50% effective (as you can see). Then I turned around and realized that my shop vac had no filter in it... So... 30% effective.

The front needed to be carved out, too, to make a pond. I chose a slightly less messy tool this time, which worked out fairly well.

In the end I had this:

Then to smooth out the siding route and pond, I made use of ole' standby of drywall compound.

So... That was my Sunday.
More to come.

 

[Rico]

Geez you made me laugh when I saw the wire wheel on the drill, been there done that!
I prefer a Sureform tool which still makes a mess but easy to control.
The rock work looks great! Since I’ve discovered that method I gave away all my rock moulds.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Here is a tool that does that work quite well and is a bit less messy.
It's much like a cheese grader, and it works well on foam board or dried dry wall plaster.
You can find it or something similar at most hardware stores.

 

[Jacob Z]

I found this thing in my toolbox, I have no idea where it came from (I have no recollection of buying it!) or what it is supposed to be for, but it works great for shaping insulation foam. I think it might be called a former? Stanley makes one under the brand name Surform for $13, which seems like a decent investment.

 

[KB02]

Scene upgrade shipped and on it's way... more to come; Stand by...

 

[Marlin39]

I'm glad to see there's another Bubba that can redneck the results they want.

I use that Stanley Surform tool and a serrated steak knife. My wife doesn't like the smell when I use a hot wire.

 

[Rico]

I use that Stanley Surform tool and a serrated steak knife. My wife doesn't like the smell when I use a hot wire.

But does she know you have her steak knife?

 

[Marlin39]

But does she know you have her steak knife?

Not yet, but there's a lot of OPSEC and PERSEC when I'm working in my train room.

 

[KB02]

Back on task with this module this morning. Starting getting track into position so I could know where to drop my feeder lines. Everywhere there is a pin, there will be a hole:

After the drilling and some clean up, I had this:

And then I even drilled a few more holes. for turnout control and a powered frog. Then I was able to get the track in place:

Decided to go with track nails instead of construction adhesive. The nails do a fine job and are easy enough to put in through cork and foam. Plus, once I have the ballast in place, that will help ho9ld everything in place as well. Now I have some wiring work to do.

This shot was taken before a few extra holes were drilled for the powered frog. Some more wires are going down for that. The wife and kids might like to see me a bit today, though, so that may not happen this afternoon.

 

[Rico]

Nice sweeping curves!

 

[KB02]

Nice sweeping curves!

Why, thank you! I think the rails came out looking good, too.

Before and after shots of the wiring:

Nice to see some order being made from the spaghetti.
Next is setting ties in all the holes, then painting the rails.

 

[KB02]

A little mid-week progress. All the ties have been put in place and painted. Then I got the glaringly bright green rocky out cropping painted a more eye pleasing color. I added some real rock to the bottom of the cliffs to help c over the transition. I did this before any paint washes so that I can include them in the paint wash to help them blend better.

 

[KB02]

After all the rails were painted,

(won't lie, that sucked. Not super happy with the way it came out, but I'll live and will move on).

I mapped put the cross road,

Then laid in some boards for cars to cross on.

With my chosen weapon of destruction in hand, I shaved down the wood to be no higher than the rails at any point.

If you go super light, and many light passes and a very shallow angle, you shouldn't gouge any of the rails like I did in a few spots. It's not too bad, but with a close inspection you can see a few spots where the razor dug in.

Then a little light wash to weather the crossing:

The previous two nights have had washes of the ledges. After I was done with the crossing, it was time for a final dry brushing touch to the ledge faces.

It really is such a simply technique. and comes out looking great.

Next will be laying the dirt road down... or ballasting... not sure which yet, but I'm ready for both. Just got to figure out if I'm missing any steps before I get to those points.

 

[KB02]

I was in the area. I built a road.

 

[Jacob Z]

Looking good. I do not have the patience to paint ties, but have huge respect for those who do!

 

[KB02]

Looking good. I do not have the patience to paint ties, but have huge respect for those who do!

Painting ties is easy. Painting rails is a pain in the a$$!

----------------------

Mid week progress. This section is now fully ballasted.

Have I complained, recently, about how I hate ballasting turnouts?

And then just to prove how stingy I am: Yes, I recycled ballast from sections of the layout I torn down.

It actually works out well to have the older, dirtier, darker ballast on the siding. I'll end up having some more scenic elements in place aging the track when all is said and done. At least that the plan.

 

[KB02]

One thing I have noticed in my time of really getting into this hobby, is that the background can really help create a scene. I bought a couple from Trackside Scenery and am very pleased with the product. Joey was quick to respond to any questions and I will definitely be placing additional orders in the future.
When mating a backdrop to a module, I have discovered, you have to either plan ahead, or be willing to roll with the punches to make it all work. I had two problems with the backdrop I chose for this section:

1.) I asked to have a dirt road added to the middle of the picture. It looks great, and I did my best to get things lined up, but when it came time to connect the backdrop to the module, the road in the picture opened up a bit more than the road I had built.

You can see some pencil mark denoting where the backdrop had to be altered. Honestly, I should have just kept at it with the pencil as the graphite actually blended rather well. BUT NOOOOooooooooo...I had to be Fancy... so out came the paints. I would have to say that I do a pretty piss poor job at paint matching. Turns out these trees are really much more of a greenish-brown than a brownish-green. In the end I tried to hide my mistake with shrubbery. It came out okay, but you can still see some green in the background that doesn't really match. I'll have to see how much that bugs me in the future. When my OCD rages, it can't let these little things go.

Then I noticed how much darker my road is than his... (I'll come back to that.)

Problem #2.) My siding actually slips below grade which means it slips below the edge of the backdrop. Only a tiny section can be seen if you know where to look.

As previously mentioned, my OCD knows exactly where to look so out came the paints once again. I thought at first I could just hide this with foliage, but I'm quite sure you (my OCD) could still see the edge of the picture. I did a much better job at matching paints colors this time, though. I'm actually quite happy with the end result on this one.

The top of my cliff needed a tiny carving to match the level of Joey's ledge. Easily enough done and it adds to the realism to not just have a flat top.

The siding itself needed a little bit of aging. Some of the ties got a bit mossy with some greenery along the edges of, and within, the ballast. Overall not too bad I figure.

The right side of the road is basically done. Kind of even and grassy in the lower right, so there may be more coming there. Not sure just what, though. Maybe a tiny home on the little bluff or something. We'll see. I need a static grass applicator. That would make a big difference.
Then back to the road, the color difference was really starting to bug me. I took some tan acrylic paint I had and dry brushed the road to bring them closer in color. Ever dry brushed dirt before? It brings all kinds of questions to mind, like, "What am I doing?"
In the end, though, my OCD was placated and the road blend really well into each other.

Now onto the left side of the road. Trying to decide if I need another rocky outcropping or not...

 

[RhB Michael]

That looks really great. Very realistic.

 

[boatwrench]

That's very realistic scenery. Great job thanks for sharing.

 

[John from Indiana]

I found this thing in my toolbox, I have no idea where it came from (I have no recollection of buying it!) or what it is supposed to be for, but it works great for shaping insulation foam. I think it might be called a former? Stanley makes one under the brand name Surform for $13, which seems like a decent investment.

View attachment 209632

I have the Stanley small cutter and one that is over 12 inches long. Messy; but I find the little Stanley tool a great investment for Styrofoam