creating a choppy river with cheap materials

Whatever you try, end with a few coats of Mod Podge.  It will give you a proper wet look.

Mod Podge: try stirring it or use a spatula when almost dry to create the peaks then paint the along the peak line with white.

Another trick is to use clear silicone caulk, squezze out some long runs in lines, while still wet take a toothpick and dip into some white paint and then lightly streak the wet strips with the paint.  If using this technique you can also make waterfalls this way.  Place some plastic wrap on a board and do the same technique, next morning when dry peel off the 'water' and mount to fit.  Have fun!  Russ

Here's a pic of Troels Kirk's water, previously posted by Russ. Might give you some ideas.

As Russ suggested:

Economical river = one tube of clear silicone latex kitchen/bath caulk (about $5) plus one popsicle stick to whip up some rapids.

Jim

Plaster of Paris in a slurry, lay down a batch, then use a hair dryer to create the waves and ripples in the surface of the pond.

Jim, is that an MTH Granery building? Nice paint job!

Nice water Jim, if I haven't mentioned it before.

Jim's paint job with Alex's motorized wheel (in another thread).

Not that's an operating accessory I want.

I almost got one of those buildings as my Christmas present but went with the new freight transfer building instead.

Things that make you go Hmmmmm......

Man, Dave - That's an amazing scene!  Almost looks like a painting....

Troels Kirk is a great story teller, artist, as you can see a great modeler.  He has photo journaled his entire layout build and as I said he tells a great story.  The link below will take you to a list of links to his build thread.  Each volume has over 100 pages of some 20 posts (200).  There are currently 6 volumes (600)! I believe the thread on doing the water is somewhere in the middle of vol 3.

http://www.railroad-line.com/f...c.asp?TOPIC_ID=36954

Anyhow, his method uses clear sealer over the painted surface.  Then uses strips of clear caulk.  As the clear caulk is setting up he sticks a piece of 1x4 into the clear caulk lightly and pulls straight up on the board.  This sucks up some of the clear caulk and makes the wavelets.  After it dries over night he comes back and dry brushes the white.  It is an awesome look.  Go to Google and type in Troels Kirk.  Enjoy.  Russ

Russ...I have read every last word and seen every photo Troels Kirk has posted on building The Coast Line RR. I'm still amazed at how many have never heard of or seen his work at all. He continues to be one of the all time great sources of modeling techniques ever. I hope others follow your link and discover him. Of course then they will not build anything for quite a while since they will be reading his posting for months.

Bob

amazing scenery guys.  wow!  I never thought of just using the Clear silicon.  but that would work great for the waterfall!  I do want to try that on my next layout.  I might try some silicon techniques, I have a bunch of tubes of that around that have not hardened yet!  GREAT IDEAS!  GREAT MODELING!

So you can use Wax paper and just lay out the strips for the waterfall you want and then maybe even the pond.  Im going to try some of this. 

Chris

I like to lay it out on a piece of glass--a little easier to work with than wax paper.   You can scrape it off with a razor blade.  Or, lightly oil the glass before starting.

thanks all of you.  now I have to play around

In addition to the waterfalls don't forget the little drain pipes in the retaining walls we all have along the right of way!    Russ

I agree.

Jim

thats really cool.  it looks so real.  Now you have to have that versa lok wall fall over from poor construction!! 

 that gives me thoughts about staging a wall collapse and a parking lot slide over the slope and have emergency vehicles all around!!  

super scenery!

Chris

Jim,

Since you showed us yours, I guess I'll show you mine:

Hmmm, that concrete culvert was my fist experiment in carved foam.  I think it needs a redo. 

"I think it needs a redo"  Not all culverts are created equal!  Looks great, just need some more!   Russ

Pete, Jim

nice scenes!

hmm, I bet if you changed it out to an arch or double squash pipe with windwalls attached it might look the part.  at least that is what we have in PA since I review alot of PDot projects and see these all the time.  you can also use a splash pad at the end of pipe and empty the water onto Rip-rap rock, could use rough pieces of ballast or scenery rock.  make the water look like its hittingthe rocks and splashing in air!  I guess Im getting wild there! 

Chris