The Great Cover Up

Just something to remember is that lichen can be very flammable. We've often used it as Firestarter while camping and so on. So covering up a lock-on or other similar items may be a bit dangerous. Just a thought.

Arnold, on my current layout, I have just started the base for scenery, but I have thought about it some.  A prime area that will need “the cover up” will be around the abutments and piers for my two lift up bridges.  Since there is movement, I can’t scenic as I would if they were fixed in position.  They are right up front as I walk in the room.  I’m thinking of using a stone embossed product for the ugly blocks of wood that put the high bridge over 6 inches above the low bridge.  The hinge area will have to be dealt with as will the “seat” where the bridge drops into position.  

On the low bridge there is a slot in the table that allows the bridge to pivot.  That area will definitely get a lichen/ground foam clumps treatment.  

I’m interested to see what others share.

Thank you, Matt, for mentioning the flammability of Lichen. I will make sure it does not touch the lock-on terminals and bare wire.

Mark, your layout looks like its coming along very nicely.  Your bridges and back drop are impressive. Arnold

Thank you, Arnold!!  I am pleased with the progress in a year and a half,

Arnold- agreed that you should be careful around the wiring. I've done the same to hide seams and joints in scenery.

O Lord!  Not yet another way in which I can accidentally start a fire!

I was going to use lichen for the specific purpose of covering up my track feed wires.  :-O

I'm using lichen to hide wires, but making sure it does not touch bare wire and lock-on connectors.

You can also paint wires brown so they can look like roots.

I thought this was a thread about MTH closing down.

@RickO posted:

I thought this was a thread about MTH closing down.

More of a bait and switch IMHO!

Some before and after pictures.

Before:

After:

I wish I made some before pictures immediately before placing the lichen. Here are a couple of more:

Before:

After:

I've used crossing shanties and other small buildings to hide accessory control switches for Gabe the Lamplighter and the gantry crane.   I just remove the roof or the entire building to access when I want to operate.

-Greg

@RickO posted:

I thought this was a thread about MTH closing down.

😆 😆 😆

@Mark Boyce Your Layout looks great!  It’s really coming along!

Just curious but what are those 3 things hanging from the display shelf in the background?

Phil, thank you!  Actually there are 5 of them along the 11-foot shelf.  Each one is a painting on wood of the front of a steam locomotive.  They were painted by a local artist.  We found them in a gallery where our older daughter sells her art.  There is one each for PRR, B&O, NYC, Erie, and Chessie Steam Special.