What did you do on your layout today?

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

Great work everyone. Art the viaduct is amazing. I'm no judge of color either but the river looks nice.

Dr. Joe- great video, thanks for sharing.

Chief Bob- A busy railroad is a happy railroad.

Dave- don't you hate when you have the time but the weather interferes with the work? Good idea with the switches on the fascia. Pre-mounting the lights is a good idea too.

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

carsntrains posted:

Tell me about being busy!   I got another small section done tonight.  After work.  Then had to go grocery shopping and get something to eat with my wife. 

If you would stop grocery shopping and eating, you could have gotten a lot more done on your layout. LOL

I had considered that!!!!!   : )

Jim

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

Nice 45 minute video on the history of the diesel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzMTETZ5jo

My first attempt at a mountain. 

Dennis, I like the look of the mountain. A lot of detail. I see in back of it you have studs. Is there any way you can put up a back drop. That would bring out the mountain even better. If you can't it is still a good job.........Paul

Dennis - Fine job on the mountain with the trees in the rear.  I agree with Paul that the  foil insulation is a distraction from your FINE work.

darlander posted:

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

 

Art - Not an expert on water, but yours is a sky shade to me.  Dave is right that the undertones need to be darker and varied to appear realistic and then covered using a product made to replicate water.  I always try to do an experiment off line on a 2'x 2' piece of material.

Your work on the overall layout is second to none!

Thanks All,

I agree, the "A** Backwards Railroad" needs a back drop. I never figured I would get this far, so now, all those it will be ok items need to be addressed. And of course some are now 10x more difficult. But I did do the track work and sound prevention 100% from the get go, as it's quiet and bullet proof. 

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

samparfitt posted:

Nice 45 minute video on the history of the diesel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzMTETZ5jo

Thanks for sharing this Trains Unlimited Production on the Diesel. I just watched it and it's excellent, like the whole series. 

Chugman posted:

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

 

Art, The river in the photo looks so blue as it is a combination of the sun's reflection and the low camera angle. Your river will be viewed mostly from above. To be more realistic it needs to be almost black (with hints of blue-green in it) in the center, then moving to a more greenish tone from the center, becoming lighter as it approaches the edges - with even some tan in areas along the edges to simulate sand underneath the water. As previously suggested practice on a separate surface.

Chugman posted:

Most of the comments I am getting suggest it should be darker.  I agree at this point.

Here is a picture I took last summer of our local Fox river on a sunny summer day.  The water is actually pretty green, but shows the reflections of the sky and the trees on the other shore.  This is sort of the look I am after, but I really like Dave's picture too.  I want a blue sky upbeat look, but I also want it be realistic and not "make believe" either.

Thanks, Art

Hi Art, Given your photo as a reference point, I am hoping this may be helpful to you.

You probably recall seeing me post some of these shots previously, but they may offer some suggestions pertinent to your quest, at this time.

The product I used was that "Envirotex" Resin, from Scenic Express. It is composed of two liquids which are combined, along with dyes, to create the water you see in these three projects.

I painted the simple plywood bases first, with various earth-tone fast-drying acrylic colors and various greens first, to act as a way of modeling "depth" to the "water." I painted those colors in gradations, with the darkest at the places I wanted a deeper look.

Then, when I mixed the resins, and I mixed-in various colors of dyes but did not stir the mixture up, not wanting the colors to be totally assimilated. I let them swirl around and remain apparent (as you can see here) for a "current" effect.

Finally, as the mixture cured, I covered some of it, a distance above it, and stayed out of the area, not wanting dust from the air to settle on the surface of the slow-curing water. Since a large portion of dust in any room is human skin cells, I kept out of the room entirely until well after the prescribed time period for hardening of the new water.

FrankM

darlander posted:

Art, it's too blue.   Check out some "YouTube" help on the internet - many great resources.  Most suggest darker colors such as black, browns, tans, olive green and maybe just a hint of blue.   Too much blue doesn't look much like a river.   Your layout is really taking shape - the arch bridge is a masterpiece, but I can also say that about most of the other scenes and structures you have.  Really fun to see the landscaping take shape. 

Dave

 

Art, no offense but I agree with Dave. Blue looks great at a distance, but up close, not so much. I made the mistake myself. In my opinion olive drab looks great as a base color and really comes to life when the "water" is added. My opinion only.

Dennis G. posted:

My first attempt at a mountain. 

great work!

paul 2 posted:

You are right Bob. I can't stand it when my train routine is inter feared with. How am I suppose to get things done with interruptions LOL. Still waiting to hear the news on the truck. I love shuttle service. While waiting for a call I got the rest of the cattails in and the first coat of water. Then I got the dirt devil and vacuumed all the track in the freight yard to get all the sawdust out from drilling holes for the screws. So now till the water dries I am going to start to layout the track for the brewery. Pics.................Paul

Wow, that reminds me of growing up on the south side of Chicago in Roseland.  The Blue Island line of the Illinois Central turned west from the mainline to head to Blue Island.  Along the tracks there was a swamp like this where we would catch tadpoles.  Looks great Paul.  

Hahaha!!  I'm sure there were toxins in the water from Sherwin Williams Paint Comp and all the other factories around there.  

Frank, that is the ultimate in real looking water. You have it down pat. You don't by chance do house calls to make great water. Today I ballasted the brewery tracks and while that was drying I went back to the freight yard I was working on and started adding ground foam around the small pond and up the stream on the backside. After lunch I will start where I left off and add ground foam to between the sidings and the front side of the stream. Maybe by then the ballast will be dry enough so I can start to lay down track and switches. Pics.............Paul

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Dave2 posted:

To all of those contemplating retirement.  Don't.  Keep working.  You'll find you have more time to play why your still employed.  Don't ask me.  All I know is I don't have enough time for anything anymore.  Probably has a lot to do with the honey doo list!

I agree with Dave.

And continuing to work will provide the extra money for building your dream layout and/or buying the trains of your dreams.

ideally, it is best to continue the work that you find most enjoyable and less stressful. For instance, being a divorce lawyer with my own practice, I plan to retire soon from litigation (very stressful), but never from doing mediation and collaborative divorce (much less stress and more positive). 

Some people have work that is always stressful and even dangerous (police officer, firemen, people in world of high finance where they have to work 24/7). They may be better off fully retiring so they can enjoy life, ideally after making a killing financially, or acquiring a lucrative pension/retirement funds so they are set financially. 

Hmmm...After 42 years I am still looking for that  "killing financially, or acquiring a lucrative pension/retirement funds so they are set financially."   I've faced too many layoffs, moves, frozen pensions, part-time periods of time...In a nutshell, setbacks.  It is a blessing that the man who has me doing contract work convinces the folks with the purse strings to keep me part time during slow periods.  He is afraid of losing me for when he really needs the man hours!  

Divorce lawyer sounds like a stressful way to make a living to me, Arnold!!  I'll take less money for sure.  I agree, you will be glad when you can cut back to the less stressful part of it.    I hope it is soon!

RSJB18 posted:

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

 

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

In reality her father-in-law did all the heavy work so they will be reaping benefits.  

Yes, I finished my snow shoveling and have the small snow blower in my wife's van ready to take to my parents' empty house 17 miles away.  I need to clear a place to get in to turn the pump house heater on for zero degree weather.  I needed a break so I took a look here.  Well off to another house.

Who said a snow day is a train day????????????

I just about finished the design today, don't mind the misc objects on the layout, I needed them for scope.

Outside loop is O48, inner loop is O36, the isolated elevated subway is O31. Small yard in the middle for the Morton's and a small outer yard. Next step is locking everything in place, wiring, ballast, misc scenery and buildings. 

paul 2 posted:

Frank, that is the ultimate in real looking water. You have it down pat. You don't by chance do house calls to make great water.............Paul

Really super to hear that from you, Paul. Great fun. Thank you.

FrankM

More thoughts on your river water Art:

One of my favorite modeling resources is Dennis Brennan’s book: "Realistic Modeling for TOY TRAINS, A Hi-rail-guide".   In it, he illustrates the use of a patterned pieces of glass for the water.  It is call Aquatex and it’s primary use is for shower doors and patio tables.  It is available from large retail glass suppliers.  In short, both sides of the glass have a pattern but one side is more patterned. He spray painted the bottom side (more patterned side) with Rust-Oleum Deep Forest Green Camouflage paint.  He suggest several light coats to produce a smooth even look.   The top surface shows reflection of the banks and vegetation, etc.  I have taken the liberty to include a pictures from his book illustrating that reflection. 

I highly recommend his book as it is filled with many wonderful illustrations and methods to produce realism using toy trains.   It has been my go-to book for my layout.

WWW. KalmbachBooks.com.

dennis@brennansmodelrr.com
http://www.brennansmodelrr.com

I had the pleasure of stopping by his place a few years ago to pick up ballast for my layout.   The added bonus was, buying the book and viewing his incredible layout.   The water affect he produced is amazing.

Dave

P.S. Art, the reflection of your stone arch bridge and river banks in the water would really POP!

Darlander, I am so glad you mentioned Dennis Brennen and his wonderful water modeling technique. I admire his work very much. It's great you included that photo in your perspective. I never tried to model so large an area of water, but if I ever were to, I'd try very hard to follow his missives about it.

FrankM, livin-and-learnin

P.S. Dennis has a fabulous line of groundcovers, too, all of which I have used to great advantage, for quite some time , now.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I have two things through out the year that give me layout time. Snow and rain. And last year it work out well rain wise but so far this year the snow is working out better. Morning was good and after lunch in the afternoon I got  more done. I got the ground foam down along the stream, pond, and between the tracks in the freight yard. I'm still going to go back I want to add some prairie grass too. The ballast was dry so I was able to get most of the switches and track down for the brewery. The one track I can't finish because I am waiting for the switch to come from Ross. It's a 0-31. And if it doesn't give me the angle I need then I am just going to finish it off as another siding. Not sure if I will get time after dinner. No game tonight... Pics.............Paul

Wow Paul- cruising right along. Looking good.

Bob

The township road dept used the much needed break in temperature to get some lines painted!

BNSF-Matt posted:

I just about finished the design today, don't mind the misc objects on the layout, I needed them for scope.

Outside loop is O48, inner loop is O36, the isolated elevated subway is O31. Small yard in the middle for the Morton's and a small outer yard. Next step is locking everything in place, wiring, ballast, misc scenery and buildings. 

 

Looking good. I have a 5x10' with basically same track  layout. Mine has 54&42 lower level and a dog bone upper level with 36". My upper level covers whole 10' so bottom loops only visible on front side. I just put grass matt on upper level today. I use carpet tape to secure matts.

trainroomgary posted:

PUFFRBELLY posted:

Greetings Everyone,

 

 

Hi Chief Bob:

Nice job with the tower and the story about the crews work schedule. 

How do you make the cool window shades?

Gary

Hi Gary,

They came with the Atlas #6900 Signal Tower kit.  The shades are printed directly on the plastic window glazing.  Thanks for the kind remarks.

Chief Bob (Retired)

RSJB18 posted:

Wow Paul- cruising right along. Looking good.

Bob

aint that somethin Bob, yesterday he is telling Elliot how much he gets done, Which is very impressive! Then the next day he is doubling his normal output! Says its the snow LOL! I bet he didn't sleep lastnight  and worked on the layout!

Mark Boyce posted:

RSJB18 posted:

WOW Hard to keep up with all the great stuff going on around here. A couple of hours away from the computer and it took 15 minutes to catch up.

 

Mark- you seem to be enjoying the fact that your daughter is taking on an old house a little too much.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

Bob

In reality her father-in-law did all the heavy work so they will be reaping benefits.  

Yes, I finished my snow shoveling and have the small snow blower in my wife's van ready to take to my parents' empty house 17 miles away.  I need to clear a place to get in to turn the pump house heater on for zero degree weather.  I needed a break so I took a look here.  Well off to another house.

Who said a snow day is a train day????????????

I am pretty sure is said that Mark. I am sorry you have to go out but your a good man for taking care of your family! There will be more snow and trains. But only one family!

chris a posted:

Working on 2 city blocks at the east end entrance to the classification yard....   Got the plaster sidewalks done, and the buildings weathered, sitll have to install LED lights etc....

This is great! I am about to start plotting out my buildings and town scene. How did you make your sidewalks?

Everyone should give them self's a pat on the back! You all have shown great work here and should be proud of it! I would list  you all be we know who you are! Your all winners! Heck we are all winners with people like all of you on the forum! I Hope you all had a great day!

Dennis G. posted:

Thanks All,

I agree, the "A** Backwards Railroad" needs a back drop. I never figured I would get this far, so now, all those it will be ok items need to be addressed. And of course some are now 10x more difficult. But I did do the track work and sound prevention 100% from the get go, as it's quiet and bullet proof. 

Dennis,  You got the most important part done well from the get go.  A firm foundation for track and sound track and wiring!!  Without those our hobby can be nothing but frustration.  I learned that as a boy in his early teens!!  Your mountains look absolutely great!!!!  Your town buildings look dandy!  It is amazing how many folks add a backdrop later.  Yours truly is one such person.  I actually slid an L-shaped layout across the floor to get behind to add a backdrop.  At that point I discovered I had a flaw in my benchwork construction.    I am hoping to see alot more photographs of your layout as you progress!!  

Luvindemtrains:   I decided to do a  hybrid method... First I had been following Keystone Ed's post on his Tyrone PA town scene, see thread below.... His work is exceptional...  I used the same 1/8" tempered hardboard he recommended...  

https://ogrforum.com/...09#75762911776041609

The only change to Ed's method:    I covered the 1/8 inch hardboard with 1/16"  "foamtastic" or foam sheet, sold at Craft stores for 49 cents for 8 x 11 sheets...  I applied really thin Hydrocal over the foam, then scribed sidewalk lines in it....  The reason for the foam is that you can actually crack the hydrocal.  This method was mentioned on the forum, there's a youtube video done by a woman from England describing how to do it....  You can very realistic cracking patterns....  Followed by applying the Woodland Scenics Concrete colored dye, and weathered with very diluted india ink and alcohol plus some chalks.    If I have to do more sidewalks for a larger city area, I'll probably revert to just plain hardboard, or 3/16" luan subfloor plywood... I have never paved anything with hydrocal or plaster and figured this was as good a place as any to do a prototype as it wasn't too large an area... I will do this again for a street or sidewalk in an industrial area where the surface is going to be "really distressed and broken up"....     The Concrete Highway walls in the foreground are 3 D printed by my son.... I did the drawings in Fusion 3D and he printed them for me.... 

mike g. posted:

Everyone should give them self's a pat on the back! You all have shown great work here and should be proud of it! I would list  you all be we know who you are! Your all winners! Heck we are all winners with people like all of you on the forum! I Hope you all had a great day!

Hear! Hear!

Well done a little work on the layout tonight.  Would have had it up and running if the local hobby shops hadn't closed early today!  Hope they are open tomorrow! Here are a few pictures.  I did run Southern 4501 for the first time tonight.  And tested my new BLI water tower!  Both are GREAT!!!!   

Ran my new WbB 44 ton switcher this afternoon. Great little engine.

Must......resist.......buying.......more.......