Alcanman Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks Dennis.  As a former steam man myself, it was the sight and sound of US diesels, both prototype and models, that converted me years ago, so beware!  The asphalt road surface on the layouts are made from textured styrene. Wills 'cement rendering' sheets (SSMP214), each measuring 5ins x 3ins approx, are simply painted light grey and then darker grey weathering powders are brushed on to highlight the texture. This looks much better than simply using plain styren sheet.  Fine black pencil can also be used to simulate cracks.  The 'cement rendering' sheets are also useful for warehouse walls, particularly the stucco type found in South Florida. I used them on my previous layouts and always have a supply as they are so versatile.  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointstaken Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks, Mal - information much appreciated. Â Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Last night I tried out an operating session using the new track plan.   With one loco and a couple of loaded boxcars staged on the rear staging track. Loco shoves the 2 cars into the yard sorting tracks, uncouples and returns to the front staging track to collect 2 loaded grain cars. Loco pulls the grain cars into the front yard track, then reverses, shoving the cars into the feed warehouse for unloading.  Loco uncouples and returns to the yard to spot the boxcars and pick up 3 empties before returning to staging.  Simple and fun to operate.  Mal   Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Last night I tried out an operating session using the new track plan.   With one loco and a couple of loaded boxcars staged on the rear staging track. Loco shoves the 2 cars into the yard sorting/storage track, (3rd track from the front) uncouples and returns to the front staging track to collect 2 loaded grain cars. Loco pulls the grain cars into the front yard track, reverses, and shoves the cars into the feed warehouse for unloading.  Loco uncouples and returns to the yard to spot the boxcars and pick up 3 empties before returning to staging.  I've imagined that the staging is simply one end of a run around (off-stage). This arrangement provides a means of switching facing and trailing spurs without the need to model a full run around siding.  Simple and fun to operate.   Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Now that I'm happy with new track plan, I've proceeded to paint and ballast the track in the former staging area.  Also, I've now started to add fall foliage between the 2 warehouses in the main yard area.        Mal          Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 looking very good, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 I've continued to add more fall foliage using mainly WS fine leaf foliage 'fall mix'. However, sometimes the colors can be a little too bright.  To try something different, I thought I'd try making a a 'sea moss' tree with green foliage and I'm quite pleased with the result. Can anyone confirm whether US 'Super trees' are the same product?   and a couple more at the warehouse      Mal          Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robatron86 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 That is brilliant Mal. Top notch work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 Thanks Robatron.  I've now completed painting and ballasting track in the former staging area and I'm much happier with the layout fully scenicked.  Static grass and, of course, more fall foliage has been added.   Here's a couple of pics showing a couple of empty grain hoppers being collected from the new grain unloading spur.        Mal           Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Ground cover is particularly good, Mal. The secret is many and varied in height and texture. Â Are going to graffiti it up? The bridge cries out for some tags. Â Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Those hoppers are crying out for some tagging too! Scenics looking great Mal! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 Thanks guys.The bridge needs weathering to match the other side which was weathered when the layout was originally built. Â Hadn't thought of tagging the bridge, nice idea. Â The hoppers will be weathered, and maybe tagged also. Â Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrossouw79 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Good Evening Mr Alcanman! Â What kind of track do you use and what colours do you use for weathering? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Good Evening Mr Alcanman! Â What kind of track do you use and what colours do you use for weathering? I use Peco code 100 track which is painted with Humbrol enamel no 98 (matt chocolate) mixed with a small amount of grey. Â Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrossouw79 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Thank you for the replay. I will make a note of that.As a newcomer to the hobby I plan to build a small switching layout myself. Thanks again and keep up the great work! Â Cheers Jacques Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 This week a box of Scenic Express 'Super Trees' arrived from Model Junction. As I suspected they appear to be made of sea moss.  I decided to simply make the trees using autumnal shades of green rather than more brighter shades of fall foliage to balance colors.  Firstly, a couple of trees were added to the newly scenicked area.       Than I decided to remove the security fencing from the disused grey warehouse, to provide space for a few more trees.  I also toned down the bright green grass and weeds by adding some autumnal shades of static grass, going for a more overgrown look.    Mal          Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Mal...the colour of the trees looks more realistic to my eyes in these last couple of pics.....the colours were far too "loud" and bright in the pics in post #34 IMHO, especially the pic by the over bridge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Some trees over here do not all change colour at the same time. I've always thought it attractive when you see patches of green still on an otherwise red and yellow tree. The Dogwoods in my backyard are already going red some 5 weeks before everything else. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Mal...the colour of the trees looks more realistic to my eyes in these last couple of pics.....the colours were far too "loud" and bright in the pics in post #34 IMHO, especially the pic by the over bridge. I agree Gene. Seeing those pics made me realise that the colours were too bright, so I decided to add some green.  Also, for some reason the colours look brighter on the pics than they do on the layout.  I'll be continuing to work with blending the colours until I'm happy that they look more natural.   Mal  Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Mal...the first 2 pics in post #41 really look the ticket...but I just realized...you might want to hit the grass and weeds with a bit of browns/tans etc...usually by this time of year when the trees are going into fall colours the grass and weeds are starting to die back and loose their green tints. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Thanks Gene.  I've started to tone down the grass areas with fall shades of static grass.  Also the yellow and orange foliage which was too bright has been toned down with some Woodland Scenics 'earth blend' fine turf.    Mal       Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â A few pics I took last fall....taken between the New York-Quebec border and in Montreal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Nice, Gene! That last photo is what I meant by having a variety of colour on one single tree...... Great Example! Â Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted September 16, 2013 Author Share Posted September 16, 2013 Great pics , Gene  I love the subtle hues of color in the first pic. Also it's noticeable that the grass in the foreground is still very green.  Looks like I need to plant a few more trees!  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Wintle Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 The grass can still be very green (and in fact, recovering from its summer browning) as the fall is cooler and quite often damp. Don't forget some scattered fallen leaves under the most-turned trees (see Gene's third picture). Â Gene's first picture has a fair number of trees that have already lost their leaves which helps subdue the colours. It can also be variable from year to year as to how colourful the display is. It depends somewhat on how the weather over the summer was. Â Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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