David Maynard said:
The track looks good. But what is holding up this track, besides wishful thinking?
Why Kentucky VooDoo Magic and Tennessee Haints. Can’t you see em’?
Doc Tom
Ron Tremblay said:
Its starting to come together, I like.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
Thanks Ron. Next step is playing with dirt (the sifted and glued kind)…just like the old days with the Garden RR.
Doc Tom(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
David Maynard said:
The track looks good. But what is holding up this track, besides wishful thinking?
Doc,
I’m still following!
Some of the experts get butthurt when I post " " just letting you know I am following your artwork not critiquing or questioning it.
Love it!
Playing in dirt.
Happy New Year!
For the last couple of weeks I have been working in and playing with dirt. Previous layouts have used large quantities of Woodland Scenics ground foam and ballast. This mini layout is going to be different. I’m using natural materials as much as I can to get the"Backwoods" feel I am after.
So I want out in the backyard dug up some dirt, Twigs and other debris from the mulch pile. While my wife was away I dried out the dirt in the kitchen oven. An interesting aroma was noted.
The dirt and twigs and debris were attached to the sculptamold under layer using white glue and wet water. The rough sculptamold had considerable"tooth” and held everything in place nicely.
Here are some pictures of the track laid directly in dirt. This is such a low budget backwoods operation that mules and horses graded the line and the ties were placed directly on the dirt roadbed. Not a bit of ballast material was used.
Let me know what you all think.
Doc Tom
The dirt sifted into the lichen at the base puts the entire scene into ‘I want to go there and shoot photos of the action’ real. Great job Doc.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Looks real as hell. Let’s hope it don’t rain and it all turns to mud…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Wow Tom, I knew this build was going to be special. Great job and happy New Year to you.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
David Marconi said:
The dirt sifted into the lichen at the base puts the entire scene into ‘I want to go there and shoot photos of the action’ real. Great job Doc.(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Nice you noted the lichen. As I progress with the winter scenery I hope to show a lot of browns, grays, reds and yellows. A different pallet of colors from summertime layouts.
Tom
Ken Brunt said:
Looks real as hell. Let’s hope it don’t rain and it all turns to mud…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
It was very interesting spraying the “wet water” on all the dirt…glad it dried out OK and no cracking. Tom
Ron Tremblay said:
Wow Tom, I knew this build was going to be special. Great job and happy New Year to you.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
Thanks Ron. I think this little mini will keep me busy most of 2017!!! The multiple layers of color and texture do take some time.
Tom
I really like the look and think it looks great!
Okay, Doc…you know what needs to happen next? You join the Challenge, you get a load of stone from Dave, you cut the stones in half for 1:48 scale, and you incorporate some kind of stone structure into the layout. A small hut, a bridge, a retaining wall, I don’t know, but we missed you last year and can’t let you get away this year!
Looks great! I just installed some grade crossings, and have begun playing with rock molds. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do for ballast. (I’ll update with photos soon enough…)
Later,
K
LOVE IT!
Wow. Tom, I just discovered this project. You have done a tremendous job. I love the use of natural materials indoors. Will be keeping my eye on your future progress. Thanks for sharing with us.
Mike Savage said:
I really like the look and think it looks great!
Thanks Mike. This has been a lot of fun and a chance to try out new techniques…like all dirt ballast.
Tom
John Passaro said:
Okay, Doc…you know what needs to happen next? You join the Challenge, you get a load of stone from Dave, you cut the stones in half for 1:48 scale, and you incorporate some kind of stone structure into the layout. A small hut, a bridge, a retaining wall, I don’t know, but we missed you last year and can’t let you get away this year!
Thanks John,
Will need to sit it (the challenge) out this year unfortunately. Biggest reason is the work load at the Rural Health Center in Kentucky and the Haiti Clinic is really over the top and little time for hobbies and fun stuff.
The other, is that this is a backwoods operation relying on saws, axes, froes, and adzes as primary tools. No stone masons in the whole dad burn bunch. I am looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with though. Should be fun.
Doc Tom
Dan Hilyer said:
Wow. Tom, I just discovered this project. You have done a tremendous job. I love the use of natural materials indoors. Will be keeping my eye on your future progress. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks Dan for following along.It has been fun to switch to the natural stuff after months of working with foam and aluminum.
Doc Tom
Kevin Strong said:
Looks great! I just installed some grade crossings, and have begun playing with rock molds. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do for ballast. (I’ll update with photos soon enough…)
Later,
K
Thanks Kevin. I really have enjoyed your On30 adventure as well. With the cold rainy days we are having here in Tennessee it has been good to model indoors with a nice cup of warm coffee by my side.
I will be interested it what you come up with next.
Tom
Doc, I hate to ask at such a point in your project, but; did you run a magnet over the dried dirt to make sure you don’t get iron particles. They tend to seek out motors and can do damage.
I like layouts that use real dirt and materials. I used real dirt and some real rock (very small rocks) on my HO/HOn30 module. And, for the NG part of my module, I didn’t use ballast neither. Who needs to spend the cash on that stuff anyway?