Hey Gary,
When can we mark up for an operation session?? I would prefer if all the scenery is done so you should have it wrapped up by spring....right???
All kidding aside I really am enjoying alll your speady progress and great techniques.
Galen, Russ, thanks for the comments.
Russ, we get quite a bit of rain during the year, and even with the engineered flood control, we still get heavy flooding on occasion. These concrete channels are not what I would call beautiful scenery, but they are nevertheless interesting, and seldom modeled.
Greg, thank you. There is a layout tour in Houston every fall, my old layout was on it a few years ago. I didn't get on it this year because I am not far enough along, but surely will be next year.
This weekend will be another layout party for me, I plan on spending as much time as possible getting stuff accomplished.
Its great to see a few photos of the layout and ogle at the progress being made Gary. A most interesting thread at all times and a great resource for anyone creating their own RR Dynasty.
I have bookmarked a lot of your "how to posts" to study and use when the need arises.
Thanks, and keep 'em coming.
I appreciate the feedback, OBJack. I enjoy sharing my progress and as I've said before, a good part of my motivation to work on the layout comes from the folks at Big Blue. I also hope that my "how-to" threads are of use.
I have been working on the BLMA bridge last night and today, mainly on the concrete slopes. First, I got the lower bayou channel sides put on, this is .040 styrene glued to the wood with Alene's Tacky glue and held in place by screws until the glue dries.
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Next, got the flat part of the channel put down, this is .015 sheet styrene glued to the plywood, again with Alene's Tacky glue, and the edge is glued to the lower channel plastic with Testor's model cement.
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Then the upper channel slope is under progress, made from .040 sheet, glued to the flat plastic with Testor's and to the foam slope with PL300 foam glue.
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And here is where it sits now, with the bridge sitting in place. I'm at a standstill for now until all the glue dries, which won't be until tomorrow. Then I'll paint the slopes and get the bridge in place permanently, then put down the track and the feeders.
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Put some EasySand20 in the bottom for the water, and the "concrete" is ready for paint.
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Thanks Gus. The Texans are holding me up from further progress.
Texans lost again. Back to work on the bridge.
And what's in store for the C'boys...??
I'm a Packer backer, by the way.....
hmmm... don't even know when the Cowboys are playing.
Oh heck... they are on right now, and playing the Packers. Just turned the channel from 60 Minutes interview of Obama. Er... a Packer's field goal attempt just got blocked!
Put some paint on the concrete and on the bayou water. May have gotten the bayou water too dark. I'm headed to Bing Maps to see if I can get some ideas for color. Anyone have any suggestions on the color? Right now, it doesn't have any gloss coats on it, just one layer of paint.
Still a long ways to go, concrete needs a black wash and then weathering powders.
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Just remember it's gonna change when you put the gloss on there, as it will pick up and reflect the surroundings.
That said, I'd lighten the color with a complementary shade, so as to introduce some variation. That is, if you've got brunswick green there now (essentially black) then use a yellowy brown to lighten it. Delta makes a 'color float' that you can paint on the surface before adding your second color that will essentially allow you to overlay the color without much blending. The lighter color will be a bit transparent. Really dilute the color and put it on in a wet wash. Let one wash coat dry then take a look. It's easier to add more than take it away.
Just my artistic 2cents
Galen
Galen, I just came back in from adding more color over the dark - didn't see your thread until now. I took the medium green color I had mixed for the Mykawa wood trestle bridge and added a bit of black and navy blue to darken it some. I think it is coming out okay, as I wanted the water to represent a "cleaner" water than I put on the big concrete segment bridge from the Summer Challenge. I'll put some photos up later.
Oh... I have been sanding the paint with a sheetrock sponge between coats. It changes the color from a solid one to a streaky mix of various shades of the color. I kinda like the way it looks!
Anyway, I agree, the gloss coats will change the look, what with the reflections as you mention.
First thin black wash on the concrete, several layers of paint with sponge sanding between coats, and some drywall compound to smooth out the foam around the upper areas. The craft paint used for the water dries quite flat, but the sponge sanding really makes it shine. Should look good after several coats of gloss. Still have to put some weathering powders on the concrete and some clear flat.
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and all the clutter that has accumulated during construction of the bridge:
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Gary -
What is the material that you are using for "dirt?" I like the way it looks ... it has texture!
