Charlie b's layout

[iis612]

Charlie,

Wow, have I missed a bunch. Glad that your surgery went well.
Your layout looks amazing!!! Such incredible progress! While I have other threads to catch up on, I had to visit your's first.

Matt

[Charlie B]

Hi Matt, it is good to have you back again.
I had the other eye done 2 weeks ago and it went very well too. I drove after dark last Tuesday for the first time since the surgeries and it was like being reborn again. No halos, and it was like I put another set of headlights on the car. I didn't have any trouble seeing during the day, and notice very little daylight difference, but wow, what a difference night time is. Now I am able to do everything once again so I think a good clean up in the train room is in order.
Charlie

[Tyson Rayles]

Looks like you are rocking right along !

[iis612]

Charlie,

That is great to hear!! Enjoy the new and improved sights.

Matt

[Charlie B]

Thanks Matt.

I put some color to the cliff face today, and now it needs some loose debris at the bottom and some brush and weeds growing from the level spots and cracks.
I am amazed at the job rock castings can do to bring a scene to life. I wish I had room to do this with all the rock cut faces I have.    
Charlie

[Charlie B]

The stone arch viaduct has turned into a real pain. The castings are up, but the joints will have to be sculpted by hand, and I am no way an artist.
I will have to smooth and sculpt the edge of the arch to represent stone on the face that make the structure that supports the arch.    
Charlie

[doctorwayne]

I have no doubts that you'll be able to get those castings cleaned up, Charlie, but it's going to be one of those tasks where you can work at it for only so long before you'll need to take a break. A little bit each day, but you'll get 'er done.

Wayne

[Charlie B]

Wayne, I'm in no hurry, I think it was started about 2 years ago. I may need some adult beverages to make it look right.
Charlie

[Tyson Rayles]

Shame on you Charlie, a young man like you partaking of adult beverages!

[teejay]

Charlie , I think the bridge looks good pretty much the way it is .......needs a bit more paint but I like it old and battered . I you get things too smooth , it might look too pretty ...and we wouldn't want that ! Maybe just do a little dry brushing with a lighter grey in some areas ....I think it's a real centerpiece !

T

[nachoman]

That bridge is a HUGE undertaking! I'm impressed so far.

[Ralph]

I'm with T. The viaduct looks good in your photo!

[Charlie B]

I have been scanning slides so the layout has taken a back seat, but it warmed up yesterday so I did some work on the cliff face on the north side of the layout.
I wanted to make it look like old rock with the blue green flourescent moss. It looks good in person, but hard to photograph.
I mixed blue and green craft paint with some Elmer's white glue and added some fine green ground foam, thinned the mess with window cleaner, then I brushed it on the areas that don't see much sunlight.            
Charlie

[Ralph]

I'm lichen it! Good to see more layout shots!

[teejay]

Ouch , Ralph ....! Nice job on the cribbing and retaining walls .

T