High Trestle Creek

[Bob Roegge]

It has been quite a while since my last post. Summers are always a slow time for railroad modeling. Other hobbies interfere. With winter approaching I decided to begin this years layout. In the past I have begun with a structure I built and just let the layout develope around it. This years stucture (see post "Cardstock is Best") is a station and water tank. Layout size was again determined by the demensions of the back of my car. The layout will be 54" wide, 28" deep and 32" high. This year I actually sketched a basic layout plan. I will of course deviate as nothing ever works as envisioned. Following the basic idea on my Strawberry Mountain layout I decided on two continuous loops. One on a upper level and one on a lower level. This provides more action for viewers at train meets and shows. The base is a 1"x3" wood frame with a 2" construction foam top.



Work began by laying the lower loop track and then adding 2" construction foam for the scenery base .



The first detail added was the bridge across the creek on the lower level.



Adding the track on the upper level meant a small bridge over the creek at the rear. The creek will run under this bridge over a water fall to the lower level and under the bridge to front of layout. The front of upper level track runs across a spindly steel trestle.



The trestle abutments are dry stacked stone.



There will also be stone retaining walls.



That is where I stand after the first couple weeks. I will continue with regular posts on the progress until all viewers are sufficiently bored.

[chris stockdale]

I will continue with regular posts on the progress until all viewers are sufficiently bored.

Never! You should know by now we can always find space for major carve ups of luridly coloured foam

It's coming along nicely

Cheers,

[rue_d_etropal]

Love it.
Mind you, its a bit big for me. With that lightweight styrofoam it should be lightweight, but still a bit big to transport for me.

[SOUTHPASS]

Summers are always a slow time for railroad modeling.

Had to chuckle at this. Summer is my modelling time, good to get inside out of the heat

Love the depth of the scene, deep gullies like that to me make the scene appear much larger.

[Jon Randall]

Gnice start

[Bob Roegge]

Began rock casting. This section has the raw umber base color applied. Tomorrow I will dry brush to obtain final rock coloring.



Also added rock abutment on left end of trestle.

[Gerry Bullock]

Looking good Bob.
I wondered whether this had inspired you:

http://www.milouket.tv/wp-content/uploa ... gapore.jpg

[Bob Roegge]

Looking good Bob.
I wondered whether this had inspired you:

http://www.milouket.tv/wp-content/uploa ... gapore.jpg

Had not seen this before.......it would have been an inspiration.

Dry brushed a little more color on the rock faces. Not happy with color yet. A long way to go before finishing color and adding ground cover and vegitation. Need to get a natural light picture as picture color is not true. Will post more later.

[DCRfan]

I really like the modelling but I must advise my concern as to the qualifications of the engineer who designed the bridge In fact I wonder if the individual is qualifed as it all wrong and it may fall down when in service

[Bob Roegge]

I really like the modelling but I must advise my concern as to the qualifications of the engineer who designed the bridge In fact I wonder if the individual is qualifed as it all wrong and it may fall down when in service

I can assure you that the designer has no qualifications. Key to design was not based on structural integrity but rather to create a spindly look allowing maximum view of scenery behind the trestle. That said, I only hope the builder can create a scene worthy of viewing.

[SOUTHPASS]

Has a touch of John Olsen from many years back

[Bob Roegge]

Has a touch of John Olsen from many years back

Could be.......I was a great admirer of John Olson's work. Other influences for me were Dave Frary and Malcolm Furlow. Great narrow guage scenery modelers.

[SOUTHPASS]

Sounds a lot like 1970's "Model Railroader" and "Railroad Model Craftsman".
Boy, has it been some years since I have bought magazines like that

[Bob Roegge]

Added color to rock faces cast thus far. Beginning to take on an acceptable appearance.





Also began making trees. Plan to place a lot to give the feeling of a isolated small mountainous area. Mostly evergreens but will add some leafy types by the stream. Thinking of fall colors but will have to experiment and see how effective I can be. I have never created a fall scene. The tree colors should not be difficult. Not sure about other vegetation. A little light green with a lot of yellows, reds and browns.

[Bob Roegge]

Have made and added 14 trees on the upper level. Expect another 7 to 10 will be needed on the lower level to create adequate density to the scenes. Will have to return to casting rocks again unless I can take up another diversion.

[Artizen]

You appear to have used teased-out string for the trees. How did you colour them? They look good.

[Bob Roegge]

The picture taken before paint was taken after initial winding with electric drill. After that I sprayed with clear matte and sifted fine saw dust over them. Then sealed with more clear spray. That added fulness to the trees. After dry I sprayed with a dark green camaflage color of Rustoleum brand. Later I highlighted with artist acrylics to add a little brown of various shades.

[Artizen]

Thanks Bob.

Will go look for camo green Rustoleum paint! Does it come in pine scent as well?

[Larry]

Very convincing trees.

Gerry Hopkins has YouTube videos that pretty thoroughly shows tree making that looks a lot like how you describe your method.

Trees part 1
http://youtu.be/ur0WUSfui6E

Trees part 2
http://youtu.be/zftDNO1e89I

[Reignac]

Absolutely brilliant ! Well done !

[Bob Roegge]

Thanks Bob.

Will go look for camo green Rustoleum paint! Does it come in pine scent as well?

Fortunately not. The strong smell of paint from a spray can is bad enough. Some things I can tolerate - even appreciate. Like the smell of gasoline you get in an old classic car. A pine scent is not one.

[Bob Roegge]

I have been working on the upper level across trestle. Added some initial ground cover and trees.

[david colley jnr]

cheers Bob... Hanging up the hat once again. Those trees and the ground cover look superb. Had to pinch myself to stop myself booking a holiday there...
Infact, the scene reminds me of one I recently encountered up at the Thorpe Light Railway, just before the tunnel. I'll see if I can find a photo.

[Bob Roegge]

Finally returned to casting plaster. It is a messy job and I have to force myself.



Base coat of raw umber applied.



A bit of dry brushing and it begins to take on the appearance of rock. With addition of a little ground cover the scene begins to look believable. A long way to go with plants and details before it is really presentable.



Added some dead branches to tree trunks to make them look a little better.

[Artizen]

Really nice.