I almost didn't make an entry this week. There haven't been any big changes in the last week so I didn't take any new pictures of the layout. Just so you don't think I was lazy all week ...
I built a little shed to put at the end of the engine storage track in Stevenville. It's a little too big, I think, so I'm going to build another one. The new one will have a couple side doors that will be open to view a slightly detailed interior. I have some etched brass tools and some welding equipment that would look really good around a workbench. Because this area is close to the aisle it's a prime candidate for some extra detailing. I also assembled and painted a Woodland Scenics fueling station kit and placed it beside the track.
The big hole in Chappellton where the harbour will be now has a bottom. I still have to seal all the gaps before I start detailing the seawalls, bridge abutments, and building the warf. There will be lots of track in this area since I've squeezed in a small yard for the barge and Chappell Seafood. The siding for Chappell's will actually be out on the warf.
I've completely rearranged the industrial sidings in Chappellton. I am much happier with this arrangement than I was with the previous 4. It makes way for a nice arrangement of streets and buildings. I moved every building I had to this area and started moving them around until I had something I liked. Then I figured out how I could get tracks in there to serve the businesses. There should be some interesting switching challenges here.
Tomorrow (Feb. 24th) the Half Nuts gang will be hitting Saint John, N.B. for a day of layout visits and operating. It'll be really nice to operate on a couple of new layouts and see some different scenery techniques. I'm sure we will leave there with lots of new ideas. It may even result in a little bit of destruction on a couple local layouts.
The guys are coming over Sunday evening to continue scenery work, so I'll have lots of pictures next week.
Later,
Scott
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
A little progress
Well, I had hoped to get a little more done before this update, but the week hasn't been cooperative. But, I did promise to post a weekly update, so... Major progress or not, here it is!
A couple Sundays ago Derwin added the parking area for G-Mac Transfer. Not much has been done to it since then.
The tenement structure itself is pretty much done. This structure has turned out quite well. Can't wait until all the details are added to the surroundings.
Here's another little scene that's starting to take shape. Clayton started working on this a couple Sunday evenings ago. It's really coming along and should add lots of visual interest.
Derwin started getting Kenville ready for ballast.
Brian is progressing on his rural scene.
I was in a destructive mood last Sunday. I tore up about 1/2 the track in Chappellton in order to add the harbour area. It's still a mess, but I hope to get things back together over the weekend. The car float/ferry will be a major addition to this area.
Here's a close up of the future harbour area.
So, that's it for this week. It's great having a bunch of guys working on this. Rather than one scene developing at a time, there are several scenes being worked on at the same time over the whole layout. I love it!
Later!
Scott
Greg started working on detailing the oil dealer in Stevenville. He got the platform constructed Sunday evening, and will work on adding extra details and piping over the next few weeks. It's already starting to look good!
A couple Sundays ago Derwin added the parking area for G-Mac Transfer. Not much has been done to it since then.
The tenement structure itself is pretty much done. This structure has turned out quite well. Can't wait until all the details are added to the surroundings.
Here's another little scene that's starting to take shape. Clayton started working on this a couple Sunday evenings ago. It's really coming along and should add lots of visual interest.
Derwin started getting Kenville ready for ballast.
Brian is progressing on his rural scene.
I was in a destructive mood last Sunday. I tore up about 1/2 the track in Chappellton in order to add the harbour area. It's still a mess, but I hope to get things back together over the weekend. The car float/ferry will be a major addition to this area.
Here's a close up of the future harbour area.
So, that's it for this week. It's great having a bunch of guys working on this. Rather than one scene developing at a time, there are several scenes being worked on at the same time over the whole layout. I love it!
Later!
Scott
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Tenement, Black Pavement, and more
There was no major progress this past week since we decided to operate on Sunday evening instead of work on my layout. It was nice to have a change of pace.
So, here's the Stevenville side of the layout. Almost all of the white plaster and blue foam has been hidden under a coat of paint. This sure looks a whole lot better than it did before!
As you can see I managed to get some more work done on the tenement building. Platforms have been added at each door and a metal roof added over them. Some basic weathering has also been done. You'd think the owner would want to replace the broken siding. You can also see one of my other scratchbuilt cardstock buildings in the background - Picard Packers.
Front Street is now basic black. I need to tone it down some to get it to look more like aged asphalt, then add center lines, parking space lines, manhole covers, cracks, repairs, .... There's still lots to do here!
Here are some shots of Dickie Clothing Company and GM Metals. More details will be added over time.
I may have mentioned the little diorama (64 sq. in.) that I did a year or two ago. Well, here are some close ups of it. I call it "Still Life". Can you figure out why?
So, that's it for this week. I think I'll be spending the weekend making changes to the track arrangement in Chappellton to incorporate a rail barge/ferry. This is the result of a layout visit this past week - thanks Alan!!!!
Until next week,
Scott
So, here's the Stevenville side of the layout. Almost all of the white plaster and blue foam has been hidden under a coat of paint. This sure looks a whole lot better than it did before!
As you can see I managed to get some more work done on the tenement building. Platforms have been added at each door and a metal roof added over them. Some basic weathering has also been done. You'd think the owner would want to replace the broken siding. You can also see one of my other scratchbuilt cardstock buildings in the background - Picard Packers.
Front Street is now basic black. I need to tone it down some to get it to look more like aged asphalt, then add center lines, parking space lines, manhole covers, cracks, repairs, .... There's still lots to do here!
Here are some shots of Dickie Clothing Company and GM Metals. More details will be added over time.
I may have mentioned the little diorama (64 sq. in.) that I did a year or two ago. Well, here are some close ups of it. I call it "Still Life". Can you figure out why?
So, that's it for this week. I think I'll be spending the weekend making changes to the track arrangement in Chappellton to incorporate a rail barge/ferry. This is the result of a layout visit this past week - thanks Alan!!!!
Until next week,
Scott
Friday, February 02, 2007
Finally Up to Date - More or less - Jan. 29, 2007
Ok - I'm finally up to date with this thing. These really are the most recent pictures of the layout, well, of Stevenville at least. From this point on I will try to post a new update within a few days of taking the pics, as close to weekly as I can.
So, this is an overview of most of Stevenville as of last Monday (Jan. 29th). Things are really starting to take shape. I really like using the craft foam for roads. It sure is easier than trying to smooth out plaster. The foam even makes great sidewalks!
Here are a couple closer shot of the "city". I really like the shot looking eastward (the second photo). I can see real promise in this area. I simulated expansion joints in the sidewalk by making a cut every 4 scale feet. It is noticable in the picture.
I still have to paint the roads and weather them up. One of these days I might even finish the large storefront section.
The building on the left is a new structure I'm working on. It will be a tenement with rickity platforms at each floor. If I get creative I might even string some clothes lines with wash on them.
I got the urge to cut up the Picard Packers building and make two structures out of it. You can see the top section of it behind the tenement. It will become Picard Packers Worl Headquarters and a new structure will replace it trackside. The bottom section of the building is to the right, out of the frame.
I have the platforms constructed and I'm working on putting the rafters under the roof section over the platforms. I hope to get it "finished" this weekend and start installing it in place on the layout.
I'll have more progress shots next week.
Later!
Scott
So, this is an overview of most of Stevenville as of last Monday (Jan. 29th). Things are really starting to take shape. I really like using the craft foam for roads. It sure is easier than trying to smooth out plaster. The foam even makes great sidewalks!
Here are a couple closer shot of the "city". I really like the shot looking eastward (the second photo). I can see real promise in this area. I simulated expansion joints in the sidewalk by making a cut every 4 scale feet. It is noticable in the picture.
I still have to paint the roads and weather them up. One of these days I might even finish the large storefront section.
The building on the left is a new structure I'm working on. It will be a tenement with rickity platforms at each floor. If I get creative I might even string some clothes lines with wash on them.
I got the urge to cut up the Picard Packers building and make two structures out of it. You can see the top section of it behind the tenement. It will become Picard Packers Worl Headquarters and a new structure will replace it trackside. The bottom section of the building is to the right, out of the frame.
I have the platforms constructed and I'm working on putting the rafters under the roof section over the platforms. I hope to get it "finished" this weekend and start installing it in place on the layout.
I'll have more progress shots next week.
Later!
Scott
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Scenes Taking Shape - Jan. 21, 2007
There are a few scenes finally starting to take on some semblance of life. It's amazing the difference a few hours can make, once you get beyond a certain point. Getting things ready for plaster and waiting for the plaster to dry take time and scenes don't look a whole lot different afterward. But an hour or two with paint and ground foam really makes a BIG difference!
Brian started working on his section of the layout. He's decided to construct a road crossing over the tracks by bridge into hilly country where there will be some rural type structures and lots of trees. There will be a small brook also crossing under the road bridge. The hill will continue over to the large river which will feature a two tiered waterfall (behind the tressel bridge).
I've been working on the river area playing with carving foam to simulate rocks. So far the results are promising.
Streets are starting to appear in Stevenville. I've been using black craft foam for the pavement. With some painting and weathering I think they'll look pretty good. Banjo Bob's is a structure from one of my UMG modules. It normally sits across the street from Keepemphartin Natural Gas. Hence the sign "Free Beans for Keepemphartin Employees" over the window.
These are some of the more complete scenes. GM Metals is really getting a junkie look to it. Still needs more junk and other details for the complete junkyard effect. Dickie Clothing is getting a little more presentable looking, and GMac Transfer has some colour around it at least.
So, now I'm only one post behind. Almost up to present day. Stay tuned!
Scott
Brian started working on his section of the layout. He's decided to construct a road crossing over the tracks by bridge into hilly country where there will be some rural type structures and lots of trees. There will be a small brook also crossing under the road bridge. The hill will continue over to the large river which will feature a two tiered waterfall (behind the tressel bridge).
I've been working on the river area playing with carving foam to simulate rocks. So far the results are promising.
Streets are starting to appear in Stevenville. I've been using black craft foam for the pavement. With some painting and weathering I think they'll look pretty good. Banjo Bob's is a structure from one of my UMG modules. It normally sits across the street from Keepemphartin Natural Gas. Hence the sign "Free Beans for Keepemphartin Employees" over the window.
These are some of the more complete scenes. GM Metals is really getting a junkie look to it. Still needs more junk and other details for the complete junkyard effect. Dickie Clothing is getting a little more presentable looking, and GMac Transfer has some colour around it at least.
So, now I'm only one post behind. Almost up to present day. Stay tuned!
Scott
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