In-ko-pah RR -- Spring in the desert

[Ray Dunakin]

I needed a break from working on my drugstore model, so lately I've been doing some stuff outdoors on the layout. I'm "fine-tuning" some of the rock work on older areas of the layout, and also creating and installing hundreds of miniature, scale plants. And, I'm working on improving my photography, trying out different camera angles, lighting, etc. Here are a few of my recent photos: . . . . . . . . . This first shot is one of my favorites... A train crosses the Serenity Canyon Viaduct, as the setting sun casts long shadows on the ruins of an old mine: . . . . . . . . . . . . . The fireman of this locomotive takes a moment to enjoy the view as the late afternoon sun highlights the rocks and plants: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A bird's eye view as a train traverses the cliffs of the In-ko-pah Railroad: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A view of the abandoned Monolith Mine, as seen from a train on the Serenity Canyon Viaduct. Note the red-tail hawk on the headframe: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Another view of the train on the Serenity Canyon Viaduct: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scraggly ocotillos, prickly cholla cactus, brittlebush, and other desert shrubs dot this rocky ridge as a train passes in the distance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The train struggles upgrade in the shadow of the cliffs: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[ttrigg]

Ray, I’ve got two questions. One: How did you get the hawk to sit still long enough to take its picture? Two: The vegetation in the last pic, is it real or is it Ray?

[PJM20]

That first picture is perfect picture, I wonder if the fireman in the second picture is watching the hawk. - Peter

[two tone]

Hi Ray   I envy you all that space over here in the UK most of us would give an arm and leg for all that room.   It looks a great layout enjoy running it.

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks! All the plants in these photos are artificial, with the exception of one live cactus near the old mine.

[Ray Dunakin]

I've put together some pics and info about how I make some of the plants on my layout: http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_Plants.html