1st scenery project / Take a model train to work

[spovlot]

A few months ago, I posted a message about my 1st DPM structure. I got some great feedback from the group. So, then I wanted to take a stab at some scenery. Since this was my first scenery attempt, I decided to do a simple diorama to get some practice. I also thought this would be a good project for the "Take a Model Train to Work Day". So I completed it and took it to work today. I got some nice compliments about the diorama. I was amazed at the people that said "We had trains when I was growing up".

This project was really my first time using "wet" water, matte medium, ground foam, Scuptamold, ballast and figures. Wow! At least I am not afraid of trying new things. I also decided to even do some scratch building with a wooden fence. I cut each board from a sheet of balsa wood. I think next time I will get a fence kit or at least precut scale stripwood. I also handpainted the 2 figures with cameras taking pictures of the trains. The other figures I purchased already painted. I think that I did pretty well.

I posted some pictures on Yahoo! so that you can see it. Go to http://photos.yahoo.com/spovlot and click on "Take a Train to Work 2004"
album to see the pictures. Please let me know your comments and constructive criticism.
But be nice. ;-)

Thanks,

Scott
[:D]

[Anonymous]

Nice work Scott!

[PennsyHoosier]

Very nice work. I have only one suggestion: you should have done the DPM brewery. [:D]

In all seriousness, if this you first attempt, you are doing GREAT!

[eng22]

I like it, what mortor technique did you use?

[Noah Hofrichter]

Wow! Scott, that is nice! Keep up the good work!

Noah

[spovlot]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eng22

I like it, what mortor technique did you use?

For the drugstore, I ground up chalk (from my kids' sidewalk chalk [:D]) and pushed it into the grooves in the wall. Then I sprayed the wall with matte fini***o seal it. Actually, I had to do that twice. I didn't realize that when I used the spray can it would blow off half of the chalk.

The other building is just painted boxcar red and then I added a wash of antique white. Then I dry brushed the streaks with white and grey.

[egmurphy]

I agree, very nice work. Especially so if this was your first time using some of these techniques. Love the fence. The whole scene ties together well.

You asked for comments. There were only two things that I noticed (and I looked, since you asked). One would be add a bit more roof detail. There's a lot of roof area in the scene, maybe a few more vents, stairwell exit, or the usual junk you find on roofs, just to break it up. The other thing might be to place a bit more ground cover, or maybe some coarse turf/weeds around the base of a couple of the buildings where you can see the bottom of the wall clear of the base.

Minor suggestions on a well done diorama.

And you get extra credit for taking it to work. Who knows whether you might be the spark to get someone else to return to the hobby.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

very nicely done!

[Anonymous]

Awesome, it's very inspiring

Jared

[spovlot]

Thanks for the complements. Can you suggest a vendor that makes good roof details? I suppose I will need to buy them in bulk. [:)] Also, what is the "usual junk" on roofs?

I did learn several things doing this. As you noticed, there is a gap on one of the walls to the base. I really regretted gluing the structures down. That is what caused the gaps. More ground cover would have masked that problem. Thanks!

I also learned that I should not try to use plaster for curbs. These curbs are about a foot high in scale. I think someone would break their neck. [xx(] Last night I was watching Great Model Railroad video #2 with George Sellios. He explained how he did roads and sidewalks. He used stripwood for sidewalks which should give a more realistic height.


Scott

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

I agree, very nice work. Especially so if this was your first time using some of these techniques. Love the fence. The whole scene ties together well.

You asked for comments. There were only two things that I noticed (and I looked, since you asked). One would be add a bit more roof detail. There's a lot of roof area in the scene, maybe a few more vents, stairwell exit, or the usual junk you find on roofs, just to break it up. The other thing might be to place a bit more ground cover, or maybe some coarse turf/weeds around the base of a couple of the buildings where you can see the bottom of the wall clear of the base.

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Can you suggest a vendor that makes good roof details? I suppose I will need to buy them in bulk. Also, what is the "usual junk" on roofs?

Probably the most common items that come to mind are:
1. chimney for boiler/heating system
2. small vent pipes for plumbing system vents
3. roof entry/exit to stairwell
4. skylights

Getting a bit more exotic might add items such as:
5. air conditioner compressor/ductwork
6. roof drains
7. electrical power supply

I wouldn't worry about buying these. No one really knows what they look like and there are so many variations that it's easy to scratch build your own. It's really just to make the roof areas look a bit busier and not so empty. People kind of know that 'stuff' is up there, but they don't know what.

Scratch building items 1-4 might entail:
1. Small square chimney made out of plastic or balsa. Could be brick. Could just paint black.
2. Plumbing vent pipes made from straws, bits of wire or insulation, or brass tubing if you wanted to be fancy.
3. Stairwell exit - scratch build from scribed wood siding. Think of two or three phone booths stuck together, with a slanting shed roof. One door in the high end.
4. Skylight - think of a tiny rectangular greenhouse.

Again, congrats. If I find some more info on roof details I'll be back.

Regards

Ed