14 June 2022
Early this past month I received the 50 lb bag of Hydrocal I ordered about a month earlier:
On 8 June I started applying the Hydrocal to the south end of Wind River Canyon. First I mixed in some dry brown tempera pigment so the stuff wouldn't be stark white.
I've never used Hydrocal before, so I didn't really know what I was doing. But the only way to learn was to try it out and see what happened, so I made up y first batch of soupy hydrocal and brushed it onto the plaster cloth. The result:
I left that to dry overnight. Seemed okay the next day, so I continued on with some more similar applications. I got to this point:
Then I decided it was time to add some rocks around the tunnel opening. I've never made plaster rocks before, so this was another step into the unknown for me. I made a rock mold from slightly crumpled-up aluminum foil, mixed up some more Hydrocal, this time with black pigment to simulate the dark rocks in this area, and poured it into the mold.
After letting it begin to set up, I slapped the filled mold up against the plaster wall. I gave the plaster about 10 more minutes to cure, then peeled off the foil, leaving me with this:
That came out a lot better than I expected! One thing I learned, though - pigmented Hydrocal dries darker than the wet mix looks, while plaster of Paris dries much lighter than the wet mix looks.
I made another, smaller rock wall panel and applied it to the wall just inside the tunnel. After drying for about 12 hours, things looked like this:
I was pretty encouraged by how this was looking, but after a couple days I decided it needed a revision. Here's what the real location looks like:
Notice the road that runs along the wall and over the tunnel opening. That was the road that provided access to the first Boysen Reservoir dam. I want that road on my model, but it was too high up on the canyon wall. So yesterday I took a utility knife and serrated kitchen knife to the area. I took off the top part of the new rock wall and a bit of the plaster cloth, leaving this:
Once I add a bit of plaster to the wall again, I'll have a road that looks similar to the real one. Great! I'll do that in the next few days, then proceed on with more rock casting.
To be continued...
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
8 June 2022
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! And thanks for the humor, Bear.
Ed, that link to the Microscale decals looks like just what I need. Thanks a lot! Now I just need to relearn decaling (haven't done it in about 50 years!).
Another excellent video, Mark.
I suggest the painting of the fascia board.
As for some skirting to cover below? Don't know. I am asking the same question for myself.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Close but no cigar!
Maybe this?
http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MD&Product_Code=87-1130&Category_Code=CBQ
Might be worthwhile to completely remove all numbers from the cab side and replace all four with the decal. Maybe?
http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/graphics/Instructions/87-1130instr.pdf
Cheers, Ed
(Click on photo to enlarge it.)
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Mark, another great video and your usual sartorial splendor.
Regarding the skirting, I would encourage you to do it. And, I would recommend pleating for a more professional, finished look. To avoid trapping air under the layout, leave a small opening at the bottom of the skirt, maybe 4" to 6". The gap won't even be noticeable for the most part.
You may already have been asked this, or provided an answer to this, but as an alternative to foam, why did you not simply form chicken wire. The end result will be gorgeous when you are done, no doubt, but just wonder what prompted you to clear out the Owens-Corning warehouse.
At this point in the construction process, I am simply overwhelmed by the enormity of the project and the layout itself. You are in a part of the hobby with which I am not familiar.
Rich
Alton Junction
Another great video Mark! Thanks for the update.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Rich, the skirting in the photo is about 5" off the floor. I was thinking it looked like I was waiting for a flood or something, but you make a good point about mustiness under the layout.
Ray, I've got so much stuff under the layout I thought the skirting would improve the appearance. Maybe not - maybe I'll just paint any exposed benchwork (legs and braces, mostly), and see how that looks.
Dave, pleats sounds like a lot of work, and that material isn't cheap. Even on sale at 40% off, it was about $7 a yard. Maybe I'll try Bear's idea with black sheets. They can't be any more expensive (unless I buy the silk ones).
3 June 2022
I just posted my latest layout update video:
richhotrainYou might also consider pleating the skirt to make it look more professional.
Hi Mark,
I agree with Rich. Unfortunately of course, making the pleats will take three times the material. One of the disadvantages of not having pleats is that there isn't a lot of 'give' to the material. If something pushes against it, like a human leg for example, the material will quickly be pulled tight. That may cause the fabric to come loose, and it might jiggle the benchwork enough to derail a train.
I would also make a couple of other suggestions:
First, do it in 3' or 4' sections. That will make it much easier to move the skirting aside to retrieve something.
Second, I would mount it with velcro on the front of the fascia. That will make it very easy to remove and re-install when needed (like when scenicing). Hemming the edges would make the material look better and last, but if you don't have a sewing machine, you could get a local alterations shop to hem the fabric, do the pleats and install the velcro all at the same time.
Might just be my personal preference, but I've never liked skirting. Better to not hide stuff under the layout and have an open clean look.
Your canyon scene is going to be awesome! I'm looking forward to your next monthly update in a couple of days.
Ray
Pruitt Mostly I've continued work on the canyon, but on the 19th I picked up some fabric from Hobby Lobby and created part of a skirt under Casper. Other than all the wrinkles, what do you think? I need some feedback on whether this is worth doing.
Mostly I've continued work on the canyon, but on the 19th I picked up some fabric from Hobby Lobby and created part of a skirt under Casper. Other than all the wrinkles, what do you think? I need some feedback on whether this is worth doing.
When I did mine in a climate controlled basement, my wife complained that it trapped air under the layout creating a musty smell. I never noticed it, but she did. So, you might think of some way to vent it. Maybe don't let it quite reach the floor. That may have been my problem.
You might also consider pleating the skirt to make it look more professional. If you use Google Images, type in 'pleated skirt model railroad layout' and you will see some nicely done pleated skirts.
That's weird. I know I put it in...
Oh well, I went back and edited it in.
Thanks for letting me know!
The canyon is coming along nicely.
I don't see the picture of the cloth skirt in your post.
hon30critterThat's impressive Mark! Dave
27 May 2022
Back to the canyon, On the 20th I began hacking away at the stacks of poam with a hot wire cutter. This eliminates most of the square corners. This is the wall between the two southernmost tunnels.
After finishing with the hot wire cutter I went after the foam with a Surfoam tool. That tears out small bits of foam and roughens the surface, giving the plaster something to grab on to. Here I'm working above the second tunnel from the south entrance to the canyon, identified as Tunnel 4 on the prototype (The southernmost tunnel is Tunnel 5, simply called "Black Tunnel" by the train crews, because of the color of the rocks).
That Surform tool sure leaves a mess on the floor!
By the 25th I applied all the plaster cloth I had on hand. Here's how it looks now:
All the horizontal steps you see in the plaster cloth will be eliminated when I apply plaster over the surface and begin carving rocks, which will cover most of what you see here.
I have 50 lbs of hydrocal on order, due to arrive about 1 June. While I'll cast some rocks, most will be carved by hand to approximate what's actually in the canyon. I anticipate going through a lot of Xacto blades!
That's impressive Mark!
Thanks tankertoad135! I try to maintain a decent level of production standards.
17 May 2022
The last few weeks I've spent almost entirely on the Wind River Canyon. I got a second shipment of plaster cloth (two rolls this time) and added a second layer to what I'd already done. Can't really see much difference, but I think it stiffens things up more. That will be important when I start hanging rock castings all over the place.
I also ordered 50 lbs. of hydrocal to make the rocks.
By the 10th I had part of wall behind the tracks north of the first tunnel, Tunnel 5 (called Black Tunnel, presumably because of the rock color, by BNSF train crews), is being stacked. To the right in this shot Tunnel 4 is being framed in.
Here's another view of tunnel 4.
By the 13th the canyon looked like this. The wall between Black Tunnel and Tunnel 4 is almost full height, and work is beginning north of Tunnel 4.
Here's the canyon as of today, May 17 just after noon, from near the end of the peninsula. I've worked my way all the way north to where the third tunnel will start in the distance. Note that I started stacking the foam in an open cribbing style north of the flat sloping sheets of foam. Saves a lot of material.
Once again Mr. Pruitt, the quality of your videos is superb and your monthly updates are a big hi-light for me as I anticpate each new update!
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
PruittBear, what about the beer?!? You didn't mention the beer!!!! I look a lot better after you've had one or two... or fourteen.
Thanks Bear, Rich, Douglas, Dave, John!
Bear, what about the beer?!? You didn't mention the beer!!!! I look a lot better after you've had one or two... or fourteen.
Rich, you had me laughing out loud. I'm twice as good as Michael Jackson - I had a glove on each hand!
I really love your videos, Mark. Keep up the great work!
York1 John
DoughlessGreat video Mark. I enjoy watching your progress.
Ditto!
Great video Mark. I enjoy watching your progress.
- Douglas
Mark, this is clearly your best video yet.
Outstanding opening, worthy of an Oscar for Best Short Film. Your elegant attire was suitable for an appearance at the Met Gala. I was waiting to see one of the Kardashian girls on your arm. But, the real showstopper was the appearance of the Michael Jackson glove at 0:40 of the video. If only you had done the Moon Walk!
Let's see now. What am I forgetting? Oh, the layout. A fantastic work in progress, as usual!
Thanks Dave!
I just posted my latest update video:
PruittWork has progressed on the Wind River Canyon. Over the last few days I've built up the south end of the canyon to it's final height:
That canyon is going to be impressive!
Rich, I'll see what I can do!
21 April 2022
Work has progressed on the Wind River Canyon. Over the last few days I've built up the south end of the canyon to it's final height:
Obviously this is just the rough base. Next I'll carve out the basic shapes of the mountains in this area before I proceed northward though the rest of the canyon.
I also tested the tunnel, of course. I had to do a bit of foam trimming on the inside where a bit of foam was too close to the tracks. Here's a close up of my largest locomotive, a Santa Fe type, exiting the tunnel towards Thermopolis.
No doubt about it - I have to get that bell replaced!
Pruitt Rich, if they weren't so darned expensive, you'd see me occasionally in bib overalls with appropriate gloves on too.
Rich, if they weren't so darned expensive, you'd see me occasionally in bib overalls with appropriate gloves on too.