Model Railroading > The Weeds Are Growing!

Some weedy scenery is starting to finally grow along the Chicago Line on the Conrail Onondaga Cutoff - now the track department is going to have to set up a budget for weed spraying. :-)

~RGDave

www.onondagacutoff.blogspot.com

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Great photo - reminds me of the well maintained line as I saw it in the 1990s. Who makes the ballast? It looks like you are using a blend - is that right.

Nice rail weathering too.

When I first saw the photo I was struck by how great the ballast and track look, but I see that has already been noted by two great modelers, so I'll just second their comments.

Warren

Thanks for the kind words!

I used several layers of ballast by Arizona Rock & Mineral, #1352 'UP/Silverton/WP Bold Gray' which was a very good match for 1990's-era prototype photos in the area I am modeling. I also used some #1032 'Black Cinder' and #1222 'Yard Mix' on the shoulders to blend the mainline areas into the scenery.

The track was weathered with a spray can of Floquil Rail Tie Brown before ballasting, and was then touched up with a brush and my own mixture of flat rust shades.

I am working on improving the techniques and still have a lot to learn about the foliage and trees, but I'm excited at how well the track is turning out!

Thanks again!
~RGDave
www.onondagacutoff.blogspot.com