Model Railroading > Makin' More Mountains...

I've been busy throwing more plaster and latex around at the California Southern Mode Railroad Club. First off a before shot from a couple months back. Sorry, I didn't think to take a better more pulled back angle at the time...

• Starts off with 1" cardboard strips weaved together and hot glued to each other and a strategic 1x2" wood frame work underneath. With extra cardboard here and there to help with the initial shapes.
• Then two layers of Woodland Scenic's plaster cloth to create the base form.
• Next comes the ridge and canyon building with wet recycled paper towels packed in where needed with an additional covering of plaster cloth.
• With that all dry, the final hard shell plaster is worked over the entire surface. 
• Some 150 plaster rock castings along with over a dozen custom rock moulds are added where desired, odd gaps massaged in with plaster.
• Then there's the final plaster chipping and carving to bring back the texture and details. 
• Finally, good ol' fashioned Home Depot / Lowe's latex paints in various earth tones and grays are washed over the set plaster to flesh out the base colors.

Next will come final color touch ups, followed by ground cover and larger scenery details including plenty of bushes and trees.

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A few in progress close ups of the club's own interpretation of the famous Honeymoon Tunnels (seen on the WP's Feather River Canyon route...)

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The other side of the cut...

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Another tunnel portal just uphill at the proper beginning of the layout's second level. Obviously much more work to do, that's why this hobby is such a life long joy.
Mr. MRL

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HERRRRRRRE WE GO !

Nice work-amazing fascia job!

Mike Bannon
St Catharines, ON

Did you take on this project alone? And would you keep us updated please. The end result of many hours of work, that looks great...


Steve

Looking very good.

Looking good!  Your western scenery looks like more fun than my midwestern layout.

I look forward to seeing the finished work.
Dennis

hartrick24 Wrote:
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> Did you take on this project alone? And would you
> keep us updated please. The end result of many
> hours of work, that looks great...
>
>
> Steve


Not really intending to take credit, but yeah, the entire scenery process seen above from the cardboard up is kinda my doing. I keep claiming to not know what I'm doing here, but none of the other members are publicly criticizing the results yet so I keep on pressing on. The layout framework, facia, track and wiring on the other hand, I've been assisting others.

Mr. MRL

CNW Wrote:
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> Looking good!  Your western scenery looks like
> more fun than my midwestern layout.
>
> I look forward to seeing the finished work.
> Dennis

Thanks Dennis. Just wait 'til you see the 1,000+ tree forest on Mt. McIntosh. Just gotta plant a few more conifers up there before I'm satisfied with it.

Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hartrick24 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Did you take on this project alone? And would
> you
> > keep us updated please. The end result of many
> > hours of work, that looks great...
> >
> >
> > Steve
>
>
> Not really intending to take credit, but yeah, the
> entire scenery process seen above from the
> cardboard up is kinda my doing. I keep claiming to
> not know what I'm doing here, but none of the
> other members are publicly criticizing the results
> yet so I keep on pressing on. The layout
> framework, facia, track and wiring on the other
> hand, I've been assisting others.
>
> Mr. MRL

The Scenery Committee chairman (about the only other member who knows how and has even a bit of willingness to do it) thinks it looks great and just offers his opinion as each section begins work.  He stays out of the way because 1) too many hands spoil the stew and 2) there really isn't enough room in that stretch for two people to work.  

MrMRL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CNW Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Looking good!  Your western scenery looks like
> > more fun than my midwestern layout.
> >
> > I look forward to seeing the finished work.
> > Dennis
>
> Thanks Dennis. Just wait 'til you see the 1,000+
> tree forest on Mt. McIntosh. Just gotta plant a
> few more conifers up there before I'm satisfied
> with it.
>
> Mr. MRL

In ths case, "a few" probably will end up being 100-300 trees...