Ground Cover and Backdrop Update

Ground Cover Scenery Work:

Started applying scenery texture to the baseboard. I'm using a mix of tan and brown unsanded grout for the dirt. The mix is about 8 parts tan to 1 part brown. I recently ran out of my supply of Monster Model Works Diorama Dirt, so I needed to create a substitute. I'm liking the unsanded grout a lot.

The grass areas are just a base coat of Woodland Scenics blended turf. It gives the baseboard a finished look, but the scenery layers are far from finished. I'll be adding static grasses and other various textures to the scene before it can be called finished. 

I'm using foam core for the backdrop. I'm building the structures from foamcore as well. I will also laminate printed images directly to the foamcore buildings.

Until next time, 

Tom 

Pavement-Track Weathering-Ballast

I used lightweight spackle for the pavement areas of the layout. I allowed everything to thoroughly dry before moving on to track weathering. Pavement color is a mix of India Ink and just a small speck of Raw Sienna to warm up the color. 

I weathered the track using acrylic paints thinned with water. I like to use Unbleached Titanium, Raw Sienna, Brown, and Black with most ties/sleepers being a gray color. 

Next, I apply a mix of fine gray and fine buff ballast. I use about a 3 parts gray to 1 part buff mix for this trackwork. I work carefully using brushes and my fingers to level and shape the ballast around the trackwork.

I like to use 91% isopropyl alcohol and Woodland Scenics Scenic Cement for securing the ballast. I apply the alcohol first and saturate the ballast using the rails as a guide. This keeps the solution from gouging out the ballast when applied. I follow the same procedure with the scenic cement. 

I avoid touching or fiddling with the ballast while it's wet. It is best to wait until everything is thoroughly dry, usually 24 hours for me. 

Up Next:

Things should start rolling along now. I will begin applying ground textures (dirt, grass, etc.) and begin building the structures and backdrop for the layout.

I'm setting March 31, 2021 as my goal date for completion of this project. 🤞

Tom