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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1075 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2011 : 06:16:14 AM
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Verne-
What a strong contrast with the gritty, charred coke oven scene. Breaking the view of the train also adds interest.
The highlighting on the roof pulled everything together. Very nice little oasis.
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
2028 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2011 : 6:41:12 PM
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Thanks, Mark. I had been thinking about this scene for so long, I hadn't considered that perspective. It does draw the viewer in having the station between them and the tracks, but I wanted a small structure so it wouldn't block too much of a view of my little trains...I don't have that much real estate!
My desire for this scene was to create an arid, sunny, but inviting scene...a place you would like to stay a while and watch trains. I also wanted this structure to reflect the pride of the Estrella Mining Company, the E&SG's parent company. Copper prices are up, and the stucco is in good repair here. I thought a little green would help relieve the austere desert scenery, so I set out today to make a palo verde tree - my second attempt. This one turned out better, I think.
I couldn't resist having it in bloom, as are the trees on the ridge near my home. They are explosions of brilliant yellow-green, the model doesn't quite do the color justice. It was made from a dried manzanita armature that I sprayed, then dry brushed and stained on the lower area of the trunk to capture the rough, grayish texture of an older tree. The upper branches are light green. The foliage is the horsetail foliage made by Silflor, glued to the armature with Aileen's Tacky Glue and hairspray. The blossoms are old Woodland Scenics flower foam I have had since 1985 or so...it was time to use it up! I bonded the blossoms to the foliage with more of my wife's hairspray, dont' tell her!
I added a senite cactus on the opposite side, and am looking for a better source for plants in the four pots. I will have to check out Michael's, and perhaps Scenic Express...tulips are definitely out, they are really nice but don't grown in the desert!
Juan seems to have found some shade and is putting it to good use! I am feeling a little sleepy looking at Juan here, and think I will take a nap. |
Edited by - MinerFortyNiner on 12/04/2011 01:09:56 AM |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10255 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2011 : 7:10:23 PM
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| Very nice scene Verne! |
Mike |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
2028 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2011 : 03:04:59 AM
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More progress tonight...
After a few sessions of weathering and toning down weathering, the station scene is complete.
Here's a detail view of the texture and weathering. The pot by the door is used as a cuspidor. The station agent hates it when customers spit on the floor!
The scene is complete, and is intended to be a bit of color and shady relief from the harsh desert. Juan is still enjoying his siesta.
I also made some ocotillo (pronounced oh-ko-tea-oh) from floral wire, flocked with fine green foam with blossoms made from frayed ends dipped in Woodland Scenics red flower foam. With the small leaves and blossoms evident, this is another sign that it's springtime in Sonora.
These look like ungainly, thorny dead sticks in the summer, but in the springtime they have more color and appeal. These grow throughout the Sonoran Desert, and I always wanted to make some.
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Edited by - MinerFortyNiner on 12/04/2011 01:31:51 AM |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16524 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2011 : 03:20:41 AM
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I love this desert greenery, Verne.
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Frederic Testard |
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Dustymalaymann
Engine Wiper
Malaysia
133 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2011 : 12:29:22 AM
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Hi Vern, looking REAL good. I have never been down your way but I know I would recognise it if I did, the station is something else, you have modelled it perfectly,and I love the greenery.
Keith Miller |
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dallas_m
Fireman
USA
3142 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2011 : 02:02:49 AM
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¡Excelente, señor! |
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andykins
Fireman
United Kingdom
3951 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2011 : 07:00:34 AM
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| i love the guy alseep under the tree and the pot. very good |
"Is it really "rivet counting" if it's regarding NBW castings?"
Unknown |
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Geezer
Fireman
USA
8291 Posts |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
2028 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2011 : 01:23:07 AM
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Thanks, guys!
I took some time over the weekend to run trains with a friend and my dad, it was nice to get the track really clean and fire up the DCC. I also rescued a new sound-equipped Shay that cracked its gears after running it twice. I had the NWSL gear kit, so I was able to get her running silky-smooth. What a kick! A couple of hours of sheer dread messing with the lineshafts finally resulted in euphoria when everything worked out ok. Yikes! |
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Tommatthews
Fireman
7357 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2011 : 09:24:11 AM
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Verne,
The guys have said it all ..... very good
Good to hear the shay is running smoothly.
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10255 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2011 : 10:53:46 AM
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| [:-thumbu] Very charming! |
Mike |
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CieloVistaRy
Fireman
USA
4474 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2011 : 9:21:14 PM
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Excellent scenery! I always enjoy the updates.
Arthur |
Arthur
Cielo Vista Railway (on30) |
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evangardner
Section Hand
New Zealand
89 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2011 : 8:04:52 PM
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| I love the weathering on the station. The cracks are great, they look just like every wall in our house after all the quakes! |
Evan Gardner
Christchurch, New Zealand
http://www.ferrus-workshops.com |
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Gary
New Hire
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2011 : 10:31:42 PM
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| great stuff looks really good |
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Topic |
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Building the Estrella & Sonora Grande RR
Topic Locked
