Pass me the Plaster...

Now that I have my track-plan bedded down, I have been totally consumed with scenery and have more time to think about scenery and do some work in this area.  I have gone with the cardboard strip method also know as Hard Shell scenery I believe.  Yes, there are many ways to do scenery, and I like this method as advocated by Joe Fugate in one of his writings.  As he says if a mistake is made, it is reasonably easy to remove the scenery and start again.  Also, it is very cheap, with only a hot glue-gun and hot glue sticks required, and you need to cut some thick card-board strip which cost nothing.

The only issue I find with this method is the use of a Hot Glue gun.  When hot, the glue creates alot of glue-strings.  It's little messy but not too much effort to clean up.  On top of the cardboard strips, I use 1 inch masking tape then apply a plaster mix.  This one is used on Geoffs' layout and is really an excellent product to work with.

I have also put some more time into the trees, trying to make them more fuller and real.  I think I am getting there slowly.  Now I cannot stop to admire the beauty in the wild trees when I go for walks or when driving. 

Here is a brief video showing the progress so far and some photos of the trees.  Off-course this is not completed as I would like to add grass, fences, more trees, some water, shrubs and more earth hues.

Tree Attack

The last few weekends I decided I need to focus on the trees on the layout now that I have my track plan bedded down.  For years I have had lichen lying round which I bought many moons ago and I decided to have a go with making the trees look half decent.

Anyway here are some photos of my efforts - I think I need to get back to them and give them a fuller,  healthier look.

Changing Points

Have you ever worked with a tool that always bought you joy when using it.  Maybe it was the quality of the build or the end result of the work done.  I took the plunge to buy the Modratec System for changing points on the layout.  Now every-time I use it, it is just a joy to use!  It has made operation/shunting 50 fold more enjoyable.  Constructing the kit was pretty straight forward and the quality of the kit is top rate.  Harold has done an exceptional job making sure the system is very reliable with adjustments seldom needed.   His ideas and concept is really worth a hats off!  I was so impressed with it, I bought another set of the 6 point level frame.  If you haven't had a look at the system, hop over to his site.

EMD 567 Sound

Back in August of last year I took up the challenge of installing sound.  I was inspired by watching a video where the modeler installed sound in a small tank engine.  He really gave me the confidence.

Now with sound chips becoming more realistic and less gimmicky, I did some research and decided to purchase the latest Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 chips.  One thing I really liked about this chip was the working dynamic brakes. After taking a huge risk and parting with $150 for the sound chip and two speakers, I found myself with the challenge of installing it in my B Class loco.

So with some trepidation, and working slowly and carefully, I installed the sound chip and speakers and over an entire weekend, I was able to get the installation completed.  There were a few retries when trying to get the shell to sit tightly.  I was really pleased with the outcome.
Here are some photos of the install and a couple of videos.

Note how the headlight automatically turns on as the loco rolls, then turns off.

Dyno's sound fantastic!

Pretty cool!

Some Scenery Work

I thought I'd start doing some scenery on the layout.  With no particular idea in mind, I decided a make a cutting of some sort.

I used a combination of materials and techniques to test.  I used cardboard strips, plaster strips an masking tape.

As you can see from the photos I think it came out pretty good, but still working on an overall idea as I would like some sort of river or creek to parallel the cutting and go under a rail bridge.

Visit to Jacko's

Last weekend we had the opportunity to catch up with Greg out at Rathdowney.  It was good to see his layout again and to get together with the other chaps.  I took some video of the event which can be found here:

The Plan to end all Plans?

Well well well, what do you know.  I actually think I have developed and layed out the plan I was searching for all this time.  The plan consists of passing through the main scene and station area once only, then running laps for the purpose of enjoying the rail fanning experience and then exiting to staging.  I really wanted the main-line running laps concept as I really enjoy seeing trains actually putting on some mileage.  Previous plans I had had continuous runs, however trains would pass the same main town scene twice.   This just didn't fit well with me after a while.

Now, I have it such that the loop of track where continuous run happens is basically country so I don't really care if the trains pass the scene more than once here as out in the sticks everything looks the same after a while - have you ever gone on a long road trip - or even a long train ride out to the sticks?

I even solved the issue of where to put a turntable!  Boy am I pleased with what I have now.  No steep gradients, and no reverse loops!  I am really pleased.