Last one for November

The Linoleum back drop.

Western Wall Lower deck

Tree trunks and branches arrive after the foliage

BJ had painted some stony outcrops and  is now in the process of bringing the trees to life.

The trees are getting trunks and limbs.

The foliage is really making the bare hills look as if they are coming alive.

Southwestern Corner

BJ has blended the backdrop here very well,
Just to the left of the Peco point motor is a tunnel which is on a narrow shelf along side the stairs,
( not a lot of clearance ) you would not know that now by the look of it.

The Bridges

Here we have small wood blocks that support the truss bridges, I hope I can get a visual effect by using foam as a pier in the deep blue yonder.

The centre beam that would normally carry the rails is used on the side of the timber support so I can relay the point motor wires running on the deck. ( if they were underneath they might get SNAGGED )
as the whole thing is a duck under.

See guys! hear what I'm saying, I got the clearance.

Western Wall of Island

The desired effect
I mentioned to BJ about painting the truss bridges in silver paint as I had seen some in silver and some in a real weathered state ( rust ) when I went to the USA a couple of years ago to ride trains,so then BJ brings his Classic Trains mag to show me this shot of D&RGW  FT's  in this valley with silver bridge in the background,I loved the colour of the hills.

Discussions on what, how and why with BJ being coy, ( Jim's at it again with the camera )
What do you reckon BJ !  paint the backdrop like the colour in the magazine.

BJ has made several passes of colour on the backdrop.

The tone of the hills that BJ is putting in is bringing it closer to what we are after.

Some light colour now to bring out some sort of rocky formation.

Looking good.

BJ reviewing his work,  some pastel's maybe ?


BJ adding pastel details.

The end result

I think I might put some sort of quarry here !

We put some rolling stock that was just outside of the tunnel on the outer top loop by the site to see what it would look like. ( just what the Dr ordered )

Colouring the plaster

BJ thought why stop here, lets match the plaster to the back drop, while Chris has a break.

The end result speaks for itself.

Well done BJ  and to our camera man Jim,
Thanks guys for your help.

This is how BJ painted the plaster

Ros's Mate Jamie

After BJ had done all the work we had pizza.
Jamie  looking on, where is MY pizza !

Just watch the performance in this video clip.....

Mid November

More backdrop stuff and bridge construction commenced

Bottom Level

The linoleum was cleaned and is holding up well.

I gave the linoleum backdrop two coats of white paint.

Western Wall

Now for some clouds ! 

BJ has slap'd on some sky blue paint over the white to give the effect of clouds,

The clouds are making progress.

BJ is now painting in the first outline of some hills.

Now that the first outline of the hills are painted in, ( what colour next )

Here BJ is playing catch up with more hill colour while the sky blue dries a bit.

BJ is applying another coat of brown to blend in to the hillside.

A bit more brown splashed in, that should do it.

BJ has put some touches of trees over the brown, which has brought the hillside to life,

Trees,hills and sky are looking good.

Looking good, not a bush fire anywhere !

Where are the sheep ?

Someone said the sheep are grazing,

OK, I spot them, well done BJ.

Southwestern Corner

The sky is done, and the crease is gone,I said the painter will fix it.

The sky has made it around to the southern corner,now its time for the hillside.

BJ has finished the browns on the hillside and has painted the trees.

I hope to have some small backdrop structures in the future to hide the corner.

Southern Wall Adjacent SW Corner

The sky is on and BJ has made a rough outline of where the hills will go.

A clip of how BJ does it.

The shades of brown and trees are on and BJ is blending the cut alongside the tunnel to match what is behind the stairs.

The end result, well done BJ.

The Bridge

The HEAD BANGER, well this had to be fixed with something solid,
I had to protect my brass steamers & diesels from falling off, if it got a bump,coz I would kill or cry,
not sure what would come first, anyway I got three walthers cornerstone truss bridges,built two as per
instructions then shorten the third and then gutted the beams which would normally hold the rails so it would fit over the timber that carries rails and wires to the points coming from the helix, this had to be done so I can go fishing into tunnels, which are at either ends  if something comes off.
                      ( Murphys Law )    know him well.

Thanks BJ,Jim & Chris.
That's  it till next time.
Ros.

Early November Progress

This update includes more work on backdrops in a number of areas.

BJ adding detail with Pastels

North East Corner

BJ is drawing the tree trunks on with pastels.

The pastel trees have brought the north east corner to life. 

The colour of the hills and the pastel trees have toned in well.

More pastel trees on the hillside are bringing the plaster work in the foreground to life.

Above the Helix

BJ has added more trees above the helix

Western Wall

BJ adding pastel tree trunks to the western wall.

Foliage added to tree trucks painted in September

BJ added some lichen to the tree trunks.

A side view of the lichen trees.

Video of his pastel techniques

The wizard and his pastels,

Western Wall Lower Level

The linoleum is up, ( thanks to all hands on deck, Bob, Barry & Pam. ) the liquid nails went off quick.

All we need to do now is clean it !  ( Thanks Jim for the helping hand.)

South Western Corner

Industrial building

We want to install some sort of Industrial building that will hopefully detract from the corner view.
I hope the painter can hide the ripple on the curve !

Facade location

The MDF board was pulled off the southern wall by the stairs and replaced with linoleum so we could install building facades at a later date and have better clearances.

Ros cleaning off installation marks

Thanks to BJ,  Jim, Bob, Barry,Chris & Pam.

That's it till next time.