Workshop Wednesday

Discussion in 'General' started by yardmaster, Nov 15, 2017.

  1. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Hi Gary:

    I was going to try to create "my" version of Colorado. By that I mean, what Colorado means to me. Namely, like taking the most rugged portions and mix in with it a lot of whimsy. I would assume that IF I was able to produce such scenes on the backdrop, then some would have called it "funky fantastic" modeling, and that would probably be an apt description. In other words, I was hoping to achieve a presentation that was more theatrical than realistic. This is why I wasn't able to consider photographic backdrops for Colorado, for that wasn't the presentation I wanted. I didn't want realism, I wanted theatrical/dramatic. Here's a couple of examples that sort of illustrate what I was hoping to achieve (Edit: I latched onto these painted examples off the internet. I did NOT paint them.) :

    SurrealMtns2.jpg
    SurrealMtns1.jpg

    Of course, in a perfect world, I would have been able to create distant mountains, evergreens, and deciduous trees in autumn foliage like this:

    Image4.jpg

    Recently, I attempted to hone my meager painting skills with practice scenes, and was willing to set my standards notably lower than any of the above, but even so doing, I was simply not producing anything that I could be happy with. I came to the conclusion that I would likely never be satisfied with my results, and thus the layout would become a source of frustration instead of something I enjoyed creating.

    The conclusion I came to, is that IF I wanted to be able to paint mythical Colorado backdrops, I should have started learning to do so decades ago, and continued painting to this day. That I didn't do (didn't even think to, actually), and now it's a bit late to start learning to be a Bob Ross or John Allen!

    It is what it is, and I'm accepting it.

    Andre
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2019
  2. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Rocky Mountains. A beautiful scene. always great to see. RR's sometimes dont understand what that means.
    Was there just yesterday, today, and prolly tomorrow. Beautiful. Right up till you work there. Got a crew tonight on a train at "Rocky" , 7000 ft elev. 12,000 tons and their power was not good, had bad traction motors on a 2.5-6% grade.

    Some great painting skills Andre. Wow. I wish we could make a trip together, you have a great representation of these Rockies.
     
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  3. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Tom:

    Just be reminded that I did NOT paint any of the above, those are examples lifted from the 'net to illustrate what I WANTED to portray... but didn't have the SKILL SETS needed to DO SO. My efforts fell quite short of any of the above.

    Curious: Your scenario you describe...

    "Got a crew tonight on a train at "Rocky" , 7000 ft elev. 12,000 tons and their power was not good, had bad traction motors on a 2.5-6% grade."

    Okay... you make that sound as if it's REAL. Are you talking about your LAYOUT... or honest to gosh "real life"? (You're still pounding the rails, right?)

    If you're talking layout: THAT'S what can be very "fun" about our layouts, that is, we can get so immersed into our imaginary world we're creating they can become an alter reality. That's a fun zone to be in with model railroading. Very glad you're enjoying your hobby to that degree if that's the case.

    And yes, it would have been great to have made a trip with you on the real deal... OR on the layout!

    Curious factoid: Just this week, the thought actually entered my mind to talk to the RRB (aka Railroad Retirement Board) see how it would complicate things, benefit wise, for me to perhaps work extra for a nearby short line. :D

    I wouldn't want to work all the time... but wouldn't mind a day a week. Doubt I'll actually make a move on this idea... but I was surprised to see that it crossed my mind!

    I guess when it's in your blood... it's there for life.

    Andre
     
  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Hmmm. Those single malts make for a pretty expensive paint thinner.
    K
     
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  5. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    That applies to me, too. Since mid-October. Hoping to get back to the workbench soon - maybe this weekend, if the snowfall forecast is reasonably on-target.

    Enjoying seeing everyone else's workings. Even in the absence of being able to do anything myself, it is inspiring and motivating.
     
  6. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    In between work and all the pre-surgery testing (going well), I managed to finish the body mount coupler conversion on the two IHC cars and adjust the coupler heights. Still need to add weights. If they end up performing well enough I may add interior and exterior lighting in the future. 20190111_142325.jpg
     
  7. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    image.jpeg image.jpeg Well, my first Barge is complete now. I will start the second one tomorrow. Now for the question of the week, How do you' all think about waterline boats or barges ? I had thought I would pour water then block the bottom and set the boat into the water to dry. Not sure I should do that, your comments ?
     
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  8. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    Looks great, I have a bunch of the 508 couplers, I don't know if your using them. I also have extra interiors. If you need some drop me a PM. Hope your health is going good Bill
     
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  9. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    William:

    What's your source on the backdrop in picture 1 of the above post of yours?

    Andre
     
  10. I guess it depends how deep you want them to sit in the water Bill. Blocking them up to make them sit higher? Is the barge empty or full, that would make a difference.
    Who made that Tugboat kit? Great scene you have going.
     
  11. gna

    gna Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I like Dave Frary's How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery:
    [​IMG]

    He has a section on painting backdrops. And, of course, there's Bob Ross...
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2019
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  12. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Hi Gary!

    Yup, I have the first edition purchased a loooong time ago. That book helped me to take the plunge and start learning scenery.

    However, as for Colorado: I've pulled the plug on it. Period. The Colorado lure has cost me a LOT of indecision and procrastination for YEARS. (Decade+?)

    Since my decision to return to Ozark modeling, my modeling productivity has pretty much doubled, AND with the decision to do a dual-era on my layout (late 19th century/early-mid 1960s), my excitement level about STARTING the layout is higher than ever. My track planning has reached the last town, and once I get a town drawn to my liking, I can seriously start to think about cutting lumber.

    All fer now!

    Andre
     
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  13. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    Andre, the backdrop is from "Backdrop Junction" Mine had a lot of misprints on it. I would suggest holding some of the funding on full payment. I was able to disguise some of it, but shouldn't have to. He may have the bugs worked out now.
     
  14. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    The barge is Mty, but my second one will be loaded. I am thinking small blocks, under the bottom. It's flat and then pouring until the liquid touches the bottom. The Tug Boat is a Walthers, good kit, goes togather nice.
     
  15. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    Kinda nice to be talking about modeling on the site. Maps don't do it for me. No !!!!!!! Offense now to all you historians. Ha Ha !
     
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  16. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Thanks for the heads-up, William! When the time comes to start procuring photo backdrops, I will proceed with caution.

    I intend to use generic deciduous tree covered autumn mountain photo backdrop scenes. The Ozarks are a lot like any other deciduous forested mountains, such as the Smokey's, Berkshires, Alleghenies, etc.

    BTW, once I DO make a decision and get a couple of sheets of backdrops in hand, I intend to photograph portions of them, and export them to my computer so I can run them through my photo software. Over the decades I have become somewhat proficient at photo shopping, and I intend to photo shop some "patches" that can be printed out, trimmed, and pasted onto the backdrop to blend in. Said "patches" will reflect elements that I want on the back drop, such as the tops of the buildings in a "small town" that's on the backdrop so as to give the impression there's a town "right over there". Thus I don't have to make room for it "on layout". Same with industries, such as a gravel plant, or lime plant. At least, that's my story an' I'm a' stickin' to it. :D

    Andre
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2019
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  17. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    Thanks Bill. I'm actually doing away with the truck mounted couplers and the trucks themselves and going to body mounted couplers (Kadee #146s) with different trucks.

    I may take you up on some interiors.
     
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  18. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Hey Andre Im talking about the read deal.. Just the other night we had a loaded coal train headed East got down to 2.6 mph in a snow storm, never any sand in these units it seems. I guess the folks working this power never even look in the sand boxes, which is crucial on these hi HP units.. The power was set up 2x2x2
    The H/E was dropping it's load, so the hoghead built fences put the B,C sets in 8 throttle, and throttled back to 6 on the H/E and crawled up the west side up to Winter Park. And didn't stall, he did a great job. Sometimes RRing in the Rockies ain't much fun. We are having a wet winter so far here.
     
  19. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Great stuff everyone, I am having a hard time keeping up with all the activity on this thread. You are doing a great job!
     
  20. Andre, I took a bunch of pictures at Eric Brooman's house. (UTAH BELT) he has painted backdrops around the entire layout. I could email them to you if you want to get some ideas? Keep in mind he is a retired art teacher BUT they are really quite simple but effective.

    Steve
     
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