Modeling winter has posed new challenges and new details to pay attention to including dead leaves under trees, barren branches, possible ice around puddles and perpetually wet road conditions not to mention the lighter colors of grass and weeds and exposed tangled underbrush. Tonight I addressed the dead leaves issue. I found good natural leaves on my garage floor and baked them a few minutes on a cookie sheet. Then I put them in a Baggie and crushed them into a powder almost. I then sifted the crushed leaves over a paper plate and sprinkled them under trees. I will make more to place in other strategic spots but here are some views of this evenings task. I still need to start that coal bin. These dead leaves could be added to scenes in all seasons as well. This technique is cheap and easy and I think it really adds detail.
Jim, that turned out real good. Just looking at it makes me cold. I don't know if I'd add any snow. I would add water puddles though and rut the road a little bit. You have such a talent for modeling the surroundings. My friend who came over yesterday looked at the pics and commented on the videos. He is in awe of your work. So am I. Keep up the good work.
I'm afraid trying model some details may prove to be a distraction to the overall scene. If I were to start over on my roads I would change a thing or two. I would make a better sealed puddle base because water is wicking away. I would paint the road base very dark brown instead of the much lighter color I used. I'm just not feeling the ruts yet.
I hear ya. Like I said, I'm only throwing ideas out to you. This is YOUR railroad. I'm enjoying every moment of it.
Found this out. Those dried dead crushed sifted leaves are great tree foliage for those trees that seem to hang on to their dead leaves all winter. Just another detail to make winter modeling that much more interesting. I just love using natural materials for scenery. I'm cheap.
Jim, that looks so much better than any other store bought, manufactured ground/tree cover. All you are doing is taking leaves from the outside, baking for about 7 minutes, then crushing and spreading? Awesome! Keep up the good work!
Wind blows some of those leaves around, so if those circular leaf pads showed a little downwind drifting into an oval or even a "feathered" oval, it would be even more convincing. (Of course, it's up to you to figure the latest, strongest or prevailing wind.)
Funny you should say that. I just added that exact effect and in one place they blew plum across the road. Great suggestion. This is an All Aboard group effort!
Jim - Model Railroader had some articles about 12-15 years ago by a modeler on how to create all sorts of permanent winter scenery, down to thin sheets of ice on a creek (I think it may have been Rand Hood - do I have the right name). I think it would have a lot of detail tips that would be good for what you are trying to accomplish. Keith/Other Moderators: I am not finding Jim's photos; I know there has to be something in my browser settings that is awry, but I can not find either the previous instructions or anything in the Site FAQ - S.O.S.!
Regarding Jim's photos, there must be some issue with specific users because they are inline photos as opposed to attachments. I will work toward making them all attachments.
Sorry. I inadvertently deleted some pics from Photobucket which might explain some photos being gone. I can only post attatchments from my work computer but I have to use Photobucket when using my iPhone. Sorry for the confusion. Should I quit with the inline pics?
