The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

The sand hill is now covered in "Cracking resistant" spackle.



Also, I should be able to sand and paint in five hours time after application. I won't as I don't plan or staying and watching it resist cracking.



Now, on to sand hills. Erieman says he has never heard of sand hills. Well, Florida doesn't have any mountains we can call mountains. We do; however, have sand hills.

In the photo below you can see what I'm referring to. The photo was taken by a friend when he was visiting an area between Lake City, Florida and Live Oak, Florida. back in 1961.



The sun faded purple ACL E6A is passing through a sand hill. Notice the hill to the left of the loco and the level ground to the right. In the rear right of the photo you can see the hill slopes down to the right in the photo.

Now you know what our sand hills look like.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Since the trackage in the photo is located in a part of north central, Florida you will notice the color of the dirt. It is a rusty brown. Some may think is is actually clay, as in good old Georgia clay.

It is and it isn't clay. It's a combination of both the color of clay and Florida sand/dirt. Clay is a mineral with various amounts of iron, the iron giving it the rusty color. So what appears to be clay in Florida is actually iron colored sand/dirt.

In the photo below we have another faded purple E6A, #505 in north Florida just south of Georgia. You can see the sand hill is in fact Georgia clay and appears to be hard packed on the slope.



Now, aren't you glad you asked?

Tom

[bruce.oberleitner]

Most impressive Uncle Tommy,
I like the idea of using spackle on the blue foam.  Seems like it would be easier to control the application over using plaster.  Of course, for proper erosion of the hillside you could always pour some "Diet Pepsi" on the landscape.  That will melt anything....

[Twist67]

Hi,
Tom,
you made again nice work on those sand hills.....I found the same crackle restintant spackle over her on German Amazon

Regards,Chris

[Zephyrus52246]

Since their "cracker" houses, shouldn't you use "cracker" Spackle?   


Jeff

[ACL1504]

Most impressive Uncle Tommy,
I like the idea of using spackle on the blue foam.  Seems like it would be easier to control the application over using plaster.  Of course, for proper erosion of the hillside you could always pour some "Diet Pepsi" on the landscape.  That will melt anything....

Cousin Brucie,

How are you? It's been a long time. I miss you on the forum.  Certainly hope all is well with you.

Using the spackle was an experience and besides I wanted to try it with scenery. Diet Pepsi is to valuable a resource to waste on some simple erosions. And, they said, "Maxwell House coffee was good to the last drop". Obviously "they" never tried a Diet Pepsi.

Cousin Brucie don't be a stranger.

Regards and Best Wishes my Friend,

Tom

[ACL1504]

Hi,
Tom,
you made again nice work on those sand hills.....I found the same crackle restintant spackle over her on German Amazon

Regards,Chris

Chris,

Thanks very much, I appreciate the support.My spackle did in fact crack.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Since their "cracker" houses, shouldn't you use "cracker" Spackle?   


Jeff

Dr. Jeff,

Good one! I did in fact use "craker" spackle as the spackle did crack.


Tom

[ACL1504]

Well, I said I would report on the "resistant cracking" spackle. It did crack but was no big issue. I just filled it by finger painting some spackle in the cracks.

I have lots to report but I first need to upload, crop, reload the photos.

I should be back in about an hour.

Tom

[bparrish]

Gents...

Depending on the area being plastered in.............

Here is an old sheet rock mudder trick............  Works for them as most stuff is flat...

Take a coarse sponge and wet it.  Then wipe down the area that has small cracks.  The sponge will plow up the surface and park it in the cracks.

There is something about sheet rock mud that takes a while to really kick off.  This trick works for about the first two days after application. After that it's not so good.

see ya
Bob

[ACL1504]

Gents...

Depending on the area being plastered in.............

Here is an old sheet rock mudder trick............  Works for them as most stuff is flat...

Take a coarse sponge and wet it.  Then wipe down the area that has small cracks.  The sponge will plow up the surface and park it in the cracks.

There is something about sheet rock mud that takes a while to really kick off.  This trick works for about the first two days after application. After that it's not so good.

see ya
Bob

Bob,

Thanks for dropping by and posting a comment. I've used Drywall mud in the past and wanted to try the spackle. I've actually used the mudder sponge trick when I installed drywall in the man cave/layout room.

Comparing the two, I'd have to give a nod to the drywall mud. However, either one will work at it will all be covered.

Thanks again for the post.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I choose to use Northeastern Scale Lumber for the construction of the two cracker houses. The 1/16" clapboard is what I'm using for the walls.



I drew a house pattern on the back side of the clapboard.

I'm building two different styles for the houses. This one has an offset roof with and attic window centered below the roof peek.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Fast forward and the two houses have been cut out of the clapboard. I still need to cut in a few windows and a door.

Both houses will be set on blocks and off the ground.







Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

Now for some scenery.

I wanted to try something different in adding scenery. If it works we all benefit and if it doesn't then ya'll benefit (learning not to follow me) while I rip it all out.


I started by painting the spackle with Golden's Yellow and Burnt Umber Light Acrylics. I combined the two colors with 80% Yellow Ochre to 20% Burnt Umber Light.

[ACL1504]

I'll be using a combination of Scenic Express Fine, Medium and Course dirt.



I painted while glue on the spackle and then used a Dixie cup to apply the dirt. For the slope I used the fine dirt.



Continued after a Diet Pepsi break.