The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[bparrish]

Tom...

You need to find blue tic hounds for under the porch. 

See ya
Bob

[tom.boyd.125]

Tom,
What will the rental costs be on those 2 new additions ? Daily, weekly, or monthly rates ? Can't wait to make a reservation to visit ...
Tommy

[ACL1504]

Good morning Tom,

The cracker houses are looking great. Can't wait to see all the junk you put here and there. That is going to make the scene really pop. Great job my friend.

Frank / Erieman

Afternoon Frank,

Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words, much appreciated! I'm still looking for the rest of all my detail parts I boxed three years ago. Christmas one day for sure.

Tom

[ACL1504]

As memory serves me after MANY years of being away from the Panhandle (Pensacola, thank you  Uncle Sam), you don't need to do much detail work on the windows. Not sure how you model missing glass and oiled butcher paper in HO gauge, but I'm sure you'll find a way.
Looking good, sir!

Vettelover,

Oh my, my great grandmother had oiled butcher paper in one of the windows. I still remember that stink! I think she used the paper the meat was wrapped in. Broken glass isn't a problem to model. I have the windows ready but not in the houses yet.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,

I am catching up to this thread, the shacks look great, especially sitting on piers with enough room for the hound to cool off during the day. You might consider a Swamp Cooler for one of the windows if the inhabitants were affluent enough to afford one. You have certainly captured the south with this scene!

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for the kind words of support, much appreciated. The hound will definitely be around or under the house. Maybe "Ole Blue" will be on the front porch.

I have a couple swamp fans from Dakra but I need to find them. The swamp fan I had when I was growing up was wrist powered and they gave them out at church.

I need to add the out house, a couple of old rusty cars and other cracker junk.

Tom

[ACL1504]

T~,
      Love the layout progress.  I like following how each scene progress'.  Keep at it my friend and get'er done!!!   T...

Thom,

Much appreciated. I hope you are wearing your khaki pants my friend. I'm still at it to get'er done.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom...

You need to find blue tic hounds for under the porch. 

See ya
Bob

Bob,

I do have two hound dogs, If I can only find them.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,
What will the rental costs be on those 2 new additions ? Daily, weekly, or monthly rates ? Can't wait to make a reservation to visit ...
Tommy

Tommy,

I'll put you on the reservation list. However, just so you know, these won't be "happy huts". I have other shacks for "per the minute rental"


Tom

[ACL1504]

I thought I'd share a technique I do when spreading the ballast. Maybe everyone does it, I'm not sure. In any event if you have done ballast in the past and had it move all over the place, try this. I'll ballast this three foot section. Shown is only 14 inches though.




I'm using Arizona Rock and Mineral ballast. I pour some ballast into a small dixie cup. I fill the cup about 3/4 full. I then pinch the lip to form a small "V" in the rim. I then pour some ballast down the middle and on each side.



I then use a soft brush to spread the ballast along the middle and sides.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

This next technique really gets the ballast down between the rails and makes the ballast look more natural. Only my humble opinion here.

I use my small finger and run it along the top of the ties next to the rails.



I use my index finger and run it down the middle.



The vibration from my fingers "settle" the ballast nicely between the ties. The ballast settles on the sides as well giving the ballast a nice even balanced look.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

Wet water is used to wet the ballast and then diluted matte medium is used to secure the ballast in place. Here is how it looks when dry.




Notice the little "floaters" on the ties? I use my fingers in the same manner as mentioned above to remove the floaters.



The ballast is nice and even and just below the ties.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The Judge suggested that perhaps a dirt/sandy road could be added to the right of the highway. This dirt road will in theory lead to the fishing camp on the Suwannee River. This is where the Bascule bridge is located.



I used the DAP spackle for the base of the road.



I glued some basic ground foam and turf on each side of the dirt road. This will be the base for my scrub bushes on each side of the dirt road.

[tct855]

Tom,
         Not that it needs to be spoken, but here it is:  One should always listen to what the Judge says... even if it's modeling. ha.  I think it's a good idea adding the dirt road.  Thanx Thom...

[ACL1504]

As an after thought, I wanted to mention how I add the wet water to a small section without wanting to "spray" the wet water all over the same area.

I use a plastic pipette to apply the wetting solution. It isn't rocket science but it does work.



After the area is wet, Matte medium and scenery are added.

[ACL1504]

Tom,
         Not that it needs to be spoken, but here it is:  One should always listen to what the Judge says... even if it's modeling. ha.  I think it's a good idea adding the dirt road.  Thanx Thom...

Thom,

Well, on this occasion I did listen as it is a great idea. Some of his others weren't so great.


Tom