The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

An elegant solution, Tom.  Glad the structure survived intact.

Jeff

Dr. Jeff,

Thanks for the support. I shouldn't tell you just how close I came to cutting the hole in the plywood. Very close.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Yesterday afternoon I decided to start installing the back drop on the East and South walls.

For the short piece of backdrop that its behind the bookshelf, I first removed the Masonite/hardboard.
In the picture you can see where it used to be.



Hey, at least its a picture. We all love pictures don't we?

Of course, I became very engaged in what I was doing and forgot to take a couple of pictures of how I glued the back drop to the Masonite. I was going to say "excited" but some forumite would make some comment. So, I just became engaged to what I was doing.





Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

Now for the East wall sections. The East wall has 6 different backdrop sections. Due to the 3M adhesive being extra tacky/sticky I used some white paper to lay on the layout top to keep the adhesive off the track and plywood.



The paper is what Joey Ricard rolled the backdrop in to keep them separated.

After installing the first short section, I used a 12 inch level to make sure it was straight and level so the next piece would be a perfect fit.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Next came the Bascule Bridge area of the backdrop.



Here is how the water looks on the backdrop.

[ACL1504]

Today, I had the Judge and Greg, both members in good standing of the Saturday Butty Group, over to help with the rest of the backdrop installation.



Now I must say that for months Greg wanted, or I should say "offered" to help. We agreed on today for that help. However, here is how he thinks he is helping. He removes, without permission I should add, one of the cracker houses and replaces it with an old Campbell's Abandoned House build.

You know the old saying, "You just can't get good help anymore"? Well it certainly applies here don't (sic) it Gregory? Now, there is one less member in good standing.

[ACL1504]

Even with all the shenanigans, we got the job finished and it looks wonderful. The layout is coming together.

We all had a great time, even Gregory obviously.

[ACL1504]

I believe due to the scenery backdrop being photographed in three separate layers, we discovered this phenomenon.

Here is a shot of the road looking straight on.



Here is a look at the road from the left. The road follows your view. It points away from the turnout.



Here is the right side view of the road. It now points to the turnout.

[GPdemayo]

I finally take a break from rafters, joists, roof trusses, sheathing & fascia and what do I see on the forum.....my membership in good standing has summarily be stripped away. Oh the humanity.............


I guess some people have no sense of humor. 


And what is this about being engaged to a piece of masonite.....does Pam know??? 

[ReadingBob]

Poor Greg.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKmJPnAGUJk

[GPdemayo]

Et Tu Bob.....

[ACL1504]

Okay, not to worry, Greg has been reinstated into the SBG.

Today I worked on a few areas including the highway. I found some lighted cross bucks and tried these in place of the regular cross bucks. I didn't like them but here is a photo of how they looked. They aren't straight as I only had them in the hole to see how they look. They were removed after the photo was taken.



I did add an information sign for the curve in the road.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I spent a few hours weathering the highway. I used Floquil CN Gray for the highway and dry brushed the same color on the white stripes to tone down the brightness of the white.

You can see the difference in the next photo. The bottom stripe was dry brushed and the top one not as of the taking of the photo.



I used Floquil Weathered Black to add a few highway repairs.

I added whistle posts where needed and some speed limit signs.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I used a dark gray pastel chalk color to add the grease lines on the highway. I used a soft bristle brush and then rubbed it in with my finger.

[bparrish]

I dunno Tom..

If you aren't careful you are going to end up with a real railroad.

And by the amount of stuff that appears to have gotten done........

You should invite those boys over more often ! ! !

see ya
Bob

[Erieman]

I used a dark gray pastel chalk color to add the grease lines on the highway. I used a soft bristle brush and then rubbed it in with my finger.

Tom,

You are really moving on. I do have one question. I assume that your roads are concrete. As you mention, you are simulating oil stain up the middle of the road. Would that be realistic? That could be a lot of oil. I am only asking because everything out here is backtop. Wouldn't there two lines in each lane exhibiting tire wear versus the oil? Just asking. Don't mean to make more work for you. I love all the details.

I can see what Greg was trying to possibly show by putting the old house in place of the cracker house. It looks a bit out of place due to the scale. I might work if it was a bit smaller to show greater depth perception.

Keep up the great work, my friend. Love all that greenery.

Frank / Erieman