Fos Scale Bandit's Roost Build

[craftsmankits]

This is an overhead of the recently attached Vallon Paint.  The annex is already in place, and the scenery around it nearly finished.  The area from the boiler house is still open.  I ended up placing in a concrete road to Harrison and Rochelle, and the boiler house.  I also cut out the area at the rear of the diorama for the placement of track.  I had thoughts of continuing the track over both roads, but thought better of it.  I'll probably include a loading dock on the portion to the right of where the tracks will be, I couldn't see myself including a loading dock, and small crane near the waters edge.

The other picture shows Vallon Paint with most of the scenery in place.  This is my first time using Martin Welberg's scenic studios products, and they are wonderful.  I used tuffs, bushes, both short and tall, shrubbery, etc.  Great line of products. Scenic Express carries them, and I recommend them, though they might be a bit pricey for some.  I also used various Woodland Scenics products, along with Heki grass, and some Silfor products as well.

[craftsmankits]

Here are some shots of the diorama as it exists today.  Much to do, and the water will be a challenge.  Rocks have been shadowed with some weathering powders, but I've yet to add some thin, rust colored oils diluted with Turpenoid in various places.  I hope to make a couple of nice trees to fit in, without taking away from the scene.  I added a wood deck underneath the rear portion of the annex, and added some drums, and a shelf from a Fine Scale Minatures kit, along with some welding tanks, and a skid.

[craftsmankits]

Next shot shows the concrete approach to the boiler house, and to the loading dock at Harrison and Rochelle.  I had to scratch build the wood crossing due to the slight curve.

The second photo shows the rear of the stable.  I threw in a watering tub, and a hand pump, that I believe came from a scale structures limited kit.  It was one of those parts I was lucky to find fast.  I knew it was around somewhere, and only took a couple of minutes to find.  I hope manufactures add these to their kits in the future.  They used to be all over the place.  I also added some feed bags, and a couple bales of hay.

The third shot shows the fronts of the machine shop and apartments.  I included two fire hydrants.  I prefer the ones from American model builders.

[craftsmankits]

Forgot the time.  Gotta get to bed.  Here are two final shots.  I would appreciate any ideas on finishing the road surfaces.  i don't consider the asphalt roads to be finished, and feel they require some updating.  Hope you're enjoying the ride.  Feel free to ask any questions.

Mark

[Jerry]

Mark that is one fine job your doing on that diorama.


I wouldn't change a thing wonderful work!


Jerry

[Keep It Rusty]

Just lovely work, Mark. It's such a great kit. I can't wait to get to mine.


In regards to the asphalt, I would airbrush different greys (roads are often numerous shades) and then I'd weather with dust, dirt, leaves, oil and fuel stains etc...

[postalkarl]

Hey mark:

Looks just beautiful so far.

Karl

[Mark Dalrymple]

Looking terrific, Mark!

You are doing a wonderful job with this diorama.

Cheers, Mark.

[S&S RR]

Mark


Very nice work, it looks great.

[tom.boyd.125]

Mark,
Your build of this large structure kit with the new scenery you added is looking fantastic !
Tommy

[ACL1504]

Mark,

Great job on the diorama and structures. Well done, looks wonderful.

Tom 

[craftsmankits]

I'm back, and I want to thank Jerry, Craig, Karl, Mark D., John, Tommy, Tom and all the lurkers for following along.  I always come up against a road block or two, and this time, of all things, it regarded telephone poles, and telephone line.  I purchased and installed Woodland Scenics new utility pole system, but found the 'hang' of the wires not to my liking.  I did some research online, but couldn't find a way to make them droop appropriately, so ... I ripped them all out, and went with some left over SRMW's transformers, and wooden dowel rods.  I'm still not finished with them, but included a shot of the poles I made up, and later installed.

I installed thin Berkshire Junction E Z Line in black, but thought it was too hard to see, so that was removed, and in the process I tore off one of the transformers, not a big deal, it was an easy fix.  Next, I purchased the 'heavy' grade of Berkshire Junction E Z Line in green, and will use it for the main lines, leaving the thin black to the structures.

This is a shot of 3 of the utility poles.  Sorry its blurry.

[craftsmankits]

Next up, is the water feature.  This is my first attempt at having actual depth to a water scene, so I had some mishaps along the way.  I'll explain my trials and tribulations in an effort to guide those following along upon a better path.

First, I applied my leftover hydrocal rocks and pieces onto the foam board, next I applied hydrocal directly onto the foam board insulation in small areas.  My advice ... DON'T do this!  As I'll explain later.  I applied the plaster then stippled it with a stiff bristle brush to give it texture.  I did not use any sand, nor gritty sand like material.  While time consuming, I liked the results.  The brush would sometimes pick up the plaster, ruining what I started, so I later covered the entire water area with a thin coat of sculptamold.  This helped the application of the plaster over the sculptamold, giving it a better hold, and would later provide the proper barrier for the application of the resin water.

The first picture shows the attached rocks, and the seam where I added an extension to the front of the diorama.

The second shows the applied hydrocal, with the stippled surface.  Don't mind the rocks, or childlike appearance, this is only the beginning.

[craftsmankits]

I'm skipping ahead, this is the finished seabed, with the colors all applied by thin washes of various acrylic paints.

[craftsmankits]

In order to survive any leaks during the resin pour, I placed down a 'bathtub' of 3ML thick plastic drop around the entire base.