Seaboard Central 2.0

[S Class]

If I may suggest a wally world State Line Oil supply in HO, the roof of the office/pumpshed should have the right curve and width to act as the metal shed.

[conrailthomas519]

now that's a Great Idea! +1

[davefoxx]

While at the Timonium show today, I bought some materials to start attempting to scratchbuild the A&R enginehouse.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find a good brick sheet, so that search continues.  More later.

In the meantime, I also stopped by the Scenic Express tables at the show today and bought several different products to attempt kudzu.  The one product that I realy interest in trying was Silflor horsetail material that Gary Hinshaw put me onto.  Unfortunately, in use, it actually turned out to be a disappointment.  It's not Gary's fault, because the product looks fantastic right out of the package and even plopped onto the layout.  It falls short for my purpose, because, to represent kudzu, it has to remain as thick coverage but formed over and around objects.  This material doesn't do that well.  To manipulate it, it has to be stretched, and I lose the density of the foliage.  Plus, it's so expensive that it would cost me hundreds of dollars to cover what I am contemplating.  A piece about 2" x 8" cost $6.99!  Gary warned me about that.

So, I fell back on Plan B: leaf flock over green poly fiber.  Not only a hell of a lot less expensive, but I can tease the poly fiber around and over items much easier than I can with the horsetail material.  Here's a preliminary look, which is still sopping wet with adhesive and hasn't really been manipulated into its final shape.  But, I am very pleased with the initial results:



If it works out as well as I hope once it's dry, I will go in and make the kudzu climb the trestle.  What a better way to hide the sins!

DFF

[Dave V]

I gotta say, Dave, having lived in the Tarheel State (I prefer to call it the Wolfpack State) for 3 years I can say that the texture there is dead-on.  You have a winner.  My only criticism is that summertime Kudzu is a somewhat darker green.  But the texture's the hard part, so you're pretty much there.

[Chris333]

Scenery looks nice and itchy.

Hows about Paper Creek brick sheets?
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/Nn3#5149949383260963266

[davefoxx]

I gotta say, Dave, having lived in the Tarheel State (I prefer to call it the Wolfpack State) for 3 years I can say that the texture there is dead-on.  You have a winner.  My only criticism is that summertime Kudzu is a somewhat darker green.  But the texture's the hard part, so you're pretty much there.

I really debated on the color, Dave.  I actually stood at the Scenic Express table with the salesperson while we looked at pictures on my smartphone.  I decided to err on the light side, which would likely add more "life" to the layout.  I feared that too dark would look dead and drab.  You know I'm colorblind, but this shade really reminds me of the kudzu (springtime, perhaps?) I used to deal when I lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

It probably varies by season:





DFF

[davefoxx]

Hows about Paper Creek brick sheets?
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/Nn3#5149949383260963266

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude, that's looks suhweet.  Where did you buy them?

DFF

[wazzou]

I may be mistaken, but I believe Paper Creek is out of business.

[Chris333]

Ah crap I guess they are out of business 

Found this:
http://www.ztrackresale.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43_71&products_id=3059&zenid=69dbfd1f3d99386bf92d636ae31e8aa1

If you really want I can see if I have any left.

[basementcalling]

Dave, Kudzu gets darker leaves further into the patch, so adding a darker shading away from the edges would help.

Also, there was a dealer to the left in the center room as you looked at Tex N Rails who had nice N scale sheet brick, and black styrene sheets too. I left some. Sorry our paths didn't cross during the day like mine did with Ed.

[Bsklarski]

  I decided to err on the light side, which would likely add more "life" to the layout.

 Yes on this. The smaller the scale, the lighter everything should be for scale effect. Thats why layouts look fake with the dark colors right out of the box.

[davefoxx]

Dave, Kudzu gets darker leaves further into the patch, so adding a darker shading away from the edges would help.

Also, there was a dealer to the left in the center room as you looked at Tex N Rails who had nice N scale sheet brick, and black styrene sheets too. I left some. Sorry our paths didn't cross during the day like mine did with Ed.

Me, too.  Would have been nice to meet you.  I missed that table somehow and, unfortunately, I struck out at MBK.  No biggie.  I'll find something.

I'll let this kudzu dry overnight and then will take a look at it.  I can always sprinkle a darker color over top later, if need be.  At least now, I would have an idea of what to order.  It's so hard to pick out scenery materials online without being able to view them in person.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Yes on this. The smaller the scale, the lighter everything should be for scale effect. Thats why layouts look fake with the dark colors right out of the box.

Agreed.

[packers#1]

I really like the kudzu, but being a resident of SC and having made frequent trips throughout my life between Aiken and Greenville, SC, I agree that the kudzu is a bit too light of a shade of green; if you look at the reference photo, where it is light green is the bright Southeastern sunlight; once you look in the shadows it is much darker; cpnversely though, that could just be the shadow and lack of light. Your small patch definitely has the right kudzu texture and does look like it, but I feel like it maybe should be a shade darker

[davefoxx]

I checked the layout this morning and the f---ing kudzu has spread overnight!   Stupid invasive weed! 



Seriously, I hear you guys on the color, but it doesn't bother me yet.  The next problem is that, if I remember correctly, the next shade down is dark green leaf flock, and it's way too dark.  So, to fix this, it might require an overspray of paint, but I don't have an airbrush.

DFF