CSX Hanover Subdivision

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like it! I really like how the trees overpower the trains.

[garethashenden]

No, Peco turnouts.  Like this one, with center spring so no motor etc is needed

20151011_124540[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr

Can you do anything about that kink on the left? It looks like it could cause problems.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Can you do anything about that kink on the left? It looks like it could cause problems.

p
Dude, the man is modeling CSX. That kink is likely intentional.

[mu26aeh]

p
Dude, the man is modeling CSX. That kink is likely intentional.

@garethashenden  , that was an old picture I pulled up just to show the turnout.  The kink has been removed and area is ballasted.

20160117_202906 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

@Ed Kapuscinski , if I'd be working in HO I might get away with it, a little harder to deal with imperfections in N.  Also, the kink is on the MMID branch, I'm certain those guys would correct it.

[Philip H]

The trees look great - do you have enough to extend on the side closest to the aisle? Might make for a betters scene photographically.

[mu26aeh]

I have to secure more trees. I bought a box of scenery stuff at LHS for $5 on consignment. It had some trees in it that were lichen glued on sticks/branches from trees. I took those and hit them with a green spray bomb, then hair spray and WS turf. It also had some branches from a plant or weeds that I did the same thing to, but I don't know what they came from. I wish I took a picture of them before I fixed them up to see if anyone knew where it came from.

[packers#1]

I like the trees and think it's a great approach to hide the entrance. However, I wonder if you tried adding a small overpass front over the hole, if that would help hide the hole better. Not like a giant interstate monster, but just an older style road bridge, like a backwoods road. You probably wouldn't need to model any more of the road than that, because it would like the bridge was part of a curve and the trees hide the road from view. I think it looks fine the way it is, but I just wanted to offer that up as a suggestion

[wm3798]

Plant some Red Sedum in the garden.  You'll get all the trees you'll ever need... 



You can also use the multi strand wire method...



Lee

[mu26aeh]

Funny you posted that Lee.  I went out tonight to an area where our neighbors dumb flowers etc in the woods beside our property.  Sure enough, there was sedum in there !  I cut 10-12 branches off for now, will see how they dry out.  Being in the weather last couple months has some of the heads matted together.  Plus, it was 14 F out so I didn't want to stay out much longer.  Stuff isn't going anywhere, but will have to go out to harvest more before Friday with snow on the way.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Steve Otte's 3"x5" N scale Southern Ry. Spartanburg Subdivision (MRR Oct. 2011) http://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database/2011/08/spartanburg-subdivision featured tracks "disappearing" into the trees.
He used a nifty technique of blobs of mounting a 3"-4" strip of wire mesh (spray painted dark green or grey) along the toppish of the hole & spreading away on both sides.
Scenic the mesh with groundfoam, clumps of bushes, even parts of trees.
Then place a bunch of trees in front & to the sides of the mesh, extending out along the tracks (basically, exactly like you have).
The trees hide the scenicked mesh, and the mesh diffuses the hard lines of the backdrop hole, even allowing some train to show through while moving "deeper" into the forest.

When first getting back into the hobby I attempted something on my parents' xmas train:

Original:



[Just like Dad left it 30 years ago!]

Mesh (& better rocks/slope) added:



Groundfoam added:



Add bushes (unfortunately same color as ground cover) & started added trees ("classic" bamboo skewers & scrub pads, unfortunately the same color as ground cover):



More trees & textures (hard hole outline beginning to disappear):



Final sideview:



Straight on:



Which is really the only way you can see way into the tunnel & the hard edges.
I used to have some video of trains disappearing to the trees, but apparently 4.2 dpi format isn't supported anymore, probably to prevent headaches & seizures.

Sorry to assault you with crappy photos of crappier modeling (believe it or not Otte's MMR article has much better modeling AND photography), but as a way to transition the trees into the forest, food for thought.

[OldEastRR]

An interesting concept, M.C., except why were you trying to hide an actual tunnel into an actual rock wall? That's not a scenic problem like a flat RR suddenly going into a "hole" in the sky (backdrop). Not bashing you, just puzzled.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

An interesting concept, M.C., except why were you trying to hide an actual tunnel into an actual rock wall? That's not a scenic problem like a flat RR suddenly going into a "hole" in the sky (backdrop). Not bashing you, just puzzled.

Was trying to extend space out from a long flat box.
Mentally I envisioned more trees along the tracks so there was more of a gradual disappearance into the "valley" forest, but ran out of room.
Also using dad's layout to try a kabillion techniques so I wouldn't "waste" my own early efforts (all of which I ended up chucking anyway  ).

If I could show Steve Otte's finished product instead of my very early efforts, I would!
Check out MRR Oct. 2011.
It's a very cool technique when not using bamboo-skewer & scrub pad trees.
And not coating everything with WS "Green Blend" Fine Ground Foam.
[But that stuff is like the garlic of model railroad layout cooking!]

[mu26aeh]

Thanks MC, kind of reminds me of Jacks Mountain tunnel on the CSX Hanover Subdivision.  This area is not represented on my layout due to space limitations at this time.  Maybe if I can rebuild it later if we remodel this home, or at some point move elsewhere.

http://www.wmwestsub.com/hanoversub/jacksmountaintunnel.htm

I was able to get out this evening and retrieve more sedum from the brush pile.  I have also posted a request via my FB friends if any of them still have some in their gardens that I can stop by and cut down for them. 

20160119_173410 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

20160120_165717 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

These are all 10-14" tall, so they will need to be cut down and trimmed a little bit, but it should keep me busy for a while this weekend while SnowStorm Jonas (I can't stand the fact they name snowstorms now) rages on outside.

[wm3798]

The trick with sedum is to glue a couple of the sprigs together to get a nice stacked canopy.
By themselves they look to much like umbrellas.





Lee

[Blazeman]

The trick with sedum is to glue a couple of the sprigs together to get a nice stacked canopy.
By themselves they look to much like umbrellas.

Thought that as well. Wonderful application of a free resource.

Great use of the easy chair, Adam.