The M-K & Eastern RR

[DKS]

Really masterful work.

[graffen]

I set it on the layout.



Can look good when scenery and detailing is done. 

[graffen]

Spruce/fir trees 2.0
Faller's fir trees are really not at all good looking, but with a few minutes of work their appearance can be much improved.
I use Polak model turf and some spray adhesive for this project.


They are very coarse as they are...


I trim the armatures to avoid the cone shape.


Less is more...


I applied some spray glue and two layers of turf.


This group of five trees took me 10 minutes to do, a time that can be reduced severely if made in a series.
I have over 1000 trees to do, so any savings of time and money are very welcome.

[wazzou]

I made a jig and twirl my own with my drill, some wire and sisal rope.

[S Class]

Spruce/fir trees 2.0

This group of five trees took me 10 minutes to do, a time that can be reduced severely if made in a series.
I have over 1000 trees to do, so any savings of time and money are very welcome.

Looks really nice, much more like a natural spruce or pine tree to my eye compared to what you normally get.

[graffen]

Control panel under construction.
45 x 16 cm made of 10 mm MDF.

This is the panel for the town of "Holy cross" on my layout.

I recessed the holes on the back for the switches and LEDs.



All the turnouts are switched with servos and are controlled by MGP's electronics (Möllehems GårdsProduktion, a swedish company that a friend has)


I use one panel decoder with 3 LED-12 cards and 4 servo-5 decoders. (And a Bluetooth module and Loconet power termination).


There will also be an outlet for a tethered hand control on it as well.
The panel will be painted black with white track lines and texts.
Then I'll add hinges at the bottom ,so the panel tilts out for easy service.

[Hawghead]

Mike,

Your railroad is sure coming along well, the Powerbase system looks very interesting.  I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

[dcarrell8]

Great looking layout, I will definitely be following your progress!

~ Dennis

[graffen]

Been busy working on my mountains.
I do have a lot of them to do... In total about 60' long and 1.5' to 2' high.
So, I had started on the mountain behind my town, it also works as a view block for the staging.

I wasn't sure about the height, so I waited to see how I would like it before finishing it.


I cut it down a couple of inches and finished the rockwork.
The top got Sculptamold on it as it will be grass, gravel and some trees there.
The Sculptamold is homemade. I mix plaster of paris with cellulose insulation material.
Roughly 3 cups of insulation to 1 cup of plaster.
Works nice!
I colored the mountains with WS pigments and some acrylics before spraying it with diluted Modpodge matte. The last step was a black/raw umber wash.
I will drybrush the rocks with a light beige paint tomorrow.

[graffen]

Some better pictures of my mountain.


Hand carved plaster stained with WS ocher, sienna and raw umber. Sprayed with diluted matte Modpodge.
Then a wash with black and raw umber. 
I finished it by dry brushing with white mixed with ocher.
What do you think?

[graffen]

Progress.
It looks a lot better with some scenery.


The section I've been working on.


The brewery and coal dock.


The brewery from the other side.


The track to the brewery and supply store.


The bordello.


The band!


Some trees around the engine house.


The town.

It'll be fun to start detailing.

[Cajonpassfan]

This is coming along very nicely, and your rockwork is fantastic. Are you sure it’s hand carved?
A little bit of Colorado in Northern Sweden...who’d guess?
Following with much interest...
Otto K.

[wm3798]

A wonderfully coherent layout.  The structures are incredible.  I enjoy your well-thought-out tinkerings on the electronics as well.

Lee

[Philip H]

https://i.imgur.com/nxJclJll.jpg

That big building screams out for a lighted, detailed interior.

[graffen]

This is coming along very nicely, and your rockwork is fantastic. Are you sure it’s hand carved?
A little bit of Colorado in Northern Sweden...who’d guess?
Following with much interest...
Otto K.

Thanks!
Yes, the rocks are hand carved. I have a method of making them with aluminum foil and carving them while still soft.
The Woodland scenics rock forming tools are really great for this.