Start of my HOn3 unnamed D&RGW RR

[Dave V]

Dave I have never been anywhere near the place.

Well, ya coulda fooled me!

[Santa Fe Guy]

Well, ya coulda fooled me!

Thanks Dave. My track plan was drawn long before I even knew about Cimarron. A good friend offered me a Depot he no longer needed which just happened to be the Cimarron Depot and it just grew from there. I was able to purchase A BEST Cimarron Freight house that fit the scene nicely. Then when I scrolled through Google it came up with the water pump house which I scratch built along with the stock yard and coal dump. The sage bush tree armatures made a huge difference I think, with each tree taking me about two hours to construct the way I wanted.
Rod.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Been painting my backdrops and adding scenery just past my town of Gunnison on my Monarch Branch.
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Rod.

[Cajonpassfan]

You’re pretty darn good with the brush, Rod. Nice progress!
Otto

[Erik W]

You’re pretty darn good with the brush, Rod. Nice progress!
Otto

Agreed.  Rod, that's pretty impressive.

Erik

[Dave V]

I would say in a world where photo backdrops are pretty standard, it takes a special talent to hand-paint a backdrop that looks as good.  This one does that and more.  Bravo!

[Yannis]

Fantastic paintwork on the backdrop!!! Really inspiring, thanks for posting this and following with interest.

[Hawghead]

I've always thought that a good hand painted back drop is preferable to photo back drops when it comes to model railroads.  Even the best model railroads really don't completely capture the dirt, shadows and general grungy feeling that pictures can (especially in narrow gauge).  As a result there can be a stark contrast between where the photo back drop ends and the model begins.  With a good hand painted back drop that transition can be made to blend so much smoother.  A perfect example is Rod's bottom picture where the model trees blend into the painted back drop and make the whole scene come together.  Having said that I'll be using photo back drops on mine as I don't have anywhere near the talent with a paint brush as Rod does.  Outstanding work Rod, am looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

[Santa Fe Guy]

Thanks Lads.
Lots of watching DVD's by experts, You Tube and lots of mistakes.
I was always tentative to do my own so started on my N Scale N Trak modules, some friends and then my SFRSD our Thompson River Canyon display layout along with my ON 30 layout the Lost Creek RR.
It helps to have some pictures as a guide also.
My blog has a slide show on how I did my first lot of pine trees included in my Lost Creek Video.
Lots of good advice and videos around to help.
Rod.

[Summit]

I am really surprised to see that you are in Australia also. You have really captured the look of Colorado in your layout.  I have been accumulating kits and such for my layout for 35+ years to be based loosely on the Colorado Midland and several Narrow Gauge lines. I have had the privilege of living and working in Silverton, Cripple Creek, Sargents, Gunnison, Alamosa, and Salida so there will be a little landmark of each area on my future layout as you have done with your mines.

Be sure to build some powder magazines to have on your hillsides away from the mines.  Keep up the excellent work.

[Santa Fe Guy]

I am really surprised to see that you are in Australia also. You have really captured the look of Colorado in your layout.  I have been accumulating kits and such for my layout for 35+ years to be based loosely on the Colorado Midland and several Narrow Gauge lines. I have had the privilege of living and working in Silverton, Cripple Creek, Sargents, Gunnison, Alamosa, and Salida so there will be a little landmark of each area on my future layout as you have done with your mines.

Be sure to build some powder magazines to have on your hillsides away from the mines.  Keep up the excellent work.

Thank you for your kind comments.
Having lived in these areas will surely give you a good start. Thanks for the tip re powder magazines I will endevour to do just that. More details to be added in and around those that exist are still in my head.
Rod.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Been catching up on some kits that I had assembled whilst waiting to get into our new downsized home.
Three Durango Press high sided gons and one RailLine box car.
They were complete bar for decals, trucks and weathering so it has been good to get these out of the way.
Here they are sitting on the team track in Cimarron waiting on car cards and waybill to be finished before they can enter the roster.
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Now I'm attacking the Silver Spur Mine a very old Campbell kit.
Rod.

[Dave V]

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again...  Having been several times to the real Cimarron, CO on the former D&RGW, I can testify to your mastery of the locale.  That looks dead-on.

[John]

WOW!!!!!!

[Hawghead]

Well done.

Scott