Some layout progress

[Ed Kapuscinski]

And some new photos:

http://conrail1285.com/news.asp?storyid=48

Here's a teaser, but check the link for a bunch more:

[Wlal13again]

Nice work Ed, I really like the below grade shot...Are those Trainman boxcars?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks.

The Railbox one is an Athearn MDC reprint, and the CR boxes are Atlas Precision Design cars. I do love my trainman cars though.

[DKS]

Good job, Ed! Nice to have seen the bridge from start to finish through the pages of Railwire.

But I see green! Green! What's going on?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Surprisingly, there's quite a bit of green in December. I was surprised by that realization myself. I'd say that and gray trees were the two realizations that shook me the most.

The bridge isn't quite done. My friend Karri, who's been a good consultant on this stuff isn't happy with the bridge. She thinks it looks too plasticy still. So I guess its time for some chalk or something. She's actually responsible for my semi-greening of the layout. She pointed it out to me, and after reviewing some photos I realized she was 100% right.

[CVSNE]

Ed,

Looking great. I especially like the shot looking down the length of the train as it sits atop the fill. Well crafted!

Marty

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Thanks Marty, that means a lot.

[Wlal13again]

Ed,
 I drive through a bridge in East Greenville PA once a week and even though it`s a highway bridge it`s very dark colored, almost black, and has a nice coat of "greenery" on it. I assume moss or something. It sits it a heavily shaded area on the Reading Perkiomen Branch.. Just an idea.

[wm3798]

You need to do the mortar lines in a lighter wash.  That will really add some dimension to it.
Lee

[tillsbury]

Nice work Ed, like the way you can get interesting long shots out of such a small layout.  I wasn't going to complain 'bout the bridge being a bit too shiny and clean as presumably you haven't hit it with the 100 years of weathering yet?

Charles

[tom mann]

Yes, nice work Ed.

Instead of chalk on the bridge, how about using an airbrush?  This way, you never have to worry about handling it.

[DKS]

Surprisingly, there's quite a bit of green in December.

Yes, that is true, and you've captured the look nicely. Re: the "new"-ish looking bridge, I'd hit it with a thinned wash of light tan to highlight the mortar lines, and also to randomize the tone of the stone faces a little. If you add an old rusting railing, include some rust-colored chalk streaks, and a few tiny dabs of green acrylic near the bottom for moss. Wrap it up with a dusting of Dullcote. Food for thought.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just an FYI, this is the look I'm shooting for:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5065572602102782610

[DKS]

Just an FYI, this is the look I'm shooting for:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos/photo#5065572602102782610

Ah. Then I'd go for lots of tan washes, maybe a couple of shades, with more applied progressively approaching the waterline. Plus some Rustall streaks from the top, maybe some thin India Ink wash blobbed onto random stones.

[Virtual weathering. It's fun when you don't have access to your workshop.]

[sirenwerks]

I'd start with some rust or rail brown washes from the top, and then hit with the dust coating from below.