Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Thanks, DKS.

Tell me if I'm wrong, but concrete can appear almost white (new) or gray down to old, dirty brownish tones.  I agree with you about different sections (or repairs) being a different color, and I intend to model that.  I'm just afraid to pick a color and be completely wrong.  Part of my fear is from a conversation that I had with an art professor during an oil painting class in college.  He exclaimed, "That explains it!", when I told him I was colorblind.   :face palm:

Thanks for the tip about the RR X-ing stencil (and thanks to mirage for finding and posting the link!).  Hopefully, I can get in there with my colored pencils to avoid bleeding paint under the stencil and to match the rest of my traffic lines.

DFF

[Chris333]

He exclaimed, "That explains it!", when I told him I was colorblind.   :face palm:

LOL
But the colors look fine to me. I completely know what you mean though. I can paint something and instantly be unhappy with it.

Another road trick is to spray india ink wash with an airbrush down the lanes.

[Dave V]

Seriously, Dave, I don't know why you get so worked up about your stuff...  I would say your track, ballast, and river crossing scene already blow away anything I've done, and that doesn't bother me one bit! 

[davefoxx]

Seriously, Dave, I don't know why you get so worked up about your stuff...  I would say your track, ballast, and river crossing scene already blow away anything I've done, and that doesn't bother me one bit! 

Blows away anything you've done?  Are you kidding me?  You, sir, are a liar.   Seriously, you must have the same nearsightedness that I have when viewing my own modeling, because the Juniata Division, as we all know, is on a level of its own in the model railroading world, i.e., its idolized by many (including me).

DFF

[davefoxx]

Another road trick is to spray india ink wash with an airbrush down the lanes.

I used chalk for this, because 1) that's easier control for me, and 2) I don't own an airbrush.  That little bit of weathering in the lanes does make one hell of a difference.  If you look close in my last video, you will see that I also did the same between the rails on the mainline (the track on the right that's not being used by the Seaboard local).  I may go back and tone that down, though, because I think I over did it.

Thanks,
DFF

[Dave V]

Dave, in all seriousness, I like to think that over the years I've become a decent judge of these things...  Your layout is as excellent as anything here at the Railwire (my own stuff barely makes the cut in my mind).  Your execution is far more exacting than mine (I tend to be quick and messy).

IF, however, you are more comfortable with criticism than praise, here you go:  Start weathering your trains! 

I'm assuming your ground cover is a base coat.  Over time I expect you'll be adding more color variety and depth to the grasses and weeds.  North Carolina can get very, very weedy in the summer.

[davefoxx]

Dave, in all seriousness, I like to think that over the years I've become a decent judge of these things...  Your layout is as excellent as anything here at the Railwire (my own stuff barely makes the cut in my mind).  Your execution is far more exacting than mine (I tend to be quick and messy).

IF, however, you are more comfortable with criticism than praise, here you go:  Start weathering your trains!  I'm assuming your ground cover is a base coat.  Over time I expect you'll be adding more color variety and depth to the grasses and weeds.  North Carolina can get very, very weedy in the summer.

Thank you for your criticism.  I am absolutely comfortable with that.

Quick and messy is not how your layout appears to me.  If that's quick and messy, then I want to learn how to do that, so I can just be finished the scenery stage of the layout.

I agree about weathering my trains.  I just need to get a couple of things: (1) Tom's book, and (2) an airbrush.  If I can get some guidance on the basic colors to use for weathering, I think I'll get over my fear.

Yes, the ground cover is merely a base coat.  I want to try a couple of things for the final foliage: (1) static grass (so I need to buy or build an electric flock applicator); and (2) kudzu!  I plan to apply kudzu in the hilly section around the trestle.  I'm mainly held up on this, because I can get overwhelmed on the Scenic Express website when trying to pick the correct materials to order.  They have so much selection!

DFF

[DKS]

I'm just afraid to pick a color and be completely wrong.

Then just avoid purple... But seriously, concrete can be found in a very wide range of colors, from pale grey-green (fresh) to dark ruddy brown (heavily rust-stained). You can use quite a variety of colors and be safe. Just start with a light grey--I like Testors Light Aircraft Grey, because it simulates "gently aged" concrete with no effort. I like to stain it with chalks to acquire the range of patinas I want, mostly because (as you noted) chalk affords more control than washes. Stick with greys and rusty browns and you'll be fine. Oh, and don't forget... if the color doesn't work, you can always re-paint it. Nothing is forever!

[davefoxx]

Thanks for the tip, DKS.  My set of chalk is labeled according to color, so as long as someone doesn't play a practical joke and scramble them, I should be good to go.

Thanks for the support, everyone!  Now, I'm excited to give it a shot.  Unfortunately, we'll be out of town for Christmas, but I will try to find the time over the next week or so to get down in the basement and just go for it.  Please stay tuned.

Dave

DKS: But purple is an Atlantic Coast Line color (a predecessor to the Seaboard System). 

[wazzou]

Another thing to remember is when you are working on that specific space, you can obsess about it but you are creating a larger scene that this area is just a small part of.
People aren't going to focus on your sidewalk and say you F'd it up.

[davefoxx]

Another thing to remember is when you are working on that specific space, you can obsess about it but you are creating a larger scene that this area is just a small part of.
People aren't going to focus on your sidewalk and say you F'd it up.

This is true.  Sometimes it is hard to see the forest for the trees, but I'm sure that people will say I f'd it up.    But, that's why I come here to TRW.  My trestle wouldn't look as good as it does, if I had not taken the advice of fellow asshats.  Thanks, guys!

DFF

[Scottl]

Dave, this layout is coming along nicely.  Each step is well done and you are operating in the mean time.  Your attention to detail will pay off in the end.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you want to get started weathering, pick a Saturday, bring the stash, and c'mon down.

[Dave V]

If you want to get started weathering, pick a Saturday, bring the stash, and c'mon down.

And if I know Ed, you'd better bring some vodka!

[seusscaboose]

If you want to get started weathering, pick a Saturday, bring the stash, and c'mon down.

It's BYOV though