Amoskeag Northern - Simonds Industrial Branch

[Ian MacMillan]

Thanks guys. I boil the trees in batches for about 15min. This will stink up the house so make sure the other half is gone or ok with it.

After boiling I hang them from a sting that I have tied between two lolly columns in the basement. I use clothes pins to clip the trunks onto the string, and then I clip anywhere between 2-3 clothes pins on the tip of the canopy. Its just enough to pull them straight but not rip or damage them. Here is a photo of a batch I did in back in 2010....need a new photo as this one was in the old house and brings up bad memories.


No polly fiber.

Here is the Scenic Express turf that I use for the base coat of foliage.
 http://www.sceneryexpress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EX806C

[peteski]

That photo is perfect - thanks Ian!  And here I was picturing you tying strings with a small weights attached (like a screw) to every branch!  I knew that this didn't make sense, but a clothespin attached to the top of the tree makes much more sense.

[Ian MacMillan]

Yeah you are only looking to straighen the trunk, the branches can be o'naturale

[DKS]

Hmmm... I wonder, if you added some glycerin to the boiling water, if it would make the material more supple. (It's the same technique used to make lichen soft--and also to color it.) The one big disadvantage to Supertrees is that they can be brittle and delicate.

[Pomperaugrr]

Ian,

That scene rocks.  I love the way it captures the New England essence.  Not every parcel is square and level, as is seen on too many model railroads.  The concrete retaining wall, trees and textures really bring it to life.

Outstanding work!

Eric

[Philip H]

Hmmm... I wonder, if you added some glycerin to the boiling water, if it would make the material more supple. (It's the same technique used to make lichen soft--and also to color it.) The one big disadvantage to Supertrees is that they can be brittle and delicate.

I thought I had heard this was part of the Super Trees instructions =but I know that only goes so far with this crowd.

[Ian MacMillan]

Hmmm... I wonder, if you added some glycerin to the boiling water, if it would make the material more supple. (It's the same technique used to make lichen soft--and also to color it.) The one big disadvantage to Supertrees is that they can be brittle and delicate.

I dunno that might work. I haven't used glycerin and lichen since the early '90s!

Once I've boiled Supertrees I haven't had an issue with them being very brittle over the last few times I used them. Without I have had them become almost crumbs touching them.

[DKS]

Once I've boiled Supertrees I haven't had an issue with them being very brittle over the last few times I used them. Without I have had them become almost crumbs touching them.

The boiling has no doubt softened them by hydration, but I imagine they'll slowly become brittle again.

[davefoxx]

Hmmm... I wonder, if you added some glycerin to the boiling water, if it would make the material more supple. (It's the same technique used to make lichen soft--and also to color it.) The one big disadvantage to Supertrees is that they can be brittle and delicate.

If not glycerin, how about Bestine?   

[davefoxx]

If not glycerin, how about Bestine?  Perhaps you could let it flow through your trees.   

[Philip H]

If not glycerin, how about Bestine?  Perhaps you could let it flow through your trees.   

That's it folks, TRW is now a fully closed loop for 2012.

[Ian MacMillan]

The boiling has no doubt softened them by hydration, but I imagine they'll slowly become brittle again.

I wonder how long that will take. I still have some trees from the old layout that are around 5yrs old now and they are still pretty supple.. Maybe by the time they dry out something new and better will be in the industry?

I may just add glycerin for S n' giggles on the next btch, or reboil the ones I have.

[peteski]

I wonder how long that will take. I still have some trees from the old layout that are around 5yrs old now and they are still pretty supple.. Maybe by the time they dry out something new and better will be in the industry?

I wonder if 15 minutes of boiling them actually softens the fibers? Kind of like what happens to the beef in a boiled dinner. 

[wazzou]

I may just add glycerin for S n' giggles on the next btch, or reboil the ones I have.

Does the flock float?   

[Ian MacMillan]

Does the flock float?   

No but it blends!