Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[PAL_Houston]

I've been meaning to tell you how much I admire your layout!
Also, you're obviously quite skilled at scenery.  Particularly ballasting.
Yes.  Especially ballasting,
And other stuff too!

Have you made plans to visit DFW yet? 

[w neal]

Most kind. I don't think I'm doing anything all that spactacular with scenery. I suppose I'm my own worst critic though. Sometimes I think my scenes are too "happy" or "cartoonish". My efforts up until August focused on getting as much of the pink foam covered as I could for the NMRA tour. Now that the layout is a bit more presentable, and all the junk has been hidden, I want to try to get my fleet of SD45s painted and decodered so that I can have some operations.

I have a lot of work ahead in terms of detailing and weathering. I'll try to get some finished scenes in time. Of course, they are never finished.

I think the work you are doing is quite well done. I like your cliffsides and your scratchbuilt depot a lot.

I seem to, however strangely, enjoy ballasting. I spend a bit more time shaping it before wetting it with alcohol. I think the key is to look upon the scene with a "scale eye". In other words, try to look upon things as a scale person might. It brings out the flaws more easily.

I'll let you know when I'm ready to do some guest ballasting down your way. 

[w neal]

For the "Post sumpin!" crowd; here is a shot Pete took of a westbound in Weyauwega way back (Tee Hee) in August. Kindly ignore the unfinished lower level. 

[GaryHinshaw]

Is the shot above taken from the same aisle as this one?

I'm now realizing I have no idea how big your layout is, or what kind of plan you have. Would love to see that.

-gfh

[JSL]

How does your turnout control work? I assume that is what the knobs are for?

[w neal]

Right, sorry about that Gary. My cartographer was in town over the past holiday weekend. I was not. I promise a map is forthcoming, just not sure when exactly...

It's 3/4th of a ranch house basement. Or "too damn big" as some say... 

Right now, its all blue points just to get things up and running. I plan on installing some "torti" for the main line's passing siding's turnouts, and likely the staging loops, in time. Maybe someday before I hit 50. 

[JSL]

Thanks for the info. I have a few spots that tortoises will not fit, so I'm looking.

[w neal]

As long as you can stand the "manualness" (is that a word?), I recommend them highly. They seem somewhat forgiving as to exact mounting location - a real plus to me.

[w neal]

I've always thought my scenes were a little too happy. Something seems missing (and there still is). But seeing how I'm trying to simulate early fall in the midwest, and its pretty close to being that time of year now, it hit me: Goldenrod. (DUH) I tried to simulate it in different fields around the place. I hope I have not overdone it...

[Philip H]

As one of the legions alergic to the stuff, well . . . . [achoooooooooo!] done!

[GaryHinshaw]

I think it looks really good in the photos.  How does it look in person?

[PAL_Houston]

... seeing how I'm trying to simulate early fall in the midwest, and its pretty close to being that time of year now, it hit me: Goldenrod. (DUH) I tried to simulate it in different fields around the place...

This looks great!  I really like the kind of burnt grass near the grade ballast, and yellow mixed in down in the low areas....very credible.   How'd you do this? 

[w neal]

PAL: After I'm done working 70 hours this week, I'll try to get a tutorial posted for you & others. Its so simple, a caveman could do it. Oh wait, I'm insulting my cultural heritage.

Gary: Anytime you care to stop by, we'll be open for viewing.

Philip H: You are welcome as well. We have some claritin for you -

[w neal]

Having a really busy 3 weeks at work and have gotten little, if anything, accomplished on the layout. Some nights I just go downstairs and glance at the thing for a few minutes before sleeping. Recently, I took this picture. Its something to look at anyways...

[Philip H]

Nice GBW locos!  Perhaps you can start another thread on their provenance . . .