N scale Folding Timesaver layout progress

[delamaize]

When I found out that my Wife had orders to Germany about a year ago, I decided that I need to find a way to have a layout that was Easily portible and easily storable, due to the small size of most european houses. A Folding diorama or modual would be ideal, so I decided to Use the "Timesaver" as my basis, with Kato Unitrack attached to the ends to allow me to add a circle of unitrack with a small 2 or 3 leg staging yard, making a round and round. Since we are finally setteled down here in Baumholder, (well birkenfeld to be exact) I deceded that it was time to do some work. I have some buildings, all need to be painted and weathered, the blue box is a placeholder for a warehouse. I am happy with the footprint of the warehouse mockup, and the actuall building will share the same dimentions.

Blue tape is where the roads are going to be, and is just a moch up Now big question here, I have NEVER been successfull with Scenery, with this in mind, what is my next step? it has gotta be fairly flexable and tough, I am modeling Northwest Washington. Help is appreciated. Comments and Critizim is welcomed.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice. Great idea for staying involved.

As far as scenery goes, take a GOOD look at the photos of the area you're trying to model.

Are there mountains close enough to the tracks to appear on a layout of your footprint? I have a feeling you're dodging a bullet there... and in that vein, will probably see that you're going to see lots of dirt and gravel.

Next up though, take a good look at the way that terrain flows, the existence of drainage ditches and slight elevation changes. Is everything glued down already? If not, put some foam under it!

Then start looking at the actual textures you see in the photos. Woodland scenics will probably not have everything you need. Luckily europe is a hotbed of scenic material. Take a look at Scenic Express's website (scenicexpress.com) and see how much of it is probably actually manufactured in your back yard.

[delamaize]

Nice. Great idea for staying involved.

As far as scenery goes, take a GOOD look at the photos of the area you're trying to model.

Are there mountains close enough to the tracks to appear on a layout of your footprint? I have a feeling you're dodging a bullet there... and in that vein, will probably see that you're going to see lots of dirt and gravel.

Next up though, take a good look at the way that terrain flows, the existence of drainage ditches and slight elevation changes. Is everything glued down already? If not, put some foam under it!

Then start looking at the actual textures you see in the photos. Woodland scenics will probably not have everything you need. Luckily europe is a hotbed of scenic material. Take a look at Scenic Express's website (scenicexpress.com) and see how much of it is probably actually manufactured in your back yard.

since Insomnia is my freind again tonigh/this morning, I'll write a quick respoce before the sleeping stuff kicks it, nothing is glued down, all the track is spiked down, I really don't want to pull it back up again, although I may, to add some think cork under the tracks, I am thinking this is going to be a really small town station, with some light industral arount the depot, the yellow/grey building is going to be a small furniture or something along those lines, something where raw materials come in by truck or box car and go back out by boxcar. the warehouse is going to have a small cold storage, and some basic storage, more of a transfer station than anything, the final industry is down by the house, a Team track, a loading dock has already been made, and I might make a small tanker unloading station, not sure how to do this though. I have a empty spot on the upper left of the licture, not sure what to fill that spot with, probally will either just forest it in or make it some kind of frild or something, Mabey cattle of some sort.  I don't want to put any more buildings in.

[Philip H]

Mike,
if you are aiming for Northwest Washington (where I used to live FWIW), May I suggest the town of Lester, WA as your prototype?  Here's the Google search http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4DMUS_enUS241US249&q=lester%2c+WA

Lester is near the top of Stampede pass, but relatively flat (which works in your favor).  It was a logging town, and the railroad had fairly significant operations here at one point.  It's not easily accessible anymore, but I've been there, and I can imagine it as a Timesaver easily.

[extra7000south]

A very good idea Mike!! 
Keep us posted on your progress.