SuperTrees on the Juniata Division

[Dave V]

In part due to the influence of Dave Foxx and Ed K, and also because of insight gleaned from this wonderful thread:

http://therailwire.net/forum/index.php/topic,15576.0.html

...I'd purchased a bunch of SuperTrees armatures some time ago. However, I've only recently gotten around to using them.  The original trees on the Juniata Division were a mix of trees from my previous N scale layout and a few bags of short Woodland Scenics already built trees I got cheap at a WGH show in Chantilly back in 2006.  Back then my objective was to scenic the layout quickly.  However, those trees were all too short to represent Northeastern hardwoods.  I hesitated for some time to build the SuperTrees because they would dramatically change the character of the layout, to say nothing of how I would deal with the fact that my "mountain" top was a mere 9" above the railhead.  Forced perspective works when you can control the viewing angle, which I would not be able to do.  

This was the layout before...  Note how there is no divider between the front and back of the layout between the mountains.



After the SuperTrees were installed, the scenic divide between the front and back of the layout becomes much more profound.





The trees are now a much more prototypical height relative to the trains.  In addition, the backs of the houses in Lewistown are no longer visible from the stone arch bridge over Jack's Run.







The trees also tower above the structures in the way they should in Pennsylvania.



The view down PA 147 is much more subtle than it was before:



The trees blend better than I thought they would with the mountains and their foliage clumps:





The bridge/tunnel scene, inspired by Spruce Creek on the Middle Division, is improved with the addition of the trees:



 

[MichaelWinicki]

What a difference!

Consider getting some sage armatures and mix in a few of those also.  They offer a terrific contrast to Super Trees.

[davefoxx]

Oh, man, now you're talking!  This looks great, and I think the scale of the trees towering over these houses, for example, greatly increases the realism of the Juniata Division.  Are you planning on going farther and adding even more trees?  Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge. 

[Dave V]

Dave, I have a bunch more.  I'm going to add some to Enola Yard as well.

[Ian MacMillan]

Much much better Dave!

What colors are you using?

[GaryHinshaw]

The difference is indeed dramatic - both the height and the airiness of the foliage.  Keep going!

-gfh

[chuck geiger]

Makes me long for the days of having a Rolling Rock "33" and
a grinder in Lewisburg and voting for the union.
]http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/macneil/2008/09-25/pa-house-furniture.jpg]

[chuck geiger]

Seriously, Supertrees have taken us from the rolled up poly-fiber ball
mountain sides and the clumps of foliage clusters on plastic
armatures to open and airy, less is more strands of trees.

[wazzou]

Looking real good Dave.  Much more dramatic.

[tom mann]

These look great.  I agree with the comment about adding the super sage to gain thickness for the trunk.

[chuck geiger]

[Dave V]

Much much better Dave!

What colors are you using?

I'm being lazy and using WS fine green blend, some WS weeds, and some medium green coarse.  I thought I had medium green fine, but I can't find it.  Nearest LHS is a good 45 minutes away so I went with what I had.

[DKS]

Well done, it makes a big difference. Must feel good to be doing some modeling again.

[Dave V]

Before:



After:



A better shot of the houses in Lewistown:



You can almost imagine chasing a train on the Junitata Division...  Here we're on US 522 ducking under the mainline:



Pacing a TrucTrain on PA 147 is not for the faint of heart:

[chuck geiger]

Dave, we need to get you BLAIR LINE or cut out off a web site and
printed signs for Lewistown. I volunteer to make them for you.