Cisco Bridges: a new layout concept

[Philip H]

This needs to go to MR for Trackside Photos.  Now, and again when you get the river done.

[Scottl]

I've spent most of the last few weeks making trees from wire and trying to find a source for leveling cement in bags smaller than 50 lb.  @mark dance made this suggestion for the river bed a few months back and it is a perfect way to cover the plywood joints and to get a nice flush edge between the rock castings on the shore and the water.  Here it is freshly laid and still curing- now what to do with 45 lb of the leveling cement 

[craigolio1]

Clearly you should build another 30 feet of the Fraser Canyon.

[Scottl]

But then I would have to build the CP bridge. That would probably take another three years

[Santa Fe Guy]

Looks like it has worked very well Scott. Yep build more layout LOL.
Rod.

[basementcalling]

But then I would have to build the CP bridge. That would probably take another three years

Nah, think of all the short cuts and time savers you learned.

[craigolio1]

Don't worry I've got three years.

[Scottl]

Fear not, I have the other 3/4 of the layout to keep you amused for a few years 

[Scottl]

It dried overnight and didn't crack.  Planted another 50 trees...

[Scottl]

I'll be putting down a coat of mud-colored paint soon and then working on the details.  Any suggestions for getting the subtle white waves on the water?  Here is my reference photo

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=346633

I've had some success using transparent white (Zinc white) but the look is not very convincing.  Ti-white is even worse- it is easy to over do it.  Any suggestions?

[svedblen]

Incredible!

As for doing white water waves, I remember this video that I think someone posted a link to not long ago.

[mark dance]

I concur to follow (the Master Wave Maker) Troels Kirk's technique.  I use the same method ...



...but Troels' video explains it and demonstrates it and he is much better at it to boot!

btw: it is amazing how trees disappear into Pacific Northwest scenery isn't it?! What do you think you need... another 500?

md

[Scottl]

Well, Troels makes it look easy, but I do think that is a great method.  I'll give that a try, but perhaps with less wave action.  Thanks for the suggestion, I had forgotten his videos even though I have followed his Coast Line thread for years.

Mark, you are right, this kind of setting seems to need a lot of trees!  I have lost count of the actual trees, but I have used over 1250 feet of 28 ga wire for branches and almost 200 feet of 22 ga for trunks so far.  I won't need many trees for the Ashcroft and Thompson Canyon scenes, so I figure I'll do this scene up fully and not skimp.  Based on the 50 trees I placed today, I would say I need another 300+ to finish the Cisco scene.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

It dried overnight and didn't crack.  Planted another 50 trees...

Looks great as always but i can't see the 50 new trees can you point them out 

[Santa Fe Guy]

Scott, your trees look outstanding good job. More will look even better on the layout.
Rod.