CN Yellowhead Division

[Scottl]

I'll keep a look out for it, once the snow melts  .  It does look like a black or white spruce so it is ideal for my needs.

[Scottl]

More base scenery progress.  I did the full area from Park Gate to Devona so that I will have the messy work done before installing the final backdrop.  I started working on Super Trees for the birch and aspen but will need to experiment to get the right look for spruce and pine.

[mdltrn]

What a scene! Looking great, its really starting to come together.

[Scott1984]

That is looking really good Scott!! Great work.

[Cajonpassfan]

Wow, Scott, that will be just awesome! Already is....
Keep 'em coming,
Otto

[Scottl]

Still refining the backdrop to get the best effect.  I've had to do some manipulation of things to make it work with the layout.  I have not pulled the trigger to print yet but getting there soon.  I'm also working on installing the fascia and getting a tree technique down.  One lingering issue is that I need to figure out the water color for the Athabasca River.  I'm planning a base coat of paint, feathered a bit near the shore and in the deeper channel, but I have struggled to get a color that looks right to me.

I've GIMPed up the photo above with some colors that work for me, but I'm still not sure how to proceed.  I've included a great picture by Tim Stevens (Railpictures.net) to give an idea of the season and color I am looking for.  The river is largely free of sediment in the spring and winter and this region does not have the greeny algae color so many people use on layouts.  I lean towards the blueish version (A).  The greener (B and C) Could be blended a bit to give a deeper look, but I don't think a greenish cast is what I am looking for overall.  Thoughts?

[Bendtracker1]

I think feathering A & B together for the different depths would get you real close Scott?
When the gloss coat goes on, it might change the hues just a bit?

[Scottl]

Thanks Allen, I was envisioning something like that.  Here is an attempt in GIMP.  I made the green pretty subtle but it looks good to my eye.

I agree the gloss coat will likely darken things, something I need to test before committing to the layout.

[Bendtracker1]

Wouldn't the lighter color be along the shore Scott?
Or is that where the main channel runs?

[Scottl]

The deeper areas appear more green-blue in the photos, definitely in the satellite image as well.  The shore here is rip rap so there is no "shallow" area in this area, but yes, if there was submerged bed visible then I would expect it to be lighter and maybe a bit of gray or brown for the shore.  The prototype photo I posted is not particularly clear on this but there will be shallower areas in the most distant area of the river where the natural bank occurs.

[Scottl]

Mounted about half of the fascia today.  I love how this finishes the look of the layout.  I'll drill holes and mount the turnout pushbuttons but they are taped in place for now.

[LKOrailroad]

Stay cognizant of shadow angles on those backdrop images.

[Scottl]

You see it as well.  I have a plan to solve that. 

First, I need to upgrade the lights for more illumination.  To eliminate the shadow on the backdrop, I'm going to put a sky-colored hardboard "upper" backdrop on the peninsula that will go to the ceiling.  That way, the light from each bay of the peninsula will be isolated.  It has bothered me since I put the backdrop up, hopefully that will help.

[Angus Shops]

That is awesome! I see all three colours in the real image, but it’s really hard to tell if those are true colours or not. But it doesn’t really matter, it’s really more about what makes you happy, in your room.

[dnhouston]

The A+B blend mockup looks really good to my eye.  Nice work on the entire scene.