Modelling scenery after a rain fall.

[craigolio1]

Hey all.

The area I’m modelling is in a coastal rain forest. In the mountain portion I’m modelling I’d like to do a just after the rain stopped type scene. This will include puddles, swollen streams, darker looking ballast and rails, etc.

I’m curious if anyone else has done this? I’m curious about how I might model wet vegetation?  I feel like just coating everything in gloss coat would be going too far. My observations are that some things are shiny. Some things are just darker, colours are often more vibrant.

I’ve attached the only pic I could find in my phone that’s close to what I’m taking about, but I have batter pics in a book at home that I’ll post later.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Craig.

[Scottl]

Wet surfaces have greater color saturation and are somewhat darker.  Wet pavement like in the photo will be really important.  Careful use of semi-gloss and gloss materials, in some cases tinted to be darker would be how I would approach pavement.

[Jesse6669]

I'd do a small diorama and experiment to find out what works for you.

Lighting should be non-distinct (muted or no shadows).  Grey background. 

I'd do puddles and such with gloss acrylic medium, probably use some light coats of gloss on scenery?  Post rain I could see ties being slightly glossy.

As has been said--vibrant colors (if spring/summer/fall).   Probably do some gloss on roofs/gutters..   

Not often mentioned or thought about--but a background "light rain" ambient noise would be interesting.. 

[BCR751]

WOW! I haven't seen that spot since about 1975.  It was called the 'Diamond'.  The track crossing under the RDC was owned by Crown Zellerbach and was used to haul logs from the reload at Second Lake about 23 miles down to the chuck (ocean) at Ladysmith, BC to be boomed for loading on barges.  The loco used was an ex D&H (I think) RS-3 that I rode on many times while working for CZ.  Not sure of the date for this photo but I think the tower was not in use when I was there.  Thanks for the memories, Craig.

Doug

[basementcalling]

Search the Model Railroader index.  Rand Hood did a rain scape article 30 years back and his results were excellent.

[craigolio1]

Thanks for the input everyone!

[Missaberoad]

Search the Model Railroader index.  Rand Hood did a rain scape article 30 years back and his results were excellent.

Was just about to comment this!

Modeling a Rainscape Model Railroader, September 1993, page 66.

I think it was also in one of the scenery books that was just a compilation of articles.

https://www.amazon.ca/New-Scenery-Tips-Techniques-Projects/dp/0890246211

[craigolio1]

WOW! I haven't seen that spot since about 1975.  It was called the 'Diamond'.  The track crossing under the RDC was owned by Crown Zellerbach and was used to haul logs from the reload at Second Lake about 23 miles down to the chuck (ocean) at Ladysmith, BC to be boomed for loading on barges.  The loco used was an ex D&H (I think) RS-3 that I rode on many times while working for CZ.  Not sure of the date for this photo but I think the tower was not in use when I was there.  Thanks for the memories, Craig.

Doug

Awesome memories!!  I have no place to model this spot on my current railroad but would like to make it into a FreemoN interchange module at some point. I’ve always had a thing for this scene. I have two locos destined to be painted as the RS3 (one of which is an exCPR chop nose).

Craig.

[BCR751]

Awesome memories!!  I have no place to model this spot on my current railroad but would like to make it into a FreemoN interchange module at some point. I’ve always had a thing for this scene. I have two locos destined to be painted as the RS3 (one of which is an exCPR chop nose).

Craig.

Here's a shot of the loco that was used by Crown Zellerbach when I worked there.  I never did the chop-nose one.  I think that one is now in Port Alberni.

Doug

[Angus Shops]

This is a great idea, something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Puddles, filled ditches, glossy vegetation and other surfaces… I’ve also been thinking about lower overall light levels, and the misty, low cloud level “socked in” feel. The greens need to be greener and the weathering would need to change from dusty to rain streaked. Would I need a whole fleet of glossy, rain streaked equipment? Backdrop painting might be easier - the hillsides would fade into the mist and fog. And do I need to eliminate the shadows from my existing layout lighting?

[craigolio1]

Here’s a coupe of good , just rained , pics.





Definitely need shiny bridges.

Craig.

[craigolio1]

[Dwight in Toronto]

I don’t have any appropriate words of wisdom nor tools-&-techniques to share, but whoo-eee, this is going to be fascinating to watch.  You go, boy!

[Philip H]

The AK interactive paint guys have some videos on their YouTube channel you might want to hunt up. Granted it’s all on how to use their products but probably still worth your time.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is very cool!

I cannot stress the "practice first" approach.

I did that for some techniques back in 2011 and continue to be glad that I did: https://conrail1285.com/right-of-way-size-study/