First try... First Layout

[Strthoky]

Wooooooooooooo HOoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! I have finally marked progress on my layout... I am a newbie that has been lurking around and skimming info for a couple months.... hopefully I can post these images properly... let me know if I screw it up... and please please give me constructive criticism


grrrrr couldn't get em loaded right will try to post pics...

 

[shamus]

Hi Strthoky, and welcome to the gauge. If you are still having trouble loading up photo via our BROWSER, let us know.

Shamus

 

[Strthoky]

ok lets see if I can get this to work ...
This is the start... I have the general plan and as you can tell I am a messy worker...

 

[Strthoky]

after all the foam cutting I became pretty handy with the foam cutter and sculpted a retaining wall and girders

 

[Strthoky]

Here is my first attempt at weathering my rolling stock.....

And afetr some inspiration from this site my attempts at scratch building some scenery The barn is not completed though

Of course I have to show my patriotic support hehe

the portal is carved plaster... inspired from a thread on here....
and you can see the hand carved foam retaining wall and mountain side

I goofed the paint job on the stones.... it was looking real nice until I put a acrylic matte top coat and then the wonderful multi color painted stones peeled their paint.. temp fix until later

 

[msh]

I'm REALLY liking your work!! If this is your first attempt you're off to a GRAND start.

Question: How did you come up with the garden/field next to the barn? I've got to make one too and the rows look great.

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Hard to believe this is your first attempt, excellent work! Ground covers, and weathering really nice!

 

[Strthoky]

I took a courogated (sp?) card board box and gently yook one of the outside (smooth layer) off to expose the "rows" I am thinking about putting some of those brass corn stalks I have seen in there..

Thanks a bunch... this site has help so much when it comes to ideas and help doing things... maybe one day my layout could look half as good as some of these "I can't Believe that is not real life" model layouts

Here is some pics of total progress.... today I plan on weathering the rest of the track already laid... and ballast it..

and this is the creek / pond I have yet to finish

 

[kettlestack]

Welcome Strthoky, That's an impressive quality of attention you're putting into the scenery as you progress.
I wouldn't presume to criticise it, there isn't anything to criticise.
I would suggest something though which could enhance the running of the layout though.......
In your last photo, there seems to be space at the lower left for inserting a run round track, usefull for holding a train in.

I can see it is going to be a very attractive layout... well done.

Errol

 

[marty w.]

Welcome Strthoky,
Excellent job!
I really like the third pic. The weeds look great!
Please post more on your progress.
Marty

 

[csxnscale]

Welcome aboard Strthoky,
Awfully nice weathering, scenery and layout.

Paul

 

[eightyeightfan1]

Are you sure you're new at this?
Looks pretty good so far.

 

[brakie]

Great job for a first layout! Keep up the good work!

 

[Strthoky]

yea I am sure ... my only other layout was snap track layed out around the kitchen table with woodgrain formica ground cover

Kettle stack I had planned that on the right side but then decided not to.. On the left side I want to put a run around and a turnout on the run around so that I can expand off the lower left end there if I want to...

 

[Gavin Miller]

Wow! VERY convincing scenery, weathering, weeds, rocks, culverts!!!!!!!!!!!

You, my friend, have a flair for scenery/weathering. Are you a modeller from another field (eg military dioramas)?

Gavin

 

[MCL_RDG]

I am...

...digging this very much!

Thanks for the post.

Mark

 

[ezdays]

Impressive, I hope my first attempt comes out half as good.

I like the corrogated cardboard thing, I may try it on a small garden next to a house.

Don

 

[roryglasgow]

Very impressive! Thanks for the tip on the farm. That's a pretty clever trick. And that creek and pond look like they could be here in East Texas!

 

[Sir_Prize]

Looking good...
NO...
LOOKING AWESOME!!

 

[Strthoky]

here is another picture of foam manipulation

And here is the bottom of my pond waiting for some Faux Water... I am trying to hold out on that so I don't get it all scratched and messed up... but I am dying to see how it would look filled up.....

Thanks for all the nice comments ... actually I should be thanking you... I have been able to do this because I have poured through your threads and gleened knowledge for you!!