The Closet Branch - A Low-Tech Layout.

[Pierluc]

I know what it is - it's F) a piece of banana skin, (derail, as the engine slips off track  ). 

Best solution ever found ! Is it made by the NASA ?   

[dats475]

Guys! Guys!! I'm asking international intelligence collaboration here. It's up to us to find out the truth of the derail which challenging us at the most fundamental level of the human soul!!
Besides do you really think it looks like a banana peel?..... wait, wait a minute.....

Yes, yes it does!!

This forum is actually for the modelling, so I better post something about making a model. Otherwise I'll probably get banned from this forum.
This is my test of the "cotton balls orange trees".
Most likely I'll not use this.
I don't think you call the material "Cotton balls" there but you know what I'm talking about.

I remember orange trees are round shape something like this..... Ok I admit...I'm failed. I'll be back with something better.... I hope.

Dats

[texhorse]

You could probably make those a bit more realistic by rolling them in scatter materials or Woodland Scenics bits while the paint is wet.  Just something to make them look less like soccer balls will improve the look of them.

Andy
UK

[dats475]

Thank you very much for your suggestion, Andy.
I'm thinking to use poly fiber filling instead of Cotton material. I need to purchase a poly fiber bag, a green colour spray and probably need a spray adhesive. I only need 6-9 orange trees. I don't know buying all materials is actually cheaper than ready made orange trees. Woodland scenic makes orange trees although it looks different than California orange trees.
I'll think about it more while I'm running the trains.
In other words, no progress....



Person who attending the N gauge train show this weekend, please enjoy a lot, take pictures a lot and buy a lot of N gauge stuff!! Don't forget to share with us!!
I decided that September is N attitude month.
  Take that HO!!   

[texhorse]

Hi Dats

I am planning to take plenty of photos at the show tomorrow, but I only have plans to purchase one second hand loco from Anoraks Anonymous, and a Woodland Scenics Roto Wheel Cleaner.

Hopefully I'll be uploading photos in the next few evenings.

Andy
UK

[dats475]

Hi, Andy.
How was the show?
I know you have a lot of EMD and GE locomotives. How do you like Alco loco? Please post your new acquisition!!
BTW, Andy. I saw a mug shot picture from the show and I saw a handsome looking guy with cowboy shirt. I can't put my finger on it. I thought I saw the dandy guy somewhere.....

Ok. I made orange trees without the orange.

[dats475]

More pictures.
Next challenge would be a long over due backdrop.


I want to make the photo backdrop but I don't know how to use nor have a photo edit program. 
That's a problem. 
Still...  in your face HO!! 

[Webbo]

I like the trees and note the detritus on the ground under them like real trees have. Nice touch. I've been wanting to do that with my trees, but too many other things to do at the moment.

Webbo

[maridunian]

Great trees - not that I know what orange trees look like in California - they certainly don't grow on trees around here!

I love the weathering on that box car - are those actual dents?

Mike

[Webbo]

Hi Dats

Your orange trees are the right sort of height and shape of the orange trees I know from here in Oz. However, our orange trees have foliage that is a fair bit darker than what yours appear to be. Darker than grass green in fact. Californian orange trees may be quite different from Australian trees, but I think they go by the same names: Valencia, navel etc.

Webbo

[texhorse]

Hey Dats!

I really enjoyed the show.  I probably liked it more this year than I did before.  Photos are coming, I promise.  I bought a BNSF GP30 / GP39M.  It needs a decoder yet, but I'll submit photos.  I also got two unboxed second hand cement cars, a Microtrains collectors car (Mission Control) and that Woodland Scenics wheel cleaner I was after.

I have nothing against Alcos.  They are a bit old school for my layout, though.

Yes, that's me in the Sunday photo in the Dallas Cowboys shirt.  The Cowboys went on to let me down that evening, but there we go.

The trees look just fine.  The oranges aren't blooming on them just yet, obviously! 

Andy
UK

[texhorse]

OK Dats, as promised, here's a photo of my purchases from the show on Sunday.  Notice also in the background, some new landscaping which I'm doing at Cherry Valley.  The hobos have been moved on from their camp, but they'll be back....





Andy
UK

[grumbeast]

Hey Dats,

 just getting back into the forum, thought I'd chime in, love the look of your Orange trees, they look great.  Its been years since I've been to California, but your ground colour seems to capture what I remember really well!

Graham

[dats475]

Hello!!
Weekend again!
Hopefully I will have a little time to do some modelling.

Hi, Webbo.
Thank you for reading my thread patiently.
The detritus on the ground are actually irrigation ditches.(Some elements/equipments are missing on my layout.)
I learned that they used it to distrbut the water back in old days. Although I don't know they still use it in my modelling period of early 80's.
I should make it little lighter colour and apply some high gross material.
Yes, Webbo! You're right once again!! The trees should darker green! Mine is "Too faded" looking.
I'll experiment further and reporting back to you.
Please wish me luck!

Hello, Mike.
The orange groves in LA  looks like this or I should say I wanted liked this.
https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-roadside-orange-grove-image630619

Apparently, they cut the top of trees to stop their growth.
For dents, I'm not sure I understand correctly. You mean on the car?
I have to say that it's a magic of my cell phone camera.
Sometimes the picture makes much better looking than actual model.
If you see it by your own eyes, you probably say "What 's this?!!".
Nevertheless I think you for your kind words!!
I appreciate it, Mike.

Captain Andy!
You did it again!!
Nice choice of purchase.
No wonder you're smiling on the picture!
Great looking 2804, Andy.
You have a quite extensive MTL car collection as well.
My wish is to buy a MTL 50' SP boxcar so I can put lumber inside while the door is open.
Although, MTL are relatively expensive in US and are riding little higher than I like to see but sure they are nice!
I like those covered hoppers with ACFX reporting marks too.
Please let me know how well the Roto cleaner works.

Hello, Graham.
Thank you very much for reading my thread.
I struggled with the ground cover so many times.
I just couldn't achieve those Los Angeles dusty packed down dirt ground.
N gauge size makes little more challenging, regular materials are too coarse in my opinion.
Thank you very much for your encouragement words!!

Latest weathering efforts.


I'm going to add more weathering on this one.

  dats

[texhorse]

Just a quick note for you Dats, to say how good I think your weathering looks on those cars.  Good job!

Andy
UK