the distinction you made about the fact that a model is there to represent reality and doesn't have to be 100 percent reality is something i wish more modelers would have the balls to say.
The canyon looks very exciting! My personal preference for rock work is to cover the foam with plaster gauze and then use molds to cast the rocks in place. Additional molds are added slightly overlapping the previous ones. Then the molds are removed before the plaster is completely hardened. The overlap can be chipped away leaving few or no gaps. This way the rock face is continuous and I avoid the appearance of mosaic tiles. I have seen carved foam with a convincing appearance as rocks but have found it more difficult to achieve than with rock castings. Keep up the great work. The layout is looking fantastic.
I’m on my fifth layout in life and it’s the first in my own home. Double deck with trains only able to be moved from top to bottom by rail barges. Top level is 1912-1930 era and based off the once upon a time line to my hometown of seadrift Texas, that goes to port o Connor, and the bottom level in port lavaca and ends in the Bloomington Texas yard, bottom level is based on the prototype entirely and will run mainly 80’s-present day era. I look very much forward to finally presenting a quality model layout to join the rest of the UA-camrs such as yourself for years!
The stytofoam scenery base is giving some good clues to the final shape and the photos give a good colour and detail reference. It will be interesting to see how you progress and particularly how the castings fit into the foam. I think the challenge will he getting the rock striations to pass through the castings. Great progress and thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update Cam. The Canyon is a real `Wow` feature & coming on nicely, Excellent critique of the ScaleTrains & Intermountain locos-you have a great eye for detail.
Nice review and great comparison of the Scale Trains Tier 4 and Intermountain version. I have to agree with you about wishing that Scale Trains would've tinted their cab windows darker. Thanks for the update.
The layout is looking great Cam. Really nice new additions to the fleet as well. I wasn’t aware of the new LokPilots... I have a few of the previous version and haven’t used them due to the lack of motor control and awful hum noise they send through the motor. I enjoyed the live streams you and John did... you guys are doing awesome work. Looking forward to more. All the best, John
Great update I love the Canyon idea and basing it off real photos is great reference material. The sound file in the new locomotives sounds great so do the locomotives.
How do you plan to seal the foam when you pour the river? I thought I had sealed my foam well enough but after a few weeks, the off-gassing from the foam created bubbles in the resin.
What's your method for the grass/dirt combo? 9:37 , 12:20, 13:45 for example, looks really natural and clean! Do you paint, then layer some sort of texture prior to the static grass? What colors have you found success with? I took a small stab at some static grass... clearly it takes some skill that I have yet to master.
Appreciate the comparison. I've been wondering about the newer intermountains. Did that have roller bearings as well? When you get around to it, it would be nice to see a video on updating to the new sound file you mentioned for those if us with less dcc experience. Also, you could probably easily blend those foam panels with great stuff spray foam. Use the version that dries hard. The soft version will crumble away when if you fuss with it.
None of the manufacturers hit it 100% accurate and that's okay. They are doing well with making models as close to real as possible. You mentioned the engine compartment not low enough to scale on the Intermountain compared to ScaleTrains but I looked at prototype photos on locophotos.com and both appear to be correct for those road numbers. They were built different years and minor changes may occur. One thing I like about the Intermountain models is the ditch light housings are more to scale where on the ScaleTrains they're too thick. But both make good running models.
Looks great! Question on your bridge abutment. Is the retaining walls on the end a part of the bridge support or merely a cosmetic cover? How is the bridge supported and what did you do to level it out with the foam or wood underneath?
Very nice layout man! What scale is this by the way? I’m going to start putting one up in the next 3-5 years or so. Those intermodal cars especially, are available in only certain scales. Any info. you can give is much appreciated.
May I ask how wide your aisle is in the opening scene in this video? How do you find that width for building and operating? I only ask because a plan I have for a new 2-deck layout has some 30" aisles, and I'm concerned they might feel cramped.
Don't worry ;) I've got 20+ videos I'm currently editing. I've been hard at work since the last update, and things are drastically different. I'll be back in about a month. -Cam
the distinction you made about the fact that a model is there to represent reality and doesn't have to be 100 percent reality is something i wish more modelers would have the balls to say.
The canyon looks very exciting! My personal preference for rock work is to cover the foam with plaster gauze and then use molds to cast the rocks in place. Additional molds are added slightly overlapping the previous ones. Then the molds are removed before the plaster is completely hardened. The overlap can be chipped away leaving few or no gaps. This way the rock face is continuous and I avoid the appearance of mosaic tiles. I have seen carved foam with a convincing appearance as rocks but have found it more difficult to achieve than with rock castings. Keep up the great work. The layout is looking fantastic.
I’m on my fifth layout in life and it’s the first in my own home. Double deck with trains only able to be moved from top to bottom by rail barges. Top level is 1912-1930 era and based off the once upon a time line to my hometown of seadrift Texas, that goes to port o Connor, and the bottom level in port lavaca and ends in the Bloomington Texas yard, bottom level is based on the prototype entirely and will run mainly 80’s-present day era. I look very much forward to finally presenting a quality model layout to join the rest of the UA-camrs such as yourself for years!
Have to admit that Scaletrains nailed it on the dynamic braking and you are right Scaletrains disappointed us on the tinted Windows
The stytofoam scenery base is giving some good clues to the final shape and the photos give a good colour and detail reference. It will be interesting to see how you progress and particularly how the castings fit into the foam. I think the challenge will he getting the rock striations to pass through the castings. Great progress and thanks for the update.
The foam carvings look fantastic! I love the extruded foam for modeling, it makes perfect carved rocks, portals, abutments, and piers.
The scenery is taking shape. Give the foam some time and don't get carried away about looks. Things will blend in.
great job on the scenery.. the layout is very impressive. Looking forward to following the build. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the update Cam. The Canyon is a real `Wow` feature & coming on nicely, Excellent critique of the ScaleTrains & Intermountain locos-you have a great eye for detail.
Nice review and great comparison of the Scale Trains Tier 4 and Intermountain version. I have to agree with you about wishing that Scale Trains would've tinted their cab windows darker. Thanks for the update.
Love the foam. Remember your railroad will never be finished. Great job.
Yes.. you and your friend do a nice job foam carving an thxs for the side by side info on ScaleTrains vs. Intermountain.. 🤗
The layout is looking great Cam. Really nice new additions to the fleet as well. I wasn’t aware of the new LokPilots... I have a few of the previous version and haven’t used them due to the lack of motor control and awful hum noise they send through the motor. I enjoyed the live streams you and John did... you guys are doing awesome work. Looking forward to more. All the best, John
Great update. I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel lol with my foam cutting and shaping.
That canyon is going to be impressive. Great foam work. Thanks for sharing and stay safe.
Really looking nice. Can't wait to see how the scenery pulls it all together.
Great update I love the Canyon idea and basing it off real photos is great reference material. The sound file in the new locomotives sounds great so do the locomotives.
Really nice job on the craving and all. That sounds like a great scenery plan for the canyon.
Great update! Thank you for sharing.
Your scenery work is looking good. Bob
Awesome progress my friend
Fantástico layout... sensacional! Parabéns
Thank you very much for the great update! I really enjoyed it :)
Grtz, Ronald from the Netherlands
How do you plan to seal the foam when you pour the river? I thought I had sealed my foam well enough but after a few weeks, the off-gassing from the foam created bubbles in the resin.
What's your method for the grass/dirt combo? 9:37 , 12:20, 13:45 for example, looks really natural and clean! Do you paint, then layer some sort of texture prior to the static grass? What colors have you found success with? I took a small stab at some static grass... clearly it takes some skill that I have yet to master.
Appreciate the comparison. I've been wondering about the newer intermountains. Did that have roller bearings as well? When you get around to it, it would be nice to see a video on updating to the new sound file you mentioned for those if us with less dcc experience. Also, you could probably easily blend those foam panels with great stuff spray foam. Use the version that dries hard. The soft version will crumble away when if you fuss with it.
Great job.
None of the manufacturers hit it 100% accurate and that's okay. They are doing well with making models as close to real as possible. You mentioned the engine compartment not low enough to scale on the Intermountain compared to ScaleTrains but I looked at prototype photos on locophotos.com and both appear to be correct for those road numbers. They were built different years and minor changes may occur. One thing I like about the Intermountain models is the ditch light housings are more to scale where on the ScaleTrains they're too thick. But both make good running models.
What was your technique for the foam rock faces? Hope the channel is still going!
Looks great! Question on your bridge abutment. Is the retaining walls on the end a part of the bridge support or merely a cosmetic cover? How is the bridge supported and what did you do to level it out with the foam or wood underneath?
Great video love the locomotives
Nice layout
Very nice layout man! What scale is this by the way? I’m going to start putting one up in the next 3-5 years or so. Those intermodal cars especially, are available in only certain scales. Any info. you can give is much appreciated.
Like the new video today .You got my support.
Great update! Is that bedrock canyon in Arizona?
May I ask how wide your aisle is in the opening scene in this video? How do you find that width for building and operating? I only ask because a plan I have for a new 2-deck layout has some 30" aisles, and I'm concerned they might feel cramped.
Good video
how do you not get string-line effects on your layout?
We need another update :)
Don't worry ;)
I've got 20+ videos I'm currently editing. I've been hard at work since the last update, and things are drastically different. I'll be back in about a month.
-Cam
Awesome, can’t wait :)
Hey I have the bnsf et44c4 3638 as seen in my video
Hey cAm how are you doing buddy I got hacked my Facebook I getting new phone this week buddy