Been doing some scenic work on The Stables. I wish I could settle on a fixed set of approaches for the surface textures, but I seem to be trying out different methods on every new layout.
The yards at Farthing tend to feature a cinders/ash/dirt mix for ballast, as seen in period photos. In the past I’ve used Polyfilla (handbuilt track) or DAS (RTR track). But I wanted a more textured look, so tried Chinchilla sand this time.
Hmm. Once wetted and stuck down with a PVA mix it set nicely - but close-ups revealed an unsightly shine from the quartz.
So I applied a couple of fairly thick coloured washes, dispensed as drops from a brush. The sleepers did need touching up afterwards.
Well, I got my texture and can live with the result, but I'm not completely happy. Next time I may try mixing in some grout or real ash.
For the yard's ground texture I have previously used Polyfilla, but wanted more control so tried a base of DAS, rolled and cut to size. Bacon sandwich, anyone?
DAS on a PVA base, smoothed with a wet finger.
Antarctic railway. The grey DAS I use dries up white. OK as a base, but a bit too smooth for what I wanted.
So I experimented with terrain paste as used by the diorama and wargaming communities. Got some for my birthday. I ended up using mostly the AK Terrains Light Earth. Although coarser than Vallejo Sand Paste, I found it takes paint better and dries up dead matt.
I think it's supposed to go on neat, but I found it could be thinned with water to control how coarse I wanted it. My best sable brush, not!
Experiments showed it can be sanded down for more smoothness. Adds a bit of variation.
In other areas I tried thinning the paste a lot, then stippling it on to add a slight gravel effect. The pastes would be an expensive solution if applied neat over large areas, but with thinning I think their potential increases.
The whole thing was lightly coloured with thin washes of Vallejo acrylics.
The layout has a slight embankment that separates the yards. This was treated to static grass.
I haven't tried static grass before, what a superb mess you can make! I don't have much hair left, so I wonder… 😄
Although it’s summer I wanted a subdued colour, so used Mini Natur 2mm and 4mm "Late Fall", and a bit of Woodland Scenics 4mm straw. The phone camera exaggerates the yellow, it’s a bit greener in reality.
Edwardian photos suggests that grass was fairly carefully controlled in yards back then, so I resisted the urge to apply it in patches everywhere.
Lastly I tried working over the whole area with pigments. It helped blend things together. Note to self: This is MIG Light European Earth (P415), now rebranded as Abteilung 502 Light European Earth (2260). Also a bit of Vallejo Pigments Light Yellow Ochre (73.102).
I suppose there’s an un-intended seaside look to it. Shades of Neil Rushby’s Shell Island layout. I wish!
Where it’s at. Now onward with the trees.