CB&Q E-8's On Upper Level Of "Original" JJJ&E High In The Monterrey Mountains |
When we look at scenery around us in real life, we often take things for granted. We see flowers and flowering foliage, but when it comes to adding these wonders of nature on our layouts, they are often missing. Adding flowers and flowering foliage in various places on a layout creates a warm touch that is often overlooked.
Adding flowers track side is a very easy project to do. It will enhance the look of your layout with this very subtle touch. Most modeler's don't think of using flowers or flowering foliage on a layout, yet this is a part of the real world.
There are three ways to use flowers/flowering foliage on a layout. The first method is to simply paint flowers on foam underbrush with a small very fine 18/0 sable brush.
The second method is to buy commercial products especially made for model railroaders. Woodland Scenics makes many of these products as does Scenic Express.
A third way to use flowers or flowering trees on a layout is to buy dried floral displays from a craft store/flower shop and trim the floral display into trees that are appropriately sized for an N scale layout.
I will discuss these three methods of using flower/flowering foliage on a layout.
If you decide to make your own flowers, it's really very easy to do and doesn't take much time. For this project you'll need the following supplies: a very fine 18/0 sable brush, Various shades of primary acrylic color paints, some foam underbrush or clumps and some white craft glue. Take some foam clumps/underbrush and glue them in various track side positions, next to rock formations or adjacent to buildings with some white craft glue. I use Aileen's Craft Glue and/or Craft Bond white glue.
After the glue is dry ( wait 24 hours ), and the foam underbrush/clumps are firmly in place, take an 18/0 very fine sable brush and dip the brush tip in some acrylic paint. You don't need much paint on the brush tip. You can choose any color paint you want for the flower color. There is a full spectrum of colors to choose from, as nature is very forgiving and there is no limit to your creativity or imagination.
Now paint the tips of the clump foam foliage with the tip of the brush. You might have to paint the tips of the foam underbrush several times to get the full effect of flowers on the underbrush/clumps.
Take your time and work carefully. That's all there is to beautifying your layout with flowers. You can add as many flowers to your foam underbrush/clumps/bushes as you wish.
Photo # 1 Denver & Rio Grande # 3802 "Challenger" On Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E High In The Monterrey Mountains |
Photo # 2 Closeup Photo Of CB&Q E-8's On Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E With The Monterrey Mountains In the Background |
In Photo # 2A, the purple and yellow wild flowers can be seen along the mainline high in the Monterrey Mountains on the upper level of the layout.
Photo # 2A Purple And Yellow Wild Flowers Adjacent To The Mainline In The Monterrey Mountains |
Photo # 3 Yellow Wild Flowers Adjacent The Bumpers On Sidings Of The San Marino Switching Yard |
Photo # 4 Wild Flowers Adjacent to The Mainline On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E |
Photo # 5 Overhead View Of Yellow Wild Flowers Adjacent To The Bumpers On Sidings Of The San Marino Switching Yard |
Photo # 5A is a panoramic view of the Switching Yard on the upper level of the layout. The yellow wild flowers can be seen adjacent to the sidings of the Switching Yard.
Photo # 5A Another View Of Wild Flowers Adjacent To Sidings Of Switching Yard |
Photo # 6 Yellow Wild Flowers Adjacent To Jackson Transfer Company |
In Photo # 6, you can see some yellow wild flowers adjacent to the Jackson Transfer building in the distance, where crates and boxes are awaiting shipment. You also have another view of the wild flowers adjacent to the sidings in the San Marino Switching Yard. Again, these are subtle touches that you as a modeler can add to your layout scenes without much effort or cost.
The second method of adding flowers/flowering foliage is to purchase commercial products made especially for model railroading. The photo's below show this method of using flowers/flowering foliage. You can trim the commercial products into different sized trees and bushes. They can be placed in many different locations on a layout. Woodland Scenics & Scenic Express make many of these products and their use can be seen in Photo # 7, # 8, # 9 and #10.
Photo # 7 Flowering Shrubs Adjacent To The Fish Pier And water |
Photo # 8 Flowering Foliage Growing Between The Rock Formations On The Long Grade To San Marino |
Photo # 9 Flowering Bushes Above A Rock Ledge |
Photo # 10 Flowering Trees Adjacent To The San Marino Tunnel |
The third method of adding flowers/foliage to your layout is to buy dry floral displays in a craft store or flowering shop. You can then transform any dried floral display into appropriately sized flowering N scale trees. Again, this is easy to do and you can make many different flowering trees from different dried floral arrangements.
You can make many individual trees from one of these dried floral arrangements with proper pruning of the individual trees.. After shaping the trees, you can paint the branches and tree trucks with some dark UP Gray. Then you can dry brush the branches and trucks with some Rail Tie Brown. This will give each tree a very realistic look. In Photo's #11, # 12 and # 13, you see examples of using this method of using flowering trees adjacent to the engine holding tracks in the turntable area of the "original" JJJ&E.
Photo # 11 Flowering Trees Adjacent To Holding Track Near The Turntable |
Photo # 12 Flowering Trees Adjacent To Holding Track Near The Turntable |
Photo # 13 Flowering Trees Adjacent To Holding Track Near The Turntable |
In conclusion, using any one of the above techniques I discussed will add subtle touches of colorful flowers and foliage on your layout. This techniques will complete and enhances different scenes on your layout.
You should give one or all of these techniques a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised with the results. You will definitely add subtle splashes of color throughout your layout.
Stay cool and run steam.......
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