October 28th, 2015: Topaz ReMask

So, I discovered a great new tool for making photos of the layout, called Topaz ReMask.  I can cut out cleanly the basement and add a background photo to make things look more real.  These are three old iPhone photos of the layout, remade using this technique.  Now I have to start using my real camera more often!!!

The River Is Done...On To The...Fence???

So, the river is complete.  Took a large number of coats of Polycrylic to get it done and some small stones as well but it is done!  Hallelujah!

Here is the view at the top of the mountain with the rock-strewn stream leading off...

And the covered bridge is now in place, held there by the gypsum spread with a pallette knife to bring the road up to the level needed to cross the bridge.  We will be placing traffic lights on either side as this is a one-lane bridge.

Next up are the portals and cliffs on the 4X3 peninsula.  Why are we working there?  Because of the need to put up a fence around the layout so my dad can start letting the cats downstairs again without fear that they will Godzilla the layout.

The cliff (the last one on the layout!) has been carved, gypsumed and painted and the portals are in place.  The ballast has been glued down and texturing put in place.  Now we will ignore this area for a while, we got enough done so we could get the fence up.

We put posts up and an overhead beam to hand an 8' section of fence from.  We are doing this all around the layout.  We just need to make sure the cats can't get onto the layout.  They've done it before.  A tornado would have done less damage.  :)

So, the build goes on!