The Art of Todd Gamble

Campaign Setting Sneak Peak page

2012-03-04T20:37:00.003-08:00

Here I am building a sneak peak into the Campaign Setting at Adventureaweek.com
This is to help give the first time visitor to the website an idea of the flavor of the
setting that takes place in a village called Rybalka, on the southeast portion of the
Rybalkan peninsula, on Serpent lake. I have text to add once the design is approved.

Critical Hit to the Blog on Adventureaweek.com

2012-02-21T18:26:00.004-08:00

This is a logo I created for Adventureaweek.com The logo was created for the "Critical Hit to the Blog" An awesome blog with Will Myers, a great guy! Come visit the blog on our website and learn something cool today!

Adventureaweek.com Draft#6 Main Landing Page

2012-02-21T18:22:00.002-08:00

And here is the main landing page, when you go to Adventureaweek.com I think we are near completion on this one. Of course we will be adding new art and images to this page as time goes on. Our website opens officially on March 1, 2012. Please come by and visit the site that day (or now if you want too).
Cheers!

www.Adventureaweek.com Adventure Submission Landing Page for the website

2012-02-21T18:17:00.002-08:00

This is a draft of our landing page, that will take you here from an ad somewhere. This is for those who want to submit their adventures to Adventureaweek.com It is a very good opportunity for first timers who are great writers to be published and seen by all our annual subscribers. I received more feedback on this draft and will probably be going back to a more simple version.

Views of Owenyo Valley, CA O-gauge

2012-01-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

Here are two views of the recently developed Nevada Territories on the NWTL Railroad (modeled in O-Scale) In the background are views of terrain from Owenyo Valley, CA. and Montana. Many details need to be constructed, such as; steel trestle bridge and concrete abutments, desert vegetaion and water effects for the river.

Early 1930's HO-Scale diorama

2012-01-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some snap shots of a diorama built for HO-scale vehicles and locomotives. Most of the terrain is hand carved foam. I used a paring knife and sandpaper to carve the foam.

Nuremberg Toy Show Train Layout (Busch/MTH)

2011-12-13T14:13:00.001-08:00

Another rural scene from the layout built for Busch of Germany and MTH of USA exhibit for Nuremberg Toy Show.
All scenes are built in HO-Scale.

Nuremberg Toy Show Train Layout (Busch/MTH)

2011-12-13T14:09:00.001-08:00

This is a farming scene on the layout (HO-Scale) Using Busch products.

Nuremberg Toy Show Train Layout (Busch/MTH)

2011-12-13T14:08:00.001-08:00

This is a village scene from the layout modeled in HO-Scale.

Nuremberg Toy Show Train Layout (Busch/MTH)

2011-12-13T14:03:00.000-08:00

This is a scene depicting a rural setting on the layout. This is all in HO-Scale.

AdventureAweek.com coming soon!

2011-11-19T17:37:00.001-08:00

Here is a flyer I am working on that is in progress. Its for our (Jonathan Nelson and Todd Gamble) website launching in February 2012.

2011 Downtown Snoqualmie Tree Lighting

2011-11-19T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a poster I just finished for the Downtown Snoqualmie Tree Lighting. It still needs to be proofed and approved but I am happy with it so far. It is designed to be non-specific about a particular holiday (Christmas). However, I like the traditional cozy sound of the word "Christmas" myself.

www.AdventureAweek.com

2011-11-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Nelson and I are scheduled to launch our website in February of 2012.
What is Adventureaweek.com?
Adventureaweek.com is an amazing role-playing game adventure that never ends! Each week an original adventure is created and published for game masters. As a member you gain access to the adventures and may run them straight off the website.
We have also worked tirelessly to hand craft an extensive original campaign setting for you to use if you wish. We have filled our world with unique characters for your players to meet and interact with, amazing locations for your PCs to explore, and strange magical items for them to plunder and utilize. You are welcome to use as much or as little of our content as you wish.
Adventureaweek.com is statistically driven using both the 3.5 OGL (Open Gaming License) & Pathfinder RPG.

Skykomish Cascade Range gets foliage

2011-10-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Here Jennifer Theroux is taking over for me and beautifully adding sifting soil, forest ground cover and planting various sizes of
evergreen trees to the mountain range which I had carved from foam and added plaster rock castings and a base coat of acrylic paint washes. Jennifer sifted a 5 gallon bucket of soil collected from the Skykomish area into fine, medium and coarse grades.
She then paints over the mountains but not the castings with a 50/50 solution of white glue and water with a horse hair paint brush. While the glue is still wet, she sifts fine soil to adhere to the mountains. After dry, the excess soil that did not adhere will be recollected with the vacuum. More glue was added and a commercial mixture of forest ground cover was pressed onto the moistened surfaces. Once dry, trees can be planted and adhered with Aleene's tacky glue, one of my favorite glues. Dave Hikel's design calls for a combination of model tree types. They are made of wire and fiber and can poke well into the foam mountains for placement but if there is a plaster casting too close, a small drill hole will need to be predrilled and glue added and tree planted.
Smaller, finer trees are put in the back and onto the ridge to lend a bit of forced perspective to add depth to the area.

Eagle's Nest, Montana in O-Scale 1/4" scale

2011-10-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

Snap shots around the layout

2011-10-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Here are various snap shots of the layout in Medina that Dave Hikel of Hikel O-Gauge Trains is building for a client.
I've been asked to work on scenery for the 3200 SqFt space.

Autumn (Halloween) Poster for Downtown Snoqualmie (concept-2)

2011-10-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Autumn (Halloween) Poster for Downtown Snoqualmie (concept-1)

2011-10-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Avery Tunnel complete (structures to come)

2011-09-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the Avery Tunnel. A small railroad station will be constructed and placed in the flat area.
I will add many pines and shrubbery to this area of the model railroad next.

Skykomish (Cascades) with out trees yet

2011-09-07T22:06:00.001-07:00

Here are some views of the state of the Skykomish, Washington area of the model railroad.
There are thousands of trees to be added to the mountains in this area.

Scenery: Clay Erosion / Part Two

2011-07-27T18:56:00.001-07:00

Here is the clay erosion site (Abo Canyon) with soil added that was collected from the actual location.
I matched the color of the red clay dirt, Burnt Umber, Red Oxide, Titanium White and Yellow Ocre. Once I put a think
wash of Mars Black acrylic over the painted rockwork, the coloring seems to match perfectly. I have a lot of fun trying to
guess the colors I would need to replicate a real stone or soil and actually finding them and recording the ratio of the formulas so that I can make this again if needed and not have to figure it out again.

modeling texture between plaster rock castings

2011-07-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

Modeling Clay Erosion in Abo Canyon (O-Gauge Layout)

2011-07-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

Moving a 2000 sq ft Model Railroad from Utah to Portland

2011-07-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of a project I am working on in Park City, Utah. Dave Hikel of Hikel O-Gauge has contracted me and four other contractors to travel to Utah and disassemble a model railroad that occupies a space of 2000 sq ft.
I am cutting the scenery and track into sections that have been plotted out by Dave Hikel (plan as seen on image).
Other contractors are disassembling the wiring and documenting and labeling them. The home is in The Colony in The Canyons and is at an altitude of 9500 feet. Breathing is a bit more difficult than back home in Seattle. We get a bit of reprieve when we come back to our hotel rooms at 7500 feet above sea level. All the sections of the model railroad will be crated and packed away into 8 different PODS to then be delivered to Portland, Oregon, where we will then re assemble the layout for the client.

Step-By-Step Making your own Workers Camp Tents (great for mining and logging layouts)

2011-05-15T23:12:00.001-07:00

Step-By-Step Making your own Workers Camp Tents

2011-05-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

tunnel portal and removable scenery-3

2011-05-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

tunnel portal and removable scenery-2

2011-05-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

tunnel portal and removable scenery-1

2011-05-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

finished scenery concealing a joint in the layout

2011-04-16T22:34:00.001-07:00

Here are various views of the finished scenery concealing the seam between two sections of the layout.
The top photographs shows some of the plywood joints.

visual tutorial-building adjoining scenery at seam

2011-04-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

adding base color to the rock face of coal generation plant

2011-04-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

foreground geology for coal generating plant area

2011-04-16T22:15:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots of the adjoining mountain range and the tail end of the California Zephyr.
After applying rock castings, I blended them together with Fiber Decor and Plaster. I will need to build the
adjoining scenery and then cut the two parts at the seam to insert a rip cord within that seam. The seam will be
finely patched and painted to be unseen.

Building a Mountain Peak-3

2011-04-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Building a Mountain Peak-2

2011-04-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Building a Mountain Peak-1

2011-04-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

lift off background mountain ridge

2011-04-08T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here I have added a floating piece of scenery, a background mountain ridge. This will set on top of the existing mountains and serve as a cap over the tunnel that runs through the mountains.

montana area-4

2011-04-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

montana area-3

2011-04-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

montana area-2

2011-04-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Montana area-1

2011-04-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Adding a rock face to Palisades area

2011-04-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Todd and SF PFE cars

2011-04-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is just a photo of me posing in front of an area I am nearly finished with. This is designed to resemble parts of Montana.
Scenery here is also built as removable sections for emergency repairs or transporting. Benchwork sections are Dave Hikel's design.

Adding dirt to the surface

2011-03-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Here I am adding dirt from the actual location to my scenery. I am simply mixing 50/50 white glue and water and brushing it onto the surface. I then sift on the dirt and vacuum up any excess. We use a small portable shop vac just for this type of work and reclaim the dirt to reuse again.

Palisades, Nevada

2011-03-04T11:05:00.001-08:00

Here I am continuing to work on the Palisades canyon portion of the layout. The river will be the final detail to complete this area.
I will have to wait for all the track and electrical work to be complete before this can be done.

More views from around the layout

2011-02-27T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here are a few various views of the layout. You can see how differing areas are melding together
with scenery. Also, some of the plastic laminate is going up along the profile boards.

Moving around the corner

2011-02-26T20:57:00.000-08:00

Here are photos of areas modeled after locations in Nevada. There are several removable mountain sections in case of derailment in the tunnels or for moving the layout to a new location. The mine tunnel interior is about 12" deep and it peers into a tunnel so that viewers can see locomotives pass by. The soil is from actual locations in Nevada.

area for a coal generation power plant

2011-02-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here I am recreating an area that will house a coal generation power plant. I am working from photographs to recreate it as closely as possible.

More views of Royal Gorge after painting complete

2011-02-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some nice views of the Royal Gorge area with painting complete. I will add more dirt and light ground foliage next.
I will also need to build some more of the canyon bank and then the river. The track has yet to be laid, however I placed the
passenger cars for scale reference.

Royal Gorge painted

2011-02-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

Finally, the painting is complete on this area of the Royal Gorge. I've also added more alluvial fill, broken bits of plaster and real dirt from the location. After securing the rock with glue, I dried it with a heat gun so I could paint it right away.

Painting the Royal Gorge

2011-02-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

Here I am painting the Royal Gorge plaster rock castings. I made special notes to imitate the colors in real life from a photograph. After recording the formula (needed for future repairs) I made a batch of three color tones and painted them in particular sequence to achieve the correct visual I wanted.

Cobbled castings for the Royal Gorge

2011-02-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some steps I took to get the plaster rock castings in place. Adhering the broken rockwork to the foam using great stuff spray foam, modeling in between with a fiber decor and plaster mix, smoothening with a soft paint brush and water.

Plaster Rock Castings for the Royal Gorge

2011-02-05T13:52:00.001-08:00

This area of the layout required plenty of plaster rock castings. As not to repeat the rock casting patterns, I broke the large castings up into smaller parts and rearranged them, adhered them to the foam and modeled in between with a fiber decor and plaster mix using a putty knife and blending with a paint brush and water.

creating a pass-through for a tram

2011-02-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is a portion of a tram that is in Royal Gorge. There is not much room for the tram but I will force the perspective a bit to give the appearance of most of it (as seen in the prototype photograph). The trackwork and structures will be added later.

New Desert Mts to work on

2011-02-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here is yet another area of the layout that needs to be created. This will be in Nevada, desert terrain, very barren with just a few
rock outcroppings here and there. First I carve the form of the foam with a hotwire tool, then I use a hand rasp the smoothen out the surface. Next, I smoothen the surface even more by adding a slip coat of Fiber Decor and plaster mix with a putty knife while adding plaster rock castings in the appropriate locations (as seen on the photos of the prototype areas).

Modular Landscape Pieces

2011-01-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here I have created four modular landscape pieces for a product display at a train show. Trees will be added for customers to see what the trees can look like in a natural looking setting. I have made many of these modular pieces for various miniature gaming companies and model railroaders alike. I will make custom pieces for folks, just contact me through my website: ToddGambleART.com Also, coming soon to my website, I will have several styles available to choose from in different geologic forms available in sets or individual pieces.

EPS Foam for Royal Gorge area of layout

2011-01-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here are images of some of the stages of the Royal Gorge area of the layout I am creating. The foam boards needed to be cut to fit critical areas. These sections will have removable mountains when the layout needs to be transported (sometime way in the future). A hotwire was used to shape the form, a hand rasp was used to soften the surfaces that weren't supposed to be rock, an electric palm sander was used as well to really smoothen out the surface in some places that will be grassy hills. Hydrocal castings of rock will be added and patched together with Fiber Decor modeling material, painted and soil added.

More work on the new mountain range

2011-01-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Here are more images of the mountain range I have begun to carve. This mountain range needs to be finished on both sides.
There is a lot of work to do to get it ready for painting. I plan to add a few plaster rock castings in certain locations.
Yes, thats me cutting the foam. I'm just posing here, I where a filtered mask as not to breath in the smoke from the foam being cut with the hotwire tool. I always where eye protection too.

Modeling the mountain ridges on upper level

2011-01-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some images of the foam boards cut to exact fit using a paring knife. The boards are fitted into place and numbered. Later I will disassemble the boards and glue them back into place using the corresponding numbers. After the glue has dried, I will come back through and model the shape of the foam using a hot wire cutter from Hot Wire Foam Factory tools. I use my sketches for reference, the sketches come from observing photos taken of the actual area I am modeling. After the initial carving, I can fine tune areas using a hand rasp and sander.

sculpting the rivers edge (O-Gauge Layout)

2011-01-02T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here I am sculpting a rocky edge to the river that will appear to be on the edge of this O-Gauge Layout.
I am using foam and fibre decor mixed with a little hydrocal. It creates a putty like material that can be modeled with
a putty knife and later lightly sanded after thoroughly dried.

Upper Level Scenery begins

2010-12-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here I am constructing eps foam boards to fit between the tracks of the upper portion of the layout. There are several removable sections for access to any possible derailments behind the mountain range. The flat area will the location of a coal powered facility.

More views of Western Pacific line

2010-12-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

Here I am building an area found on the former Western Pacific lines (Keddie Wye) in California. We are using real soil collected from the location. I have matched the rock colors and painted white plaster castings accordingly. There will be vegetation added much like the backdrop image.

Silverbow Canyon base painting complete

2010-12-24T11:24:00.000-08:00

This is yet another view of Silverbow Canyon with the base painting complete. Next, I will add soil and shrubbery. I made notes on the application of the paint so that I can fix any damage occurred when the actual steel viaduct gets built and placed. This is a temporary wood bridge made of plywood for the meantime.

Applying a rocky edge to upper level of layout

2010-12-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

Here I have been challenged to apply a rock finish to the edge of the upper portion of the layout. We could not use rock castings on the extreme edges because the walkway is narrow and plaster could damage a locomotive being carried by a user. Instead, I used fiber decor and foam. I did however use rock castings on the inner edge along the soon to be river bank. I sandwiched foam sheet around the plywood to give it thickness and strength, filled in the seams with expanding foam in a can and later carved the excess off. Then I applied the fiber decor and made rock impressions with a putty blade.

More Static Grass Colors are Added

2010-12-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

This scene has four colors of static grass and two lengths of static grass, applied in various stages to create a seamless transition into the backdrop. I really look forward to seeing the river below come to life with water effects.

Color Matching / Silverbow Canyon Rock

2010-12-11T16:14:00.001-08:00

Here I am matching colors with the actual rock gathered from Silverbow Canyon. I first applied a heavy stain of umbers and siennas. After drying, I applied a thinner wash of grays over the brown colors. A very light spray of alcohol and india ink helps to bring out the fine details of the rock castings. Dirt and vegetation will be added after the base painting is complete.

Testing Various Static Grasses

2010-12-11T16:11:00.000-08:00

Here are areas being tested for various lengths and colors of static grasses.
The shorter fibers were added first, then the longer fibers where applied using a NOCH static grass applicator.

Elevations being added / Scenery to come soon

2010-12-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

The elevation is being added from the lower portion of the layout to the upper portion. Scenery will be needed soon over
the woodwork and track in this area.

Keddie Wye Area Of Model Railroad/ Base Scenery Prepared

2010-12-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

This area of the O-Gauge model railroad is now prepared for vegetation. The base hydrocal castings were painted in 4 stages.
After one coat of stain was dry, the next layer could be applied. Once all the castings were painted to match the actual rock (the way it appears when the dirt is washed off) The foam and dry fiber decor were painted with an ocre base pallet. The first coat was heavier than a wash. The following coats were thinner washes applied after being sprayed with an india ink wash to bring out detals.
Once the paints and stains were dry, glue was brushed on and then dry sifted soil was applied and let dry in place. After it was dry, the excess dirt was vacuumed off.

Adding Static Grass to the dirt covered hills

2010-11-20T22:10:00.001-08:00

After having all the foam and plaster rock castings painted to match the real rock at this location, I applied a mix of three differing static grass colors to match the painted backdrop.

Joshua Trees and Sagebrush Planted

2010-11-20T22:08:00.000-08:00

Sanding complete around the On3 roadbed grade

2010-11-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

This roadbed grade is for an On3 line. I thought it looked great as a road temporarily and placed this neat truck heading up the hill.

Final Application of dirt from location / ready for static grass

2010-11-20T20:56:00.000-08:00

I am finishing up applying dirt collected from the real location in Montana. Once the glue has dried completely (overnight), I will apply static grass to the hills to blend into the background painting.

Matching real rock color and patterns onto plaster and foam

2010-11-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

Here I have matched the real stone patterns and colors (on the left) to plaster rock castings (the two smaller pieces to the right) The plaster was white to begin with. I used acrylic paint washes. There are several stages to this replication so I documented the color palette / ratios and instructions as seen in the photograph of my notebook. The procedures for painting foam were a bit different than that of plaster, but very similar.

Mountain base paint complete/ready for field grass/ballast and a river

2010-11-20T20:44:00.000-08:00

All the base color is finished and ready for dirt application and static grass.

Dusting real dirt onto scenery to blend into backdrop painting

2010-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

This area was dusted with real clay dirt collected from Owenyo, California. The color matches well with the backdrop painting and lends to the illusion of depth.

More photos of Rugged Cascade range

2010-11-12T11:17:00.001-08:00

I like this area of the layout very much. Here are some more photos of the rocky granite Cascade range I modeled using
a solid foam armature and many hydrocal rock castings applied and blended together with filler.

Skykomish area gets base color treatment

2010-11-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Today I gave the Skykomish area of the layout a base color and some washes to get the effect of the local granite.
Soil will be added to the ground and trees planted later.

More work on the upper tunnels

2010-11-12T11:12:00.000-08:00

Here you can see the heavy gauge line used for "tear away" cords. These will be useful when the project is moved to a new location in the future. These cords are hidden in the surface of the scenery and will be used to separate the scenery sections.

Todd and photo of new tunnels

2010-11-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

More photos of the Clovis, AZ. area

2010-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

More Views of the Clovis/Owenyo areas

2010-11-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

This is a neat area that Dave Hikel (Hikel O-Gauge Trains) designed for the On3.
I really have enjoyed building the scenery on this corner of the layout. Being surrounded by the beautiful
backdrop painting (by Andy Eccleshall). I feel very fortunate that Dave offered me the opportunity to work with him
on the scenery of this 3000 sq.ft. 3-rail / O-gauge model railroad.

Adding some base colors

2010-11-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

On the left side of the scene, you will notice more color. I have been applying base washes to the terrain.

Tunnel and interior and base paint / Owenyo, Ca.

2010-10-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

I have constructed a blasted rock tunnel portal in this series of images with hydrocal rock castings and fiber decor modeling material. Some of the tunnel interior is made from carved foam so that they can easily be removed if needed. Other photos show the fresh washes of base color applied to the desert hills. I mix a batch of burnt siena, mars black, ocre and titanium white to make this tone. We will eventually sift on some soil gather from the actual location being modeled here.

Adding slopes against desert hills

2010-10-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

I'm am building up a slope and grade for a narrow gauge line passing through Owenyo, California to Clovis, New Mexico.
I am building up the terrain with expanding foam from a can. After it is dry and hard, I will shape it with a sharp kitchen knife and slather it with fiber decor modeling material. These mountain sections must be removable so I lay down some cellophane wrap under the area I am working on so the foam will not adhere to the board.

Other side of the tunnel

2010-10-23T10:55:00.000-07:00

This side of the tunnel will lead us into the Idaho landscape. Here I have worked the hydrocal rock castings to fit the minimum amount of space in this area of the layout. It is planned to have a short snow shed leading into this tunnel portal.

Tunnel Rockwork

2010-10-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here the tunnel is a facade to disguise the emergency escape ladder leading out of the basement. Structures and trees will make the final touches when this section is complete.

Steps in Ballasting track

2010-10-23T10:46:00.001-07:00

Here is the process in which I ballast track. Make sure to tape off the switches so that ballast does not interfere with moving parts. I use a light tack painters tape. Saturate the dry ballast with water and a couple of drops of dish soap. This pre wetting of the ballast will allow the ballast adhesive to slip right down between all the granules and give a secure hold. The next day, I remove the tape and carefully and lightly ballast around the switches applying glue with an eye dropper.

Ballasting Track in the Railroad Yard

2010-10-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Here I have been ballasting track in the railroad yard. There are five varieties of ballasted track. Plenty of adhesive is needed to completely soak through the ballast and to keep it secure.

More foam building ahead

2010-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

As I come around the corner of the layout, I will need to build up the scenic base with foam. This image shows how
much foam is used on this layout. My friend, Rob Nelson is assisting Dave Hikel with electrical duties. Rob's brother
is a great friend of mine too, he builds websites. See his work at www.rabbitshavefangs.com

Removable scenery sections

2010-10-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

These scenery sections are removable from the benchwork in the event access to the upper level is needed.
Foam is great for this because of its strength and light weight.

Finishing up raw scenery in the Cascades

2010-10-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some views of the raw scenery that is basically finished in this area. I am continuing to work around the bend.

Hydrocal Gypsum Rock Castings for Tunnels and Mountains

2010-09-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

More tunnels have been added to the portion of the layout passing through the Cascade Mountains near Skykomish, Washington.
I used several rock castings made of hydrocal gypsum, broken with a hammer to fit tight, cemented into place onto foam and then
blended together with a Sculptamold type of product.

A Small Stream is Carved

2010-09-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

Here I have added even more terrain around the corner in the Skykomish area of the layout. I have carved a small stream
flowing from a "soon to be" marsh. Many rock castings cobbled together were used to create the tunnels and mountains in
the background.

Skykomish is expanding with terrain

2010-09-13T23:35:00.000-07:00

This portion of the Skykomish area of the layout is getting terrain. (O-Gauge).
There will be a double concrete portal and two upper level blasted rock tunnels passing through
rugged cuts of granite.

More Desert Scenes at Prescott

2010-08-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more scenes from the Prescott area of the train layout.
I've added real dirt from the actual location collected by the director of the
project, Dave Hikel. I am working on the adjoining Owens Valley area now.

A Forest is planted on the narrow gauge section

2010-08-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here I have planted around 1000 tiny trees on the upper level narrow gauge. It is typical of many rock faces seen in the Western Cascades of Washington. I will place many more tree which are much smaller at the top for the illusion of deep perspective.
In the foreground, taller trees will be planted. I had to drill holes into the plaster and glue each tree in place.

Skykomish area gets texture

2010-08-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

I am working on the Skykomish, Washington area of the layout now. I have put a smooth coat of modeling compound onto the surface of the foam to hide the seams and to smooth it out. Hydrocal rock castings have been added to create a cut into
the landscape as well as craggy peaks on one of the mountainous areas. Ground soil and and trees will be added eventually after it is painted.

Final painting on the area near Prescott

2010-08-13T16:18:00.001-07:00

Here are some views of the hand-carved rock work that has had its final washes of paint.

Scenes across the deserts

2010-08-13T16:16:00.003-07:00

Here are a couple of nice shots of scenery a passenger might see on a trip through the many deserts being modeled on this layout.