BNSF "Birdwood Sub' Layout update no.29 .Bridge section scenery .Part 1

Well , its about time ...Iv'e finally got around to starting work on the last bit of scenery on the layout! This time , I'm trying out using paper instead of plaster cloth , over the cardboard strips , which will be covered in "Sculpt it" , before rocks and ground cover applied.
Nothing too exciting , but more interesting work coming up in the following videos.
Cheers Gregg.

[@smokeyjoe1034]

Looks good. Practice makes proficiency. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Joe.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Joe! More on the way soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@SantaFeBob]

That is a great project. It will be lightweight too if you are moving this section to the new house. It Looks awesome Gregg. I’m so glad I subscribed so many years ago. You have had so many demonstrations and techniques that the community hopefully has learned so much. I know I can apply these ideas on my future layout. Thank you.

[@ianroberts6929]

Terrific progress Gregg - it’s always very satisfying when your hard work transforms a scene like that. Cheers, Ian

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Ian! I just saw your build on the MDF shed, and it turned out great! Cheers Gregg.

[@ianroberts6929]

@@FishplateFilms glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks for the update Gregg great to see you back

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks for watching Ronald! Gregg.

[@johnkeitley9168]

Hi Gregg, always enjoy your videos. I have used a similar method, and I have found that painting all the paper surface with Bondcrete and allowing to dry fully before sculpt it results in a nice and still a little pliable surface that you can still push around a bit to get the shape you want. It's all fun.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks John! Painting the paper with a sealer would stiffen it up a bit and also waterproof it too? Food for thought and I will look into it as I move forward. Thanks for watching ! Gregg .

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing.👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks again for watching! I appreciate the support. Gregg.

[@Mustang00007]

Ah Parkes radio telescope on your shirt..now i could tell a few stories when they built that. As lived in Parkes, now Adelaide.

[@FishplateFilms]

Interesting! I visited the Telescope in 2014 on one of my rail fan trips, it was a interesting, peaceful afternoon and I even got to see the dish move! I'll be moving to Adelaide hopefully in about a year? Gregg.

[@Wolfe351]

I was doing some fibreglassing on the inside of one of my RC warship hulls one day and ran out of glass cloth....a mate suggested using Chux cloth wipes!! So I got a cheap roll at supermarket and used about 1m of it...takes a bit of trial n error to get the chux to soak up the resin but once saturated sets like concrete! Might work well soaked in plaster as a ground base material..I might try it when I get to that stage on my layout....just finished putting down about 80% of the mainline (I have a full loop laid as I needed to do the staging tracks/storage sidings on the hidden section) just the area above the staging tracks to do then its time to start wiring...the actual siding tracks for the mainyard (The West Yard cause its on the west wall.. ) and the smaller South Yard will get done as cash allows.......turnouts are $$$!!! and I need like 20 more......LOL

[@FishplateFilms]

That's an old trick that I saw many years ago Wolfie. It seems a bit messy ,but cheap and I will try it on the larger areas of my new layout, where i can make more mess..LOL. we need to save money on scenery so we can spend it on trackwork! Cheers Gregg.

[@danasoroko]

Interesting video. I'm an American so I'd like to reinforce a notion for you. "You can always tell an American. You can't tell him much."

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...now that's funny right there! Actually , when I was in the US in 2015, I found most of the people I met were friendly and well mannered...but I didn't spend much time in California ...LOL. I loved my time there, checking out my full sized models, but the gun thing scares me, although I didn't think about it much while there. The scenery is amazing , as I did all my trip with Amtrak , so I saw a huge variety of landscapes from the train. Looking forward to returning one day. Cheers Gregg.

[@CajonSub]

Welcome back Gregg, great video as always. I've used both methods too - paper and plaster cloth each with sculptamold over them. They are both very easy to do and you can get some great results with both. One "tip" or thing I learned the hard way, I would ballast 6 inches or so of the track inside the tunnel before you get too far along. Once the scenery is in place it's a bit tough getting in them to ballast. Mine was N scale so you might not have the same problem, just sharing my lesson learned anyway. Take care - Steve

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Steve! I think I'll use plaster cloth in small areas , and where I need some strength, like over tracks or where buildings might be? The ballast in the tunnels is a great idea, but all tis will be pulled down in about a year...hopefully, when I move to Stirling. I've learnt a lot on this layout and the next one will be a lot easier and quicker to get more done. Cheers Gregg.

[@CajonSub]

@@FishplateFilms sounds like a plan. I learned a lot from my first layout too that helped a ton on my second layout too. Look forward to the next layout when you get to that point. - Steve

[@peterainsworth8466]

Nice work Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Peter! Gregg 🙂

[@jamesbraxton6132]

If you spray some shellac over the paper it will be like a primer and stop the water from soaking into the paper and help keep the texture from all the crinkles.

[@FishplateFilms]

I actually like the crinkles James. Some actually look like rock formations and are in the right place. The paper will be ok for small areas, but I think the plaster cloth is better for bigger scenes? Thanks for the info and for watchng. Cheers Gregg.

[@jamesbraxton6132]

@@FishplateFilms Using shellac is a good adhesion coat and speed up the drying time for plaster because the paper doesn't absorb the water.

[@aussiefrenchman-hobbytable9960]

Hi , plaster cloth, bit experience here in Australia, ive been thinking of using blue perferated cleaning cloth, and dipping into plaster to make my own, not at that stage yet , but its a thought! Wet finger works wonders 😂😂😂😂😂😂 have a good one mate

[@FishplateFilms]

Yes , the old chux dipped in plaster is an old trick , but it's messy and not consistent , like plaster cloth is. I think I will try it on the new layout in areas before I lay track. Thanks for watching! Cheers Gregg.

[@1471SirFrederickBanbury]

The interesting about working with paper and hot glue is that it can bend to complex curves, making those lovely rock face edges. Usually when I (or some people I know) use the paper cut up, with pva and/or a bit of plaster, it can work a bit more like plaster cloth. Your results look great so far Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Sir! I'm trying to copy some of the paper shapes with the sculpt it, as they look good and seem to form in the right place? All a learning curve at this stage and more on the way soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Good evening Gregg 😊 how you keeping 🤔 Great update on the Birdswood sub 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@FishplateFilms]

Evening Sir! All good thanks, and the cooler weather is much nicer now! Thanks for watching. Gregg;-)

[@adriannettlefold9084]

Yep you guest it the "The Ol Wet Finger" 😂 You're just too too much, Greggles.

[@FishplateFilms]

An amazing tool when handled correctly Sir 🙂. Thanks for watching Adrian. Gregg.

[@arthurhouston3]

One way of doing it.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Art ! Yes it's a different take on it , but works ok and is almost free! Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@upsd402]

Looks great, can’t wait to see the finished product. One question, for those tight areas, have you considered using plaster cloth? (Edges). It’s amazing how you make it look so easy. Can’t wait the the second video. Plus the tunnel portal looks amazing. When’s the video coming out about the portals. Cheers from Nebraska hope it’s getting cooler,cheers from Terry in Nebraska.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Terry! Yes I think plaster cloth is better for tight areas , and it has a stronger foundation, but the paper is not bad for general areas that don't need any strength? There is a "tunnel...ish" video on the way soon, so look out for that! Cheers Gregg.

[@markdebsauzzietravels]

Hi Gregg Have you ever thought of using plaster base or top coat the plasters use I think it could be a cheaper alternative to sculpta mold and for maybe even chux for added strength, just a thought for the budget builder Cheers Mark

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Mark , yes I've used plaster before, which was fine, but I like the fibre in the "sculpt it" as it ads some strength ? For the cardboard strip base , I'm leaning toward plaster cloth so far I think? The Chux and plaster is a good idea , but very messy and I might try it on the new layout . Thanks for watching! Cheers Gregg.

[@Mustang00007]

I use wire then plaster bandage, then sculpt it mould..whack it jobs done.

[@FishplateFilms]

I would like to give the chicken wire a go ...think it would be god for large areas that need strength? Gregg 🙂

[@vsvnrg3263]

9:20, i didnt think of pva glue. i was sitting at home wondering why you werent using a bottle of clag. it is cheaper than hot glue, comes with an applicator (brush), has more setting time, can be used to strengthen your corrugated cardboard 'ribs' and you could always steal it off some kids on the way home from school. 10:40, have you thought of scrunching your brown paper before applying it to add texture?

[@FishplateFilms]

I did try PVA the next day on the section behind the bridge. It worked ok but took a while to stick and I did use a bit. The paper gets some great shapes as you push it around, so I'm trying to replicate some of that in the rock carving, which will be in the next video. BTW ...I not allowed past schools...LOL Gregg.

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@FishplateFilms , neither am i. for stealing clag!

[@neilschwerdt3493]

Hi it,s Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah,I just that you should know ( The Big Boy is coming throw Evaston Wyoming. and in to Ogden Utah Either June or July ok from the MRL man

[@FishplateFilms]

That will be fantastic Neil! I'd love to see it running in person. I've seen the one at Omaha and it's pretty impressive! Gregg .

[@jpkarenko6952]

Are those Kookaburras ranting in the background?

[@FishplateFilms]

They are around , what time in the video and I should be able to tell what bird it is...we have a few types here thet make lots of noise! Gregg 🙂

[@jpkarenko6952]

@@FishplateFilms They start yakking at about 12:00 and go on for about a minute.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@jpkarenko6952 No , they are pesky old Crows! Heaps of them around here and they have a annoying monotone call. Kookas' have a higher pitch and various notes...much nicer to hear! Gregg.

[@jpkarenko6952]

@@FishplateFilms Thanks! Never actually met or heard one. My only experience is the "Old Gum Tree" song.

[@FishplateFilms]

@@jpkarenko6952 The was a Kookaburra in my trees today....thought I should record it but they don't call very often .