Modeling the "Signature Scene" (Part 2) | River Road - Vlog # 103

This is a model railroad scenery clinic (Part 2). Successful scenery modeling is often times made up of many layers. I like to consider seven layers when I form terrain within the context of shifting scenery. I also prefer Celluclay over Foam coupled to Matte Medium due to the high compatibility factor of these materials in association with Acrylic (water-based) paints.
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DISCLAIMER: I pay for all the products and materials I use in this video content, unless otherwise stated. I do not receive any affiliate sponsorship, fees, funds, support, or gifts from company products, and/or any other companies, (unless stated otherwise). I only endorse products for the benefit of the community and my own personal use, apart from indicated sponsors.

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

Any competent building engineer would know that the hill at 1:20 that is running toward the building is going to create all kinds of trouble with tip-up walls settling. If you’re going to go to the depth of detailing that you are, your engineering has to make sense.

[@boomerdiorama]

Not sure what you mean. Check out pictures of (retaining walls) on the Squamish highway in B.C. Canada. There are walls like this ten times higher that hold up mountains . . . lol. I am an artist at the end of the day, not an engineer. I could never make a living as an engineer. On the other hand, as an artist - that is a whole different story. It's just a model railroad at the end of the day anyway. 😁Cheers and thanks for sharing. 😉

[@joelshank3666]

This is absolutely amazing to me! I discovered your channel only about 6 weeks ago on the recommendation of a friend. This is like a master’s level course in model railroading. I’m having a difficult time wrapping my head around all the work you have done not only in the model building but the time in production and editing to bring this to your viewers simply is mind boggling. I’m 73 and my hands periodically rebel and refuse to do what my mind tells them and my eye sight is not what it use to be but after having watched your lectures I can hardly wait to get into the “lab” to begin to apply what I’ve learned. Thanks, what an incredible body of work.

[@boomerdiorama]

I know that condition you mention is coming for me as well. In the meantime lets' have some fun! Thank you!

[@Russgord]

Gotta say, these are the finest instructional videos I have ever watched, quite apart from the invaluable and super-practical modelling advice. I need no longer indulge my model railroad video habit in some dark corner so as not to annoy others, because anyone walking past my screen (don’t try this at work, kids!) invariably stops to watch. Thanks so much, and keep up the great work.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to share the encouraging words. I am glad to hear they are beneficial to you as well. Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@thomasmcnay4564]

I am, pretty much all of those things, taught, encouraged, and inspired every time I watch your videos Boomer ! 😃. Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

That is awesome!

[@kenfolstad1346]

Just gorgeous mr Boomer, just plain gorgeous, the Bob Ross of model railroading

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you dear Sir. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@laspiedrasrailroad]

This stuff is way off the charts.

[@boomerdiorama]

Celluclay is over fifty years old. ;-)

[@phixer64]

Absolutely brilliant - again Boomer. Inspirational model. Keep up the amazing work, Regards Jeff.

[@boomerdiorama]

Many thanks!

[@markhuston9250]

Boomer - you are most certainly the Houdini of texture. 😀 Every episode makes me fuller. Thank you Mark

[@boomerdiorama]

😁

[@bruceames6332]

Boomer this is coming to life. Awesome Job and amazing details !!!! Bruce in Minnesota

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks 👍

[@vincenthuying98]

Yeah, those armchair KZbin critics!! Awesome episode Boomer, love the fit of those seams. Very cool and inspirational!!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers Vincent ~ Boomer.

[@ralphrenzetti22]

I found that leftover house latex paint work well for sealing the foam and creating a base for further paint and scenery. I think we probably all have a partial gallon of beige, or as my wife refers to it, for my benefit, Chrysler Beige! Might as well put the remainder to good use rather than putting it out the the garbage!

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes! Old latex paint is fantastic for sealing foam . . . yes indeed!

[@schadowolf]

Coming along nicely and some great tips!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, thank you for the video. That Celluclay looks like amazing stuff. It is not available in Australia, but looks like I can get it through Amazon, but at a price premium, something for me to think about, as it looks like great stuff. Cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

It's paper mache. Look for other derivatives like Sculpt-a-mold, and Fast Mache. Activa puts it out.

[@seanspennywisemiserrr]

More valuable and inspirational tips and tricks Boomer. Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge of the hobby . Take care. Sean.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks, will do!

[@coxsj]

That opening 'drone' view of the carfloat ramp looking toward the door shows how effective that line of trees along the shore is. It's a signature aspect of the river scene and effortlessly creates the narrow switch lead and warehouse scene. the trees end level with the street end of the ramp allowing focus to shift to the back of the section. Two longish scenes front to back. Not many folks can pull that off. Well done!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. There was a lot of planning for the scene. Maquette model sketches, drawings etc. Then all the adjustments with compressing each component and the track plan, etc. This is why I demonstrated the build the way I did. It's why I break things down into "postage" stamp scenes so I can fit my vision into the limited ten foot space. 😁Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@jerrysmith1929]

Thanks for the little peak at the hardware used to produce your stunning photography.

[@boomerdiorama]

😁

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

So cool to see your movie heritage shine through with a crane panning shot (thank you, mr. producer!), but mostly the sectional scenery and lightweight at that. I so like the way you handeled this transition piece and how added horizontal layers make the eye travel. This (travel) is proper structuring for story-telling! You really do have a cunning plan, teacher.😃 The contrast within the rockwork is now considerably sharper than that on the foreground work done previously (I guess 'cause this time you went from black to colour). Rest assured I shall keep my inspector's snout close to the screen on this topic. And thank you for sharing the work! Now back to finishing my batch of trees...😒

[@boomerdiorama]

The whole scene gets a "dull - down" later. I don't normally like to show things up close (in process) because it is not indicative of the finished color or scene. But people like to see it. Cheers. ;-)

[@rafaelvoncina6036]

​@@boomerdiorama I suspected as much. But do show it warts and all, it's a great reference for us.

[@albertofranchi6408]

Super work

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@1Nanerz]

Brilliant but traditional methods I’ve never seen before. I love the idea of working on hillsides at my bench. Thank you for showing this. I’ve always used plaster molds and real rock over pink foam, but I don’t think I’ll be doing that again. I do always oven bake my real rocks though because I’m paranoid about creepy crawlers in the rock. Your eye for realism is incredible

[@boomerdiorama]

Isopropyl Alcohol and matte medium will kill and seal any organics on contact. ;-)

[@MyFingerLakesRailwayLayout]

You’ve converted me from Sculptamold to CelluClay. I even did a comparison video on my channel. Thanks man!

[@boomerdiorama]

Sound great! 😁

[@pgronemeier]

Can you hurry up? I don't have time for this! JK!!!!!! So far, so great!

[@boomerdiorama]

Lol . . . actually I'm moving too fast. Need to slow down a little. ;-)

[@allenlandis4504]

again I've learned something new. thank you very much.

[@boomerdiorama]

Glad to hear it!

[@paulc1964]

Really loving this series now I need to find a flag that is not a full wind after your comment lol

[@boomerdiorama]

Make a flag out tissue paper. Lay it on some parchment or wax paper oversize. Soak in some "matte" medium. Manipulate shape with a brush, then when dry, cut out the flag with scissors and paint the impression of the flag with a few colors. ;-)

[@davidjulin1919]

Love your work, I use your great work and chanel as and inspiration when I model my 1:35 scenario right now.

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you. 1/35 is a wonderful scale to model in. Cheers and thanks for sharing.

[@davidjulin1919]

@@boomerdiorama Facebook?

[@markhuston9250]

Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are awesome! Thank you! Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@Phoenixknight79]

Watching this video, I'll be honest I've had a fear of trying to make realist rock looking by just doing it with foam and then trying to paint it right for when I build my dioramas...

[@boomerdiorama]

Takes a little bravery and some practice but it works well in some cases. Rock molds are cool as well. I just don't like using heavy plaster.

[@thetrainboard2772]

When you model pieces and scenes on your workbench, not for the camera, do you sit or stand...like that rockface, culvert, dirt road leading up to the backdrop with crepe and foam along the tracks. Il try both but suspect 1 hr sitting with 30 minutes standing mixed in is my max session. Bending over my kitchen table height 32 inch workbench, loosing track of time, stresses my lower back. Usually dont notice my back pain til the next day. Perhaps raising my workbench to 53 inches may help. I'd rather learn some from your experience, since I'm the rookie scenery guy gary j

[@boomerdiorama]

The whole section is like an island that sits on my bench to work on and then drops into place on the layout.😁

[@Tom-xe9iq]

Vast model railroads have their following but a small layout speaks to my OCD of details. George Sellios did do it on a large scale... but I'm no GS!

[@boomerdiorama]

A person needs a unique situation, in terms of time and resources to build a layout at his level. The only reason why I built larger layouts in the past was I was paid handsomely for it. Furthermore, I was relieved when I walked away not having to own it . . . lol. I'll take the smaller layout any day of the week. Besides, no ever said one "should" build a larger layout. Cheers.

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Beautiful. It must be a little frustrating to create something so stunning yet be subjected to shadow/cast from the documenting camera😅

[@boomerdiorama]

Most people don't realize how incredibly hard it is to shoot miniatures, especially this small of scale in restricted space. This is why they build scale models in film @ 1/15 scale, etc. and shoot them on huge sound stages. Shadows are unavoidable when moving a video camera in tight places because shifting light kills the realism and limits the camera movement. Furthermore, it shows every flaw (you should not see) and washes out the picture scale due to incompatible physics of light on a small model. Still photography is easy and completely different. If you use too much "back-fill" light with video it kills the whole deal. Furthermore, I spend half my time repairing everything due to damage, cables, production lights, etc. It's very painful indeed. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@ericp6612]

Thanks for sharing this, the way you are going to blend the seam such a great way to do it! On the pink foam did you paint the rock faces black brdore you did the gray?

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes.

[@PeterTillman3]

Hi Boomer - when it comes to gluing the foam together is Mat Medium a viable alternative to say, for example, Liquid Nails?

[@boomerdiorama]

If liquid nails works then use it. I used PL300 made for foam board in the past but I try to stay with acrylics for health reasons. I find bamboo skewers and celluclay works great - water based, no odor. But each to his or her own. ;-) Cheers.

[@PeterTillman3]

@@boomerdiorama thanks Boomer

[@karlhutchings4175]

Perhaps you've mentioned this in a prior video and I've missed it. If I recall correctly, you had originally planned to have an engine facility in the corner of section 2. Have you changed up your plan? Just curious why the abrupt change in scenery between sections 1 and 2? Not a criticism at all, just curious about your plan. Are you envisioning the different sections like movie sets? Oh, and I'm curious where your channel pic was taken (the one looking out of the abandoned tunnel); is it on the Coq section of the KVR? Best regards, Karl

[@boomerdiorama]

I don't care if you criticize. But since you asked - The engine facility is still in the plan. This "freelance" section (scene) is the dramatic transition I want. Prototype doctrine does not dictate what I feel the layout needs in order to fulfill my vison. Ten feet of industrial is enough at 33% of the total footprint. In a way, yes, I envision things like a movie set with seamless blending. Tree are important to me and will always play a prominent role on the B.C. theme layout. Since you mentioned it, things could change further down the road as well. Cheers and thanks for sharing. ~ Boomer.

[@cnman9743]

Hi there! What type of camera setup is that? Manfrotto?

[@boomerdiorama]

My main tripod is Manfrotto and the Gimble is FeiyuTech. The FeiyuTech gimble is actually quite good for the money. The Manfrotto Video Head is expensive but the stability is off the charts. You get what you pay for indeed.

[@cnman9743]

@@boomerdiorama Thankyou I'll have to check it out!

[@ralphrenzetti22]

Awesome Boomer, but armchair critics/rivet counters, I hate them! 9 out 10 probably have not done any thing like this!

[@boomerdiorama]

Hey Ralph! How yah doin? I should bee hanging out here tonight for the bi-weekly podcast. kzbin.info/door/MDrfzIbov49ykE5u0ZL2ewfeatured Cheers ~ Boomer.😁

[@charlie1872]

Great job on the track/modellling etc🖊📐❤️

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you! Cheers!