MRUV 165: Scenery & Details in Sharon

This video has been sitting for a bit- got busy with work and some other distractions. The video shows some of the scenery and detailing work in the Sharon area. And when I thought I had it done- at just over an hour long- I realized I did more work so I added about 15 minutes of additional babbling goodness! (okay, maybe nonsense....)
The run time was extended as I did show how I added and sceniced a small knoll by the tank farm. And I tried some static grass, so I just had to include a segment on that! Those who have been with the channel for a while know that I do not get along with static grass. This may be changing.
With this posting I am up to date with where I am on the Sharon scene. Up next is re-installing the freight house, getting that area sceniced and finishing the area by the coal trestle. And wiring in all the lights and signals.
Summer and the nicer weather may slow progress a wee bit. Until it gets hot and humid and starts to aggravate my lung condition. Then I prefer the A/C, and that means working on the layout.
Thanks for watching- I do appreciate it.

[@MartyM22]

Awesome work great details! You are definitely inspiring and motivating me to get to working on my layout. Thanks for sharing your progress!

[@RichardWilliams-sb8sx]

Well Rob, were getting closer to a CAB ride yes! LOL.

[@SouthernTennessean]

Didn’t think it would be one of my favorite spots on your layout after that inner loop series but man it’s looking good

[@mhbpodnk]

Finally a tv show worth watching and great job you do fantastic work

[@JohnMullerJDGCTRy]

Rob it's looking fantastic. I truly enjoy your work and posts. You give us such awesome info. Thank you so much for sharing your posts with us.

[@martinpattison4018]

I think you have made a wonderful job in that area as you said each time you walk past it you may think of something more that could go in there. Scenery making is my weakest part. That is why I watch videos like yours and make a note about any ideas I have. Thanks for a very interesting video. Martin. (Thailand)

[@MLWQC]

Great work, attention to details and fantastic scenery. The foam turned out very well and the bear is hilarious. Really a work of art. A very enjoyable video as always.

[@mimuseitodehistorianatural4426]

Great job... The more you do, the more I look forward to another video. A cab ride of the whole layout will be great. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

[@Vman7757]

Wow! Thank you for sharing. Transforming the whole area so into a real looking area. What eye candy for the operator switching the scene.

[@boomerdiorama]

The layout is looking fantastic! Static grass between the rails can be a nightmare - rattling the trucks like two lines in the sand. The best why I found, in the past, was to hand-lay the ties for the particular section in question (too much trouble for some), clean up, and then pin the rails last. Otherwise it can be no joy, unless you get in there with scissors and tediously clear the inside of the rails back some. Cheers ~ Boomer.

[@masmic398]

Incredible! Even the tiny bug at 1:05:21 crawling down the back drop on the far right likes it 😂

[@bruceschwab]

You are the man! Looking absolutely fantastic! Love the channel......I look forward to your videos!!!!!!

[@stevenrupp9190]

Nice work! Glad Cletus is back!

[@rjl110919581]

thank you great super detailed video as all way watching video every time

[@COSF101]

It's cool. So it will be helpful.

[@ptitrainrouge]

fantastic; love to see theese steps to almost perfection. Thank you for sharing your work

[@matthewjones1119]

That area is really coming together!! Your scenery is always amazing and so realistic!!

[@AlexScheidmann]

Yes I think the same... 😊😊👍👍

[@patmccarthy1624]

Wow! That track view of the signal past the station is impressive; not just the signal, but the buildings and the backdrop! It looks real! Took me four days to get through the video, but it was well worth the time. I always love your scenery tutorials! Thanks for the great lessons!

[@roadsscholar4012]

What a beautiful shot looking down the line towards the factory! Incrdibly realistic. A nice departure from always looking down on the layout.

[@2H80vids]

Yep, I thought that too. Nicely laid track shows up in quite a few of these shots.

[@chazzyb8660]

Well - I could have been doing something more useful than watching this - but where would the fun have been in that? Rob, sir, you are out-doing yourself here. Sharon is as lovely, in her own way, as she could hope to be. Great work tying the whole scene(s?) together. Oh, and watch out for that pesky bear.

[@paulfrazer6265]

Rob, you are the magic man when it comes to scenery....have watched you since you start the efforts in the basement years ago. What a ride it has been. Keep up the excellent work my friend your amazing. I'll be watching.

[@mikemalliski8380]

Rob, you take a bare scene and transform it into a real looking life size area. Thanks, great skills are showing through each section of the railroad.

[@schadowolf]

Incredible job and great explanations of how you accomplished this, thank you!

[@donalddonaldson6268]

Awesome work once again cuzzie😎

[@erniekapp7675]

A wonderfully detailed instructional video - most enjoyable and motivational. Thanks so much 🤗 Regards Ernie (AUS)

[@bobbywright2100]

Dang you have the touch, that is some great work.

[@ronduz1281]

Always enjoy your videos. Outstanding as usual.

[@Kevin-qg3lp]

Outstanding as always. Your static grass looks great, keep it up!

[@daviddryden8088]

Congratulations on the static grass!! Your bravery is legendary!

[@adirondackcomposer]

Absolutely incredible!

[@osscouter]

It looks fantastic, Rob. Looking at this scene brings back memories of railfanning in New Jersey, circa 1966 or so. It's very reminiscent of the old Ironbound section of Newark. You have totally capture the essence of those industrial areas, for sure.

[@davidnichols213]

Looking GREAT MR. rambo and bear stay safe

[@OtterCreek]

Love it and always inspiring!

[@154Colin]

Like the Yellow Stop Sign, really nails the era. 👍

[@stephenriley9084]

Rob, Very good! I too am investing the world of scenic mats. Regards Stephen.

[@shanghai264359]

More gorgeous work Rob!

[@keithdenner9441]

Your scenery is amazing!

[@ABeriault]

Well done fun! Cheers

[@mysticrailroad]

impressive foliage work.

[@samuelwheland4316]

Beautiful work Rob, I've been watching you bounce around this area for years wondering how it was all going to come together. The viaduct really tied the area together by dividing it in half and letting you do each side as it's own scene. Your sense of realism when doing scenery is top notch, looking forward to seeing how you finish off the front of both sides and run some trains through the scene.

[@arthursogaugelioneltrains5744]

Thanks for sharing your skill in scenery. I JUST ADDED SOME STAR WAR FIGURES TO MY LAYOUT.GREAT SCENERY 🚂🚞🚞🚞🚞🚞🚞🚞

[@wmcwings4343]

Great update. Looks fantastic. Wish you were my neighbor. I'm just starting my track planning and would love to have someone with your skills and knowledge near me. Carry on!

[@irishmanwolfhound]

Some day maybe you will appreciate your talents like we the viewers do. Excellence yet again! love the the entire scene.

[@rthomashouse6140]

At around the 4 minute mark, you talked about the new crossing near your factory. I used regular drywall plaster for concrete and blacktop crossings over the ties and covered door/window framing wedges for the approaches. That takes paint no problem!

[@markbekker107]

Artitec is a Dutch company, so yes the first line on the box is in Dutch. Great video again

[@DavidSmith-ms2ty]

Great layout

[@barrywiddowson7987]

Started to get caught up on some of my reading which was on the back burner because of yard work. And what to my amazement but an article in RMC about your swingout gate. Very well done and may incorporate into my layout as I now have the dreaded duck under.

[@sergey14ivanov73]

Hi Stephen, a note for thought. Never, under any circumstances, tanks with kerosene or diesel fuel should be placed next to the building for the safety of the workers in it. They can leak, trickle, etc. I consider you to be one of the best in realism of the layout that you make of everyone I know. Good luck, I'm always looking forward to your videos.

[@michaeltrufitt5477]

The scene is looking great enjoyed when you but camera on track level it gave another view of the scene 😀👍

[@2H80vids]

As you "finish" each scene Rob, I get the impression of them all being different places, rather than parts of one place. Not very well explained but it's like we're travelling from place to place along the railway, with each location having it's own character - works really well. Another thing I'm noticing is the backscene. The more you do to the foreground scenes, the better the backscene seems to blend in. Another fun episode Rob, great entertainment.👍👌😁 Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@irishmanwolfhound]

Dougie, watch one of the layout walk through videos, Rob does a great job explaining the various locations that the layout consists of.

[@2H80vids]

@@irishmanwolfhound I have done Brian; I think I've seen them all.😁 That's one of the things I like about the Bennett RR Co; it's not a scale model of exact locations, but it all makes sense, as if it is. Rob's potted history, right down to Cleetus, blends the actual history of the railroads with some modellers' licence. It's not a layout for the rivet-counters but it's good enough that it could be.😁 I hope my earlier comment didn't come across as criticism; I didn't explain myself very well but it was all meant as praise. These silly videos, about a layout thousands of miles away from me, are helping to keep me sane right now, through a bad time. Rob usually manages to put a smile on my face and these videos usually get me thinking - hence all my babbling comments.😁 Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@williambryant5946]

This video is AWESOME! Lots of fun scenery work. At the oil tanks maybe add just a few spots/small puddles under the tank car between the rails that look wet. Around on one of the valves coming out of the bulk tank build up some dryed goop and then make it look wet toward the center. That would look neat too like its leaking just enough to make it look moist and have dirt built up sticking to it around the edges. There is a product made by Vallejo environment line I think that's a wet effect that would work good for this. Engine oil is one that could work and I can't remember the other but it's specifically to make stuff have the wet look. I bet as far detailed out as you take your scenery that it's your favorite part of model railroading maybe even over running the trains. When doing scenery details in industrial areas don't forget to scatter ho scale newspaper out and around and other trash from the era. Those industrial areas tend to draw trash to between the tracks and rails and in alleys between industries. If you're like me then scenery and super detailing of scenery is a passion of railroad modeling. It's my favorite part over any other part other than watching a train run through the perfect scenery you just got finished. You did an absolutely awesome job with the static grass. If you took a vacuum over the static grass after the glue dried then you shouldn't have problems with a bunch coming out. You should look into using static grass more. I think you'd enjoy it just as much as you do the other scenery you do. Take a stocking and put over the end of the vacuum hose to collect and reuse the loose unstuck static grass. I'll put a link into this video to a video that shows how you can layer static grass. This guy is an artist with the stuff. I think this is the one I was referring to. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hneQd5alrtpshLs Stay well. -Wil 👍

[@stevemalachinski5001]

Interesting build love following your adventure. One suggestion would be to build a containment berm around the oil storage tanks. Not sure when they became the norm but I have worked in some places that date back to the steam era and the berms look like they dated that far too.

[@DMRJ]

Panzer Grey has become my favorite color from Vallejo.

[@TradeTravelTroopy]

Good Vid ol Mate

[@154Colin]

Never did try it myself, but I believe (🤔) Luke Towan did it on one of his dioramas. He used a hair/ or beard trimmer on his static grass.

[@alexgini1517]

hi, just finished watching the entire serious. you have been very entertaining (funny) and lots of great ideas. keep up the great work and i look forward in watching the next episode of this series. know onto the next play list. thanks

[@markbuterbuagh4971]

Dose the bear have a name Lol.Very nice.. now your going to have static grass everywhere now.

[@davidprince8015]

Great work as usual Rob. Your sense of detail -especially scenery is inspiring. The static grass is a great scenery item and well used everywhere now. I remember when it was just dyed sawdust and coloured lichen!!. By the way - why use scissors when a beard trimmer just buzzes it off at the height you want. Cheers mate.

[@cascadianpuget]

I'm looking forward to the four-hour video.

[@CM-ARM]

Your scene came out fantastic Rob. If you're thinking about getting your own grass applicator, check out Static King. I have one and I also use one at my club. Really like. If I'm not mistaken the now have a precision applicator. I'm going to see if they do for myself. Later on, Chris

[@AlexScheidmann]

Really nice, Amazing.. I like the details... Do you have a nice Chanel... I love modeling landscape... I have subscribe your Chanel.. Sorry my Englisch I am from Switzerland. Greetings from Switzerland Alex 😊😊👍👍

[@robbennett1965]

Alex- thank you for watching, and don't worry about your English. It is much better than my German- or the Swiss version of it if that is your native language!

[@AlexScheidmann]

Hello Rob you are welcome.. And also thank you... I love landscape modelling... I have also a nice Chanel.. Alex 🤔🤔😉😉😊😊👍👍👍

[@garyhodge7861]

FYI War World Scenics are based in Wales, the bit that sticks out to the West of England, but not in England. It is part of the UK though. Thank you for another informative update on your amazing layout. One of, if not the best scenic layouts in the world.

[@andrewh.8403]

What is about the size of Wales?

[@trs-no8lm]

Above the tunnel you could make a camping. Make it someone when for a horse ride to the mountain

[@TheSonofruss]

Some Ivy on the wall should hide the joins or throw on some washes to tone them down

[@williamdickman7917]

Don't know if this would be appropriate for this era but I would think some older wood or composite sided boxcars off their trucks and used for storage would look good scattered around the area on either side of the viaduct in the weeds next to the ridings and spur tracks.

[@huliediggs20]

I love watching your progress. Question, would a billboard look interesting over the exit tunnel leaving the area.

[@ElectronWranglerTV]

Poor Cletus has to clean it up? Cletus is the one who dumped the dirt on the track LOL

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😊

[@kensomething379]

haven't finished watching the video but wanted to comment on the seam on one of the mats. Personally (if it looks the same in person) I would leave the one seam alone. first and second large mat, counting left to right. It looks like a foot path to me, looks like people walk across that section to get to the main building. Employees for instance. (44:15 you're pointing at it saying it needs to be fixed, same with 45:42. I would put a person walking on it, unless in person it's an obvious gap, it isn't on camera) Now back to the video to see what happens next :D

[@robbennett1965]

We think alike- I did just that. I added some dirt and made it a foot path. For the other seam I added some additional foliage to provide a "cover" over the seam.

[@barrywiddowson7987]

There should be a dike around the base of the tanks to hold back any leakage or spills from them, Just saying Also you could cut back the shoulder of the ballast at the site of the switch stand and create a small tie wall so as to keep the width of the road the same

[@robbennett1965]

You are referring to secondary containment. You sure about the regulations and requirements in the mid 1950s? If you can provide actual documentation, regulations or other specifications I am all ears. Don't think that just because it is required now that it always was. Just sayin.

[@micheldescoteaux7192]

Looks great 👍, keep going.! As for the siding are you sure you got all the glue off the rails using it at a 100% ?

[@victordandrea8697]

Yeah you bought it from Poland you really living on the edge bro it's zany now I'm just kidding bro I like your layout it's well done the bear is cool to

[@marciebalme588]

can you kindly tell me what make are the earth moving machinery shown at the start of this video

[@danielmarra2237]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏👏

[@garyschultz2030]

What track code are you using? Looks like code 100? I'm new and personally I'm leaning towards code 100. What is your advice/thoughts? Thanks

[@mikestrains23]

Nice! Is that bought ballast gray or home made?

[@colossalbigfoot256]

Beautiful section. That loader/tractor looks amazing. How much was it $80? 😳

[@robbennett1965]

I don't recall what I paid, but it is available now on eBay for $56.45. Prefinished, painted and weathered- a real nice model.

[@colossalbigfoot256]

@@robbennett1965 yeah it is nice. I should invest in a 3D printer cause im sure you could find some nice models out there.

[@davidwilliamssr5051]

Rob, will you tell me were you get you various sizes of tanks?

[@robbennett1965]

For the ones shown in the tank farm they are from Rix Products- Water/Oil Tank 29' Flat Top HO 628-0500. The larger one that I need to place elsewhere is a Tichy kit, #7013 Steel Tank. I also have used the Walthers tanks from their Industrial Tanks Detail Set, 933-3197. Also have the Walthers Storage Tanks kit, 933-3265. Plus Plastruct makes some storage tank kits as well.

[@loupecci4901]

Please stop saying it isn’t perfect, nothing is. I’d only give it a rating of 4.0 outstanding. You, sir, are a steely eyed model railroad man!

[@SFCRambo60]

Be warn, UK is having a Postal Strike. I have 2 items I bought and they have gone pass their arrival due date by a month now.

[@HenrikSweden1]

mmm Your layout looks even better than before, just super. One thing bothers me a bit though, at 1.23 we see the side of that great looking stonebridge. I think that You might have used printed paper for the stonewall downloaded from the net. The visual problem is that there is a pattern that is repeated all over the side of the bridge. Probably because the small gif has been repeated several times when printed. I think this could be less obvious if you gav the stonewall some random wash of colors similar to the stone. But otherwise this is so inspiring. Thank you for giving us these fine videos !

[@larryluthmanjr3680]

There is always that one critic out there😠😠!

[@LTBROYT6A]

The black stuff looks like an asphalt spill.

[@LTBROYT6A]

Great fix, now it looks very realistic. Awesome job !!!

[@stevenrupp9190]

Do you ever just play with some trains or only work on modeling and scenery? Personally, I play with my trains a lot, which explains my lack of scenery. How about a video just playing with trains?

[@paulely5031]

The weathering is very deficient... It is disappointing to see great craftsmanship disqualified by lack of grime, stain, litter, and realistic depiction of real life and times stress of environmental pressures... The desire is realism in our heart of hearts, but you just have to study and apply real life. My rant, I just love modeling...

[@2H80vids]

Have to disagree with you. I think the weathering is excellent. It's not overdone and it looks about right to me. The light shade of the concrete around the transformer factory makes it look quite clean but, if you look closer, the weathering is there.

[@robbennett1965]

Disqualified? Wow, harsh crowd!

[@2H80vids]

@@robbennett1965 😂👍