Placing and shaping plaster rocks on model railroads.

[@dacuzzz]

for a guy that never did scenery you did a fantastic job on the rock molds... keep up the good work & thanks for sharing.. vinny

[@FishplateFilms]

I know Vinny...it's crazy stuff but I can see the satisfaction you get from your scratch builds as a scene comes together. Thanks for watching sir! P.s..just got the last of your live session last week, was breakfast down here.Will try and pop in next week. Cheers Gregg.

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for sharing your detailed video as great watching all time

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Robert! I've moved on a bit since this video! Slowly getting better at scenery..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@1johnmcwilliams]

WOW Gregg , scenery , looks good ,you can't go wrong ,any type scenery is better than just plywood. Good work.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you John! Yes , a bit better than ply..LOL A long way to go but I'm happy so far. Gregg :-)

[@tombrennan9452]

I love seeing fellow Aussies enjoying the hobby here in youtube! AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Tom! Glad you enjoy the videos! Cheers Gregg.

[@raykiefer5137]

I have begun adding rocks to my plaster cloth mountains and made some of the smoothing errors. I will go back and add some rough spots. Thanks for your video. Your rocks look realistic.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Ray! I'm still learning but the rougher the better is the go ...to a point ! My later videos on rocks are an improvement on this one , but you will get better the more you do ...plus get some photos to work from , that helps a lot. Cheers Gregg.

[@QRoutback]

Wow have just recovered from falling off on chair from seeing this , needed a stiff drink , thought I was seeing thing's !!! Well Mate great work on the rock work , when you go to fill in the caps between the the rock 's mix a bit of light black wash in the mud and let it stiffen up a bit before you fill the cap's and use a cut down a brush so it's about 10mm long to apply the mud to the cap's give's you the rough finish, hope this help's , if all fail's get Lord Stan on the Job !!! , LOL Cheers Glynn

[@FishplateFilms]

Hope your not to bruised Glynn!! Thank you and that's a good tip to tint the mud for the joints, will give that a go. I'm keeping Stan well away than you..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@SantaFeBob]

I appreciate your tutorial videos. I have learned a lot and when I start working on my railroad, I have your videos to use for inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to show the different stages of your empire. Cheers.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you for the kind words and support Bob! I'm glad you got some ideas from the videos and I appreciate the feedback. Cheers Gregg.

[@csxrensville5105]

Nice work there Greg. The colouring is very effective. Any parts that your not happy with just put some grass and bushes there. Nature always finds a way. Keith

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Keith! Thats a good idea, I have been looking at lots of photos and seeing that and also many cuttings are more dirt than rock...something I need to do in other areas. A static grass applicator is on the way soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@TMandN]

Yay....glad to see some scenery Gregg!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Sir1 A long way to go to get to your stage of scenery....but we'll press on and see what happens. Thanks for the support! Cheers Gregg.

[@WEUSANDCORR]

Think I need a stiff drink with Lord Stan, good heavens. Mate stippling is your friend doing them joints with a drier mix of top coat. I mix 60:40 white glue /water and use it to mix the dry top coat. The glue helps the bond and gives some flexibility when working near the edge of the layout, especially if you've got foam filling some of the smaller areas,mounds etc Cheers Les

[@artwildman9403]

Enjoyed your art. Nice work.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Art! Glad you enjoyed it, and I have improved a lot since this video! Cheers Gregg.

[@jolliemark6294]

Good show they look great, you on the way to a really nice scenery, thanks for sharing....Jack

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks very much Jack! Lets hope I can fluke some some more good results?? It's a big learning curve but a lot of fun. Cheers Gregg.

[@jolliemark6294]

@@FishplateFilms Yes! it is....

[@upsd402]

Awesome video, love the scenery challenged comment. God knows I am so DCC challenged I might as well be running dummy locomotives. With my rock molds I dump them in a container, let them soak, I do my scenery out in the garage, it’s a pain, but the carpet stays clean. As far as the seams, I use small bits of plaster cloth. The only problem it doesn’t take the colors very well. Love the details with the cracks, I am wondering how it will react to the Australia summers. I had minor cracks but covered them with drywall mud. When I did landscaping, I did four foot section both sides. It was a major challenge, because of the weight. I like how you filled the cracks at the beginning, I was not as detailed as you, just because I used over 300. The colored wall, love the color, and the rocks by the tunnel portal. Again Gregg, very impressed, I just started my benchwork this last weekend.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you very much Terry! Just as surprised as me!! I'm still a novice but have learnt a lot already. I don't know about the heat yet , but if I get cracks along the joins it should real enough?? That is a good point and a idea to leave a little gap between large sections of rock work?The colours are more like the reds we have down here and I will tone them down a bit on future ones, but I have seen all colours on my trip over there. Congrats on starting your bench work...look forward to seeing it progress. Thanks for the support. Gregg.

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Sorry that you scenic work has gotten off to a rocky start. LOL! Great update, those rocks look very nice indeed. Keep up the great work.

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...thanks Trav! CAn't believe it turned out as good as it did! Cheers Gregg.

[@nataliejamesbeattie3674]

Nice one Greg, a few more tips for me as I start the 400' cutting..... cheers mate

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks James! Have a look at the "MOuntain out of a Molehill" series...I've gotten a bit better since this one🙂. Get some casting plaster for the rock molds ...so much better than normal plaster! At home with the bloody Covid😞 My offsider had it passed it off as a cold! Feeling a bit better today but not flash. Catch you soon.Gregg.

[@nssherwoodsub]

Gregg...thanks very much for the tutorial. Rocks add so much to the layout. The improvement is dramatic. I'm in agreement with other comments that the rocks could be lighter as in the United States southwest. When you get the pictures that you mentioned, you'll see the difference. Nevertheless, a great start...Harold

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you and you're welcome Harold! It amazes me how much difference it makes and how easy it is with a little practice! The red colours are what I'm used to down here but I will lighten them up a bit in different spots. I do need to print off some pictures though I did see some very red rock faces on my trip to the US, was out in the dessert areas in Arizona if I remember right? Thanks for the support. Cheers Gregg.

[@dexterhoadley2018]

Great rocks! and you sound like Eric Idle too!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Dexter! I'll take and Eric Idle compliment any day! I'm an old Monty Python fan! CHeers Gregg

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Very nice.

[@FishplateFilms]

Cheers and thanks for watching! Gregg.

[@clashofminiatures]

Great job, nice colors too! Thanks for sharing, Chuck RVRR

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Chuck! I got some inspiration from your videos so thanks for that. Take care Chuck. Gregg.

[@clashofminiatures]

That's to kind Gregg. Your not only an amazing modeler, but you sir are one of the best entertainers on KZbin. I'm surprised you don't have over a 100,000 subscribers. Your wit is timeless and your presentations are like we're having a chat. So glad I discovered your channel, Chuck RVRR

[@FishplateFilms]

You're very welcome Chuck ! Don't know about amazing ....but the cheque's in the mail..LOL. Those are very humbling words sir and that inspires me to do even better and to keep you all smiling !. I really appreciate the feedback and support. Take care . Gregg

[@brian102256]

Nice work, Greg! The rocks look fantastic! - Brian

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Brian! Your'e too kind.. No ones more surprised than me..LOL. Now can I repeat it!! Cheers Gregg

[@joesaurina1402]

Greg, looks fantastic, don't be to over critical of your work. Really is quiet good. Speaking of marring rocks, I understand in Assuie country it's 7 women to 1 guy, just saying my friend. Cheers

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Joe! I am learning to be less neat at joints and that makes a difference. Don't know about 7-1 LOL . I must be looking in the wrong places? Cheers Gregg.

[@jpk1190]

Some ideas (although I am not a scenery expert): You could mold pieces of almost planar rock with marks from vertical drillings to use next to the track to model blasted rock faces (Look up "drilling and blasting" on wikipedia to see a photo). Depending on how dry the rocks should look: Grass or small trees have an amazing ability to grow in the smallest cracks on almost vertical walls. Water running down the rockface in a rainy season may leave vertical lines of mineral residue - especially when the rocks are rich in iron as your nice redish colour may suggest. Fallen rocks will be found at the foot of the wall. Supporting concrete walls are often not just planar. There may be pillars or arcs between which walls are thinner in order to use less concrete.

[@FishplateFilms]

Some great ideas JPK! I will try these out as I progress with the scenery journey! Grass and trees will really make a difference but I'm waiting till I get a little more skilled at the base rocks first! I have been looking at lots of photos to get ideas so it is a lot to take in for a scenery novice! Cheers Gregg.

[@dismaldog]

Great job mate-i use those moulds too-the only thing i found last time i used Cornice cement to stick them on and patch up-it did not take the paint wash quite the same as the casting plaster i used,maybe due to the vinyl contents in plasterboard products

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! I'd stay away from cornice cement for that reason, also it sets very hard and is difficult to blend in . I'm using old finishing compound for attaching these and it works well. Cheers Gregg.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

This is great, I am planning to build a tunnel, you make it look easy great job

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks James! I've progressed a lot since this video...check out the "Tunnel Vision" videos. CHeers Gregg.

[@normanrowe2831]

You are a very strange man......I like that about you! lol. Nice work.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Norman??? You don't have to be mad , but it helps! Cheers Gregg.

[@DetroitRiverRailroad]

bloody beauty mate It's really coming along

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! Better late than never I guess!! Makes the ply look pretty drab now..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@brownie8235]

Wow Gregg, great to see the BWS (!!! now i know why you called it that) coming along with the addition of scenery. As mentioned for someone who isn't overly confident in doing the scenery side you're doing a fantastic job. Am enjoying the evolution of the Birdwood Sub. Michael.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks very much Michael! I do enjoy it much more than I thought and look forward to getting better at it ...all practice and learning. Hope to get back to scenery soon. Cheers Gregg.

[@jimsmoter4510]

It’s starting to look good . The colors are looking pretty realistic..

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Jim...it's about time! I'm surprised at the results so far. Cheers Gregg.

[@jimsmoter4510]

FishplateFilms Gregg , if you want to see some amazing rock work visit BNSFUPRailroader here on You Tube pt 1&2

[@Marteltrains]

It's about time LOL hears a tip each part you finish will look so good you will do more . IT looks GOOD DON'T STOP this is Martel from Triple M Model Railroad

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...you're not wrong there sir!! I agree it is a little addictive and I haven't heard "don't stop" in a long while!! Thank you for the support Martel! Cheers Gregg.

[@FTLOT]

Looks like "hard" work. Solid job Gregg! : )

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you sir! Hoping I can "pull it off" in the scenery department?? Gregg :-)

[@csnyder29]

Gregg looks really good! I am going to copy your technique when I start my scenery.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Craig! It is rewarding I must say and still a lot to learn but the results are better than I expected. Gregg.

[@bhuddaloyd]

Looks great.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you !

[@donaldmoore8920]

Perfect timing as I too is about to do scenery

[@FishplateFilms]

There you go Donald! Good luck with it ! Cheers Gregg.

[@jacjac5761]

Very nice job!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Jac!

[@plasticbutcher]

Looks great, a lot better than my attempt lol, but I've been watching some war game terrain builders and getting good ideas, keep up the great work and looking forward to the next update Rick B. aka Plastic butcher

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Rick! You only see the good results...LOL thats why ti's taken so long to shoot the clip! The War gamers do some good scenery for sure....but trains look better passing by the rocks!! :-) Gregg .

[@csxmad]

Looking good and i can even see the excitement in you, when doing the Molds. Also i rang 911 for you but they said it would 18 to 20 hours to get to you lol cheers Robert

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Robert! I've watched your clips many times , so I thought I should give it a go! Still waiting on the ambulance..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@adriengadson3544]

I like some of the color choices in the rock formations and over hangs. I thing to remember , Railroads are cheap and would not build a rock wall next to a tunnel wall they paid for.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Adrien! I'm not that happy with the rock wall, but it was a experiment? Next time I'll carve some rock or take the concrete wall further out. Cheers Gregg.

[@sparky107107]

Santa Fe and BNSF, you hung around vinny to long when you came over here. need some nice Conrail blue , lol.

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL, this Dash 8 will be patched and there are more "Fake Bonnets " on the way! I do have some CSX blue!!

[@shortoz3751]

My goodness, are you back down under? Nice work Gregg! Stain with washes.

[@FishplateFilms]

I've been back for a while Joe! Glad you like the rocks and yes, I used stains to get the colours but the black wash needs to be a bit stronger. Thanks for watching. Gregg :-)

[@shortoz3751]

Start with a dark gray wash, then black last. You just have too much brown right now. Hell you have pictures of the BinSnif in California, you should use them to guide your colors.

[@neillooker6077]

now you are a scenery stallion

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...don't know about that Neil! Maybe a gelding!! Thanks for watching and the support. Cheers Gregg.

[@mitchrozelle269]

Hi Greg, look's like you are off to a good start .i think your rocks look ok .The colors are realistic . And mother nature isn't perfect. And also water and wind come into play and do strange thing to rocks. So don't fret about in pressing anthers just please your self Mate.You are doing great i think. Having fun is the main thing.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Mitch! I need to get some reference photos for the next stage so I don't keep repeating the colours. But you're right all rocks look different and most things you could find in nature. Appreciate the support. Cheers Gregg.

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

I like your layout prettty cool

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Taylor! Glad you like it . Cheers Gregg.

[@stephenmeynell4848]

Hey Gregg, Nice but tint your plaster, any chip will be white. Big green shed will sort you, cheap

[@BronsonTheCat]

Surprised the Stripper and the Bishop didn’t get a mention when talking about the multipurpose wet fingers.

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL...totally forgot about that one Huggies! DOn't wan't to wear it though! Will try and slip it in on the next video! Thanks for watching. Gregg.

[@hegz1484]

Awesome stuff Greg!!! Great job, its looking good. Can't wait to see scenic stuff spring up round the place!!! ( although i did think this layout was set on the plywood planet) Oh yeah also making ya own static grass applicator is a fun short project ya could maybe make a video on too.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Hegz! Slowly but surely .....I love static grass but I can't be bothered to make my own applicator at this stage....too much other stuff to do! I have to get cracking on the signal system and I have at least another 15 locos to install decoders in , so grass is a bit down the line ....but you just never know??? Cheers Gregg.

[@sparky107107]

great timing for this video Greg. a soon to do project on my layout is going to have a large cliff face to hide all the piping and part of my water heater.. Thanks for showing the process. seems easy enough. I just have to watch all my thumbs. lol. so a broken hack saw blade for cutting. Can you use that as the fine sculpting spatula to?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Sparky! If you have a large area to do , try getting the biggest moulds you can and I think shaping some of it with plaster is also a good idea, but that takes a bit of practice!! Do small bits at a time as you learn. If I can do it, anyone can mate..LOL. You could use a old blade as a spatular but the pointed end helps getting into small areas. Cheers Gregg.

[@garylester55]

Hello Gregg, the rock face looks good, from what I’ve seen on other channels, you don’t need to be too neat. I was thinking as I was watching the trains coming out of the tunnel, how far in, are you going to ballast in the tunnel so as not to see where the ballast ends. Its looking good. Regards Gary 😊

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Gary , thank you ! Yes I was too neat on the joins early on but I'm learning to get rougher!! As for the ballast, I can get a fair way in but honestly I didn't think the rocks would turn out good enough to leave, so I didn't worry about it ..LOL Plus now I have to learn ballasting??????? Cheers Gregg. :-)

[@garylester55]

FishplateFilms thank you Gregg for your reply and comments. Watch a lot of different ways people do the ballasting on KZbin, I’ve watched some so I could try ballasting on a program track I made, It’s not as easy as it looks lol. Cheers, regards Gary 😊

[@williamgreen9307]

Great tips awesome video thanks

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks William!

[@michaelstanco8508]

amazing 1st attempt.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Michael! Was a big surprise for me too. Cheers Gregg.

[@kargandarr]

There is a gap in that wall where i can see the under structure just a bit out from the tunnel mouth.

[@FishplateFilms]

It's not quite finished yet Paul , and I'm trying different tunnel linings to see what works. Cheers Gregg.

[@realmagicjon]

Rock on!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Jon..I will do! Gregg :-)

[@smokeyjoe1034]

Everything looks great as far as I can see. Are you going to add any grass or asphalt alongside your track throughout your layout?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Joe, ok for a beginner I guess! There is lots more to do, including grass and dirt. Cheers Gregg.

[@fourbittz]

Not a bad tutorial at all. I learned some good things while watching. One constructive comment: you're doing all this work on your scenery, yet you will still have shiny silver rails. before you go anyfurther, you should think about painting/weathering your rail. It then would not take away from your rock walls. it now draws attentio that otherwise would not. Just my opinion...

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! I'm still learning myself and see where I've progressed from this video! I will be air brushing the rails so it doesn't matter when it's done. I like to ballast at the very end as it can hide things along the way! I'm glad you got some tips from the video! Cheers Gregg.

[@neilrogers1571]

Greg try some talus eg small rock rubble at the bottom of your cliff faces and stuck on your smooth bits should look a lot better. The other thing to try is India ink & alcohol but make sure you get some real India ink not the stuff sold as it. I found out the hard way instead of a good wash you end up with alcohol with black flakey bits which looks C**p! Neil

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Neil. I will be doing that later on when grass and bushes get added. I will try a Ink style wash, my art supply store has a few to choose from.Thanks for the tips. Cheers Gregg.

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Greg have you tried the Alcohol India ink Wash method? All it is, its India ink in Rubbing alcohol. its like of the same method of weathering Freight card with Alcohol and ink.

[@FishplateFilms]

No I haven't Kevin, but it is on the list of things to try . Thanks for the tip. Cheers Gregg.

[@fnbrrahna5426]

Sup greg its Mr d great vid

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Dylan, thanks man! Glad you like it and I hope you are doing well and say hi to Ally and Fuzz! Cheers Gregg.

[@1990sRailfan]

1:44 Hilarious!

[@FishplateFilms]

Cheers!! Gregg :-)

[@upsd402]

Quick comment, don’t go as dark, lighter would be more California style. Just a quick suggestion.

[@FishplateFilms]

See reply in your first post Terry.:-)

[@chrisshoulders4066]

Awesome is 5615 a Kato?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Chris! Yes , it is a Kato and I have installed LED ditch and number board lights and Tower LED headlights. I have done this in a few Kato's and will do more in the future. Cheers Gregg

[@chrisshoulders4066]

FishplateFilms Thanks did they come with deck mounted ditch because I can't find them anywhere.

[@FishplateFilms]

The AC4400's have deck mounted and the Dash 9's have them under the anti climber. I haven't done any of my Dash9's yet, Cheers Gregg.

[@MaXXIMuss2022]

Great video But you said 911 in Oz its 000 Greg LOL

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Mark! Most of my viewers are in the US or Canada so 000 would only confuse them...LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@larrybaughman618]

👋🚂🗯

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi5399]

Oh yes greg oh i have 2 videos up on my channel

[@neilrogers1571]

Greg just remembered this video which may help with your rocks kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZzRaJqNqMusr7c

[@keving126]

Yeah nice rock work for you claiming to be a newbie wow some dirty comedy here you should have just called it a cocking gun be straight forward. Nevertheless nice layout!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Kevin! The devils in the details Sir, but I am getting better and a new video on the way..with no "Caulking guns" !! Glad you liked it. Cheers Gregg.