Backdrop Painting on the Shelf Extension

I finally got around to painting the backdrop on the OASIS District extension.  I used oil paints on the hardboard backdrop panels.  The oils will take a couple of weeks to dry, and then I might tweak the painting a little, but for the most part it is completed.  I will add tree armatures from Scenic Express (SuperTrees) in front of the backdrop to create additional depth in the scene.  Scenery work will go quickly since most of the Wetterau Food Services micro layout already has scenery.  I am also thinking about adding an additional structure to the left of the grocery warehouse to round out the scene.  

Backdrop Painting Photos

Shelf Extension Update

 

South end of layout extension

Finally got around to installing the backdrop and fascia boards on the OASIS District extension.  Picked up some hardboard from my local building supply store, and after a couple of hours I had the backdrop and fascia boards installed.  Time to break out the paints and start creating some sky and background scenes.

Grocery warehouse and staging area 

Finishing up the extension shouldn't take too long, and I hope to be operating the layout again real soon.

Tom

Backdrop Blending

I finished blending the photo backdrop trees into the sky. Nothing fancy.

I'm at the final stage of layout construction. All that's left to install is layout lighting. I'm almost finished with the layout! 

Until next time, 

Tom 

Scenery Work Update

My favorite part of layout construction! 

I have affixed a section of the photo backdrop and placed some scenery elements in the scene. The hay bales and surrounding ground textures are dry-fitted in place. I'll let this sit a few days to see if I like it, then glue it all in place.

Photo elements for the Backdrop

I'm dry-fitting a couple of photos to the backdrop to fill in the gaps between the structures. Some of the photos are from the actual town of Owensville, Missouri. The railroad tower is a cut and paste image composition from an image on Google. I'll let these sit a few days before prepping them to be affixed to the backdrop.

Until next time,
Tom

Background Building Progress

The background buildings are taking shape. I purchased some photo backdrop buildings for the layout. An old Golden Valley Canning building from Walthers is being bashed into 2 separate buildings. Painting, weathering, and additional details are needed to complete the scene. I'm going to start on some scenery, track weathering, and ballasting work next.

Until next time,
Tom

Back to Work on the OASIS

Layout Update for August 2019

Work resumes on the Owensville Terminal Railroad after sitting idle for over a year.

The backdrop panels for the ends of the layout have been installed. Priming the backdrop starts with the first coat of primer. I'm using a flat white interior wall paint.

The sky color was applied with a foam brush. The first coat was streaky and looked horrible. I ditched the foam brush and painted a second coat with a soft bristle brush. It looks much better, but the sky is now a solid color without any variation. I will change the flat look by painting atmospheric effects and clouds.

The end panel on the right will one day have a photo of a railroad crossing applied to it. I'm still searching for an image online that will fit the bill. I still need to finish running bus wires to the right side of the layout. Feeder wires need to be soldered to the rails, then dropped down underneath the layout. I will be able to start with painting the track, scenery, and ballasting the track after installing the feeder wires.

Until next time,

Tom

OASIS Layout Update - Backdrop and Fascia 03

Backdrop installed.

End panels will be cut out and installed next. I have also been checking out various light fixtures for layout lighting.



Until next time.
Tom

OASIS Layout Update - Backdrop and Fascia 02

Cut out the fascia board/valance from 1/8 inch hardboard today. My carpentry skills are not the greatest, but I did manage to get the front fascia and valance installed today. I will be adding the backdrop and side boards next.

Tom

OASIS Layout Update - Backdrop and Fascia 01

Backdrop & Fascia Construction

Testing out some support brackets for the backdrop and valance. I'm wanting to achieve a shadowbox look with the front fascia.

New Poll:

I've created a poll which is located on the right side of this blog (desktop view only). I know many people do not use Facebook, but a whole lot of people utilize its services. I am thinking about creating a Facebook Page for the Owensville Terminal OASIS Layout, but it's not going to be a replacement for this blog. I'm still planning to update and support this blog.

I would really appreciate your input! Thanks!

Tom