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WATER IS SOMETHING THAT MANY MODEL RAILROADERS OVERLOOK WHEN THEY ARE DOING THEIR SCENERY. IT IS BOTH QUICK AND EASY, AND IT HELPS TO ADD A LEVEL OF REALISM THAT NO OTHER SCENERY ELEMENT CAN OFFER.
WATER CAN TAKE MANY FORMS. IT COULD BE A LARGE LAKE, RIVER, SMALL STREAM, A DRAINAGE DITCH, POTHOLES IN A ROAD, WATER COMING FROM A DRAINAGE PIPE, AN ICE SKATING RINK, WATER IN A BIRD BATH , OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER INTERESTING DETAILS.
WHY MODEL WATER?
WATER WILL ADD INTEREST AND REALISM TO YOUR RAILROAD
WHEN SHOULD YOU ADD WATER ?
THE ACTUAL DETAILING USUALLY STARTS AFTER ALL THE TRACK HAS BEEN LAID, AND MOST OF THE SCENERY AND BUILDINGS ARE IN PLACE.
THE PLANNING HOWEVER SHOULD START MUCH EARLIER. THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE WATER SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE ROOM FOR IT BEFORE YOU DO THE SCENERY.
WHERE SHOULD YOU ADD WATER ?
WATER COULD BE ALMOST ANYWHERE THAT THERE IS A LOW SPOT IN YOUR SCENERY, OR IT COULD FILL TIRE RUTS OF A MUDDY COUNTRY ROAD. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ALMOST ENDLESS.
HOW TO MODEL WATER ?
DURING THE PLANNING OR BUILDING STAGE, START THINKING ABOUT WHAT METHOD YOU WILL USE TO MODEL WATER, AND PRACTICE ON A SMALL TEST AREA UNTIL YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT PARTICULAR METHOD.
DO RESEARCH BY LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS OR BY ACTUALLY GOING OUT AND LOOKING AT WATER IN REAL LIFE . KEEP NOTES ON SUCH THINGS AS SIZE , LOCATION AND COLOR OF VARIOUS TYPES OF WATER.
DON'T OVERLOOK THE JUNK AND CLUTTER THAT MAY LIE JUST BELOW THE SURFACE, OR A TREE LIMB THAT MAY PROTRUDE FROM THE SURFACE.
THERE ARE MANY METHODS OF MODELING WATER, HERE ARE JUST A FEW:
1) REAL WATER 5) EPOXY RESIN OR ENVIROTEX
2) PLASTIC SHEETS 6) HOT GLUE
3) PAINTED WATER 7) SILICONE SEALANT
4) GLASS 8) EASY WATER
5) VARNISH OR SHELLAC (BY WOODLAND SCENICS)
6) POLYESTER CASTING RESIN
WHAT EVER METHOD YOU USE, START BY PREPARING THE SURFACE WHERE THE WATER WILL BE. PAINT THE BOTTOM DARK WHERE THE WATER IS DEEP, AND GRADUALLY USE LIGHTER COLORS IN THE SHALLOW AREAS. ADD ROCKS AND OTHER BOTTOM DEBREE SUCH AS OLD TIRES, CAR PARTS, SUNKEN BOATS AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DISCARDED FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA. ADD GRASS, WEEDS, AND ALGAE AROUND THE EDGES AND AROUND ROCKS. ADD DOCKS OR BRIDGE PIERS. FALLEN TREES, ADD FISH IN VARIOUS LAYERS.
TOOLS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
1) PAINTS IN VARIOUS COLORS.
2) WHITE GLUE, SUPER GLUE AND ACCELERATOR, CONTACT CEMENT OR WALTHERS GOO.
3) TWEEZERS, SCISSORS, RULER, HOBBY KNIFE, DRILLS, PAINT BRUSHES, AND SAND PAPER.
4) A HEAT GUN
5) VARIOUS SCENERY MATERIALS SUCH AS TALLAS, ROCKS, WEEDS, AND TURF.
6) MIXING UTENSILS AND A THROW AWAY CONTAINER
