CaptO's New Year's Layout

[CaptOblivious]

Some of you may remember that my wife and I did a Christmas layout last year (although it didn't get reported until May!). That was pretty low-class. This year, were going to do it right.

[Bernard]

Don - Nice start. In the blog you say the "brown bits" will be hidden in a tunnels in mountains, have you designed the mountains for easy access?

[Bernard]

Don - How is the New Year's layout coming along?

[CaptOblivious]

Oh, it's coming along great! I haven't posted links here, but I've been doing weekly update on my blog. I'll post links here later today when I finish the latest post.

[CaptOblivious]

As promised! Here is a link where interested readers can follow progress more closely:
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/category/shogatsu-layout/

For the not-quite-so-interested-as-to-follow-a-link (not that there's anything wrong with that), here's a photo of the current progress:


As you can see, it's going to be quite mountainous! And, Bernard, there's lots and lots of hidden track access on the sides and in the back (not pictured)! With so much of the track hidden, it would have been a real problem if I didn't do that. :D

[Bernard]

Don - you've made great progress! That is going to be one large mountain with the village on top. Are you going to put hydrocal cloth over the risers?
Yes, WS foam pins are too expensive, I go to Walmart or a fabric store and buy quilting pins to tack down foam or anything for that matter. The quilting pins are extremely long and can get into hard to get at places.

You're layout looking great! 

[CaptOblivious]

Here is the latest update on the layout:
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2008/11/23/the-mountains-gain-flesh/

I've begun the newspaper infill. It's really starting to take shape, and I'm quite excited!

[Bernard]

Don - the layout is looking great. Making mountains out of newspaper is why I get the Sunday NY Times, that seems to do the job for me. I like the fact that you divided the layout in 2 parts, was this for storage later on?

[CaptOblivious]

Don - the layout is looking great. Making mountains out of newspaper is why I get the Sunday NY Times, that seems to do the job for me. I like the fact that you divided the layout in 2 parts, was this for storage later on?

Thanks! I can't believe how 1) easy this is turned out to be and 2) rewarding it is! Mountains, I can't believe it!

And, to answer your question: Yep! There's no room in the apartment for a permanent setup, so we'll have to store it in the basement. We're going to either try and find some very large plastic tubs, or I'll make some sort of crate from scratch. Also, the dimensions (whole) would require us to turn the layout sideways to move it through doorways, which would limit mountain-height, and moving would be a two-person job. Cut in half, we can build the mountains as tall as we like, and I can move the halves by myself. As a bonus, it makes automobile transportation, if we ever decide to exhibit the layout, much easier; it also makes placing the sectional track inside the tunnels easier too, effectively providing an additional "window" to reach in and connect things.

As it stands, the two halves sit together pretty well on the table: It takes a serious bump to move them apart. That said, we'll be making a nice fascia out of matte board that will span the entire width, and that will velcro on to help hold the layout together while it's on display.

[serenityFan]

That looks great mate... and I just realised that it is infact 2 parts.

When you first thought of making the mountain, did you always plan on using newspaper + plester cloth, or did you also consider using foam/stryrofoam?

[CaptOblivious]

That looks great mate... and I just realised that it is infact 2 parts.

When you first thought of making the mountain, did you always plan on using newspaper + plester cloth, or did you also consider using foam/stryrofoam?

Thanks!

I briefly toyed with the idea of using layers of foam. However, even living very close to a good hardware store, transporting sheets of foam is onerous. I have to cut them into thirds to fit them in my car—a station wagon with fold-down seats! Plus, I had thought that foam would be a lot more expensive, but doing a little math, I figure doing the mountain would cost only a little more to do it in foam (plaster cloth is not exactly cheap). So I pretty much aimed at newspaper+plaster from the beginning. Plus, you don't want to see my foam sculpting "skills" at work—no-one does.

The one advantage to using foam is that I would have a little more control (I think) over the winding hiking path up the mountain to the shrine. As it is, I don't quite have that sort of fine control over the newspaper, so I'm unsure how that trail will turn out.

Anyway, I finished up the newspaper job on this half tonight!
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2008/11/24/the-american-who-went-up-a-hill…/

[Bernard]

As I said before, this is looking great! I've used different methods on my layout newspaper and hydrocal strips - layers of foam - cardboard strips interlaced & even chicken wire (Ouch!)  All have their advantages and disadvantages but for me I fine the newspaper method the best.

[CaptOblivious]

After I posted this last night, I saw in the photo that there were a couple of areas that needed a little fill-in. This is one nice advantage of newspaper: You can always go back and add more! (At least before you plaster.) To bulk up a foam hill would require cutting out a portion and replacing it.

There is another system from Noch that looks interesting, and yet really tedious. They call it TerraForm: It's like TinkerToys for mountains, then you cover it with crepe paper. Crazy!

[Bernard]

Don - have you heard of the product Sculpt-A-Mold?
Here is one link to it if you haven't heard of it:
http://www.continentalclay.com/detail.php?cat_id=404&sub_categoryID=237&PID=1281

It's a paper mache mixture which is easy to apply. What I like about it is that it give texture to a flat area. It's messy like paper mache but is easy to clean up after use.

[CaptOblivious]

Don - have you heard of the product Sculpt-A-Mold?
Here is one link to it if you haven't heard of it:
http://www.continentalclay.com/detail.php?cat_id=404&sub_categoryID=237&PID=1281

It's a paper mache mixture which is easy to apply. What I like about it is that it give texture to a flat area. It's messy like paper mache but is easy to clean up after use.

Yeah, in fact I've got a bag of it that I was going to use on my Suigun Line diorama. Military diorama types really love this stuff. I made up a test batch to see what it was like, and found it largely impossible to work with. I was likely doing something wrong. That was so long ago I don't quite remember what I tried using it for, or how it turned out...I do recall it dried hard as a rock, which is great for durability, but awful if you need to reshape anything afterwards. I recall that, being very difficult to apply, I was sloppy with it, thinking I could just sand it down later. This was a mistake :D

I even bought a fancy tupperware container to keep unused portions in—I like that you can just refrigerate it for up to a week, and it remains usable. But tight now, that very container is containing some chili for today's lunch.

Perhaps I'll give it another go with Shogatsu, since I'm sure I'll have a few patch jobs when I'm done plastering.

[Martijn Meerts]

Noch's TerraForm is terrible to work with.. Actually, many Noch products are terrible to work with, except the stuff that's just rebranded Woodland Scenics =)


I've also tried a paper mache mixture once for a mountain, and it turned out really bad. I went back to old fashioned chicken wire and plaster. Using the lightweight hydrocal stuff actually works fine, although the stuff dries awfully fast =)

[SubwayHypes]

Awesome thread and awesome project, cant wait to see the results.

[CaptOblivious]

Yet more! Getting pretty close to the home stretch here...

http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2008/11/30/i-beheld-the-mountains-and-lo-they-looked-surprisingly-good/

[serenityFan]

Wow, that looks awesome ... forget WS plester cloth, I am buying me some pregnancy belly cast kit!  ;D

[CaptOblivious]

Wow, that looks awesome ... forget WS plester cloth, I am buying me some pregnancy belly cast kit!  ;D

No, don't. Those are even more expensive! $30 for five 4" wide rolls, which retail for about $2 each online—for a net loss of $20! Ours was a gift, and so free :D Anyway, it's the same stuff as the WS (except that WS comes in 8" wide rolls).

http://www.google.com/products?q=plaster+cloth

[Bernard]

Don - your layout is coming together real fast :o
At this rate you'll be done before Xmas. I love the overall shot in your blog comparing the left side to the right side. It really shows what you did and what you plan to do. At first I didn't realize the photo you posted in another thread with the tunnel was from the New Years layout. Great job and well planned.

[CaptOblivious]

Thanks again for the nice compliments :D

Here's a very very small update, but with a pleasantly surprising photo:
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2008/12/02/addition-of-foliage/



OMG, where did the Scopedog come from!?

[Bernard]

Hold the phone! What are the 2 little things in front of the EF66-28? Are they the gardens of the mountain? Nice job on the foliage.

[CaptOblivious]

Hold the phone! What are the 2 little things in front of the EF66-28? Are they the gardens of the mountain? Nice job on the foliage.

Two little things? You mean this guy?

[bill937ca]

Looking great.  I've got to get back to work on my mountain.   ;D

[Railmind]

That's marvellous! And I think there will be no trespassing with the green railway guard of yours!
While looking for prototype shots I've also seen quite a number of similar scenes, like this one, for example:

I don't know if it will help you though, as your tunnel has a definitely more modern design.

[CaptOblivious]

That's a really cool photo, Railmind. My portals are very simple kits made by Greenmax. Maybe for my next layout I will try scratchbuilding an old-style one like that one. It has such character!

[Railmind]

I still think one can be made from the other. The shape is the same except for the name plaque on top, may be some styrene with brick imitation, I don't know if it's available, can do the trick.
The one best thing there's about this shot is the view of the tunnel walls and ceiling, do you think that a short tube beside the portal could drastically enhance the scene? The Greenmax kit is ok, it's what's beside that can be improved - and without too much effort.

[Martijn Meerts]

Tunnel walls definately help with the visual appeal and believability of tunnel portals.

[SubwayHypes]

The layout is looking awesome!  Are you gonna have a station on the lower level??  Love the little pathway too, reminds me of all the hikes my grandma made me do, where we would have to climb 100s of stairs just to get to some little temple.  I wish i could have appreciated the beauty back then, unfortunately i was an impatient little kid who did not want to be temple hiking.

[CaptOblivious]

The layout is looking awesome!  Are you gonna have a station on the lower level??  Love the little pathway too, reminds me of all the hikes my grandma made me do, where we would have to climb 100s of stairs just to get to some little temple.  I wish i could have appreciated the beauty back then, unfortunately i was an impatient little kid who did not want to be temple hiking.

Not enough space for a station at the bottom. Maybe in the future when we have room to expand the layout.

The path to the top was inspired by the climb atop Mt. Takao in western Tokyo. It's advertised as being an easy climb for the entire family, but the reality is that it is rather grueling. Of course, you could also just take the funicular to the top :D something my little layout won't have.

[SubwayHypes]

im assuming the pathway is going to be more than that green pathway?  you can add trees/shrubs on the side, maybe even a little old ancient staircase and temple at the top.   i wonder if they make models of these, that would be a cool thing to add because these are literally in every japanese temple.

[CaptOblivious]

Yeah, the light green is just to remind me where the path is :D I'll be giving it the "well-worn dirt path" treatment. Parts are steep and will need stairs; do you have any photos of old decaying stairs up mountains, subwayhypes?

The Tomytec shrine model I'm using has a very small...I don't know what you call it...well for washing your hands. It even has a couple of those ladle things molded into it, but the whole thing is very small and hard to make out.

[SubwayHypes]

stairways at temples in Japan are always made of stone and very short stepped, they arent "decaying" but some might show wear.  but they are always, always made of stone because they are usually outdoor paths between shrines, temples, living quarters, tourist shops. 

i love the japan countryside, its so peaceful. unfortunately whenever im in Japan im usually in tokyo partying and living the neon emblazed life, but its nice to get into the quiet countryside in japan, where there are rice patties everywhere and the busiest joint in town is the local convienance store or arcade.  you always see cool Japanese race cars (skylines, chasers, 240sx) rumbling off into the night going to race the Touge.  Sorry im drifting off.  Heres a few pics.

[CaptOblivious]

Yet another update!

http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2008/12/09/the-hillock-that-thinks-itself-a-mountain/

[Bernard]

Amy is doing all the forestry?! I have a little area in my layout that needs to be done, I call it Mt. Fuji, is she available to finish it? :D

And you got the Tomix Cleaning car, how do you like it? (I know there is a thread in the forum about the car and I think Martijn put a decoder in his?)

As always the layout looks great!

[Bernard]

Okay Don, it's 4 days till New Years (not that I want to put any pressure on you ::) ;D)
but how is the layout coming along?

[CaptOblivious]

Oh, I'm in another state, it's not getting done in time :D

But it will get done before January is up, anyway. Close enough ;D

[Bernard]

Well, in truth you didn't say which New Year celebration you were talking about. You could be for the Chinese New Year. ::) ;)

[Shashinka]

Well, in truth you didn't say which New Year celebration you were talking about. You could be for the Chinese New Year. ::) ;)

I see a lot of foam, looks like I'll be foaming for landscape as well soon.

[CaptOblivious]

Last update to Shogatsu for a while. It's now in the basement, in storage, until this November, when I'll pull it out again, Just not enough room in the tiny apartment!



http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/02/21/until-november…/

[Bernard]

Simply beautiful! Don, you're doing an outstanding job on this layout it's a shame it has to go into storage till Nov.
I might have asked this question already but what material did Amy use to simulate trees on the layout?

[CaptOblivious]

Simply beautiful! Don, you're doing an outstanding job on this layout it's a shame it has to go into storage till Nov.
I might have asked this question already but what material did Amy use to simulate trees on the layout?

Thanks! We used Foliage Clusters from Woodland Scenics
http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/items.cfm/FoliageClusters
It's a shame it only comes in three colors.

[Sushi Train]

I cannot believe how good it looks, its amazing what a little paint and foliage can do to crumpled paper and foam! great work, you've inspired me to do one for my 6 year old son. Thanks  :)

[CaptOblivious]

And it returns! This weekend, I dragged Shogatsu out from basement storage, and began detailing and running trains in earnest. Much more to come over the next month!

http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/11/the-return-of-shogatsu/

[CaptOblivious]

And…it's back in the basement. Such a short window to accomplish much.

Here's a video :D

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/3Qpby8Ky5Fo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/3Qpby8Ky5Fo</a>

[KenS]

That's a very nice layout, and as others have said it's a pity it's only seasonal. I'm really impressed by the wooded hillside; that, to me, captures the topography of much of Japan quite well, and looks good.

And the video's good too.  I've watched it twice now.  The "photo" transitions seemed a bit "cute" on the first viewing, but they've grown on me.  And they're a nice change from the typical collection of disconnected shots that make up most layout videos. The overall "polish" of the video really stands out.

[Martijn Meerts]

Someone played around with iMovie =)

[IST]

Cool video and nice layout. Despite of the simple track plan, it is good to watch the running trains. I like the hill too, which is really looks like a hill.

[CaptOblivious]

iMovie is great, isn't it? I love it. Took me 20 minutes to put that video together.

Attached is the track plan, which somehow I'd never bothered to share before!

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and encouragement on this project!