More fun with mock ups........

I got off to a flying start with the mock up earlier this week, the scenic shell was overlaid with strips of duct tape and then plaster soaked scraps of last weeks TV times were laid on top of it.  Yeah, I know its rough and ready and not particularly strong but its fine for this little project.  Once dry the whole lot was painted with artist acrylics including the river bed which was then given a couple of coats of neat, stippled PVA in best Alan Downes fashion.


The PVA dries clear so you can see the painted river bed beneath it, a couple of coats of gloss yacht varnish later the river came to life.  You can of course stipple the varnish as well before it goes off to create more ripples.  Its an old technique which works well and is far cheaper than the more modern water effect products.


With the river sorted I made a start on the rail bridges, the one over the road is complete save for painting and the abutments are in place for the river crossing.  I've used scraps of styrene sheet for now but intend using scribed foamboard on the actual model.


Once the river bridge girders are in place I'll work the scenery up, add the backscene and make a couple of buildings.  The latter won't be detailed but just simple shells to give a rough impression of the scene.

Lesson's learned so far ?   Well the road bridge over the river should have a kink in it and not a gentle curve as modelled.  The river bed should be lower along with the scenery to the right of it, thus showing more of the retaining wall.  Both are simple mistakes and the mock up has done its job by highlighting them....