Desktop Layout | Red Rock 1
Following the last article in the Ztrains Build Corner, we have a very preliminary look at the basic rockwork and soil covering. Miles from completion of course, but I thought it might be interesting for you to have a look at this stage. The red soil used for the base coat comes to us from Pleasant Grove, Alabama. Interestingly, this is actually baseball infield and warning track material.
A few years back I visited Sedona, Arizona and being an east coast person, was just amazed at the color of the soil out there, that shade of red underfoot is just something we don’t see here on Long Island. I found a supplier of a remarkably similar shade of red soil in Alabama and knew I had to use it on a layout.
The rock castings were mixed with terra cotta acrylic paint to get a soild color red, later these will be color washed for color variation but we have a good base to work from now. Actually, a simple wash of the terra cotta paint has already been applied in these photos.
Since I’m doing a desert scene here, I went extremely heavy on my rockwork, not too many square inches of open space here! To add some history to this scene, I’ve put in what will become an old, abandoned rail line over my oval of Micro-Trains flex track. I see this small layouts as actually having several distinct heights. First we have the lower track level and in the center (and very front) of the layout will be either standing water or an old wash. Next up is the abandoned track line and above this, the tops of the rock formations. This makes viewing a simple oval a heck of a lot more interesting.
This is a very preliminary look at the layout, lots of additional talus, soils and vegetation needs to be applied of course. It’s at this early point however that the scene begins to take shape for me, and I start to visualize what needs to go where.
Category: Ztrains Build Corner
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Looks fine. Your desktop layouts are motivating for sure! Hey, how about a truss bridge diagonal across on the upper rocks? I know probably too far of a span, but boy it would look great.
Hi Joe,
Thanks! Actually there center span is just about right for the Micro-Trains through girder bridge or, I have several wooden trestles from a previous project I can use to simulate a seriously old line.
Choices, choices :)
John
Ztrains
Now you are talking, small space big possibilities. This motivates me to work once my football season is done. Hopefully later…
What this does for me is just solidify the notion that the simple circle or oval can be made to look great. I know we have talked about it before, but everyone in model RR has started with the plain oval. I think the great modeler can make the simple oval unique. Keep up the great work. I’ll keep checking in as time permits.
Stunning work so far John! I’m absolutely sure this small layout will look awesome. Now you need also some nice cactus plants :-)
Best Regards
Jürg
Hi John, amazing rockwork! What about a tutorial?
Alex
Hi Alex,
Thank you for the compliment! I did have a rock tutorial on the old version of Ztrains.com, I think I need to do another before too much longer.
Basically I use several commercial rock molds as well as about a dozen I’ve made myself, all from real rock.
With these rocks I did add pigment to the gypsum while mixing, I think this gives and color a deeper, richer look.
I’ll put the rock tutorial on the list! Thanks again.
John
Ztrains
Some really fantastic work you’ve done there.
Thank you, deserts are always fun to do!
John
Ztrains
Hi John!
Piecing together my first z-train and loving the size. Can you tell me what the base size is for your layout? I missed that somewhere.
Thanks!!
Hi Kimber,
Great news on your first move in to Z scale, of course I’m biased but I think it’s something you’ll really enjoy.
Both of the desktop layouts in these articles are just 14.5″ x 16.5″, not including the base which adds another inch to both the length and width. This is small for a running layout, even for Z scale, but I did want to make them truly desktop sized.
If you have any questions about Z scale as you move forward, please feel free to ask. With all the new Z scale gear we’re now seeing, it’s a great time to be in Z!
John
Ztrains
Hi again, John.
Can you email me directly? Would love to pick your brain for a minute or two.
Regards,
Kim
Hi Kim,
Sure, I’ll get in touch.
John
Ztrains