Long Island Rail Road-Oyster Bay Branch

@Bill Webb posted:

Looks nice.

Does Long Island have wild sheep to keep the grass short? We are at the Outer Banks where there are wild horses. They probably eat the sea oats.

No wild sheep, only wild car drivers here on LI.

Thanks Bob, there is a lot of overgrowth on the island. It kind of adds more dimension than if it were all neat and pretty.

Bill, can’t wait to see what Paula does with the station and the grass.

Arthur, couldn’t agree more. 🤪

Andy

Next up, I’m going to try my hand making some trees. These are Super Trees from Scenic Express. These will be next to the Fence track in the park. So far so good. I dipped them in the diluted matte medium mixture, and let them dry overnight. They are much stronger now with added flexibility.

Andy

I continued making trees, and I’m pretty happy with the results. My wife pitched in and made a few too. I like using these materials and the process. It’s straightforward and easy. And the materials are relatively inexpensive considering how many trees I can make.

Andy

I placed the trees along the Fence Track. I tried to vary the positions a little and move them closer or farther from the track. This area is pretty narrow. I also didn’t want to group them too close or too far away from each other. I’ll add some ground cover/shrubs later to fill the space in a little more.

Andy

Andy, you and your wife did a very nice job on the trees!  It is amazing how a lot of trees seem to not go very far, though!

The trees look great! You may want to paint some rough, basic tree shapes on the backdrop. Would give the illusion of a fuller growth. JohnA

Thank you Mark. I thought it would fill up more space too. But when I started placing them, I knew I had to make at least one or two more batches.

Thank you John. I thought the same thing. I may need to rethink this area. I’m no artist but I think something is in order due to how close they are to the wall.

Andy

Andy,

In preparation for my LIRR layout, I decided to use a pre-printed backdrop. There are several vendors for these. As I wanted to have an ocean view on the GY/MY end of the layout, I found it impossible to find anyone offering such. I settled for a distant farmland view to replicate the east end as best I could. I went with Les Mavor's SceniKing product. I bought five panels that are each 16 1/2" high and 72" long, segueing from city on the left (west end) to rural on the right (east end), with suburban in between. Being that the fence track is close to Oyster Bay, you have a challenge similar to mine. As usual, we O gaugers have to compromise.

It would be hard to ignore that control on the wall, though!

Andy,

  If the thermostat bothers you, a few thoughts on camouflaging it:

• maybe a slight hill to get some higher trees to cover it
• make a farm with a grain silo high enough to cover the dial
• make a coaling tower to cover the dial

Just my 2 cents worth...everything looks great. You should be very happy.

Tom

Thanks Card, I’ve already started looking and may have something suitable. I’d like to explore some more options. I’d be curious to see what you have when it’s installed.

Thanks Tom, I can relocate the thermostat, I’ve just been lazy about it. Now that’s it’s spoiling the scene more, I may make it a priority.

Andy

Andy,

Here's a preview of the SceniKing panels. The top panel will be on the left, the bottom on the right and the other three in between. As you know, its been stinkin' hot here and the spray glue I have recommends using it in "under 80 degree conditions". Also the humidity can ruin the adhesion too.

This is the material that the panels will be glued to:

All of it will be hung using 1/4" mirror clips around this corner:

Here's a closer view of the city scene. BTW- the trees look maaahhvelous!

Nice job Card, the background looks great. What is the backing material? Post when everything is installed.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

Next up, I’m going to try my hand making some trees. These are Super Trees from Scenic Express. These will be next to the Fence track in the park. So far so good. I dipped them in the diluted matte medium mixture, and let them dry overnight. They are much stronger now with added flexibility.

Andy

Andy- like your lumber rack. Forgot to mention it sooner.

Andy,

The backing material is the plastic stuff that sign makers use for lawn, political and everything else signs that they put on those metal frames. It is almost 1/4" thick and easy to cut. I went to a local sign shop and asked them to make the panels. It comes as a sheet 4 x 8' like plywood. Because of the difficulty transporting it here, I asked them to cut it there, which cost $100.00 including the material. They even delivered it to me at my home!

I don't want to glue the backdrop to the wall because of the damage when I need to remove it. I plan to be here no more than ten more years, so the repair would be more than I want to do down the road when I want to sell the house. Filling screw holes is a lot easier than repairing drywall.

Thanks Bob, that’s one of two. There is one on the other side of the shop.

Thanks for the information Card. Good to know mother method.

Andy

I have a new batch of trees ready for paint. I applied tan to the trunks and a light mist of black to the tops. The next step is to add the flocking. The last picture is a new batch that I just soaked in the diluted matte medium mixture. After they have dried overnight, I'll paint them too.

Andy

Andy, your clothesline looks like a great place to dry the trees.  I can just hear my mother squawking if I had done that as a teenager!  Her winter clothesline was right beside my layout.  It was to her benefit that I would take the clothes down and put them in the basket if I wanted to get to the layout.  If the clothes were still damp, I just had to give up on getting at the layout that evening.  Ah; 50-year old memories!

Andy,

Your technique is coming along nicely. I'm sure you know you'll be making trees for the life of your layout. You also will start to see the more you add the better it is going to look. This will motivate you do want to make more. Keep the progress coming.

Dave

Andy.......your trees are great!

Peter

Mark, brings back memories for me too. That’s a great part of the hobby, the memories you recall.

Thanks Dave, I’m starting to see that already. I have a pretty good system to keep a steady stream going.

Thank you Peter!

Andy

Andy they look great.

Is tree making included under the “Scenery Director” job classification? Paula has taken that responsibility and I want to be able to tell her that, “Andy says this is part of your new job. Talk to him and go for it.”

Thank you Bill. It is, and I also sweep up at night too 😉. From what I’ve seen, Paula can do anything she sets her mind to. I’m sure she would do an amazing job.

Andy

I added leaves to the next batch of trees. I’ll go back and touch up here and there, then place them on the layout.

Andy

They look great, Andy!

Thanks Mark. I'm experimenting a little with this batch and probably the next.

Andy

I haven’t posted in a while. I built a custom three drawer cabinet with full extension, soft close slides for my wife, but now it’s back to the layout. I placed some more trees along the fence track in the Oyster Bay yard. I also resolved the thermostat issue ( I removed it), and hung the signs my wife bought me a while back. I’m happy with this look for now. I might add a backdrop at some point or when we move someday.
I was looking at pictures of the TR park back in the day, and instead of a gazebo, there was a small structure that covered some picnic tables. Im thinking I’ll build that instead. It fits the space a little better too. I’ll think about the overall look I want and make my decision at that point.

Andy

The cabinet sounds great!  I like the station signs!!

Thank you Mark! The cabinet will increase the storage and allow her to organize a little more. It was a nice change of pace to make some sawdust.

Andy

Beautiful job on the track work and ground cover……

Peter

Thank you Peter! I’m trying to achieve a certain look in this area. What I see in my mind doesn’t always match what my hands do 😁.

Andy

Progress

Looks great Andy. I never said anything but I looked at that thermostat every time it was in a pic. Always wondered if you planned to move it. The signs look great.

I'm busy making sawdust for a hodey-do project at the moment too. It is good therapy.

Bob

PS- did you see the PM I sent you?

Looking good Andy!

Dave

Thank you Steve.

Thanks Bob, I was stalling on the thermostat, but it’s done. I’ve had the signs for years and finally put them up.

Thank you Dave!

Andy

I’ve now reached the point where I need to make a decision about the position and type of structure I’m going to build in this spot. I’m going to pause on placing more trees for now until I come up with a plan.

Andy

Andy,

  Not sure if the LIRR had them in the area you are modeling, but I was looking for Icing Stations on the LIRR and found a couple of interesting buildings if it helps you...

Tom

http://www.trainsarefun.com/li...Suffolk%20County.htm

http://www.trainsarefun.com/li...hing/fishingLIRR.htm

Thanks for the idea Tom. This is in a park next to the yard. I was thinking of a small structure to cover a few picnic tables, horseshoes, barbecue grill, etc. An icing station is an interesting feature.

Andy

@Steamfan77 posted:

I’ve now reached the point where I need to make a decision about the position and type of structure I’m going to build in this spot. I’m going to pause on placing more trees for now until I come up with a plan.

Andy

Looking good Andy. I know it's just the first step of many but don't forget the underbrush. Love that crane/ caboose combo too!

Bob