Fixing the scenery, gaining a name

Another major order of business is fixing the scenery. As already established there's not a lot of space here so what I did was cut a piece of foamcore to the shape I wanted and then I just simply covered it in ground foam and some preserved moss product that I use. The two pines had been pulled from another area of the layout when the hotel was put in and were looking pretty shabby from being stuffed in a box. I spruced them up and stuck them in a piece of foam that I carved to fit in a small hole between the loading area and a piece of removable mountain just to the left of the picture. As soon as I got it plugged into the hole, the name "Twin Pines" popped into my head. Yes, it's a bit cliche, but it works. I also did some touch up work on the backdrop and painted my card mockup/core black in preparation for adding the "logs" that form the structure... 

Bringing in the wood

The next step is too start making this look like something besides painted black cardboard. For this step I used spray adhesive to temporarily attach my small dowels to the card board and get them laid out. I tried to make them reasonably straight and uniform but not too much. After I was satisfied with the spacing, I more permanently affixed the dowels with thin CA. Normally I rough up and stain the dowels before using them but in this case I attached them first and then did the rough up and stain... 

Starting to look like something

I got lazy taking pictures and this picture is several more steps into building but I think it's pretty apparent how the construction is being carried out. It's now starting to look like something and I'm pleased with where I'm headed. It has to be fitted some more and a little more foam needs to come out but I think it's going to work out well. More to come...

"Starting to look like something"

Yes, it is. I see what you mean about access to the modeling. I'm trying to transition to building scenes off-layout and installing, but when you're modifying a 'built' scene, you take what you get. And sometimes you have to build a scene in place to see how it will work. 

Looking forward to the finish. 

Main structure is in....

I got the main piece finished up and set in place today. Now I'm beginning to figure out how to address the ends. On the front of course, but I also may add a little bit of cribbing to the far end to try and give the impression the loading area continues. Working on the front now and also have some logs leading up onto the wagon way sitting in place. I employed my method of attaching the wood to  a cardboard backing again. I'm actually having to do this by having a small working area set up on the front of the benchwork and then stepping up on a step stool and leaning in to get to the scene. Not ideal, but plans for the hopeful and eventual version of the layout will have this area as part of a peninsula accessible from both sides. Just a little inconvenience to get to right now. The little building is a scratchbuild borrowed from my mill scene to give me an idea about squeezing a little log structure in... 

More progress

I worked late into last night and a tad bit this morning to get the scene to where it is now. Next up I will begin consideration of a shed or building to replace my stand in that needs to go back to my mill scene...

Looks great.

Great scene. I like the logs you’ve made a lot

Just for giggles

I'm having a tough time getting moving this morning. It sure is fun playing with "sky replacement" in Affinity photo...

Wow!

Looks really good. If only I could have a backdrop like that.

Now you just need some stakes in the pockets of that flat car.

Title say it all.

Stakes and other musings

I have them, still in the car box wrapped up in plastic. Also have another car in the box just like that one too. They are the Bachmann Silver Series. I got nothing done yesterday. Still cogitating over what type of small structure to put here. Definitely made of logs but horizontal log cabin type construction or a more crude, vertical arrangement of logs? A closed structure or some type of more open shed? The inspiration just hasn't struck yet.

On another note, I realized yesterday that I've hit another milestone here on the layout. The log loading area was the last major structure. I've probably got a few small little buildings I need here and there but nothing major.

I've gotten as far as I ever have in construction of a layout. First I got the whole thing to "base level" scenery where I had no bench work or bare plaster showing and now I have all the major structures in place.Next is larger details like signage, guard rails on bridges, fences etc. and then on down the line to the smaller and smaller stuff.

Hopefully, the wife and I get our dream house built here on our land and then a relatively small expansion of the layout happens. I don't want it to get too big, I long ago gave up my pursuit of "more", but I do want to turn what is now an "L" into an "E"

Enough rambling, anyone got any thoughts on the log ramp building?

I am thinking that most log loading facilities are in the

mountains.  That would mean snow in winter.  I am thinking that the logging company would need someone on site to do paperwork connected with loading the flat cars and shipping them to the mill.  I think a small, rough shack, or an old boxcar or caboose with trucks removed and up on blocks with a pot bellied stove to keep the man warm in winter.  Maybe even an old flat car with a rough office like structure.  Don't forget the stove to keep your guy warm in winter.

Building core

I came up with the core for the building today. I literally just stood at the layout with cardboard, scissors, pen and ruler and worked out what would fit and look good to my eye. I need some smaller lumber to put the front and side that will show on it. Painting the core like this helps me to visualize how the building fits in the scene. I've got two options where i might put it, originally where I had the stand in building or up on the small ridge. I'm leaning towards putting it on the ridge as in the second picture.

Shed

Ya need an out house. Shed could be used for tool storage and or lunch breaks.

Most were not made of logs. A few logs would provide all the planks needed to build a shed. If this is a left over site from a logging RR turned to using trucks, the shed would be an old and maybe pretty run down camp car of some sort. A lot of camp cars were kept on their trucks and hauled by rail from one camp to the next. I would pull the trucks off and prop it up on some heavy beams, one at each end with a set of steps or a crude ladder leading up to the door. Door was probably centered with maybe a window on either side.

Then you need a crane of some sort to lift the logs from the trucks or the landing onto the cars. An old donkey engine left in place would also work. In logging think, unless something new would really pay for itself use what you have on hand.

Your looking great so far.

Jack

I like what you’re doing there........

.........Mike, looks great.  IMHO your building needs to be smaller or further away as it detracts the eye from the great log work of the ramp.

Thanks for sharing with us!

Peter

" . . . the last major structure."

And a good feeling it is. Congratulations. I recently finished the last major scene on the NPP, and after some detailing of a mill scene, will be 'done'. Well, need to formalize operations a bit, but the layout is more fun to operate when the vision is complete. 

Done for now

I'm not working with a very big area so all I can go for is the impression and feel of a logging camp right now and I'm hoping to have more space to work with later on. I need to look into getting some details like maybe a steam donkey but for right now I have to call this phase of the project done and move on to some other stuff elsewhere. I've got all kinds of detailing to figure out and add all over the layout so the area will eventually get more attention and I will probably still be tweaking things for the next few days but so far I'm pleased with what I have...