Mar/Apr 2022A while back I needed a diversion from my HO scale logging layout (see September/October 2017 GAZETTE), so I decided to try the world of On30. Since there was a need for a small On30 display layout to take to our local train shows, and I wanted to show that you could build a highly detailed layout in a small space, I decided to go ahead with my small layout and name it Wallace Flats after my late father who was a proud supporter of my model railroad endeavors.
Construction Of The Base
Construction began with a 26- x 44-inch base framed with 1- x 4-inch boards covered with a piece of Masonite and a layer of 2-inch-thick pink Styrofoam. Some contours were cut into the Styro-foam followed by an oval of hand laid code 83 rail on wood ties.
I decided to add a mountain and tunnel on one end and started with the detailed tunnel portal and interior walls. The detailing of the interior walls was done to add an interesting touch to the scene. I then used a lattice work of cardboard strips to form the mountain’s contours. I covered these strips with plaster cloth and used a variety of rock molds to apply dental plaster castings. Staining the plaster rock formations was done with diluted acrylic paints in spray bottles, in a variety of pigments to achieve the finished look.
Basic scenery layers of real dirt were applied to the contoured base and were glued down with a mixture of white glue and water with a drop of detergent. After this, I began developing a theme and planning the structures for the layout.
The Structures
I wanted to portray a small western town in the early 1900s so the structures needed to look right. Some of the buildings feature the traditional false fronts adding a western flair to the scene. There is a freight house next to a small depot becoming one of the many focal points on the layout. In behind these two structures there is a hotel/watering hole with lots of detailing around it. Across the street there are a couple of houses and the Downing Dry Goods store/town jail. Apparently, the residents are a rowdy bunch, at least they don’t have far to go from the Hotel! Next to the Hotel on the back side of the track’s loop there is a manufacturing company that builds outhouses. I wanted some humor on my layout and the name of this business is a small play on words. Since I am modeling the steam era, there is also a small water tank and a platform for wood.
Construction of the structures began with a base of 0.060-inch-thick styrene on which an outer skin of individual wood boards were glued. I use an inner styrene base on all the structures to add stability and make them rigid. Grandt Line windows and doors were used along with whatever other details I could find. Roofing materials varied from tar paper, cedar shake and corrugated metal materials for an interesting look. Weathering of the buildings was done with an India ink and alcohol mixture along with some pastel/chalk pigments, and the odd bit of dry brushing.
Around each structure details abound, and a few interesting scenes have been placed to catch the viewer’s eye. Figures are well situated to create a believable town atmosphere including the animal population. I have several ideas for more details that will eventually find their way to the layout. One detail I have been considering is a horse and wagon for the Outhouse company. A cargo of a small display of outhouses would be appropriate, maybe some HO scale outhouses might do the trick.
Scenery
Once the structures were placed, the fun began with the multiple layers of scenery material. I made up my own blend of forest understory by grinding up a blend of natural materials including leaves, bark, cedar bows and cedar pods in a blender. For a finer grind I used an old coffee grinder. This understory was again glued down with the water/white glue mixture. I also used a variety of Woodland Scenics products including their coarse foam, clump foliage and fine turf in a mixture of greens. The tree trunks are all carved from cedar and detailed with Woodland Scenics foliage material. Some of the trees feature bottle brush foliage.
Several small bushes were made using thistle or hemp rope simply by splaying the strands outward, coating them with hairspray, and flocking with very short pieces of the same rope to build up the structure of the bush. After that was dry, I painted them a dark brown and applied layers of coarse turf. I also added extra texture by applying small amounts of fine turf in a contrasting color for more definition; I even added a few ferns around the layout by using natural step moss (hylocomium splende). This is a great natural material, and you can use the moss for your fir tree branches to create very realistic foreground trees.
Motive Power And Rolling Stock
The layout is powered by a simple DC power pack that plugs in via a guitar input jack at one end of the layout. The main motive power is either a Bachmann 2-truck Shay or a pair of Bachmann Porters. I also have a logging speeder that was kit bashed from a 4-wheel Athearn EMD Model 40 Diesel (see sidebar). This was an interesting project to build and has proven to be a great runner.
The freight cars are a mixture of log flats, ore cars, short flatcars, and a couple of cabooses. I even have a small two-car passenger car consist I can let loose. All the freight and passenger cars are scratchbuilt as I prefer to create my own rolling stock.
Conclusion
The display layout is still a work in progress, as is any layout no matter the size. After all that is where all the fun is, adding and/or subtracting to create new scenes and details. Give it a try and let your creativity flow, you will enjoy every minute.