Oakridge Neighborhood Terrain Development

Leaving Tunnel #22 trains enter Oakridge via a large sweeping curve that takes the mainline and passing siding near the backdrop. Within this "bubble" of track will reside a small residential area that will seek to capture the residential aspects of Oakridge with a few small homes and streets. As terrain development and scenery reached completion in Westfir, the neighborhood was my next area of focus.

I began with completing the terrain structure with cardboard webbing and construction paper. The paper was coated with wood glue to add some strength.

Cardboard webbing and paper around Tunnel 22. 

Webbing completed for the entire area. 

Wood glue drying on the paper layer. Locomotive on siding gives a good impression of how deep this scene is. 

With the basic terrain forms in, I used foam board to create a subroadbed for the streets. This was secured with hot glue as well. I then smoothed edges and transitions with multiple layers of Sculptamould.

Foamboard subroadbed cut and fit resting in place. 

Shoulders and other terrain features created with Sculptamould. 

Additional paper was added where the road elevation rises to meet the fascia. 

With the Sculptamould complete, I then added Commercial St. and Locust St. using Woodland Scenics Smooth-It.

Streets poured in Oakridge. I used Woodland Scenics Smooth-it as I have used it in the past and have been pleased with the results. 

Built up the area for an access road off Commercial Street. 

Foamboard was used to create foundations for the homes, driveways, and sidewalks on Locust St.  

I applied 2-3 layers of Sculptamould throughout the scene in order to properly shape the road shoulders and other transitions. 

The entrance to Oakridge, the other side of Tunnel 22 also received a good deal of carved rocks to match the Westfir side. 

Entire scene painted with brown craft paint save for the roadways and house foundations. 

Base rock color of gray applied around Tunnel 22. 

Brown and black washes finalize the rock painting. Additional color details added with dry-brushing. Powdered dirt will help to weather the rocks further and blend them into the scene. 

With terrain and rockwork complete, further work can be done to develop the scenery in Oakridge.