Avoiding IR Reflections

Trying to fix the infrared detectors on one end of the tunnel segment, I've ran into an issue with the detection - even though the infrared path should be blocked, the receiver was still sensing the radiation. However reminding my past hard times I knew it must be some sort of reflection due to the white foam around the receiver. Just using a black card solved it completely, and now all is well.

All that needs to be done now is for the emitter and receiver to be fixed using some plaster, and the black card replaced with special Noch tunnel lining.

More Plaster Cloth

More foam walls are being cut to size and glued in place. After masking tape is also added to help preserve the final shape of the terrain, the plaster cloth is dipped in water and applied. The hill pictured here gets closer to completion, with the final edges being built now, and a large lid being planned for the center. A lid is needed because a number the boards for the infrared detectors will he hosted underneath, and also the switch visible in this photo will need the motor dismantled and cleaned from time to time - covering them permanently is not an option.

New Terrain Construction

The hills surrounding the C segment are starting to take shape. Just on the bottom of the picture, that space, containing 2 holes in the foam baseboard, will have to be covered by a mobile lid. The same kind of "cover", but a larger one, will have to be used to the left of the vertical (in this photo) divider, while the part to the right will have fixed terrain, supporting the Viessmann model cow that just arrived. Seen in the second photo - although that's not the final position since it will have to move further to the back and to the right - the cow has a really natural movement and, as a bonus, Viessmann also throws in a separate, static cow to hold company.

  The small sharp edge next to the bridge was designed specifically so that some infrared emitors/detectors can be hidden inside the steep hill that will result. One of the detectors, 61 (segment 6, detector 1), is visible right to the left side of the Brawa long car.

Drilling and Plans

 In the unlikely event that the current layout will be electrified at one point, it's going to be hard installing the overhead wire in the tunnel, even though a "cover" is being manufactured now. So with the plastic masts from the Viessmann tunnel overhead system glued in place using some Bison solution, tonight I went ahead and drilled 2 holes at each extremity of the brass strip, as indicated in the Viessmann manual, in the event that overhead wire will have to be connected.
  In a completely separate process, I'm also trying to make a sketch of how the PT segment will look like next to the Faller station. I also ordered a Viessmann yard lamp (6384) that I'm thinking will make some nice lighting effects, especially during nighttime.

Making a Tunnel Cover

Since the tunnel is planned to be about 1m long, it will have to have visiting holes, in case trains derail or the line needs inspection from time to time. This means that the land above the line will have to be flexible. In photo to the right I've experimented with some 6,5 mm summer Silflor grass applied on the fixed terran and the same grass and several Silflor weeds glued to the cover.

  I've discovered these weeks 2 things that make things better and faster: 1) applying the brown latex paint in 2 layers has been thrown out of the standard procedure for applying the earth formula - simply applying the earth on top of the wet plaster cloth (previously hardened), in 2 layers, provides excellent results, with nearly none of the colored plaster becoming loose, as was the case before with the paint; 2) the formula for the white glue used for applying the static grass has now changed - from the old 1:1 Noch glue to water to 1:2 Noch glue:water. The old formula would result in visible stains at the zone's border, now they're much more subtle.

New Objects Around the Pickaxe Worker

The barrel presented in a previous post has now been given a partial rusty look. Some Noch 'rust' weathering powder was used and a wash of Woodland Scenics raw umber applied (I'm almost sure the ratio must have been 1:4 color to water). The wash was used just around the ribs of the barrel. The shovel got some 'dust' noch weathering powder before being added, while the box has been drybrushed. Nothing is glued in place just yet, I'm waiting until the grass will also be spread around to make sure all fits well.

The photo seen here is obtained by focus stacking; click for a better view.

Vegetation Planted on a Corner of D segment

 Different types of grass have been planted using the GrasMaster and several plants and weeds applied here and there. The formula for the white glue used until now - 1:1 Noch glue:water seams to leave a bit too much contour, and a 1:2 ratio blends better with the terrain, giving it the same bonding capabilities. The second photo is a focus stacking photo from 12 independent photos, each took using a different focus, but with approximately equal steps.