Post #22

 I mentioned back in Post #19 that I was going to build a terminus track based on the one that was at Aurora. The town was located 35 miles (56km) west of Chicago and located around the Fox River. The terminus was right on the bank of this river as shown in the photo below.

 My HO layout is not based on anywhere in particular in the USA but I have based certain locations on photos I have come across in my research. This one for Aurora stood out and that photo has plenty of modelling elements in it. One photo I have collected suggests that it snows there and the river freezes over. But that would be a too easy model, just fill the area with plaster and spray water over it?

I have dedicated one corner which will be near the trolley shed to be the Aurora terminus. I am calling it that as presently I haven't named anything on the layout. Maybe as I live downunder in Australia I could call it the 'Southern Aurora'

Photo: Vintage Rail Journeys

I chose this corner to work in as I was able to use flex track as it won't be laid in a roadway. By doing a combination of road and non-road construction this has allowed me to progress the layout quicker and also adds some variety in tracks.

I then cut away the edge of the baseboard down about 30mm to allow for the river to be modelled at a lower level. At least the outer boards were of around 80mm wide boards so it could be cut down readily. I also added a corner bracket there for more strength.

Ready for the cut, no going back now

 

The track in my usual fashion ran inwards and not parallel to the edges, I'm sure it looks better. I used a jig saw to make the longer cut in the front board, and it came out close to being level. One thing I have to be mindfull is that everytime something is attached to the baseboard the added weight will be required to bourne by the two pivot points, so I hope I haven't reached the breaking point (yet). So the river bed was made with some scrap plastic and cut out around a vertical support and lined up to fit the edges.

Work in progress

Ready for the river

One thing that I had rescued from a previous HO railway laout was a timber bridge model that had come out well. It had four support walls as well giving more character to the bridge. Although I didn't notice any at the real Aurora terminus I decided to include it at my terminus. The only problem was that there had to be two sides for the bridge and on one side there was limited space to fit anything in. It comes up close to the crossing loop so by the time the scenery gets done around it there won't be a lot of water showing. Anyway it gives a reason for the bridge.

To simulate the river I used some texture paint applied with a sponge to the plastic, this then gave a rippled effect to simulate movement in the water. After this had dried I then applied some Tamiya Flat green over the white texture paint. As this gave a flat finish I then painted gloss Mod Podge over the green paint to end up with a gloss finish. The river near the edge was painted a Tamiya Buff colour to simulate shallower water than the middle. A previous river I made for my On30 narrow gauge layout required $150AU worth of resin. I wasn't going down that road again and tried to do it on the cheap.
 

River and bridge in place

I finally got the river glued into place and I am about 90% happy with the outcome, the gloss certainly gives a good appearance of flowing water. I regret I had prematurely cut the plastic not parallel to the track thereby loosing an Aurora style river bank appearance. Anyway I am sure it will come out alright. Plenty more scenicing and track ballasting yet to do.