My second Japanese layout

[JR East]

I definitely love your layout, great ambiance.

[ianlaw]

In preparation for the arrival of an 0-series shinkansen next week I have completed the shinkansen loop and started constructing some sections of the viaducts. I bought some kato piers which were available in Holland and am scratch building the decks.

Edited September 18, 2021 by ianlaw

[ianlaw]

A parcel has arrived thanks to Modeltrainplus. After applying the transfers I could check if my favourite shinkansen suits the viaduct I'm building.

 

It wasn't alone in the parcel.

[MeTheSwede]

I must say those backdrops really work extraordinary well.

[ianlaw]

Guilty pleasure as for the first time I had the conventional and the shinkansen track (finally) up and running at the same time and could watch the trains cruising along... Hope these pics don't bore you. They give a good impression of this part of the layout. You will notice I still need to make a section of backscene.

 

22 hours ago, MeTheSwede said:

I must say those backdrops really work extraordinary well.

I found the backscene I used along the viaduct on internet many years ago. The backscene behind the river I shot specifically to use here when I was in Japan. I then stretched it to fit the size of the river and also matched the colour of the water to the photo. I mirrored the photo 3 times (mirroring gives perfect matching sky when joining sections) and stretched each individually to match the scenery I was building. I first printed a mock up to check the fit and then had it printed on heavy duty paper.

 

[Tony Galiani]

Really enjoying the pictures - I like how the three different lines weave through the scenes.  I am curious about the tram line - is it based on or inspired by a particular line or area?

Ciao,

Tony Galiani

[MeTheSwede]

20 hours ago, ianlaw said:

Hope these pics don't bore you.

 

In my opinion it's almost impossible for someone to post too many pics of his layouts on this forum. There is always a new viewing angle or some new detail to be found. So keep them coming please.

[ianlaw]

Galiani,

14 hours ago, Tony Galiani said:

 I am curious about the tram line - is it based on or inspired by a particular line or area?

I looked a pics from the now defunct Gifu network (red trams) for inspiration of a single track rural tram line and how I run along the roadside, through villages and past rice paddies. 

[ianlaw]

New angles...

 

and improved reflectiveness of the rice paddies thanks to a youtube video by SUSUKUMA.

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by ianlaw
typo

[tossedman]

Nice. Love the different areas that draw one's eye in.

 

[JR 500系]

Oh WOW! I love the shinkansen tunnel portal and the reflection off the fields! Very nice indeed!

[ianlaw]

Another piece of retaining wall is nearing completion, including a partial mock up of the backscene.

 

[Kamome442]

The first picture is stunning, I love the weathering on the retaining wall and the subtle foliage in all the crack around steps.

[Tom C]

Second picture for me, it shows off the seepage so nicely. 10/10 to you. 

[gavino200]

6 hours ago, ianlaw said:

Another piece of retaining wall is nearing completion, including a partial mock up of the backscene.

 

 

This is beyond amazing. Is there any chance you could describe your technique. I'm sure I'm not the only member here that would like to learn from you.

[ianlaw]

14 hours ago, gavino200 said:

 

This is beyond amazing. Is there any chance you could describe your technique. I'm sure I'm not the only member here that would like to learn from you.

 

Ahum... you're too kind...  It's just a printed texture glued to grey card... just like most of my scratch builds. Anyone can do it. 

 

[disturbman]

Where did you get the texture?

[ianlaw]

From textures.com under dirty concrete. I didn't use the seamless version as it was too repetitive for large walls. I used 2 different files and fitted them together in an irregular pattern. The moss (glued fine scatter material) further breaks up some of the patterns.

[ianlaw]

New angle... thanks to drone photography.

 

And I thought it was time for a few brown locos.

 

 

[ianlaw]

I decided to start revamping (finishing) the diesel depot as I've decided I will incorporate it into the layout in it's current position.

Project this weekend was a shed extension. Cost of materials virtually nil. Card and round wooden toothpicks. I still need to make a template and drill 2mm deep holes for the columns to be recessed into the hard standing. I also gave the kiha some weathering recently.

Edited October 3, 2021 by ianlaw

[Tom C]

On 10/1/2021 at 8:13 PM, ianlaw said:

New angle... thanks to drone photography.

This is an exceptional view and we get to see the beautifully observed detail of the posts holding up the tired branches of the old tree (cherry ?)

 

Now, I'm going to but my head on the block (there's nothing like taking risks 🙃) and ask about the pagoda roof ? I've seen the amazing (I'm not understating) weathering you have performed on other parts of your layout and was wondering if this roof is due for the same treatment or is it modeled as new ?

 

Your fisherman looks as focused as mine. Dispite my being a vegetarian, I hope he/she is rewarded hansomely and that a dinner of fresh Hitsumabushi is enjoyed in the forthcoming hours 👍

 

Great work as always, a visual delight.

Edited October 9, 2021 by Tom C

[ianlaw]

I downloaded a printable kit from : https://paperstructure.jimdo.com/. It's a "fold boxes" type of kit, but this particular kit uses a photo realistic texture. I removed all glue tabs and built it as "wrap around" type kit. After modifying the windows and the roof structure it turned out quite nice.

Not clear if the factory has been abandoned... It may have been the reason for the construction of a tram stop nearby...

Anyway it adds to the local photo opportunities...

 

[ianlaw]

On 10/9/2021 at 12:09 PM, Tom C said:

Now, I'm going to but my head on the block (there's nothing like taking risks 🙃) and ask about the pagoda roof ? I've seen the amazing (I'm not understating) weathering you have performed on other parts of your layout and was wondering if this roof is due for the same treatment or is it modeled as new ?

Ready with my 🪓.....😁

 

The pagoda is maybe one of the oldest buildings on the layout. It's certainly the only plastic kit. It's been completely painted in more realistic and true colours to remove the shine. It also has received some limited weathering. Somehow the proximity to the led lights above the layout have killed all detail in the roof in the shot you're referring to. It won't be getting any heavy weathering as it's a tourist hot spot and well maintained and the reason for the tram terminus (not shown in any recent pics) . Looking a the pics I could find of similar pagodas the roofs seemed to be in good condition.

[ianlaw]

My first attempt at making and posting a video, using a simple editor on my phone.

 

[TimWay4]

Been catching up on this thread and I'd like to echo the general feeling I've come across which is your layout is stunning and I look forward to seeing more of it in the future. Each new picture gives me something else to be amazed by. You have in my opinion a great eye for how much something should be weathered and it's amazing how much it all reminds me of things I've seen when visiting Japan myself.