Little Logging Railroad

Pond and Streams
(click to view to series of images)  

Ducks and Cattails in their Pond

For the pond and streams, I first cut out their shore banks from the plywood base, about 1/4" deep, making sure the pond surface was level, and without holes.  Then I painted the pond base (darker blue for depth transitioning to a light brown closer to shore). I stained Woodland Scenics talus of various sizes the color of the surrounding hillside rock, and secured them along the shore line above and merging into what would be the water level, and throughout the beds of the two streams.  After experiencing some "creeping" of the "water" up the dead logs, I'd recommend only adding "debris and dead logs" along a creek or pond shoreline after the water is hardened.  

After experimenting with various "water products," I settled on EnviroTex Lite (a high gloss polymer epoxy), with some good results I think.  Each product has it advantages.  The only slight problem I had with EnviroTex, as mentioned, was with a little "creeping" up a couple of "dead logs," which I later painted a light gray to cover over the shine of the EnviroTex.  I applied two small layers, letting the first layer dry completely before adding the second.  I tinted the resin with a little green, and used a Bernzomatic Micro Torch (hot blower adaptor) to dissolve the bubbles that formed soon after pouring.   I tried to stay away while the EnviroTex dried oh so slowly, not wanting to stir up some dust from the diorama and bring it down upon the "water's surface."   Patience and a supported plastic covering is recommended. 

I wanted to add a little dynamic to the still pond, so I fashioned a "little breeze" sweeping over it.  I created some "ripples and waves" by texturing the surface of the pond with Liquitex's Gloss Heavy Gel, adding a few specks of white paint at the tips of the waves.  I did the same for the stream leaving the pond, but only subtlety.   Not completely satisfied with the results.  My wife thinks it looks like ice forming on the pond! 

In the instance of the stream beds, I did apply Liquitex's Gloss Medium and Varnish to seal the base coat of talus from "floating" about when the EnviroTex Lite was poured over them.  After a layer of the EnviroTex Lite dried I added some ripple action with the Liquitex's Gloss Heavy Gel.  I got the "cattails" from Scenic Express, and made a few "dead reeds" myself, by gluing some burnt grass fine turf to the tips of painted fine wire and "planting" them among the green reeds.

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