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Confession time. As long as I've been involved in model railroading, I've never used static grass. That's not entirely true. For many years I've used the Farm Pasture Blend from Scenic Express as my base scenery layer, both on the IAIS Grimes Line and now on The Hills Line. To my eye, the blend does … Continue reading In The Weeds
Construction continues on the Eldon C. Stutsman tank farm at the south end of The Hills Line. After finishing the individual buildings, I ran them through the paint booth to get the base color applied. Spray paint made the process fast and simple, especially since most structures were flat white or metallic gray. I did … Continue reading Tank Farm, Part Two
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." -Norman MacLean- While additional detail parts may eventually find a place, I'm ready to call the first significant rural scene on The Hills Line complete. The 10,000-foot view shows the relative placement of most of the elements. All the foliage and flora follow … Continue reading Haunted By Waters
Up until now, progress on The Hills Line has focused on the more industrial Iowa City with its tight clearances and numerous grade crossings. I'm now working in the town of Hills, a stark contrast with its agrarian open spaces and features. One key feature of any rural area in the Upper Midwest is a … Continue reading The South 40
The Hills Line 