Make a Lake, Part 2! In the previous video of this mini-series, host Gerry Leone launched an effort to add a realistic water feature to his HO scale Bona Vista RR. Now, he’s following up the groundwork and bridge construction by shaping the landforms along the shores. He also turns his attention to forming the lakebed, as well as applying the appropriate base colors too. Be sure to keep your membership current to monitor Gerry’s efforts and progress, along with all the other content found exclusively on Trains.com!
Want insights about this and other layout construction efforts on the HO scale Bona Vista Railroad? You’ll find all of that and more in the special-issue publication, Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2022, available from the kalmbachhobbystore.com!
Getting to know Gerry Leone
Back on Track host Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! But even better, he’s a masterful model railroader who’s knowledgeable in numerous areas of the hobby. In his MR Video Plus/Trains.com series Off the Rails, audiences enjoyed learning many of the helpful tips and techniques he used to assemble various layouts over the years. Exclusive Trains.com video highlights much of his previous Bona Vista Railroad HO scale layout, and even examines specific details of his scenery construction in his Spaces to Places series.
With so many of Gerry’s talents at hand, we wouldn’t want any of them to go to waste! You can be sure to find him lending assistance in the construction of several other Trains.com projects, including work on the O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co., the HO scale (1:87) Winston-Salem Southbound, and even the N scale (1:160) Canadian Canyons.
If you’re looking to find some of the tools and supplies Gerry uses in his path to modeling success, look no further than KalmbachHobbyStore.com. There, you’ll be able to further examine and directly purchase products he and other notable model railroaders frequently reference in Trains.com videos!
Hi Gerry,
I’m one of your biggest fans. I always look forward to the next back on track episode. Needless to say I was THRILLED when we got 5 new episodes in March! I’m just not smart enough to figure out how the Mad Scheduler decides when to post the new installments. Here it is the end of May and nothing new this month.
Sam — the Mad Scheduler keeps ALL of us on our toes! But Episode 3 of the Lake series is posted now!
I thought the Press’NSeal was a great tip. Love the humor. Gerry is the “Good Humor Man”!
Do you ever mix your own colors? Buying every variation of colors available can get expensive and might not be useful over time.
Joseph — I totally hear you about buying a million variations of paint colors. That said, I mix colors a lot, but usually only when I need smaller batches for structures or cars. (“Drips” instead of “ounces.”) In the case of the lake, I wanted to use “stock” colors because I had no idea how much paint the lake bottom would take, and if I’d have to do 2 or 3 coats because the plaster was soaking so much in. So I didn’t want to mix so much color that I’d have a lot leftover, or, if I ran out, I didn’t want to have to mix more and risk the new mix not matching.
In watching the two videos and reading the article in the Ultimate guide, I find I am hopeful for more explanation on the transition point between the backdrop and the river. I am still somewhat unclear how this was achieved and am hopeful it will help me with a similar transition I am planning on my layout. Thanks for all these videos, they have been extremely helpful and well done!
Peter — Funny you should mention that! Take a look at the April 20 edition of “MR Midday Modeler.” David and I just happen to discuss the backdrop behind the lake and how it was blended into the water. It’s at:
https://stage.trains.com/mrr/videos-photos/videos/member-videos/midday-modeler-04-20-2022-gerry-leone-cody-grivno-and-a-super-episode/ .
Hopefully that’ll answer your questions. But the short answer is: part of the printed backdrop creates a fillet or cove between the Masonite and the water.
I wish I was as good at scenery as Gerry. He’s probably has had a lot more experience than I have. Gerry does such a great job. It is very helpful to see him explaine his thinking and choices as he goes along. Super job as alweays!
Another informative and entertaining episode!
Even though you were going to paint over the hydrocal have you ever tinted/colored the hydrocal when mixing to minimize the the chance of white showing through?
I’ll have to look for that press and seal, that could be real handy on the layout when painting. Thanks for that tip Gerry.