Section 13 - Polson Canyon - Part 2

In the last blog (Section 13 - Polson Canyon Section - Part 1) I identified the layout design elements of the Polson Canyon Section and laid out the roadway lines.

In this blog I am identifying the Scenic Design Considerations. Polson Canyon is a river valley. The right of way parallels a ridge line on the east side and the Satsop River on the west side. 

As a refresher, here are the scenic elements:

1. A spur off of the ridgeline with a sparse growth of second growth conivers, dead trees, stumps and bushes. An abandoned OPLC right of way at the left (north) end of the module - formerly OPLC Camp 7.
2. A ravine steeply rising to the background with series of rock shelves making a waterfall scene.
   
3. An abandoned spur - formerly OPLC Camp 5, curving along the ravine.
   
4. A curved river valley with moderately steep hillsides and rock faces. with a sparse growth of second growth conifers, dead trees, stumps and bushes. 
5. An embankment with several streams and draws coming down the steep hillside and embankment to the river.
6. A heavy growth of shrubs and bushes at the river's edge. 
7. A river's edge along the fascia.

Scenery Design Considerations

Background.

Sky, Clouds. The backdrop available for the Polson Canyon section is 22 inches in height. To the north, it will be a continuation of the rain clouds on the Satsop River section. The remainder of the Polson River section will be a simple backdrop - a clear blue sky suggesting a sunny day. 

Distant and Intermediate Hills. The ravine in the North Canyon will have distant and intermediate hills on the background.

Closer Hills. The ridgeline in the southern canyon will require a continuation of the modeled hillside above the rock faces. 

Creating the Landforms

Cut. To the north there is a hillside with a Cut made to roadway to abandoned OPLC Camp 7.

Ravine.  Width of ravine to permit timber trestle - plate girder bridge - timber trestle and roadway to abandoned OPLC Camp 5.

Ridge. The ridge should be at least s 3x the height of the train. Using 2 inch styrofoam insulation, this would make the hillsides at least 7 inches high with a maximum of 11 inches at the rear of the section.

Rock Face. Rock faces would have to be at least 6 inches high to provide a reason for the curvature of the main line thru the river valley. 

Embankment. Locate and cut in the eastern Satsop River riverbank. For my purposes, I used the AREA standard 60 degree angle from the edge of the roadbed to the river bottom. The Middle Fork of the Satsop River runs parallel to the main line in the front of the section. The river will be approximately centered on the module and will disappear to the left and right front.

Hills.

Once the basic landform is completed, it will be covered with Sculptamold on the flats and hydrocal plaster on the slopes. 

Ground Cover

1.Areas of undulation will be covered with sculptamold   

2 Far ground cover

3 Near ground cover

Vegetation

 Far landform Sparce tree line with some indication of previous logging activities 

Near landform - ground cover, shrubs, small trees

Waterways

Northern bridge site The ravine at the northern bridge site is a multi-level free flowing stream that joins the Satsop River. I will use 3/4 inch styrofoam and hydrocal plaster to model the rock shelves and will use matte medium and modge podge for the waterfalls and stream.

center bridge site waterfall

southern bridge site brook or stream coming off ridge line

river at fascia I wanted to have several inches of riverbed modeled along the right of way. As in the Satsop River Section, the river bottom is to be gravel with larger rock strewn among the waterway and the bank. I am using xxxxxx at a depth of one thickness. The river's edge is a continuation of that product and sand/dirt from the river from the river's edge.

River bed. The river bank will be a slow rise to the right of way. The river bottom is composed of a large number of various sized stones and gravel. A shallow pour of properly tinted resin and the creation of rough water will round out the overall look and feel of the river.