Section 4 - Smith Canal - Part 2

In the last blog (Section 4 - Smith Canal - Part 1) I identified the layout design elements of the Smith Canal - Part Module and laid out the roadway lines. 

In this blog I am identifying the scenery construction concept and laying out the landforms.

As a refresher, here are the scenic elements:

1. A narrow backdrop partially concealed by a coal distribution company.
2. Waterway bank scenery adjoining Demaine Yard and Preacher's Slough section.
   
3. A waterway that begins as a narrow stream (canal), becomes a slough and ends as a small river.
4. A sandbar that diverts in the waterway.
5. A single track main line going from Demaine Yard to Preacher's Slough
6. A beam bridge crossing over a small stream.
7. An embankment that is the roadway for the main line between Demaine Yard and the Chehelis River Bridge.
   
8. A concrete culvert under the embankment.
9. A multiple span bridge crossing the waterway. 
10. A tunnel that is bored thru a ridge line that acts as a scenic view block. 
    

 Scenery Design Considerations

Background

1. There is a very small backdrop available for the Smith Canal Section.  A blue sky with cumulus clouds suggesting a sunny day. See 5.4.1 Sky for construction information.

Background Landmass. None.

Midground. 

2. Waterway bank scenery. Portions of the foreground between Demaine Yard end of track is flat or sloped downward toward the Smith Canal. The riverbank is formed with the 2 inch styrofoam and open spaces under the masonite and above the plywood are filled with 2 inch stryofoam cut to fit, and using expanding foam as necessary.

4. Sandbar. The sandbar is modeled with 3/4 inch foam sheet. Sandbar is formed with 1/2 inch styrofoam carved to final shape and sceniced. See5.8 Scenery Technique Waterways for additional details. 

 

Once the basic land form as completed, it will be covered with Sculptamold on the flats and Hydrocal plaster on the slopes.

 

Foreground

7.  Embankment. The embankment is a man-made structure built over the original log dump trestle. It occupies most of the east side of the module. The inside of the embankment is going to be curved (following the mainline. The outside of the embankment will slightly curved at one corner so i can put in a culvert. See 4.1.1.2 Embankments for construction details. 

Waterways

3. There will be three waterway elements to be created.

The canal will be located under Smith Canal Bridge S1 and merge into a slough.  See 5.8.4 Rivers for construction details.

The slough is going to be located in the middle of the section bounded by the mid ground river bank, and the sandbar. See 5.8.7 Lakes for construction details.

 

The stream will will appear from the right, pass through the culvert,  meander between the sandbar and the embankment and merge with the waterway exiting to the left under Smith Canal Bridge S2. See Streams for construction details.

 

The water product is also undetermined. I have not poured a river yet, and am not sure whether epoxy, decoupage resin, or a matte medium or varnish will be right for the waterways. It all depends on how each product look when covered with the modeled water.