2012-06-20 Update

More contour forming. I'm using a tip from Joe Fugate who wrote of using masking tape to create terrain shapes. I'm doing that in this photo here, for the two-lane road coming down from the upper loop under the branchline: Next comes the layer(s) of plaster cloth. I found a role at Michael's for about $10, and it seems heavier in sturdiness than the Woodland Scenics product (which I like; I think I like Michaels' more).

2012-06-19 Update

More scenery! This time, I'm test-fitting some bridges that will connect my branchline to the upper loop, passing over a two-lane road. I figure I should get some of this done before I really lay down the final track that will link the loops. I was inspired by an article in the January 2004 MR on bridges over the Sacramento River levee; I like the combination of a few bridge types together, and hopefully this will turn out as well as the ones in the article.

2012-06-18 Update

I have been less than diligent in my postings, but I'm definitely making some headway. The upper loop is more or less in place, with some cork roadbed below track. The reverse loop seems to work. My overall goal at this point is to get the two loops functional, and get the track laid so that I can have a "clean" layout. To that end, I have spent a lot of time with some scenery shaping, trying to get the branchline back from the upper loop to the lower area done. Here are some photos of the early terrain forming. I'm shaping the hills out of the insulation foam, and then will cover with plaster cloth to get the final shape.