2 Blu 4 U? Click on pictures for a larger view

Yes, I know it's BLUE....but I wanted a lake like you see in postcards or in dreams...and since it's our railroad, that's what we did! Obviously, it's still under construction as the waterfall has to be added at the edge of the stream and ripples added with the strongest at the point where the waterfall over the dam enters the lake. Oh, and the seams you see in the grass mats on the hills will disappear once I get all mats on and blended together. The lower edge / shoreline will have to be landscaped and loose material added at the seam of the shoreline and lake surface. This loose material will have to be replaced anytime the hatch is removed & put back in place (which I hope won't be often).

The construction of the lake was as follows: 1.) Cover entire top of Masonite with two coats of latex flat paint; 2.) Using an airbrush paint the center area a dark navy blue color created by mixing black with navy blue; 3.) Moving outwards from the center, paint with a translucent blue paint mixed with the dark navy paint; 4.) Continuing outward, vary the mix of translucent blue to dark navy by adding more translucent with each outward sweep; 5.) Let paint dry 24 hours & glue on rocks & sticks using white glue; 6.) Use modeling clay to create a "dam" 1/2" high around the outside of the piece to contain the EnviroTex Lite(tm) high gloss finish; 7.) Level the piece so the coating will be equal depth; 8.) Carefully figure how much EnviroTex Lite(tm) will be required; 9.) Mix according to manufacturer's instructions & pour; 10.) FIND OUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH! - quickly mix & pour another batch; 11.) FIND OUT IT STILL WASN'T ENOUGH...AHHH!! - quickly mix & pour another batch; 12.) Use a propane torch to take out the bubbles (carefully!); and 13.) Let dry (4) days even though manufacturer says 72 hours.

Here we have some swimmers in the water and I'll add some people up on the land to their right. Stay tuned to more pictures as this progresses. My goal is to have this area ready by November 1st for the Piedmont Tour.