Model railroad lake – Jack’s

Jack’s been in touch with his model railroad lake:

“Hi Al,

I guess we all have setbacks with our layouts. I’ve had two in the past week.

I had set up my lake using Woodland Scenics Realistic Water. I had a dock, canoes and a car backing in to unload a boat. A reader of one of my emails said he had trouble with bubbles using Realistic Water. I started having the same problem. The bubbles ruined the scene.

I researched Realistic Water and found that off gassing from the foam insulation causes the bubbles. Woodland Scenics recommends lining the water with plaster cloth, completely sealing the foam. So, I ripped out the lake and lined it with plaster cloth. Back to square one.

The other issue was a water leak on the first floor, that dripped down on the layout in the basement. By the time I found the damage, much of the grass in my residential area was ruined. So, using a dropper and warm water I loosened the grass in small sections at a time and scraped it off.

I’ve got the grass redone and am currently setting the area back up. I’ve got some kids flying kites and others on the playground. The pool party is in progress. A family is fishing at the fishing hole (which also has bubbles, but it’s at the back of the layout so I’ll address it later).

Hopefully now I can get on to making some progress.

Jack In PA”

model railroad lake

model railroad lake

model railroad lake

model railroad



model railroad park

model train layout

model railroad lake bubble

A huge thanks to Jack for sharing his model railroad lake – I’m sure it’ll save a lot of folk a lot of hours and head scratching.

That’s all this time folks. Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide – it’s got the thumbs up from all of the Hall of Fame members.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.





45 Responses to Model railroad lake – Jack’s

  1. Henry van Wyk says:

    Hi Jack,
    Why not just add waterlilies to the fishing pond to cover the bubbles?

  2. Lou Santello says:

    The best water I have used is Envirotex. There’s nothing like it!

  3. Rich B. says:

    Actually the bubbles look quite realistic as ponds like that usually have bubbling taking place. Especially the flooded quarries here in ME.

  4. Gene Fricks says:

    You couild have kept the bubbles and just told folks it was off-gassing from buried chemical drums dumped into the pond years ago.

  5. Dwight says:

    That was probably me who commented on the “bubble” problem with the Woodlands Scenic water. I did indeed recess the lake into foam, but the lake bed had been well sealed with several coats of paint. After so many hours and days of careful modelling, it is hugely frustrating to have to do it all over again. Best to stay away from Realistic Water and use one of the epoxy products instead.

  6. Daniel Promen says:

    Although I haven’t tried this trick myself yet, some have said to breathe slowly over the water as it sets up. The carbon dioxide will remove the bubbles before they set up. Like I said I’ve not done this myself but have seen it done and it works.

  7. Larry Wilson says:

    Jack, instead of replacing the water area that has bubbles, since it is in the back and a fishing hole, put lily pads over those places. Saves time, material and frustration!

  8. Ray, Massachusetts says:

    Jack,
    Love the kids flying kites. Love that idea. I will be adding that to my layout soon.
    Thanks for sharing!

  9. Linda says:

    Well done Jack. Looks great so far.

  10. Rob McCrain says:

    Good to know about the foam reacting with WS Realistic Water. Rob McCrain

  11. Buzz says:

    I don’t use realistic water. I use clear resin 2part from home depot. It’s the same stuff they use to embed coins and other stuff into table tops. Works great. Some bubbles but they work out.

  12. Buzz says:

    I don’t use realistic water. I use clear resin 2part from home depot. It’s the same stuff they use to embed coins and other stuff into table tops. Works great. Some bubbles but they work out. Layout looks fantastic.

  13. Don J says:

    You can tell everyone that there are giant fish ( whales) at the bottom of the lake. Those are the air bubbles from those fish. End it there.
    If they believe the story = good. if not – oh well-
    you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink
    OR YOU CAN LEAD A PERSON TO CULTURE BUT YOU CAN NOT MAKE HIM THINK

  14. Steve says:

    I have heard that if you breathe on the water when the bubble come to the surface that carbon oxide will pop the bubbles

  15. Postie7 says:

    Hi Jack, your problem seems to be the normal with realistic water even when plaster is used there are still bubbles form or the liquid goes cloudy after a while.
    I now usually go for EZ water, you get the bubbles with that too but they can be extracted with a heat gun and needle it does stays clear though. Another recommendation is to coat the base after painting before lathering thoroughly with scenic cement, let it dry before pouring your water selection. Hope this helps you and others.

    Eric (Leeds UK).

  16. Brian Messenger says:

    I only used Woodland Scenics realistic water on all my layouts and have never had a problem with bubbles. I have always painted the bottom of the river / lake with a PVA paint color and then poured the ‘water’ and if (only once) bubbles started, I used a hair dryer on low heat over them for a very short time and they disappeared. I also used an acrylic color mixed in with the water to get the effect that I wanted. I did not like the clear color as I felt that water was always dirty. Brian.

  17. David Hodges says:

    Several years ago at a national train show in St. Paul,MN, I noticed a layout with great-looking water. The vendor said he used Envirotex. I found the product at Michaels Craft stores in the U.S. and have used it several times on my layout, always with super results! The directions call for mixing the 2 parts and immediately after pouring onto your layout, breath lightly on the surface for a few seconds, and every bubble disappears leaving a beautiful smooth finish. Hope this information is helpful.

  18. Harvey Mushman says:

    You could paint it black, add some dinosaur bones around the edge and call it a tar pit.

  19. Thomas Murphy says:

    Great job Jack … a good solution th a rather perplexing problem.

  20. John Bury says:

    Thanks for all the comments. You bring up some creative solutions. The bubbles only appeared about a week after I was finished with the water. In my case there was a slit in the foam, I guess for breaking the foam for insulation purposes. All my bubbles were in a row just above the slit. I know people who have used Realistic Water without a problem, but I don’t want to go through this again, so I’ll probably go with Envirotex.

    One more thing about Realistic Water. Woodland Scenics says to use acrylic paint, not craft paint. Craft paint, while acrylic, has fillers that interact with the water.

    Jack

  21. Paul Selwyn Otway says:

    You could say the bubbles in the lake are caused by a spring.

  22. Robert Rolfe says:

    I have had problems with Woodland Realistic Water also, However not on foam. I took a router and cut into the plywood table, coated it ,3 times with Helmsman Spar Varnish, 48 hours between coats, then but the water in, no bubbles at first, however , a year later the bubbles are really big and above the water line, don’t do this, bad try on my part. This is not a problem for me as I have started a new , bigger, and better layout (OK, time will tell on the better part) I have never heard of Envirotex, however Micheal’s is close so I will check it out, I think on a test thing first as the Woodland was a disappointment.
    NV Bob

  23. NJ Mark says:

    I installed a pond in my layout and had no trouble with bubbles forming using the Woodland Realistic Water. The pond was carved into foam and had several coats of paint. Perhaps it was the type of foam that you used. I used the green insulation panels from Lowes. I believe they are polystyrene. I have another water feature coming up soon and I’ll see if success can be repeated. Cheers! NJ Mark

  24. Richard Standing says:

    Turn the layout round so the lake is under the leak. Solves both problems… 😉

  25. Rick Cech says:

    What scale are your houses?

  26. Franco428 says:

    The only comment I could make is that there is no fence and gate around the pool. Safety First!

    Actually, I would like to see his process for the pool water. It appears to have the depth to enhance realism. Good job on the layout!

  27. Ian Campbell says:

    When in doubt with ponds, use a sheet of glass & a dark blue-green paper unner’neath. Easier to clean, too. Or go entirely realistic & have it clogged with toxic algae? 😉

    Or go simple & buy a Kraken to plant in it. That way there’d be something for the kids to Instagram as well. If Model R’road guru John Allen of Gorre & Daphetied fame can have a Brontosaurus* as a heavy-lift breakdown vehicle you can at least have a Kraken in a pond.

    *Yes I know they don’t exist. Bear with me.

  28. Jack Bury says:

    The houses are HO scale. I think they are from Faller. I bought them when my son was a kid about 35 years ago.

    Jack

  29. Jack Bury says:

    The water in the swimming pool came with the pool. Just a photo printed on paper. It does look pretty realistic.

    Jack

  30. Tony says:

    I am currently dealing with this problem with woodland scenics water. I do not use foam at all. My layout is grid style bench work with wire screen and plaster. It is all painted over with acrylic paints. My river looks like it is covered in foam!!! I have not come up with a fix yet because removing and starting over is not an option in this location.

  31. Rick D says:

    Looks really good my friend. Keep it up, Your skills are unsurpassed.

  32. Ramsey Arnold says:

    Great work on 4 x 8 – my current choice, using HO.

  33. Brian Law says:

    Hi Jack

    Never mind the whales story, whoever heard of whales in a pond. The bubbles are caused by the Tench the anglers are trying to catch, feeding on the bottom of the pond. At least that is a realistic thought.

    Love the layout.

    Brian

  34. alan spence says:

    very nice layout jack i am guessing that is kato track you are using very easy to use especially the turnouts just plug and play

  35. Dave says:

    I use tube caulk in a clear color . after painting my ponds and rivers to a dark blue or green. I use 3 shades of paint blend them the way I want then after the paint dries , I coat with the clear coat. If you want ripples in the river just ruff it up a little before it sets up. Be sure to paint the ripple with white paint.

  36. Bob Simmons says:

    I did not know people go fishing in a natural bubbling hot springs. Maybe a few bathers in the water would solve the problem. Great work and I can’t wait to see your next installment!

  37. Bill in Virginia says:

    I used the Woodland Scenics water in a small ditch scene on my layout. I thought I had it sealed well too but got bubbles. I used a fine nail to pierce the surface and make the water look more turbulent and then I set scale geese on top of that. Now it looks like the geese are moving

  38. Very nice

  39. don kadunc says:

    I don’t use it either. I use Deep Water Pour and have had no problems. Also, it doesn’t creep up the edges as much.

  40. Al Allison says:

    I like your layout but noticed that there is no place for the home owners to park their vehicles. As far as water, I have had no problems with Woodlands scenic water. I carved out the foam for my pond and river and lined them with plaster before painting and poured water in thin layers until I got the depth I needed.

  41. Ben Olson says:

    Jack, great work on your layout! Reworking areas can be time consuming and frustrating, but always looks better when you’re done! I enjoyed the scene with the children flying kites. Gave me a good idea for my layout, so thanks for sharing!

  42. Robert Hirning says:

    Hook a spray, or air brush up to CO2 gas and spray it over the drying “Realistic Water”. It works like a charm as the bubbles magically disappear! That’s why they recommend “breathing” on it.

  43. The bubbles are kind of cool, just pretend you are in Yellowstone Park

  44. Mike Schulze says:

    I switched to a product called “Magic Water” and no bubbles since.
    Very realistic water and it lasts for years.
    Mike

  45. Robert Brady says:

    Jack What is that red n white tower an ice cream parlor? love the boat dock,Great layouit

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