A Small, Rural Pond
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The area of the pond had been previously decided, and had been left unpainted in the centre of the layout. It was time to start digging!
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/11thbirthday001.jpg)
Removing the 2cm thick foam was easy, cutting down with a small serrated knife blade. I wasn’t too concerned about the accuracy of the pond’s outline or the smoothness of the edges, reminding myself that this was a farm pond and not a swimming pool!
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/11thbirthday002.jpg)
The next, and all important, step was adding the base colour to the bottom of the pond. Getting this right makes a big difference. Pond waters are never blue, so to be realistic I had to create a green-based ‘yuck.’ I mixed various acrylics including burnt umber, dark green and grey to create a soup. Four coats of this were painted on, and I made sure that each coat was totally dry (and not just to the touch) before applying the next one. (Sadly this photo doesn’t do the colour justice)
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/11thbirthday003.jpg)
To create the water effect there are many commercially-made products out there, but I decided to use clear marine varnish. The one I chose was low vapour – a good idea if you are modeling in a confined space such as a basement or attic.
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/11thbirthday008.jpg)
This part of the process was slow. To create a depth effect multiple coats are necessary. I liberally brushed the varnish across the pond, and then allowed each coat to dry for 24 hours before applying the next one. I has happy after the fourth coat, but aware that four days had passed! Best to have other projects on the go …
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/11thbirthday007.jpg)
Once happy with my water it was time to start on the banks. Sealing them with brushed PVA glue is a good way to start (thanks, Perry!) Once dry they can be painted. I chose an acrylic medium brown, taking care not to apply too much at once and running down onto the water. Two coats were enough.
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/CONSTRUCTION1001.jpg)
When this paint had dried I then painted the banks with white glue and carefully applied the earthy ground cover. I used a commercially-made cover made by Walthers Inc.
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/POND001.jpg)
I allowed all this to thoroughly dry for a few hours, and then started to add the vegetation. I glued various shades of reindeer moss/lichen using dabs of white glue, making sure that some of the growth trailed down towards the water.
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/POND002.jpg)
Then added a few trees. These ones are an assortment of smaller, Woodland Scenics trees which simply push into the foam scenery.
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/POND003.jpg)
And that was it. A small pond (my first water feature) but easy to make and very satisfying to look at. When I came to dismantle the layout it was the most difficult bit to destroy! (Also the water came away from the baseboard in one solid piece. Now that’s varnish!)
![](https://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/kerrlew/PONDlarge1a.jpg)
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This is a great article and it is good to see it back on the forum.
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I was hoping you were going to be able to retrieve this for us, Tim.
Thank you. :D
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Phill
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Mike
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Sorry, Bob - you meant on the old forum :oops: I couldn't find it and simply assumed that it had gone the way of so much stuff lost.Robert said
It's ok Tim I have found it.
The new text (which I put together this afternoon) is, I think, shorter and simpler than what I remember of the old :)
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Matt said
do we get a fisherman on your new latout?
![:lol:](https://yourmodelrailway.net//themes/default/images_custom/lol.gif)
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Well, maybe - when I do my next water feature :!: There are plenty of ponds on the Outer Cape, and fishing is a popular sport … I also want to create a cranberry bog :shock: (There's a nice "How to make a bog" in the latest MR magazine :wink: )
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Mike
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Brian(G)
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rector said
Matt said
do we get a fisherman on your new latout?![]()
![]()
![]()
Well, maybe - when I do my next water feature :!: There are plenty of ponds on the Outer Cape, and fishing is a popular sport … I also want to create a cranberry bog :shock: (There's a nice "How to make a bog" in the latest MR magazine :wink: )
"HO" scale cranberries - now there's something to look forward to
![:lol:](https://yourmodelrailway.net//themes/default/images_custom/lol.gif)
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Glad the pond didn't go down the drain !!
Petermac
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Darryl
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Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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It is just that ever since i 1st bought their working showground rides etc, i have been fascinated with models that work. And that is why i have decided once again to install their car system, this time with Buses driving around.
2 weeks ago it was just going to be trains then due to what i saw EX-Novice write somewhere now i am going full out on it :roll: :roll: :roll:
Darryl
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My first pond was a failure. I copied your article. with this info I will try again. Very informative. Easy to follow.
Paul Williams
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My pond had its own shaky moments, but I was very pleased with the result. It also proved that such a feature could be made without spending too much money - using what was already in the shed, so to speak.
When my new layout allows I hope to recreate this pond :!:
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