How to Create Landscape for Your Model Railroad Layout

Contributed by Bill Murphy

After getting all your supplies together, you need to form your terrain, which is often done by placing foam spacers and carving them to achieve the desired results, then coating those with a plaster, fibreglass or other sealer to harden them. Wireframe models with reinforcement are also used on larger landscapes, while some 'purists' will actually haul in stone, dirt, and sand in an attempt to make a 'true' world.

One note of warning when using real-life materials, however: graininess and texture of common elements can detract from the real-life aspects of a landscape. Most dirt is not fine enough to give a true impression of 'earth' in a miniature unless coated with an even finer coating of dust or powder. Keep your scales in mind at all times and work up your tallest points first (mountains, hills, etc.) to help you form your valleys and streams or lakes in a natural manner.

When your base is in place, the real fun begins. After painting all surfaces necessary to help mask any exposure, gluing and placing your various materials, stones and coverings is the next step. Stippling on 'grass' and other coverings with a fine brush is the normal procedure but a little forethought can go a long way to increase the realism.

For instance, if you are going to have a lake or pond, place a narrow lake bed of earth around it and have a ragged edge encroaching onto this, rather then taking the grass all the way to the water's edge. In real-life, ebbs and erosion will cause the bank to be washed away and tree roots to be exposed. etc. Planning to emulate this will add a realistic touch that even the most demanding of viewers will comment on.

Laying track can be done in several ways; the simplest is to glue the track to the bottom directly; the most realistic is to form a true bed of crushed or powdered stone, with actual wooden 'beams' upon which your track is 'spiked', but this is very uncommon and time consuming in the smaller scales.

Software to help with design and layout can help with more ambitious projects as well -- but thought to maintenance and accessibility should be given during this phase since cleaning and repairing track sections is the most likely maintenance to need to occur over time.

Last, but certainly not least, is the creation of vignettes or 'small scenes' -- it is this which most model railroaders really live for: to recreate in miniature, the thousands of small scenes that make real life so endearing and turn our model railroads into wonders.

Choosing themes, such as small cities or train stations, that fit into your overall theme, and building appropriate houses and edifices or buying them and placing correctly is critical -- as is maintaining the proper scale. The human eye can note incredibly small differences in scale and proportion so staying true to your scale and theme is vital for a successful landscape.

There is much more we could discuss about landscapes but most likely you are ready to start playing -- so put on your engineering caps and start thinking. Turning on the light is probably a good place to start -- have fun!

Are you looking for more ideas for (http://www.themodelrailroader.com/landscaping/creative-ideas-for-making -model-railroad-scenery/) model railroad scenery? Visit The Model Railroader website at http://www.themodelrailroader.com for lots of helpful tips and ideas and for your free copy of my report on designing model railroads.

Model Railroading is one of the most creative hobbies!

Designing Buildings for Model Railroads

Contributed by Bill Murphy

Most of us have no desire to become an architect, but most model railroaders wind up getting into the act at one point or another. It's sometimes impossible to find exactly the building you need to complete your layout, leaving you to come up with something on your own.

So what does it take to make your own buildings? And do you need to have some serious carpentry skills or can the average hobbyist manage?

In reality, building your own detailed replica buildings can take some advanced woodworking skills, and the tools to go along with them. But an often easier alternative is the "kitbashing" method -- taking an existing model and using it as the foundation for your own creation, modifying it to suit your own taste.

When kitbashing, you can often get away with some simple tools such as an X-acto knife or scissors, plus a healthy dose of imagination.

Some of the materials you may find useful when making your own buildings include balsa wood, mat board, foam, lightweight plastics and even cardboard.

Corkboard and plaster, gold or silver foil, glitter and spray adhesives can also be helpful. Most of these materials are available relatively inexpensively at your local hobby shop.

Where You Can Find More Ideas

Articles about working with these various materials have been printed in numerous magazines over the years. Your local library or second-hand bookstore can be invaluable for finding these things. And don't limit yourself to model railroading magazines - lots of other hobbies have helpful information about working with these materials that you can apply to your train layout.

Looking for more ideas for building model railroad scenery? Visit TheModelRailroader.com for plenty of helpful information and for a free copy of my report "Model Railroad Design Secrets"

Model Railroading is one of the most creative hobbies!