Trains don’t just run through an empty landscape, so the scenery (geographical
setting) is a vital part of any model railroad layout. Constructing the countryside
and cityscape through which your model trains will travel can be tremendous
fun. When creating model railroad scenery you need to consider the era,
geographic location, and relative prosperity of the area being modeled.
A book from the library or surfing the Internet will give you some ideas for your
model railroad scenery. Ask at your local model shop about buying suitable
buildings. You may prefer to construct them yourself with balsa wood and paint.
Add Excitement To Your Model Railroad Scenery
Tunnels and a bridge will add interest to your model railroad scenery.
Depending on your layout, you may need a rail station too.
You could put operating signals at crossings. Use either a set of crossing
flashers or a flasher and drop-arm combo. Kids (and adults too) are
mesmerized by these 'lights and action' items.
Other ideas like a working grain elevator, water tower, coal loaders, or a control
towers can add interest to model railroad scenery and help complete a layout.
Be creative, but specific, with your model railroad scenery.
setting) is a vital part of any model railroad layout. Constructing the countryside
and cityscape through which your model trains will travel can be tremendous
fun. When creating model railroad scenery you need to consider the era,
geographic location, and relative prosperity of the area being modeled.
- Don't mix eras - putting 1970s building in a turn of the century Western
theme. - Or putting a 1980's Honda model automobile in fifties-era scenery.
- Study the architecture of the buildings from that time period.
- Find out what kind of shrubs and trees are likely to be found in that area.
Little details can add to the realism to your model railroad scenery. Get
model trees that look like native species from your hobby shop or make
them yourself.
A book from the library or surfing the Internet will give you some ideas for your
model railroad scenery. Ask at your local model shop about buying suitable
buildings. You may prefer to construct them yourself with balsa wood and paint.
Add Excitement To Your Model Railroad Scenery
Tunnels and a bridge will add interest to your model railroad scenery.
Depending on your layout, you may need a rail station too.
You could put operating signals at crossings. Use either a set of crossing
flashers or a flasher and drop-arm combo. Kids (and adults too) are
mesmerized by these 'lights and action' items.
Other ideas like a working grain elevator, water tower, coal loaders, or a control
towers can add interest to model railroad scenery and help complete a layout.
Be creative, but specific, with your model railroad scenery.
| Model Railroad Questions Answered |
Model Railroaders
(beginners and
experienced) were
asked to submit
questions they wanted
answered.
It was like opening the
floodgates! The
questions came in thick
and fast, including a lot
of questions on Analog
verses DCC and
advanced electronics.
Clear concise answers
to all the questions are
laid out in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
(beginners and
experienced) were
asked to submit
questions they wanted
answered.
It was like opening the
floodgates! The
questions came in thick
and fast, including a lot
of questions on Analog
verses DCC and
advanced electronics.
Clear concise answers
to all the questions are
laid out in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
| Sample Of The Model Railroad Questions That Get Answered |
Creating a great model railroad scenery is
both challenging and fun …especially if you
have guidance from someone
who's been there.
Model Train Help is the perfect resource for
model railroading enthusiasts who want
answers to everyday model railroading
questions - including model railroad
scenery tips, clever ideas and solutions to
model railroading problems.
both challenging and fun …especially if you
have guidance from someone
who's been there.
Model Train Help is the perfect resource for
model railroading enthusiasts who want
answers to everyday model railroading
questions - including model railroad
scenery tips, clever ideas and solutions to
model railroading problems.
If I install a larger motor
in my locomotive will I
be able to pull more
cars?
What's wrong when a
part of the track will not
work? How do I go
about fixing it?
Should I replace my
horn-hook couplers with
knuckle couplers?
What is rust-busting, a
talgo truck, "head-end"
traffic, a green wave
for freight trains?
What is meant by
"code", as in code 40
track? Is a locomotive
change-over the same
as shunting?
Which rails should I
use - brass, steel or
nickel-silver?
How do I make plastic
buildings look real? Why
do some buildings look
translucent?
Should electric feed
wires be included every
couple of feet or should
I solder rail joiners?
What is a bridge rectifier
and what does it do?
When I buy a track
switch, what is meant
by 'No. 4 turnout' or 'No.
8 turnout'?
Running techniques for
a locomotive on a
reversing loop. What
about stopping the loco
on the loop and
throwing the switch?
What is a decoder and
can I run an analog
locomotive on a DCC
system without a
decoder?
Can I just put a decoder
in my old analog
engines?
Are 'O-gauge' and
'O-scale' the same
thing?
Is there a right and
wrong way to cut track?
If I have limited space
what should I leave out
from my model railroad
layout?
What is a classification
yard and how does it
work? What are the yard
options for my model
railroad?
Should I have a
run-around track and
dedicated lead track?
What's a Capacitor
Discharge Unit and a
Solenoid Motor and
what do they do?
What's the difference
between DC and DCC?
What do I need to start
or convert my analog
model railroad layout to
a DCC system?
What's the difference
between service mode
and operations mode?
Can I control turnouts
with DCC?
What's a booster? Will
the ampere rating of a
booster and power
supply limit how many
locos I can run at the
same time?
What causes a train to
short out on a turnout?
Clear concise answers
to these questions
along with hundreds of
other model railroading
tips and ideas are
included in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
And yes! This model
railroading book also
includes an expanded
section on scenery
building, analog and
DCC, and a selection of
TRACK PLANS for you
to study and use along
with a comprehensive
list of useful model
railroading resources.
in my locomotive will I
be able to pull more
cars?
What's wrong when a
part of the track will not
work? How do I go
about fixing it?
Should I replace my
horn-hook couplers with
knuckle couplers?
What is rust-busting, a
talgo truck, "head-end"
traffic, a green wave
for freight trains?
What is meant by
"code", as in code 40
track? Is a locomotive
change-over the same
as shunting?
Which rails should I
use - brass, steel or
nickel-silver?
How do I make plastic
buildings look real? Why
do some buildings look
translucent?
Should electric feed
wires be included every
couple of feet or should
I solder rail joiners?
What is a bridge rectifier
and what does it do?
When I buy a track
switch, what is meant
by 'No. 4 turnout' or 'No.
8 turnout'?
Running techniques for
a locomotive on a
reversing loop. What
about stopping the loco
on the loop and
throwing the switch?
What is a decoder and
can I run an analog
locomotive on a DCC
system without a
decoder?
Can I just put a decoder
in my old analog
engines?
Are 'O-gauge' and
'O-scale' the same
thing?
Is there a right and
wrong way to cut track?
If I have limited space
what should I leave out
from my model railroad
layout?
What is a classification
yard and how does it
work? What are the yard
options for my model
railroad?
Should I have a
run-around track and
dedicated lead track?
What's a Capacitor
Discharge Unit and a
Solenoid Motor and
what do they do?
What's the difference
between DC and DCC?
What do I need to start
or convert my analog
model railroad layout to
a DCC system?
What's the difference
between service mode
and operations mode?
Can I control turnouts
with DCC?
What's a booster? Will
the ampere rating of a
booster and power
supply limit how many
locos I can run at the
same time?
What causes a train to
short out on a turnout?
Clear concise answers
to these questions
along with hundreds of
other model railroading
tips and ideas are
included in the Model
Train Help Ebook.
And yes! This model
railroading book also
includes an expanded
section on scenery
building, analog and
DCC, and a selection of
TRACK PLANS for you
to study and use along
with a comprehensive
list of useful model
railroading resources.
Weathering Model Trains For Layout Realism
Weathering, is basically the art of taking something new and making it look like
something old. It could be locomotive, caboose, a building, a bridge, a tunnel, a
road, a fence, or any element of model railroad scenery for that matter. Almost
anything ages and changes over time.
For example; when you buy a some rolling stock it comes packaged all shiny,
plastic and new. It probably looks too perfect, unreal and out of place alongside
the other cars on the track. It may need "roughing up" to make it look used, or at
least show some signs of wear and tear.
It really comes down to deciding if want to "rough-up" the factory paint job on the
very expensive rolling stock you've just purchased. But, like it or not, shiny new
cars usually look out of place on an otherwise "used looking" model railroad
layout.
In reality; most cars on a railroad show varying degrees of rust, grime (lube and
oil), mud, soot, denting, scratches and some are even covered in graffiti.
However, cars do vary in age and usage, so they shouldn't necessarily all look
the same. And, not everything is dirty, because the contact on bare metal can
keep some areas clean.
So, it is a case of thinking carefully about the age and likely wear and tear that
you want to mimic - and whether you are prepared to "rough-up" your rolling
stock for the sake of adding realism.
Also, think about the region or era you are recreating with your model railroad
scenery. Is it likely to be muddy at times or would it be more dusty and arid like
in desert scenery? For example, the rolling stock might need a sun-bleached
look, which can be achieved with Dullcote brushed over with some rubbing
alcohol. This will give the model a kind of a white milky haze. If you don't like it,
respray with Dullcote
Taking The Shine Off Your Model Trains
Shiny surfaces can spoil the realism of any model railroad layout. Shiny
surfaces can make model buildings, rolling stock and model railroad scenery
look fake as though they have just come off a shop shelf. A simple way to
remove that shine is to over-spray the structure or rolling stock with Dullcote
(Testors #1260 clear flat lacquer overcoat). Dullcote is available at most model
railroad and hobby stores and comes in a small spray can like many other
model car colors.
However, always test techniques on something else before you try them out on
your prized model train models, because you may not like the effect.
More Ways To Add Realism To Model Railroad Scenery
Realistic looking scenery is important on model railroad layouts. To model
weeds, hay, straw, and grass get some "binder twine" from a farmer/horse
owner. The twine is a natural (unlike the new plastic stuff) material that takes
paint/stain well. It also weathers naturally. Hang some outside for a year and it
will look like fall weeds, let it lay on the ground and it will get a grayish color. The
twine can be cut in very short lengths and used as some ground cover.
Ground Cover For Model Railroad Scenery
Sawdust can be an inexpensive material for making ground cover for your
model railroad scenery. Buy some fabric dye from the supermarket or hobby
store. Mix up the dye according to the directions and start adding your sawdust.
Keep adding the sawdust until all the liquid is gone. Then put the colored
sawdust in a baking dish and put in a warm oven for an hour or so to dry it out.
Once it's dried and cooled, bag it up to store it until you're ready to use it. You
can apply it to the ground with white glue and to trees with spray glue or
hairspray.
How Do You Build Model Railroad Scenery?
Landscape features like hills, valleys, small canyons, rivers, meadows,
mountains and even tunnels can be constructed using a variety of materials,
such as foam, plaster, Hydrocal and paper maché. White styrofoam board (also
known as beadboard and polyfoam) is a popular material for constructing
model railroad scenery. Styrofoam is easy to handle and inexpensive. A 4' x 8'
sheet of 1 ½" thick sheet is a good size to work with. It is easily cut and shaped
and releases no chemicals or odors when cut.
Using Styrofoam For Making Model Railroad Scenery
It's time to get artistic! Get the hacksaw and electric knife and cut the styrofoam
creating a rolling shape. You can make small canyons, valleys and even shape
rivers and ponds for your model railroad scenery. Save the scraps and carve
them into smaller bumps or rock shapes for use on other parts of your model
railroad scenery. Glue the styrofoam together with white styrofoam glue. You can
also use a hot wire foam cutter. This can be a big help if you are building a large
layout.
The styrofoam can then be colored with acrylic paints or sprinkled with
simulated grass to add to the realism of the model railroad scenery. When
applying simulated grass, use a clean dry paintbrush to move the grass around.
It is best to use a stippling action with the brush. Push it into all the cracks. For
best results - don't skimp with the grass.
How To Create Roads For Your Model Railroad Scenery
Roads are usually an integral part of the model railroad scenery. Often the
roads are not modeled as well as the other scenery, and when this occurs the
entire effect suffers. Yet when you know how, modeling roads is easy, fun and
reasonably inexpensive. In fact, you probably already have many of the
materials to model a realistic road or freeway. Here is where you can get full
step by step details on how to create roads and realistic model railroad
scenery.
Trees, Hedgerows, Bushes add To Scenery Effect
Other scenic effects like bushes and hedgerows can be made using similar
methods to making trees. Wild flowers can be reproduced by planting short
strands of sisal string and painting the tips or applying a small amount of
colored fine foam and vacuuming the rest away when the glue is dry.
To increase realism of model railroad scenery consider adding clumps of long
grass and weeds sprouting through the ballast and at the bases of buildings
etc. Old fashioned carpet underlay (which you can now buy in model shops or at
exhibitions specifically for scenic use) is ideal for this purpose. You could also
use Heki puff grass.
Weathering, is basically the art of taking something new and making it look like
something old. It could be locomotive, caboose, a building, a bridge, a tunnel, a
road, a fence, or any element of model railroad scenery for that matter. Almost
anything ages and changes over time.
For example; when you buy a some rolling stock it comes packaged all shiny,
plastic and new. It probably looks too perfect, unreal and out of place alongside
the other cars on the track. It may need "roughing up" to make it look used, or at
least show some signs of wear and tear.
It really comes down to deciding if want to "rough-up" the factory paint job on the
very expensive rolling stock you've just purchased. But, like it or not, shiny new
cars usually look out of place on an otherwise "used looking" model railroad
layout.
In reality; most cars on a railroad show varying degrees of rust, grime (lube and
oil), mud, soot, denting, scratches and some are even covered in graffiti.
However, cars do vary in age and usage, so they shouldn't necessarily all look
the same. And, not everything is dirty, because the contact on bare metal can
keep some areas clean.
So, it is a case of thinking carefully about the age and likely wear and tear that
you want to mimic - and whether you are prepared to "rough-up" your rolling
stock for the sake of adding realism.
Also, think about the region or era you are recreating with your model railroad
scenery. Is it likely to be muddy at times or would it be more dusty and arid like
in desert scenery? For example, the rolling stock might need a sun-bleached
look, which can be achieved with Dullcote brushed over with some rubbing
alcohol. This will give the model a kind of a white milky haze. If you don't like it,
respray with Dullcote
Taking The Shine Off Your Model Trains
Shiny surfaces can spoil the realism of any model railroad layout. Shiny
surfaces can make model buildings, rolling stock and model railroad scenery
look fake as though they have just come off a shop shelf. A simple way to
remove that shine is to over-spray the structure or rolling stock with Dullcote
(Testors #1260 clear flat lacquer overcoat). Dullcote is available at most model
railroad and hobby stores and comes in a small spray can like many other
model car colors.
However, always test techniques on something else before you try them out on
your prized model train models, because you may not like the effect.
More Ways To Add Realism To Model Railroad Scenery
Realistic looking scenery is important on model railroad layouts. To model
weeds, hay, straw, and grass get some "binder twine" from a farmer/horse
owner. The twine is a natural (unlike the new plastic stuff) material that takes
paint/stain well. It also weathers naturally. Hang some outside for a year and it
will look like fall weeds, let it lay on the ground and it will get a grayish color. The
twine can be cut in very short lengths and used as some ground cover.
Ground Cover For Model Railroad Scenery
Sawdust can be an inexpensive material for making ground cover for your
model railroad scenery. Buy some fabric dye from the supermarket or hobby
store. Mix up the dye according to the directions and start adding your sawdust.
Keep adding the sawdust until all the liquid is gone. Then put the colored
sawdust in a baking dish and put in a warm oven for an hour or so to dry it out.
Once it's dried and cooled, bag it up to store it until you're ready to use it. You
can apply it to the ground with white glue and to trees with spray glue or
hairspray.
How Do You Build Model Railroad Scenery?
Landscape features like hills, valleys, small canyons, rivers, meadows,
mountains and even tunnels can be constructed using a variety of materials,
such as foam, plaster, Hydrocal and paper maché. White styrofoam board (also
known as beadboard and polyfoam) is a popular material for constructing
model railroad scenery. Styrofoam is easy to handle and inexpensive. A 4' x 8'
sheet of 1 ½" thick sheet is a good size to work with. It is easily cut and shaped
and releases no chemicals or odors when cut.
Using Styrofoam For Making Model Railroad Scenery
It's time to get artistic! Get the hacksaw and electric knife and cut the styrofoam
creating a rolling shape. You can make small canyons, valleys and even shape
rivers and ponds for your model railroad scenery. Save the scraps and carve
them into smaller bumps or rock shapes for use on other parts of your model
railroad scenery. Glue the styrofoam together with white styrofoam glue. You can
also use a hot wire foam cutter. This can be a big help if you are building a large
layout.
The styrofoam can then be colored with acrylic paints or sprinkled with
simulated grass to add to the realism of the model railroad scenery. When
applying simulated grass, use a clean dry paintbrush to move the grass around.
It is best to use a stippling action with the brush. Push it into all the cracks. For
best results - don't skimp with the grass.
How To Create Roads For Your Model Railroad Scenery
Roads are usually an integral part of the model railroad scenery. Often the
roads are not modeled as well as the other scenery, and when this occurs the
entire effect suffers. Yet when you know how, modeling roads is easy, fun and
reasonably inexpensive. In fact, you probably already have many of the
materials to model a realistic road or freeway. Here is where you can get full
step by step details on how to create roads and realistic model railroad
scenery.
Trees, Hedgerows, Bushes add To Scenery Effect
Other scenic effects like bushes and hedgerows can be made using similar
methods to making trees. Wild flowers can be reproduced by planting short
strands of sisal string and painting the tips or applying a small amount of
colored fine foam and vacuuming the rest away when the glue is dry.
To increase realism of model railroad scenery consider adding clumps of long
grass and weeds sprouting through the ballast and at the bases of buildings
etc. Old fashioned carpet underlay (which you can now buy in model shops or at
exhibitions specifically for scenic use) is ideal for this purpose. You could also
use Heki puff grass.
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Help For Model Railroad Enthusiasts
Model-Railroad-Resources.com
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Why Model Railroad Scenery Is Important |
