|
|
Terrain building is the most exciting and creative part of layout construction. And best of all -
it’s hard to make a mistake! Flaws and imperfections in terrain building can always be covered up
with something, or at worst, torn out and re-done with no permanent consequences.
The first step in scenery building is to rough in the general shape of the terrain. This is
done with Styrofoam sheets, newspaper, duct tape or masking tape, glue (low temperature hot glue or
tacky), and Mold-A-Scene plaster.
Styrofoam sheets are available in varying thicknesses ranging from 1/2", 1", 2", 3"
and 4". The sheets are used to build up the terrain to the level you need to match the risers and
incline sets you used under the track. You may need different thicknesses of Styrofoam to build the
terrain. Use your plan to decide what thicknesses of Styrofoam you need and where to put them. Mark
and cut the Styrofoam sheets to loosely fit up against the track risers. A good fit is not necessary.
Gaps can be covered with tape or filled in with Mold-A-Scene. The sheets are laid flat on the table.
Gluing the sheets down is optional.
Hills and mountainous areas are built up with newspaper and duct or masking tape. Wad up the newspaper
into balls. Pile up where needed, as high as needed. Long, low hills can be formed by rolling the
newspaper into a ‘snake’. Take your time building the terrain, and consult your plan often. Take into
consideration what buildings or other features the layout will have when finished. Waterways and
valleys can be carved out of the Styrofoam at this time creating more scenery features.
Use duct tape or masking tape to hold the hills and other scenery features you built out of newspaper
in place. You may also use tape to cover gaps in the Styrofoam terrain base.
Mold-A-Scene plaster material can be used to fill big gaps, or to taper the banks of waterways.
Mold-A-Scene is a plaster-like material which is mixed with water and has the constancy of modeling
clay when wet. It is useful for many layout jobs where hydrocal is too thin to be applied. More about
these products later in the finishing section of this series.
At this stage you are only trying to form the basic shape of the finished model train layout. Don’t try to get
too particular about the appearance now, as the whole layout will be covered with plaster-cloth in
the next step. And as stated before - most mistakes at this stage can easily be fixed or covered
later.
Have fun as you build and plan the model train layout scenery.
To Check Availability and Purchase Products Featured Here
Visit Our Ebay Store
Plum Creek Toy and Hobby
|
|
