Techniques for Spectacular Scenery

Nothing has a greater impact on the realistic look of a model railroad than scenery. Whether your layout is a small diorama, a 4’ x 8’ starter layout, or a basement empire, realistic scenery can make your layout look spectacular. Absent or unrealistic, toyish scenery, on the other hand, can detract from the otherwise beautiful models you build or collect and leave the viewer disappointed. Learning good techniques for building scenery is essential to creating satisfying layouts that we are proud to show off.

Spectacular scenery begins with good planning. You must have a plan in your mind, and hopefully on paper, that helps you understand what the scene is supposed to look like and what will fit in the available space. Working from that plan, you can construct your scenic base using a variety of styles, techniques, and materials. Each of these have their advantages and disadvantages. It is most important to choose one that will work best for the type of scenery you are trying to create and that you enjoy building.

Once your scenic base is built the real fun begins. It is then that you begin the creative process of painting and texturing the base to resemble the real world. As you install, color, and detail cliffs, rocks, water, grass, shrubs, trees, and more you begin to create a small world of your own that reflects the world we all know but is an expression of your own creativity. As you create that scenic world, each element and detail help to create a backdrop that enhances the realism of your model trains and structures.

In this course you will learn a variety to techniques for creating spectacular scenery for your own model railroad. From scenic base to scenic details, you will see techniques demonstrated and explained that will inspire and enhance your own creativity as you create your own little world for your trains and other models. By applying these techniques, you will be able to create a variety of scenery that will make your model railroad interesting, realistic, and fun.

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92 Responses to “Techniques for Spectacular Scenery”

  1. Walter

    Great idea

  2. Dan

    sounds like a great course

  3. Richard Bond

    I’m looking forward to viewing this course.

  4. Nigel Cadogan

    Can’t wait to see it

  5. Jim Morrison

    Looking forward to it

  6. Thomas L. Catalano

    thanks!

  7. Bob Smith

    where is it?

  8. Don Hummel

    Looking forward

  9. Carl Schulze

    Building my layout so need all the tips I can get.

  10. Tom

    Always need new scenery ideas!