Scenery
Add a new dimension of realism to your layout with these expert tips and ideas for superior scenery. From lifelike lighting to blended backdrops, you’ll learn how to improve each element of your model railroad scenes to truly captivate your viewers.
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2:47Allen Keller describes Dick Elwell’s scenery as “state of the art.” Unlike most modelers, Dick doesn’t use sawdust, zip texturing, ground foam, or poly-fiber to create model railway trees. He has advanced from these techniques and uses 90% wild oregano for the foliage on his Hoosac Valley model railroad layout. Creating Realistic Model Railway Trees… Read more »
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4:47
There are multiple ways to create model scenery, but Dick Elwell swears by Hydrocal for his Hoosac Valley layout. Hydrocal is a mixture of plaster that hardens to create molds. It can be handy for making mountainous formations and other various model scenery. Dick believes it is a great product to use, but many people… Read more »
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4:10
All the scenic material used on the Hoosac Valley Railroad comes from Dick Elwell’s backyard. Using natural materials such as soil from the earth on your model railway roads enhances your layout and bring the realism to new levels. You can purchase materials from a craft store to create model railway roads, but why not… Read more »
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1:52
Dick Elwell’s childhood memories fuel his inspiration for scenes on the Hoosac Valley model railroad. Model railroad train inspiration can be extremely diverse. For example, some modelers find inspiration from traveling, others from dreams and some from other modelers. It’s clear that influence can come from an unlimited array of possibilities. Adding the Details to… Read more »
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9:29
Model train scenery plaster is a useful product to utilize if you are looking to add mountainous terrain to your layout. There are many types of model plasters and several techniques for putting them to use. In this video, modeler Jim Eudaly highlights the best products to use and demonstrates specifically how to use the… Read more »
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3:06
Jim Hertzog had no choice but to master concrete model train roads for his Reading Railroad layout as they are typical of Pennsylvania. Concrete can be tricky to recreate as its subject to cracking and breaking over a period of time. Jim has developed a simple method of creating concrete roads by using styrene and… Read more »
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5:50
Jim Hertzog’s Reading model railroad layout is built on narrow shelves of about 12-16 inches, meaning the seams are fairly shallow. He developed a way to avoid running into scenic issues while working with limited horizontal shelf space. Because Pennsylvania has a very mountainous terrain, Jim was able to work vertically with the model foliage… Read more »
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9:38
Model scenery begins to appear realistic with the integration of foliage. It brings dimension and detail to a model railroad layout. With such importance, making trees for model railways can be a tedious step in your designing process. Typical railway scenes require vast amounts of greenery. The process can be especially exhausting if you are… Read more »
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2:46
George Sellios is notorious for the eye catching model railroad scenes in his Franklin and South Manchester layout. Look closely and you will find city folk scattered all around. Scenes of fishermen, window-shoppers, farmers, policemen, and pedestrians bring the layout to life. Incorporating accessories into trackside scenes does an incredible job of transforming your layout… Read more »
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