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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9:36Creating Realistic Aspen Trees with Martin Tarnrot
In this Model Railroad Academy video, modeler Martin Tarnrot will demonstrate how to make model trees, specifically Aspen trees. Aspen trees can be trickier to model because of their unique pattern and colors. Martin makes the trunk and branches from 0.03 inch thick steel wire. He starts the process by cutting 12 pieces of wire…
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12:53Creating Asphalt Roads with Martin Tarnrot
In this video, modeler Martin Tarnrot demonstrates how he models asphalt roads for model railroad layouts. Though modeling asphalt may seem simple, with the right technique, it can elevate a railroad to the next level. The base Martin uses for his diorama is a two inch thick styrofoam. The actual road is made from a…
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11:38Take a Tour of Bill Brigg’s Layout
Bill Brigg’s Musselshell and Yogo Peak railroad layout is a stunning example of what can be done with unique backgrounds and scenery. Jump on the Musselshell and Yogo Peak model train and take a tour of this fantastic layout. As the train moves through its circuit, watch as the backdrop changes from sunsets, to rain…
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13:02Static Grass Fundamentals with Martin Tarnrot
In this video, modeler Martin Tarnrot discusses the creation of grass covered ground surfaces on model railroad layouts. This will include a look back at techniques of the past and what is done currently. Before the static grass that modelers commonly use today, grass was made from fake fur. To color them, Martin uses a…
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5:04Modeling Wooden Planks with Martin Tarnrot
In this video lesson with Martin Tarnrot, learn how to model wooden planks for your model railroad layout. These wood planks can be adapted for any scale from N and upwards and are a good match for layouts set in the early days of lumber and saw mills. Martin uses one sixteenth of an inch…
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16:17Scratch Building Tunnel Portals with Martin Tarnrot
In this video lesson, modeler Martin Tarnrot demonstrates how he scratch builds tunnel portals for model railroad layouts. Martin uses two inch thick styrofoam to create his portals. Thin styrofoam sheets are also a good alternative if you don’t want to cut the foam yourself. To cut the foam, he uses a styrofoam cutter he…
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3:44Modeling a Forest Hill with Martin Tarnrot
In this video, modeler Martin Tarnrot will demonstrate how he models a forest hill without making any actual model railroad trees. Martin makes them smaller than they would normally be to enhance the forced perspective. To begin, Martin shows a forest that is close to where he lives. One can notice that there is a…
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17:32Modeling a Harbor with Martin Tarnrot
In this video, modeler Martin Tarnrot will demonstrate how he models harbors. When it comes to model railroad scenery techniques, harbors are a beautiful and unique way to add more operations to a layout. The wooden jetty and stone dock are scratch built and will also be demonstrated in this video. The scratch build of…
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4:11Techniques for Resin and Etch
In this video, modeler Martin Tarnrot will paint, assemble and weather a resin and etch model railroad kit. These kits require special attention for cleaning and priming. The model will be a Ford TT truck from the 1920s. The kit contains both from resin modeled parts and etched based parts. He is using a kit…
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