Flashlights

Landscaping and picking out the scenery can be one of the more fun things that you can do with your model railroads. You are the person who gets to decide just how you want it to look.

You can make it look as realistic or imaginary as you choose. Creating your display just takes an idea, supplies and a little time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to duplicate an existing landscape?

- Do you want a faithful historical recreation of a place now lost in time?

- Are you more likely to create a one of a kind scene to delight your viewers?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Ideally those you invite to view your work will see a delightful scene and the harder they look the more detail enforcing that scene they will find. Nothing is more enjoyable then hearing those delighted squeals as a viewer notices ever more subtle details as they come closer and closer and the key to that is consistency.

Once you have a plan for the theme you need to decide on track placement and terrain. Many modelers create the terrain and then try to force the track to follow through that, just as occurs in real life ” but one of the advantages of modeling vs. real life is that you can consider all aspects and requirements up front. If you know you will have a bend or a switch at certain points why design rough terrain that you will then try to overcome with ‘grading’ in your models at those points?

Next you should collect your materials ” some items you can find around the house, others you may wish to purchase from dealers such as www.oakridgehobbies.com and www.jttmicroscale.com or your local hobby shop but always stay true to your plan. Just because you find an amazing little miniature you long to use doesn’t mean it belongs in this model! Common materials you will need include:

1. Tables or Stands 2. Plywood (preferably outdoor grade) for base if using stands 3. Glues 4. Twigs, ‘dirt’ gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover 5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds etc. 6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping 7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Some other items you may include:

- Fiberglass or plaster – Powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper for adding texture and color – Cork paper or board – Roofing tar for roads – Caulk and adhesives for holding items secure

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