5 Simple Tips For Great Model Scenery (116)

Scenery is one of those things that can make or break a model railroad, which is probably why it is such a popular topic in the hobby magazines and on YouTube. In this video I'll share with you my simple tips for creating great model scenery, from the basic theory to actual selection of materials to match your model railroad prototype.

[SleeTheSloth]

Great video. I'd like to see your take on ballast. While there is no real right or wrong way to model something, I have always been bothered by those whom put ballast down first. A coat of primer paint Brown, tan or some sort of green even before the track is laid. Then dirt and some grass right up to the ties. You can always come back and add more grass later but you need that first coat of ground cover in first. Then one should consider weathering there track. Next we added ballast. As you said you can see the pink foam or white showing threw and how that tares up the scene. Ballast has the same problem.

[MojaveModelRailroad]

To add the effect of sunlight instead of foam I will hit the trees with just a touch of yellow from my airbrush at a distance. You can also just hit it with a touch of yellow spray paint again from a distance before putting it on the layout. Another great video Larry.

[jefferykeeper]

I use oops latex paint something like a dark brown make a wash then mix the plaster in the wash, I read about this trick in Model Railroader some years ago.

[bobainsworth]

Nice video Larry. I can't replace my backdrops so where I could I painted a tree over the seam and then sprayed dulcoat over it. In other places I stuck a tree in front of it but not where it would produce a shadow. Still other I place a building. It worked in most places. Also when I cut out sky I painted the white edges the color on the print not black which was the trend years ago. That really works well. Again enjoy your videos keep them coming.
Bob

[mandbhomestead]

Larry, great video on doing scenery. Appreciate you sharing some of your tricks with us. I am taking notes for my layout. Thanks for sharing and stay safe. Ken

[briggfranklin]

Did you show in an earlier episode how you built the gauntlet track bridge and power the frogs at each end? I have a gauntlet bridge on a swing gate at the entrance to my layout and am wiring it now. thanks for your interesting shows. Capt. Brigg Franklin, Pacific Cascade Railway in HO gauge.

[canyonpast]

I so enjoy your videos. Thanks for making the hobby great. Keep it up.

[bob]

I'm within days of tackling adding scenic elements such as ground cover, trees, bushes, etc. so this video was extremely helpful and timely. Thanks for branching off from DCC to cover this topic. I'm looking forward to your upcoming seamless extended backdrop video, too.

[joeraderblackrockcentralrr]

great tips Larry. We can all use these tips and ideas

[vincenthuying]

Dear Larry, now that’s a great natural view. How the backdrop fades into the blue of the horizon on the matching greens in the forefront. Great tips, thank you 🙏

[peterjhillier]

What a really excellent Video, love your ideas for the Backdrop especially that lovely misty, blue effect of the distant Views. You can understand what they mean about the Blue Mountains. It is always difficult to get that transition between the actual model Trees/Bushes and Photo Backdrop. Thank you for great Videos.

[billbarnes]

Lots of foot traffic around the bridge, did I miss trail system along the river.

[ianmugford]

g'day Larry! just wondering what scale size your bridge sections are?