How To Make Hills & Embankments - Model Railway Basics: Episode Four

Have you ever wondered how to make hill & embankments for your model railway? Well then this tutorial is for you!

Hi everyone, I'm back again with another episode of Model Railway Basics, the tutorial series where I walk you through all the basic skills you'll need to build your own model railway. In this episode we finally get to do some modelling as we set work on the landscaping. Adding hills and embankments to your model railway can really transform your layout as it makes the landscape so much more interesting to look at.

In this video I'll show you how I do it on my layout using recycled polystyrene, mod roc (or plaster bandage) and modelling compound/sculptamould. As always there are lots of different techniques out there and the way I demonstrate here is just one of many so feel free to make it your own and adapt it for your own uses.

Products Used: (affiliate links)

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Shaping The Polystyrene
02:58 - Gluing Everything In Place
04:27 - Creating A Modroc Surface
06:57 - Filling In The Gaps

Thanks for watching!

[paulalexander]

Returning and rebuilding my Dad’s railway since he passed away. Thank you this is really helpful material.

[tonypetts]

As I've stated before your videos are nicely informative and helpful for beginners. You follow good practice with your methods without passing on any bad habits. Best of all it is always to the point, and you do not spend half an hour explaining something that takes a few minutes.
Keep the videos coming and keep up the good work.

[edwardmullins]

thank you sir iv got back in to the hobby at 24 years old got my set from argos as a gift when i was 14 you given me some ideas with hills to try out

[NorthernBandit]

I like your approach here...I will be starting a layout in the near future and you have sparked my imagination. Thank you!

[Eclipse]

Just got a couple of new train sets for my project, so I have a good amount of this stuff to make some hills! More efficient than having to buy some right away. I love sets, as they come with more track, the train itself, and this packing foam which will add up to quite a bit of purchased individually! Great video!

[What_If_We_Tried]

Fantastic little tutorial, and since I am planning my first layout, I think I'll follow your example here, and start with a mini-diorama to practice on first. * subscribed *

[willbreckinridge]

I've been binge-watching your videos lately, and now my entire Youtube feed is That Model Railway Guy videos.

[SouthDown]

Plenty more food for thought. You make this look very easy. As always, thank you for sharing.

[shawnpowell]

Awesome video and glad you had an episode on using casting material bcuz that's what I have in mind to upgraded land areas on my layout. Thanks for sharing this video and am definitely interested in the different topics you talk about.

[sgszvjt]

Another helpful video!

I've been working out how to do this myself and I'd more or less got it sorted, but the extra tips you've thrown in have been really useful. My plan is slowly coming together.

Thank you.

[rodneymcgiveron]

Great. Loving your terrific used to use plaster bandage but I ended up making my own, ,I bought cheap disposable kitchen roll and cut it into strips like you did ..I made a more watery mix of casting plaster you can buy cheap at any hardware outlet and soaked the strips in it ...takes a little while to dry but once it is it works great ..I have made larger hills on my layout that way after using chicken wire and cardboard lattice bases..The best bit of model rail is how inventive it can be .. On my rock faces I use real rock embedded into the hill..As I walk in the bush with my dogs I often find shale that is lightweight perfect for this job and looks realistic because it is .. My layout is an HO scale 4.5 metres x 3 metres modern era U.S. BNSF DCC one..Although I'm in Australia it allows me big scope but one day I want to build a BHP Billiton Ore layout set in Australia ..With more Aussie manufacturers coming on line making Aussie stuff you don't need to take out a second mortgage for it'd be great to model my home country stuff one day..

[HChris]

A very useful video. Was planning on starting the scenic work this weekend, and there's some good little tips here. Keep up the great vids!

[TankEngine]

I got some modrock a while back and had been looking for a tutorial on it. This video will definitely come in handy.

[johne]

Your baseboard ends are a unique and clever idea.

[a.r.productions]

Another great installment. Can't wait to see more :D

[Theoriginalborgy]

I really like your videos, I'm a bit gun shy for finishing the scenery I've never do it before.As a child I had a board with track pinned down with a few building that was it. Now I build my baseboards from (1") 25mm thick sheet of polystyrene fully covered in paper mache painted off white (left over paint from decorating) which helps to prevent warping and then add a wooden frame like yours. Not only can I build up but also I can carve down below the track level adding extra polystyrene on the under side if needed . I re paper mache the whole top and paint in patches of colours, grey for roads & paths, green for grass and blue for any water. that's as far as I have got. Next do I use flock or static grass, what to use for a road surface?... All the decisions I've been putting off. Looking forward to the next great tutorial.

[Captainpubwatch]

Another comment on the video - but - for anyone watching what you say at 4:50 is really important. I needed A LOT more plaster bandage than I would have expected. I had three 3 metre rolls for a three foot embankment and needed to get more as I only had one layer on a large part of it. Something I won’t forget for anymore hills and effects!

[modelrailfan]

Something worth mentioning at some point if your doing hills in another video is that hot glue works well for sticking the foam down, so long as your quick with it.

[billaggel]

Hello, this recording as well as all the other ones especially for beginners are extremenly helpful; million thanks!

I was wondering if you have any plans for making a recording of how-to-build inclines also, instead of having only flat model railways?

[funkid]

i hear to make some hills for my large layout is in my room permanent thx this is helpful