Budget Model Railroad Ground Cover - DIRT!

How-To Realistic Ground Cover - Simple Method and Budget Supplies
Looks like real dirt - because it is REAL DIRT!

In this video I show just how easy it is to create believable and realistic ground cover using a quick, easy and inexpensive method.

There are many methods out there that can produce excellent effects. This is simply, one method of many.

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INFORMATION:

TRACKSIDE SCENERY
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[praingmantis]

On my 4th and latest layout, I decided to use real sand in some spots. Until this video, I never considered using real dirt. Thank you for giving me a cheap and easy idea for my roads. So simple!

[Mydadsshed]

I think you should wear it FOR having a Facebook photo. Great tutorial. Thanks - after 2 years your video is helping an old fella (It was miniatures or lawn bowls, so here I am). Cheers sir.

[monsvillerailways]

Good tips.
As an alterative to hair spray you can drench the dirt with dilute PVA glue to seal it and lock it in.
Happy Modelling

[WigWagWorkshop]

Another awesome and informative video Joey! Appreciate you putting out these inspiring videos

[WHJeffB]

I've watched a few of your videos this morning... Great techniques!!! Sanding the dirt (or sand if that's what you use) is a great idea! Knocks down some of the particles that appear to nearly float and it really lightens up the surface of the dirt.

Your bushes/vines video was fantastic too... My only question with both techniques. Do you find that the holding power of hair spray diminishes over time? I've used it in the past to make polyfiber bushes and found that over time, the hair spray dried out and the foam would fall off the polyfiber. I'm using the bushes on a pair of modules I occasionally take to shows, so they get bumped around. Maybe that's where I'm going wrong, or I could just be using the wrong hair spray.

[chadportenga]

One thing I'd do if you're using on an operational model railroad (and not a diorama) is to put a magnet in a ziplock bag and run it through the dirt. You can "clean" the magnet off by peeling the bag off of it. Now, repeat the process. Do this until there is nothing on the bag. Much of the earth's crust has iron in it. The dirt is made from the earth's crust. That means, much of your dirt has iron in it. Iron dust and the magnets in your locomotives don't play nice together. (Neither do other electronics, like switch machines, etc.)

[luccislayout]

Awesome video! Thank you for the tips!

[rjl]

thank you for the great detail video thank share

[GPSWRR]

Enjoying the vids. Thought i would try the real dirt idea. How do you get the dirt smell out?

[vincenthuying]

Dirt King galore, best dirt vid ever!

[joedelusso]

here in NC we have both sand and dirt which I use both in a simular fashion depending on the area i'm modeling..

[dennisbrowder]

Wow great lookin' dirt I have tried light looking dirt from my yard but it looks to dark ehrn i get it inside ?

[davidcurtis]

Or a madness to your method. After all, you are pretty nutty!! Love the dog. Does he bite when you do the bad jokes??

[jameskellam]

Looks like you ballasted the track before you added the dirt. And in the finish pics the dirt looked a different color and it looks like 2 different colors of dirt was used?

[johnnyjrotten]

That 60s blender is worth $100 to a collector - pity its been grounded.