Ground Cover Basics
No one item brings a model railroad or diorama to life than the addition of realistic and detailed ground cover. Regardless of the type of terrain, this relatively inexpensive step of the building process will do more to create the overall look of realism and scale fidelity to one’s own modeling. Happily, with the wide availability of scenery products, one doesn’t have to be an artist to create both attractive and believable scenery.
No one item brings a model railroad layout or diorama
to life than the addition of realistic and detailed ground cover. Regardless of the type of terrain your railroad op- erates through, this relatively inexpensive step of the building process will do more to create the overall look of realism and scale fidelity to one’s modeling. Happily, with the wide availability of scenery products, one does- n’t have to be an artist to create both attractive and be- lievable scenery. Adding ground cover consists of a series of steps
where consecutive layers of color and texture are added to a scene. Frequently, the finished look of a scene begins once the bench work is completed but before the first sec- tion of track is laid. This begins by laying out the struc- tures and scenic features over the general track plan to gauge both the spacing and design. Once satisfied, the track and basic terrain can be laid in place. The first layer of the ground cover process is accom- plished by sealing and painting the competed terrain base. This not only will provide consistent color should some of the later scenery items be chipped by handling but will also serve as a good base for scenery adhesives to adhere. An inexpensive earth tinted interior latex house paint works well for this application. In addition to this base color we frequently use a spray spatter paint to add additional texture to the scenery base. These are
available branded as Floquil Diorama Sprays from hob- by retailers or in larger spray cans branded for several manufacturers from the local home improvement or hardware store. With the base paint dry, the next stage is to add a layer
of earth to this base. There are a number of options avail- able to the modeler to use. These range from dried and screened real soil to various colors of finely ground foam. This is a matter of choice and availability for the builder. The loose earth is held in place by a coat of diluted scenery cement. Once the earth is applied over the glue,
S8 EASY SCENERY TIPS 2012 • SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN MAGAZINE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116