Is having real water on a layout a good idea? It would be non moving and be a pond. Is real water ok or should I find someway to make "fake" water?
Brody
There are some layouts that have real water on them. However, the real water can create maintenance problems like leaks and stuff that might grow in stagnent water. Water does not mix very well with electricity either.
There are, many ways to simulate water on a layout from using tinted casting resins, painted aluminium foil, paints and glazes, to name a few. I have not personally tried any of these methods, but I'll bet there is somebody on this forum who has.
You might try a search on the forum for modeling water to see what turns up.
Good luck.
The ChooChoo Barn in Strasburg, Pa. uses real water in a few spots around their layout. Several people have suggested I do the same, but I haven't really looked into the best way to seal it up yet. It does look great when done well, but that will need to be measured against the amount of work required.
I do know that even your "pond" would need a pump and a filter. Without those, that water will get real rank, real fast. If you do it, let us know how it works out.
Brody,
Here is a tread from last December on the same subject that may be of help.
http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/212739.aspx
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
I believe real water is just an invitation for disaster at it's worst. We have a wonderful fake water falls that goes into a beautiful lake/pond and we are very pleased. I think real water just opens a can worms that I want no part of, just my .02.
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Keep in mind that water dosent dry up it evaporates ,moisture is something I would not want in my train room. Bleach something that should not be any where near a Classic Toy Train room. I also keep a dehumidifier running during the summer, just to keep the moisture in check. There are a lot of products out there that look like real water, much better choice. Mike
Strongly recommend you just say "no" to real water on a toy train layout, however the final decision, of course, is yours.
Pete
"You can’t study the darkness by flooding it with light." - Edward Abbey -
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