Cover or Paint

[traindaddy1]

We are in the process (again) of reconstructing the larger layout. The surface area has been expanded and more track has been added.

Now, we are discussing the landscape. On the old layout, we used the Readygrass cover. It worked very well. But, with more space, we have to factor in the cost.

One alternative, since it is a postwar classic toy train layout with Plasticville, is to just paint. (Green for grass, brown for roads, gray for highways etc.)

Aside from the "if it floats your boat" comments, what do you think?

As always, many thanks.

[fifedog]

Both.

I use ordinary household paint on bare areas, and immediately follow with a covering of ground foam, so that the scenery adheres to the paint, thus avoiding any potential bare spots.  Work in 1 foot square sections, wisping (blowing with a straw) the unused ground foam onto the next painted area.  Only cover what can be seen, so no need to put foliage under buildings, track, or any space that can't be viewed.

[jwse30]

I think all the wood should be painted even if it is getting covered with grasspaper or anything else. I would think the paint would seal the wood at least a little bit which could prevent warping later. If you paint the boards, try to find a gallon of light colored "oops" paint at your local hardware store and then use it for your first coat. Since the plywood is going to suck up all of the first coat anyway, why use expensive paint? But do make sure that whatever paint you are going to use as a final coat is compatible with the oops paint you choose. If you go with a light color, you can paint the underside of the plywood as well, which will help you see better under the table.

 

On my modules for the club I am in, I painted everything either pale blue, pale green, or dark brown. I had three cans of paint left over from various projects around the house. I ended up not having to buy any paint for them, but they are only about 10 sq ft each.

 

The suggestion about ground foam is good, but that can get expensive too. A less expensive alternative would be the green sawdust that Life Like (and others) sells, or at least used to.

 

You could also start out with painted plywood, and gradually add ground foam or sawdust as portions of the layout are completed. The problem with this is that it would be better to start in the least accessible parts of the layout and work your way to the edges, so you don't mess up areas you've already completed. I would imagine the parts most people would want to finish first would be the most visible (likely the most accessible).

 

Myself, I like the painted plywood, and is what I have on two of my layouts. It makes rearranging the Plasticville buildings a lot easier, as they are always on a relatively flat surface.

 

Hope this helps,

 

J White

 

[traindaddy1]

Fifedog, JWSE30: 

Thanks, so much, for your imput. Really appreciate it.

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Since I'm on top of blue foam, I paint it a color of mud and then sprinkle various colors of grass on the wet paint, similiar to Fifedog.  I also can take the foam and make small mounds or depressions so that it is not as flat as a board. 

See the track power light in both photos for a reference point.

[Penny Trains]

If you're after the look of a Lionel factory display, undyed sawdust sprinkled on green paint woud replicate what they did way back when.  They did have ground foam at their disposal, but they dyed it in house because it wasn't a commercial hobby product at the time.

Tan or light grey also seemed to be the colors of choice for roads.  On the showroom layouts they also used sand for roads which is another low cost alternative to consider.  I have ready grass glued to my 4 by 6 bedroom layout and I make roads by gluing white sand to strips of posterboard.  That way I can change things around easily and remove the roads after the holidays when I change the layout from postwar tribute to a more scale-like operation.

Becky

[traindaddy1]

Buckeye Riveter: Penny Trains:

Thanks for the photos and your collective advice. A lot to consider.