Fiberglass, Rather Than Plaster, For Outdoor Scenery

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I have recently installed a 90ft layout on one of my redwood decks. This is my first experience with an outdoor railroad.

I want to build four large dioramas and place them at various strategic locations around the layout. Since they will be outside, I was thinking of using fiberglass rather than plaster for the mountains, lakes, etc.

Have any of you ever used fiberglass for this purpose? If so, any pointers that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Junnie

 

[Rastun]

I haven't heard of anyone using fiberglass yet, that doesn't mean it hasn't been done.

I have however heard of a few using burlap soaked in concrete over a chicken wire frame.

Personally my thoughts are heading more towards real rocks, real dirt, real plants, real water you get the idea.

Jack 

[ttrigg]

Junnie
Even if we have yet to hear of anyone using fiberglass yet does not matter. 

If it is a medium that you have experience and are comfortable working in then we would be pleased to hear and see your progress. 

[John Busby]

Hi Junnie

Well I wish I could help but this is a new one on me.

I cannot see any reason it will not work but watch out for those fumes make sure you have a face mask with the right filter for fiberglass fumes and eye protection.

I wish I had some usefull info to impart.

Let us know how you go about it if that plan is followed I can see this idea having value for exhebition layouts where weight vs strength is an issue.

regards John

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all for your input.

I will eventually try the fiberglass and let you know how it works. I have a lot of experience using it to build various parts for my racing biplane.

I plan to lay the cloth directly over a carved foam base. To add detail, and, to attach rock outcroppings, etc. to the fiberglass shell, I will use ordinary Bondo.

As John said, it should be strong and light!

Junnie

[John Busby]

Hi Junnie

Is there any reason the rock faces and outcroppings could not be part of the base moulding.

I got the current Australian Railway Modeler mag today I actually bought it for the track plans of local small loco depots most of which are now gone.

In it some one had done done a fiberglass tunnel complete with rock faces all fiberglass

It was only a small piece done with an auto repair kit or two in HO scale so I would think it could be done in a larger format for G with a depression that was a neat fit for tunnel mouths if that is appropriate. unfortunately the small article which I missed the first time I looked at the mag was lacking in useful technical information.

But as far as I am concerned it proves the concept is valid and therefore adaptable to "G".

Any one know what (and who) the "G" mini layouts if any one still manufactures  them are moulded in

regards John

[Anonymous]

Is there any reason the rock faces and outcroppings could not be part of the base moulding.

John,

I will definitely try to incorporate the outcroppings and other features in the initial moulding, but, I am assuming that some fine details may need to be added later. If so, bondo is quick and easy and adhears very well to fibreglass.

Junnie 

[markn]

I have seen large "fiberglas" rocks advertised on some home/garden web sites  to cover telephone junction boxes etc, you probably can do it cheaper yourself but check it out-may get some ideas.

Google "artificial rocks" and you will get several sites. 

[FJ and G]

Hi Junnie,

I’ve never used fiberglass for mountains (I once built a fiberglass canoe so I’m familiar with using the material). Sorry I can’t comment on how it might work for mountains, but perhaps you can do a small test and share your results. I'm esp. intrigued with using fiberglass for the water feature. Other than ready made fiberglass water features, I've never yet read about building one with fiberglass. Most books just focus on concrete or rubber linings of various types or even clay.

I’ve been told that plaster contains gypsum so might decay. Of course real rock decays too so what the heck.

I’d like to point you to a person who uses redwood benchwork. He has inspired me a lot (Richard Smith). In the first link, you can see how he shaped terrain. The last 2 posts don’t include mountains but are interesting nonetheless.

Also, thanks for helping me with the R/C issue.

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40764&whichpage=1&SearchTerms=bridge

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=34840&SearchTerms=building

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37808&SearchTerms=building

[ttrigg]

Every year at the San Diego County Fair, there are tons of fiberglass waterfalls on display for sale.  I thought I had a few pics of them but couldn't find them.  At last years fair there was one that had a pool with approximate size of 12 foot by 15 foot, and the water fall about 8 foot tall and wrapped around the two back sides of the pond.  This thing was huge. It was designed to fit in a back corner of your yard.

The pump drew water off the pond and went to a supply manifold where 2 two inch and 12~15 one inch clear rubber hoses ran to different "waterfalls".  The flow of water was controlled by valves at the manifold.  Now the question of how did it look?  Well lets just say I had top on it with my fingers to make sure it was fiberglass, even after looking at the back side.

If anyone is interested, I'm at the fair on the 10th of June for a 4H Dog Show.  I can steal away for a few minutes and grab a bunch of pictures of them. 

Drop me an email here and I'll send you a link to view them. 

[ttrigg]

As we were talking previously, here are a few rocks I saw this weekend at the San Diego County Fair.  BTW these rocks are made from fiberglass.





These waterfalls are also fiberglass;





If you are skilled at working in fiberglass it is very possible to build a magnificent scene.

[Anonymous]

Tom,

Thanks for the pictures...as you said, based on the way they look, there is no reason that fiberglass couldn't be used in place of plaster for creating realistic and weather proof hills and mountains for use outdoors.

Junnie

[FJ and G]

thanks, Tom, I would have never guessed they are fiberglass; I may try that myself someday