hi i am not totally new to this my dad and his dad have had ho layouts i want to build a desert mabye a canyon in there too i am very limited i have never made/applied ground cover or any thing like that. this is the link to my layout
http://www.thortrains.net/poorhod.html
mine is the 4th one down on the right however i am using 18'' instead of 15'' and i made the spur in the top mid-right complete a second oval also any tips ,thanks alot, sorry its so long :>)
I would check out the local library for the Kalmbach books on model railroads. My local library had about a dozen of them. Some are dedicated to just doing scenery, where others cover only laying track, others cover the whole project (just in less detail). There are links at the top of the page that will take you to a page that will show the various books available.
I mention the library because it is a place you can check them out for free and do not need to wait to get them. Read through them, purchase any you think would bennefit you.
bootleg - First off ----> .
It's kinda cool your living in the Northeast, but want to build your scenery in the desert. I don't know what books/videos you're using for inspiration, but you may want to check out www.railpictures.net for some great rr photography. I'm guessing you like BNSF or UP, so place those in the banner, then under the states banner, try Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.
Have fun, and hope this helps.
as well. My self, I prefer 2 main lines like the sixth one. Lot of folks get bored with one main line. One thing I would recommend is mounting wheels on the new bench, 4 foot is a stretch to work on if against a wall.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Some more advice... I have a little more time now.
Avoid any elevation changes. Using the recommended max grade, you do not have much potential for changes in track height. You definitely don't have enough room for any over under type stuff. One of the most common materials used for the base is extruded foam. It can be easily cut or carved to create ditches, rivers, hills etc... I would keep the track flat and carve the foam to create the elevation changes.
If you get a couple cans of flat latex paint in shades of sand or desert, that will do a lot for creating the look you are looking for. The latex paint can be used as the glue for additional ground cover too. Paint an area with the tan flat paint, then sprinkle the ground foam or other material you might choose to create more texture. I think you could get a pretty good start just using the earth tone flat paints, though, while you are working other aspects of the layout.
The canned foam insulation works great for making mountains or cliffs. When it expands, it creates a very irregular surface, that can be used as part of the final contour of a hill or rock formation. Examples of the canned foam insulation can be seen in some of the books and online.
http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/polar_express_2.htm
That is a link to someone using the extruded foam and spray foam to create a mountain. There better examples out there, but this shows the design process.
thanks guys p.s. i am 13 i used to live out west in nevada i love the sight of desert and stuff like that this is "my" first layout it is going to fit in alittle indent in my wall that is 4 by 6 so its a pefect fit i also have a table but i did not nail my track yet because i am unsure of my exact layout i also have lots of track from an old layout 8x15 so i am open to ideas thanks again
Check out the December 1998 issue of model railroader
Dave Fray's cactus valley layout it is a 4x8 though
Rich
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