Hi folks,
A friend of ours has decided to turn her Christmas train under the tree into a permanent layout. The layout is currently running. She has asked me to recommend a source of information for how to build scenery.
I searched the Kalmbach on line store but I could only find one magazine that directly addressed the topic, and it was paired with a second magazine that discussed industries. She doesn't need the industry information, and the cost for the two books is steep IMHO.
Can anyone recommend a source of scenery construction information? Is there an out of print book that might help?
I would offer to help her myself but I have very little experience with building scenery. I don't want to inflict my learning curve on her.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The best source for scenery for me is Luke Towan's Boulder Creek Railroad (BCR) YouTube Videos. His work is outstanding! He goes into great detail on every project. https://www.bouldercreekrailroad.com/Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Aging is not for wimps.
Lots of choices
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/search?q=scenery
The Information Station downloadable products aren't expensive.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Dave, given that she is not building an empire, you might want to look for a book that's a bit more introductory, like "Three railroads you can build" type. Do you have a LHS? I would go there and look for that type of book and look for one with foam scenery.
Anyway, that's my two-cents worth.
Simon
Buy "how to build relistic model scenery", so good I used to have two copys. Was accually able to e-mail a conversation with him a few times.
RR_MelThe best source for scenery for me is Luke Towan's Boulder Creek Railroad (BCR) YouTube Videos. His work is outstanding! He goes into great detail on every project.
Thanks Mel.
DSchmittLots of choices https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/search?q=scenery
Hi DSchmitt:
I did a search for Kalmbach publications using the 'Shop' option in the header on the main forum page. I got nowhere near the number of choices that your link showed. In fact there were no comprehensive books listed. I guess this is yet another glitch in the software. Very frustrating!
Thanks for your help!
snjroyDo you have a LHS?
Hi Simon,
There are a couple of hobby shops but they are both about an hour away, and their prices are scary! I don't know how they stay in business.
I searched Amazon and found a book titled "How To Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery" by Dave Frary, so I ordered it for our friend. I think that is the same book that rrebell suggested. She is a very talented artist and sculptor so I don't think she will have any trouble creating great scenery.
Thanks,
I have that book Dave and it is excellent. The advantage of the more basic books is that they cover all aspects of a small layout and are a bit more to the point. Frary's book is a long read... but it is a goldmine for sure.
Go with books/webpages that keep things easy. It doesn't seem that the person has a lot of time/money to devote to making artwork.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments.
I have not tried the techniques yet but I have this beautiful book called "How to build realistic model railroad scenery" by Dave Frary. It's part of the Model Railroad book collection.
Stef
In addition to Luke, Kathy Millatt has Utube videos on scenery and many useful techniques.
Joe
Youtube is my first go-to, better than any book IMO.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I also like Luke Towan's videos but I think that the "Marklinofsweden" video series is better geared toward novices, even though the host achieves some very realistic results. I recently tried his "toilet paper and glue" technique to model the water in an N scale harbor scene and, even though it was the simplest and easiest method of modeling water I have ever tried, the results are fantastic!
Hornblower
More great suggestions!
Thanks guys!
WS has numerous videos on scenery.
Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders by Lou Sassi is an excellent book. It takes expert techniques and makes them seem easy. Step-by-step
-Matt