next step on layout

[talon104]

ok, have made the mountains( still need to be painted) and lay'd my track. I set up some houses and streets ( mock -up style) just to get a general idea of what it will look like. now the question; From here where should i go? i need to figure out something that looks like dirt but ,dont really know what is good to use? i live in south texas and i want to get the same looks of the surroundings but , i dont really knwo if i should just use like sand, joint compound colored , or , something else? any suggestions. i got some grass looking paper stuff from a hobby shop in S.A. but dont really nkow if this is going to look right ?
thnks for looking and taking your time.
Chris

[Anonymous]

DONT USE THE GRASS PAPER. They just make messes, not good scenery.


With that out of the way, invest in the woodland scenics scenery manual, one of the best how-to's out there. They, as well as a handful of other companys (Like scenic express) make a ton of great products that will get your layout looking sharp enough in no time. Just gotta put the effort in.

[talon104]

thanks for the reply, i have the model railroader 3rd edition on railrod scenery and alot of this stuff looks great ,and sounds great but where i am (live) it is like talking french to most about what i am looking for. For instance nobody here knows what dullcote is heck, i didnt til i started comming to this forum reading and stuff but ,to ask anyone that works in arts and crafts they give you the deer in the headlight look. Just need ideas on whats suggested that might have good results that is commonly used easy for a first timer and such
thanks for your post
chris.

[Anonymous]

Check out this thread.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32122

Joe Fugat's scenery clinic. Almost everything you ever wanted to know about scenery.

[talon104]

thanks for the help bukwrm ,that is great will be alot of help. I painted some of my mountains today and went ahead and covered my track up with painter tape to keep stuff off it. i might be at a halt i think might need about five or so more building tho ,so i cant really move on anything else till i get them and figure out where everything will go or look the best.
Thanks again for your imput [:)]
Chris

[selector]

What you need to do is to paint with a light (very light) shade of tan and gray latex paint. But, the trick is to do that only when you are also ready to sprinkle ground foam over the wet paint. So, yes, you cover your tracks as you have, paint a couple of square feet with some paint, and then immediately sprinkle ground foam with at least two different shades of green. Three would be better, but the third colour should be a light dusting here and there to look natural. You could later add, placed individually by hand, several dozens of Woodland Scenics "bushes". Let the paint dry, and then overspray the entire kiboodle with a solution of glue to keep the ground foam fixed in place.

Then, rip the tape off the tracks, and run ad is, or ballast, and then run trains. Your choice.

[talon104]

thanks selector, i appreciate the imput. i am going to do that but first i gotta fix my newbie boo boo.[:(] i was coing to glue a road down for the grins and didnt notice it isnt for what i am using, i just read foam and went head on ( now i gotta fix that. got over the frustration and was going to start gluing some green patches on my mountain but i think i mixed my glue to thin, it runs a bit and i am to me doesnt look right when i drop it in the lynch stuff[:(!] so, i am KICKING myself really hard now .
gotta take a step back and re-evaluate things thanks for your input , i always look forward to it
Chris

[selector]

Maybe you aren't in such a bad spot after all. I used Elmer's Carpenter Glue, the slightly off-white stuff, almost yellowish. I diluted it nearly 4/1 with water (only one part glue, four parts water), and added two drops of dish detergent to assist the mixture to penetrate the foam. Spray it on until everything looks good and wet, and then turn on your dehumidifier and leave for 12 hours. It will run in some places, but it dries clear and unnoticeable.

Make sure you clean out your spray gun or spritz bottle nozzle with warm ater before you leave the glue for more than a few hours.

[Medina1128]

To give the ground some texture before painting, I after the base layer of plaster/plaster cloth, I sift some dry plaster, using a plain flour sifter (HINT: Don't use your wife's good one). This gives your base scenery some "teeth", so that the following scenic materials don't just just washed away when you soak it with dilute glue. Then, like mentioned above, I paint it with thinned tan acrylic paint and sprinkle ground foam on it while it's still wet. After the paint has a chance to dry, I give it a good soaking with some diluted white glue. This holds everything in place.

[talon104]

thanks alot fro the imput Medina1128 . I really needed it ! i am finally over my [:(] blues ,and have moved on to try and mend my mistakes[:D] will definatley use your suggestions( just gotta get the glue right [:)] ) to me it seems to runny and run's everywhere LOL. i realize it is basically doing what it is suppost too. just guess i'm too used to glue being glue? Freaked when it ran out from under my bushes i was trying to glue on my mountain and down the mountain side ( kinda left a shinny area there)
And( selector ) i appreciate your word of encouragement and helpful hints ( by the way after i read your reply I ran out and cleaned my nozzle like you told me [;)]) that is why i didnt reply back so quick!~got busy cleaning.
Thanks for your help [8)]
Chris