hey there all,gettin ready to start a lay got a bunch a stuff but need some good info for almost newbe ,odered one book called.." the new sceanery & techniques" its good but non of the basic stuff balesting ,rocks ,terrain.ect ..I m planning on foam type sub an terain but need a bit more basic start type of read or dvd .....any suggestions please .....oh Im trying a western moutainous type model...thanks Jerry
Can't go wrong with either of these two sources:
http://www.darrylhuffman.50megs.com/favorite_links.html
http://model-trains-video.com/volume1.php
Robby
Robby Modeling the L&N CV Subdivision in 1978 http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd247/robby-ky/CV%20Subdivision%20Layout/
I will second the reccomendation of Model-Trains-Videos
Also you should check out Joe Fugate's scenery clinic. Joe is the main man over at model-trains-video.com.
Your local public library will have books on landscaping and other model railroad topics. If they don't have it, they can get it for you. All for free, not a bad deal IMHO
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
The scenery bible: Dave Frary, How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery. My other favorite is Lou Sassi, Basic Scenery for Model Railroads.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
Picked these two up on eBay for apx. $20.00 including shipping:
[1] Dave Frary's "The Pennsy Middle Division in HO Scale"...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=9&YR=1996&output=3
Dave Frary takes you from beginning to end of layout construction including scenery. Don't let the Pennsy theme throw you off from the book's strength which is Dave Frary making things so simple, from soup to nuts, so to speak.
[2] Robert Schleicher's "Scenery for Model Railroads, Diaramas and Miniatures"...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=7&YR=1999&output=3
This scenery book is 3/8 inch thick and goes into much greater depth of layout scenery, and; is a wonderful extension-supplement to Dave Frary's excellent work.
P.S.: Here's the "Book & Special Issues" bookmark at "The Model Train Magazine Index" providing the larger picture of print resources available to you...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?L=1&tmpl=tm_book
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
I'll second Joe Fugate's scenery clinic and it too is free. However the best instruction I read saw was the two DVD's from the same website. (model-railroad-something listed above.)
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
After reading a favorable magazine review of Paul Scoles DVD "Advanced Techniques for Realistic Scenry" I ordered a copy directly from Paul Scoles' website. It is superb and I think over two hours in length. Paul models in S scale and I model in N scale but I found that to be no problem, in fact the photography of his S scale layout was easier to see what he was doing than if he was demonstrating in HO or N. I found the first DVD so useful that I ordered his second DVD "Realistic Scenery Vol. 2" from Micro-Mark and found it just as useful although I think it was only about an hour long. I especially liked his short "field trips" explaining how to pick up dirt and other natural scenery materials. Tip - squeeze the dirt in your hand and if it stays clumped together it has clay in it and you should not use it. If the clump falls apart it has no clay and can be readily used. He calls these DVD's "Advanced" but that only means that he assumes your hardshell is already in place and he starts right out with rock castings etc.
I have a dozen scenery books but these two DVD's have been far more useful than all my books combined. Before starting a new project I always go back and review the applicable section of one of Paul's DVD's before actually beginning work on my layout.
MIke B.
If you're using Woodland Scenics subterrain system, you should pick up their DVD on working with their system, has a lot of good tips.