Thank you all. I have some great idea's now. Time to get to work!!
Robert
I favor Sculptamold for dirt roads. After I apply it and it starts setting up, I run a car through it a few times to get the ruts. Make sure the wheels on the car you use turn. After it is dry I paint it. The color depends on the dirt color in the areas closes to it. (Not all dirt is the same color.)
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I've used artists texture paste, plaster and water putty for dirt roads, with a preference for the texture paste.
For the gravel look I get a hammer and pound up pebbles, keeping all the bits including the fine dust which is the best of all.
To me it's important I don't get too coarse a surface.
This one is texture paste - still wet in the first photo
Crushed shellgrit is useful too, and much easier to pound or grind into something finer. I used it on this one, along with water putty...
The shellgrit is quite yellow but no matter what I use I always paint it up to match the soil colour I want.
Good luck with yours!
Mike
P.S. Just remembered - I used some pastel dust over the last one. It really helps with the soily look.
Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0
Here worthy read for paved and dirt roads
http://s145079212.onlinehome.us/rr/howto/roads/index.shtml
ratled
Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”
I'm kind of fond of Rustoleum Desert Bisque texture paint in a rattle can.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Many people do use plaster or joint compound for dirt roads, though you can get away with just a stripe of earth color paint. Just remember, if you want ruts, put them in before it dries. After the base is dry, select a paint close to your earth color, paint the road, then sprinkle on some very fine dirt.
I have just brought the road up to my grade crossing with Sculptamold and wil finish the road with joint compound. More ruts on the farmers dirt road than on the town dirt road.
Have fun,
I'm having a real time with this dirt road!!!! I have always looked at a model of a dirt road and though that is was made with plaster, and then painted a dirt color. OR....is sifting fine sand, and then painting that the better?
Please help....traffic is backing up, and the farmers are getting out of thier trucks and shouting real bad things at me!!!!!