City Streets

[NorthsideChi]

wow, impressed with how realistic the EVA foam looks!  Besides its appearance, there's a critical function it could perform on my layout which is modular.  The streets panels need to lay in, so the flexible foam could overhang the panel slightly to compress and avoid any gaps from my uneven craftsmanship

[John-NYBW]

Wayne_PRR

I am finally onto creating my city.  It is around 1950.  I am looking to add city streets.  I thought, first, that I could paint streets.  But that looks bad.  So then I started looking at "streets for sale," such as Walthers, Busch (SceneMaster), and Easy Streets.  Any ideas?  Or, is there a good way to make my own that doesn't look like "paint on a board?"   Thanks!!

 

I use styrene strips to frame the streets, then use a paving material for the streets. I've tried a number of different paving materials butd last year got good results using tile grout which give a much longer working time over plaster type materials. I can even create a slight crown in it. I then paint and weather it. The styrene strips are then used as a base to for the sidewalks. I've also tried using styrene for the streets but have been less satisfied with the results. 

[richhotrain]

Wayne_PRR

Rich, your layout looks great!  Don't put yourself down!

So, how do you paint your pin stripes?  And, what do you use for your sidewalks?

Thanks. 

[Wayne_PRR]

Rich, your layout looks great!  Don't put yourself down!

So, how do you paint your pin stripes?  And, what do you use for your sidewalks?

[gmpullman]

Wayne_PRR

Ed, Really looks nice!  What did you use for the sidewalks?

In most cases I used the Walthers sidewalks with their separate curb pieces. They also have aprons for driveways that are handy. Other places I used plain styrene, maybe .060-.080 with scribed lines for control joints. Then others are the sidewalks supplied in some of the Bachmann 'city' line of structures you see in my downtown scenes.

Thanks, Ed

[richhotrain]

After looking at Ed's photos, I shouldn't even bother to post my own, but I use 0.010" styrene sheet, painted gray and pin striped, to simulate streets in 1955 downtown Chicago.

Rich

 

[Wayne_PRR]

Ed, Really looks nice!  What did you use for the sidewalks?  Thanks!

[gmpullman]

I use a product called EVA foam for many of my paved street scenes:

Store_Office by Edmund, on Flickr

Rexall_closer by Edmund, on Flickr

I either use black which I overspray with grey primer or grey that I overspray with flat black. There is a tan color that can represent concrete but I haven't used much of that as most of my streets are asphalt paving. I get either 1 or 2 mm thickness.

This is EVA foam that I made to look like it has been patched and the cracks tarred.

Chem_pave-tar4 by Edmund, on Flickr

It is easy to work with and I use a spray contact cement adhesive to lay it down over a base of Genesis PVC panels to make a smooth sub-surface.

With fine art pens I add further cracks:

Asphalt_Crossing by Edmund, on Flickr

Rexall_nite-2 by Edmund, on Flickr

There are places where I've used the Walthers brick or concrete street pieces just for variety. Most older cities you'll see a variety of several paving methods.

Autos at the depot-Dodge by Edmund, on Flickr

Union Station by Edmund, on Flickr

IMG_3238_fix_web by Edmund, on Flickr

Good Luck, Ed

[Wayne_PRR]

I am finally onto creating my city.  It is around 1950.  I am looking to add city streets.  I thought, first, that I could paint streets.  But that looks bad.  So then I started looking at "streets for sale," such as Walthers, Busch (SceneMaster), and Easy Streets.  Any ideas?  Or, is there a good way to make my own that doesn't look like "paint on a board?"   Thanks!!