Gravel piles

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could use sand to simulate scale gravel, because sand is actualy very small gravel.

[tstage]

Perry,

That'll work. EFI works great for scenery, tunnels, rocks - and it's less expensive than wood. The one downside is that it's messy...

Tom

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tom great idea. Just so happens there building some houses down the street .

[tstage]

FK,

If you have access to a small piece of extruded foam insulation (like the pink stuff in my layout below), you can easily shape and form it with a rasp or form tool. Once you get the general "pile" shape and size that you want, spread a layer of Elmer's glue all over it, cover it with gravel (Woodland Scenics makes several types and sizes or kitty litter might work), and let it dry. Wallah! - a light weight gravel pile that you can move all around your layout.

Let me know how that works for you. [:)]

Tom

FK: A word on obtaining extruded foam insulation (EFI). Ask at a construction site in your area to see if they have some scrap EFI laying around. They use this stuff all the time and will probably have scrap pieces sitting in the dumpster somewhere. Do ask permission FIRST, if it's okay to take a piece.)

[Anonymous]

Any suggestion for a newbie to build HO gravel piles. I thought about cardstock covered with ballast. but I thought I should ask some expert fist if there is a better way.