Modeling soil

[Anonymous]

Following my scenery "Bible" -- "Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders" by Lou Sassi, I want to create a version of his "ground goop." "Version" because I cannot find a source for the Permascene he uses. I've called the company twice with no response to my messages. I'd like to know what Permascene is so I can find a substitute. Does anyone know if it's like a lightweight spackling compound? Or a modeling clay? Or a plaster-like substance?

Secondly, Lou Sassi recommends a treatment for leaves so they can be ground up, sifted and sprinkled on the layout to resemble dried leaves. Recently I saw plastic bags of pipe tobacco at my local Walgreen and thought it looked the right color and the right size. Would that hold up to sprinkle around to resemble leaves? It would smell, but would the aroma fade in time? Would it have to be processed in some way to endure? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Hi there. If i'm not mistaken and if you have a Wal-Mart near you, got in the craft section in the back corner were the fabric and art supplies are. I know they have the Celuclay. Permascene is kind of a medium-fine sawdust, finer than pencil shavings but not a dust. The leave thing that Lou talks about works great and since tabacco is a leaf, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. And an added bonus would be the variety of fragrances to choose from. Your tabacco should work fine and if you even used pencil shavings from an old style sharpener like the ones used in a school, (grind up dowel rods instead of pencils) you will have something reletively close to what he uses. Happy Tooting............Jamie