David Popp Nothing says “impressive” quite like a rugged mountain range full of jagged rock faces. Though mountains appear solid to us, many are just individual layers of rocks, stacked one on top of another. If you keep this idea in mind, then adding impressive rock features to your layout isn’t a difficult task. Whether […]
Modeling Topic: Scenery
How to cast plaster rocks for model railroad scenery
Rubber rock molds and hydrocal plaster make it easy to add exposed rockfaces and other dramatic scenic elements to your model train layout Nothing says “impressive” quite like a rugged mountain range full of jagged rock faces. Though mountains appear solid to us, many are just individual layers of rocks, stacked one on top […]
DIY rock molds from Play-Doh
Use this quick tip to make custom rock molds for realistic model railroad scenery Want to make unique rock castings? Here’s an interesting method that was featured in the March 2002 Classic Toy Trains. Play-Doh, a children’s modeling toy, is a great one-time-use mold-making material. It’s water-soluble, easy to work with, and reproduces crisp details […]
Modeling steers and bulls
Most N scale bovines offered by figure manufacturers are milk cows, but the Montana cattle industry requires steers and bulls, too. Dan Lewis uses wire and Microscale Kristal Kleer to turn cows into bulls, as well as to model longhorns, on his N scale Milwaukee Road North Montana Line. One problem I encountered with commercially […]
Simple mountain backdrop painting for your toy train layout
Creating the scene The examples shown here are from the backdrops on my O gauge layout, which is set against distant hills. I broke each sketch down to three levels of scenery: the foreground (tree line), the intermediate level (nearby hills), and the background (mountains). I needed to use only three colors, one for each […]
Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2020
Also in this issue: MRVP Tech, pg. 64 A Raspberry Pi for your layout DCC Programming, pg. 66 A guide to grouping locomotives Off the Rails, pg. 70 Tool tips for every modeler Let’s Make a Scene, pg. 72 Kathy’s best winter modeling tips It’s My Railroad, pg. 75 Easy signals for hidden track Q&A […]
It’s My Railroad with Steve Brown: Scenery-making marathon, Ep. 13
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Steve Brown truly covers lots of ground (pun intended) in this episode! Watch as he uses “Regular Guy” techniques to add color, texture, and even trees to work along and above the banks of his N scale layout’s harbor scene. […]
It’s My Railroad with Steve Brown: Scenery-making marathon, Ep. 13
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Steve Brown truly covers lots of ground (pun intended) in this episode! Watch as he uses “Regular Guy” techniques to add color, texture, and even trees to work along and above the banks of his N scale layout’s harbor scene. […]
Let’s Make A Scene: Episode 16
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that Kathy Millatt’s HO scale (1:87.1) wintry diorama is frozen in time, she can turn her attention to adding frosty features to a freight car! Check out Kathy’s techniques for layering up realistic snow and ice effects, using commercially available products. […]
Let’s Make A Scene: Episode 16
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that Kathy Millatt’s HO scale (1:87.1) wintry diorama is frozen in time, she can turn her attention to adding frosty features to a freight car! Check out Kathy’s techniques for layering up realistic snow and ice effects, using commercially available products. […]
Twisting model trees from wire
When he needed a few deciduous trees for his HO scale layout, Robert Pethoud turned to a tried-and-true method – hand-twisting armatures from florist’s wire. Coating the trunks in a mix of plaster and glue realistically simulates bark. All photos by Robert Pethoud. Fig. 1 Big and small. Robert used 30AWG florist’s wire for the […]
It’s My Railroad with Steve Brown: Port water rescue!, Ep. 12
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of IMRR, host Steve Brown works on his N scale Port Smith to paint, weather, and ballast the trackwork, add a grade crossing, repaint the pavement, install structures, and lay down the base for the river. All this is done […]