Hi! Allow me to begin by saying that I am well aware of the “cons” when it comes to using a grass mat on a layout…(That being said!)…This project (unlike the one I asked about last year) will absolutely require the use of a grass mat.
Based on your experience, which brand and type of mat would you suggest that we consider? ie. Durability, shedding, color, thickness, appearance etc.
As always, many thanks.
traindaddy1 - most of the more experienced modelers among us have most likely never used a grass mat, as their uniform look and texture is not looking realistic.
I was given a Z scale layout some weeks ago, which was built on a grass mat. The picture nicely illustrates what I mean:
If you have to use a grass mat, the best advice I can give is to go to your LHS and have a look at grass mats. Choose the one that has the right look & feel for you.
Ulrich: Thanks for your advice.
If you’re set on using grass mat, buy some fine ground foam in differing shades and apply it in places to break up the uniformity.
Don’t be put off by all the people who will sneer at grass mats.
Busch is by far the best in my opinion. I have used it with, in my opinion, success. It allowed me to have, at the time, a pretty decent-looking railroad in a couple of weeks instead of five years. Many local modelers who sneered at my grass mat still have bare plywood.
Yes, there are probably a few people on this forum who would accuse you of not being a “real” model railroader if you use a grass mat.
Most of the rest of us aren’t sneering, however. We’re just put off by the uniformity of the things. I prefer my grass a little more varied. I, for one, would gladly consider using a grass mat if it didn’t look so much like a golf course.