I’ve been noticing pictures showing the ground in between tracks and around tracks and the ground looks very hardpacked and smooth (well smooth in HO scale anyway). I’m wondering how to model this in HO? I thought of plaster mixed really runny, but somehow this doesn’t seem to be a good idea. So how do you do it?
This is kind of what I’m talking about…http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?//july98/07-06-98/cxnw001.jpg
I use drywall mud to create a smooth aisle between each track–not perfectly smooth, but pretty smooth–followed by a layer of dirt-colored paint, followed by actual dirt (glued in place with scenic cement) and a light amount of various bits of ground foam to simulate the kind of chaotic weeds that appear in even the filthiest of yards. Strew a bit of trackside junk about–a couple of spare ties, lengths of rail, barrels, etcetera.
Thanks Jetrock…how do you apply the drywall mud?
I use a dilute plaster mixture and allow it to set up then stain it with a 50% acrylic paint (usually a tan or raw sienna color)/ 50% water mixture…it comes out good too…chuck
I paint the ground with a slightly thinned layer of grimy black, and add a layer of Woodland Scenics fine cinters to the wet paint. Once dry, I add a second application of paint and cover. Once THAT’S dry, I sand down the cinders to get a smoother appearance (it also slightly lightens the cinders). Finally, I add small piles of sand, and puddles of oily black paint.
wes454: I spoon it out using a small (1") plastic trowel and just sort of smooth it into place. A favorite method for getting things smooth but not too smooth is putting on latex gloves and doing the final scenic adjustments with my fingers.
Here’s an example:
Thanks to all of you for your help!
Jetrock, Is that Oakland off of Middle Harbor Road?
