i need to know how to do this for my first layout!!!
You’re going to get a lot of different answers to this question because there is no right or wrong way – it all depends on scale, how large you want your mountains to be, and the availability of materials.
On my layout, I cut 1-inch thick pieces of styrofoam insulation into a rough outline of what I wanted, trimmed it with a hot wire foam cutter, glued it down with latex caulking, and stacked more layers for higher and higher mountains until I got what I wanted. Then I covered the styrofoam with Woodland Scenics plaster cloth or newspaper strips dipped in very watery plaster. After that, I added more plaster mixed with dirt, paint, sawdust, sand, or whatever I had on hand to achieve the texture and color I wanted.
Different answer to this question #2:
I wadded up newspaper in the shape I wanted and covered it with the Woodland Scenics plaster cloth. What ever works for you is the right way.
trainguy12,
Are you referring to hills in your scenery or hills in your roadbed under your track? This information might help you get the information you are looking for…
Don Z.
the layout is the madison central from the dream-plan-build video series,i think i will use their method with styrofoam insulation and no plaster cloth cuz…i do not know how to use it![:D]
scenery by the way.
I am in the same position you are in. My mountain is in a corner and I have a tunnel through it. I had the same idea only I was just gonna put the plaster right on the foam. Anything wrong with that?
nothing wrong with it at all… smooths out the joints in the foam pieces and provides a good base…
The great thing is there is nothing ‘wrong’ … just whatever works best for YOU and then there are others opinions, … wiegh up the very good advice that will be given and choose a method that suits you, or adapt one to suit your needs… but most of all…
Have fun & be safe
Karl.
When it comes to scenery, I am hardcore foamer. Ha!
I am pretty much 100% foam kinda guy, I use white stuff so it paints easy. Scrape, saw and shape it. Just about anything works…but make sure you have a good vacuum
[:)]
Like UKGuy said, you can actually use a combination of it ALL if you want or need to. Whatever works best for you. I’ve used plaster cloth and card stock before, but this time I’m going to use 2" foamboard. It just looks easier.
Here is how I did mine.
Glue foam pieces (all that hard foam you get in packing boxes, TV’s etc. works well) to the area with acrylic caulk to get basic bulk built up. Fill in with wadded up newspaper to get smoother areas etc. I used plaster of paris mixed so that it is runny in a plastic shoe style box ($0.97 from Wally world), dip shop paper towels in this mixture and place over foam and newspaper. Let dry.
Start adding landscaping
Another I tried using same method.
Just about anything will work. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials.