If you had to pick up some books or DVD's on scenery. "How To's"

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

What would you guys recommend? I’d like something that gives good examples of how do some things like ballast, vegetation, mountains, etc.

I’ve tried searching around, Amazon, etc., but can’t be sure if what I’m looking at is worth it.

Thanks.

2

The “Dream-Build” free DVD that Kalmbach just sent out to subcribers of all their magazines has a pretty good overview on most of this except ballasting, as they used Bachmann E-Z track with built-in ballast/roadbed for the 4 x 8 layout.

Rob

3

Anything you can find by David Frary (sp?). Don’t overlook your public library as a great source of FREE material. I’ve checked out books and reproduced sections of interest for later referral. Also don’t overlook books, magazines, or articles aimed at people in other scales. Techniques can be applied to any scale as far as scenery goes, save perhaps for the size of the trees.

Jim

4

I agree with Jim on Dave Frary’s books. Simple formulas and techniques well explained for good results. As far as videos. Not really sure as to whats out there. I have a number of Allen Keller Great Layout videos. Each volume usually has a segment on scenery. I’ve learned a number of techniques from some great modelers. I knew they offered a video on just scenery from the many modelers. I just checked out their site www.allenkeller.com They now offer 3 different DVD’s. The best part is that you will probably get many ideas on how to accomplish what you want as far as scenery.

5

Third on Dave Frary’s book, “Realistic Model Railroad Scenery”. The water soulable method. Clean and easy. Fantastic results. A good old school book is Bill McClanahan’s “SCENERY For Model Railroads”. Out of print I think but you can find old copies at train shows. His techniques may be dated by today’s standards but gives a lot of great tips on planning scenery profiles for visual appeal and they go hand in hand with Frary’s book.

6

The “Building an O Gauge Layout” DVD from TM videos has a good segment on scenery.

7

Back in the late 80’s Model Railroader produced a series of “How to” videos, hosted by Allen Keller, that included artists like John Olsen, Malcolm Furlow, and Jim Hediger. They were a “must have” for scenery back then, and are an excellent primer for someone today.

8

I’ll definitely look these recommendations up.

I found a “how to” at lionellines.net on how to use ceiling tiles to create a mountain/cliffside look, and think it’s something I could tackle and learn to do.

Thanks for the tips.

9

Woodland Scenics has some good books and a video out also. As you might expect, their video and book feature Woodland Scenics products. I use their products on my railroad so I don’t have a problem with it.

George