I’m starting work on my first garden railroad in North Central Ohio. The layout will include many things from the area. I’m going to have an Amish farm with hay stacks and a hay wagon piled with hay. I’m trying to figure out what I can use to make the hay that won’t have to be replaced every couple years. Any ideas? Thanks
Hi, Try flax or reeds like the stuff they put on roofs Hope this helps[:)]
Have a look at the Jigstones website, they don’t have hay but they have a lot of other roofing materials and everything i have used from them has worked out.
Rgds ian
A.C. Moore, Michaels, other craft stores have “hay bales” in several sizes. As I start this summer with my own G rail, I’m going to try buying those ready-mades and either soaking them in shellac or like substance, or coating with white glue or other that will dry clear. I’m hoping to make them water-proof so they will last the preverbial “forever”. If not, I will only hope they will still be selling them as replacements!
On, another note I just thought of, there are mats and bales similar (or maybe the same stuff)that are sold for ponds to help keep the small ponds clean. The exact science behind this escapes me now to try to explain to you. But these stay 24-7 in the water heat-sun-cold, and last a good year. (I automatically replace them) For that kind of punishment, the regulars taken good care of should last a very very long time![;)]
-G
I’ve used mini hay bales for many years. These can usually be found at any craft store.
I take the bales in during the winter but after about 3 years of just summer weather, some have deteriorated. I’ve never bothered trying to seal them, but it might significantly extend the life. However these are easy to find and not too expensive. Stock up on a bunch so you always have replacements. Here’s what they look like using a quick Google search and the first thing that came up:
I’ve also used real hay, but it surprisingly doesn’t look as good as the mini bales. Real hay deteriorates a lot faster too.
I found a photo of real hay and one of the mini bales on my layout. After the winter the real hay disappeared, but the mini bale was virtually untouched (I didn’t bring this one in either). 
That’s a very good scene, I like it a lot, got any more shots of your empire to share?
Kim
I made some decent haybales by cutting soft balsa to size and roughing them up with a stiff wire brush.
Chuck
Thanks Kim [:I]
Here is a link to my website with many more photos of the “empire”, there is also a link in my signature below (Snowshoe & San Juan Model Railroad).
And here’s another shot (not on the website) of the same stockyard scene showing some hay:
Thanks Matt, I really enjoyed visiting your site, love the shot of the rotary! What size plot have you got? looks like it’s a fair size. Is it one single line or do you have two or more? Questions, questions, I know I’m a nosey old****.[:-^]
Cheers,
Kim
Hi Kim,
I sent you a PM so as not to divert the hay thread too much.