I can see my self getting a start on my scenery mainly because I sort of tired of doing “the other stuff” right now [:|] One area is just about ready to get started on.
My question is related to the fascia. Do I install it before or after I do the scenery? Also, what about ballasting, before or after?
Thanks is advance
Dennis
There are different preferences you’ll encounter, but I consider fascia to be entirely integral with the scenery, so I install it first to allow scenery to be attached to it and overlap it.
Here’s a typical location on my layout, showing scenery built around the fascia and a fully overlapping edge where the top of the fascia is covered with scenery material. If you wait to fit fascia until after scenery is complete, getting the contours to match will be far more difficult, and achieving a high degree of fit and finish will likewise be tougher. Install fascia first and the transition can be seamless.
Since track usually needs to be painted and weathered to look its best when ballasted, and scenery work tends to create a mess that gets where you don’t want it from time to time (regarless of how well you protect the track), I strongly prefer holding off on ballasting until last. This also allows an easy transition from ballast and other right of way detail into the surrounding scene.
Note here how the fill was built up from dirt and rocks on top of the scenery base, and the ballast added on top of that. I couldn’t have ballasted first, as the fill that is supposed to be “holding up” the track couldn’t be built until there was a scenery ba
I agree with Rob, and thats the way I do it on my layout.
I’m not sure it makes a great deal of difference when you do your facia. I did mine when one side of the layout was pretty well scenicked the other side is awaiting most all of its scenery. I did follow the contour and have the facia standing slightly off (1/8") so that I could have a removable safety fence. Some folks have all scenery come down to a facia that is the same height all the way around. Even though my foam edges sat unprotected for quite some time I didn’t have a problem. If you felt that the edges could get damaged, then do it first. I would wait until the layout work was done before painting it, as you may spill stuff on it in the coarse of building.
You will get both opinions on ballast. Some do it first, as they can get to the tracks and reach all areas with no obstructions. Others will say do it last, as in real life the scenery was there before the rr came along. Haven’t done mine yet, but am about to take the plunge, going to do a little of both so I can see which I like best. I would recommend, if you have a hard to reach place behind buildings, in a heavily forrested area or tunnel enterances, do those areas first, otherwise, it’s up to you. On little used sidings, there is often grass, even small bushes growing between the tracks. This can be added later, whether your ballast has been there since you started the layout or just put it there.
Listen to all the comments and see which seems to suit YOU the best.
Good luck,
Richard
Thanks for your thoughts. You have done a magnificent job on you scenery. Great inspiration. The scenery aspect of model railroading is always my favorite. Probably comes from a life time of painting and photography.