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Video: Making ground goop for model railroad scenery
This stuff is great for creating realistic scenery. You can add scenery materials and rock formations immediately after applying the goop. The ingredients for my goop are the same but the amounts vary and are more like a pancake batter type of consistency. I use 1 part celluclay, 1 part vermiculite, 1/2 part paint, 1/2 part white glue, and 1/2 part water.
I have used vermiculite mixed in with Celluclay and water with great success on my HOn3 Denver & Rio Grande layout. It would save me a whole step to mix in the paint. The white glue would help to make the mixture rock solid. I will try this in my next batch.
Now that you made it, what do you do with it?
So, the reason for this video is what? This will do what for our layouts?
Anxiously awaiting “How To Apply Ground Goop”!
Thanks for the video.I suspect that there are different grades of vermiculite. My first batch (just yesterday) ended up with chunks in it, somewhat like large cookie crumbs. I’m going to try grinding the vermiculite in an old coffee grinder.
To Gary, T Hannah and Mike…read the article in the magazine!
Sound could use tweaking. Did not catch the first item viewed twice and still didn’t know what it is. I agree with the others, what is it used for? ps. look a lot like dog dropping so it would good for garden RR
This looks very good, I can see how after it is spread out on the baseboard it is going to make a very realistic looking uneven ground surface on which to apply other scenery materials. Great idea ! 
It’s difficult to understand some of what he says…
I like this idea and need to try new approaches on that I am in the scenery stage on my layout. This should give me some variety in my scenery. Hank from ST. Louis
SUBTITLES!!! PLEASE!!!
I only add a few good squirts of white glue, not as much as Lou. The latex paint seems to adhere very well to foam and plywood for me. I add water to get the right consistency, and it varies quite a bit depending on how thick the paint is. I keep an eye out for “oops” paints at home centers and hardware stores, and get it cheap. For me the color isn’t critical as I always apply ground cover anyway. After you get it down, if you wet your finger (or spray a little water on) you can rub it smooth if you wish. It can also be stippled with a cheap dollar store wire brush. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! So much less messy than plaster. When you get the right consistency, it won’t drip or run, and it doesn’t stick to your hands much either. Easy clean up with soap and water. I usually make just enough for immediate use, but will try storing it (the Celluclay will make some dust if you aren’t careful when mixing it, so go easy at first).
Thank you Lou! I have lots and lots of ground goop on my railroad. Just sprinkle on ground foam and it looks great, and makes a great base for doing finished scenery.
This looks like a great idea but I have two questions, where can I find Celluclay and can I skip Lysol if plan to use the entire batch ?
I use the same paint and white glue formula, but use sawdust instead of other other two ingredients. The texture of the sawdust is critical to the finished surface. The finer the sawdust the smoother the surface. You can adjust the thickness of the batch by varying the amount of sawdust or water.
Celluclay can be found at stores like Michael’s and Wal-Mart and, I believe, JoAnn’s or most craft stores.
What do you do with it? For one thing, it makes a much more natural ‘ground’ especially for a forest floor or other unimproved ‘land’ on the layout. By adding the paint, you don’t have any white plaster showing through…it probably would help the video if you could illustrate how to use it on the layout. I know the article shows some of that but the video would illustrate it a little better.
Bill E. from Wisconsin–The Lysol Concentrate??? Where to get this? I find sprays that say disinfectant. Would this work?? Thanks