What to build on

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello, I’ve built models in my youth from military 1/72 to 1/48th. and 1/24th. cars now I would like to try HO. I havn’t built any thing since my son was born, but I’ve been single for awile and my son is now in the Navy. I now have time. I just about finished my first diorama (will try to add picture of it). now to my question, what is the best material to build the scene on in case it gets used on a layout, there will be no tracks at this time. Thanks for any help, Scott

2

Very nice scene! Is it in HO scale?

I’ve made a few dioramas that I later fitted onto my HO scale modules. I made them so I could enter them in contests, then place them on the modules. For a base I used pieces of wood panelling, 1/8’ or less thick. Seemed to work fine for me, was easy to blend in the area around the dioramas with the rest of the scenery on the modules. They do not look like add-ons in the scenes.

3

Welcome to the forums! It looks like that very scene you have pictured could easily be integrated into a layout by placing it on the benchwork just a shade below the adjacent scenery so the surrounding ground forms could be blended in to the new scene to cover the edges. Jamie

4

Thanks for the help. these pictures of my first diorma is in 1/24th scale, on a 30 x 24in ply and roofing tile. thanks again, Scott

5

I think I would build on 2" extruded foam (blue or pink board). It is lightweight, could be carved to give below grade areas and is easy to plant trees and other scenic items in. You might want to frame it if you are going to move it around much. Just a piece ot paneling the with of the foam would protect the edges. The 2" foam is strong enough not to need much, if any additional support, unless it is going to be handled conciderably.

Good luck,

6

Scott, I like a plywood base covered with 2 inch insulation foam board. Type that Home Depot or Lowe’s sales. Reason I like the foam is it is easy to carve for gullies and make good looking rock face. All most all of us model rail roaders get in to rock faces, tunnels and mountains sooner or later. Why not add some rails to the diorama? You are skilled at wearthering, somer scrap yards will scrap old rolling stock and engines.

Few PIC’s.

Welome and post often. Cuda Ken

PS, glad not see any old Mopars in your shoots, being Cuda Ken and all!