I’m building a small HO scale layout; I’ve got everything planned…except what to use for a scenery base. What works best: Foam, Cardboard, Etc?
Thnx n advance!
There are many choices and each has it’s advantages. Foam has gained in popularity but it can get pricey compared to other choices. I’ve used various hard shell techniques, all with good results. You create the under support first using screen, cardboard webbing, or even wadded up newspapers. Then you apply plaster soaked paper towels over the base. This will create a very strong shell. Usually it requires a finished coat of plaster or Sculptamold to hide the imperfections. I’ve tried foam as a base but I’ve gone back to the old fashioned way. Another method which combines the old and new techniques is to use the foam to create profile boards and then insert wadded up newspapers between the boards and lay the plaster soaked towels over this structure. I’ve done that on a small scale with good results.
I use old packing styrofoam. I know a guy who works in an electronics buissiness, everything comes packaged in foam. Whenever I want some more, I just go over there and pick up as much as my backseat can hold. So if you can make a deal with a local buissiness, foam is free!
I have tried the plaster towels over cardboard, but Celluclay over foam is much lighter, stronger, less messy, it takes paint better, and you can get textures you cant do in plaster. While the celluclay is still wet I also put in some plaster rock molds. When the celluclay dries the rock molds are in there for good!
I have tried Joe Fugate’s vermiculite mix on top of cardboard and masking tape, I like it a lot, VERY strong. This is a little diorama I’m working on where I used the vermiculite mix:
You can read more about Joe’s scenery at:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=32122
I just did my plaster today (Yipee!!) I used the Woodland Scenics risers and inclines for the track support. Then used the wadded up newspaper with paper towels dipped in plaster method. I tried using the Woodland Scenics plaster cloth but for the price it doesn’t go very far, I did a diorama and it took $10 worth of plaster cloth! I di use a lot of foam as support also (I had a couple old foam ice chest) they were a great size for a level spot to put my town.
I will probably have to go over a couple areas with plaster after the paper towel layer dries. I read about Joe Fugates method and it looked pretty good, not sure why I opted for just plaster. I guess the fact that a 25 lb bag cost $8 at Home Depot helped. I did a 9"x8" layout with one bag.