Category Description: General scenery topics.
48-star Flags
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 90 Scale: Author: (none)
If you model between 1912 and 1959, the United States only had 48 states, so the flag back then only had 48 stars. This page has scale, color drawings of flags for N, HO, S, and O-scale. It also includes measurements of a free-standing flag pole.
Appalachian Central
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 96 Scale: N Author: Lionel Strang
Ballasting, scenery, painting the backdrop, tree-covered hillsides, roads, ground cover, rocks, fascia, structures, and weathering.
Build Realistic Scenery
Model Railroader 2002-12 pg. 98 Scale: (none) Author: Sam Swanson
From using foam as a base to leaves for the trees.
California's Golden Grass
Railroad Model Craftsman 2005-03 pg. 76 Scale: On3 Author: Harold Minkwitz
This articles shows how the author created tall and short grasses for his On3 layout. He used Joann Fabrics Grizzly Fur for the tall grasses, and Wal-Mart plush fabric for the short grasses. The article details how to paint the fabrics, how to install them, and how to hide seams.
Desert Scenery Without Breaking a Sweat
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 48 Scale: HO Author: Pelle Soeborg
This article shows how to model Western U.S. scenery starting with a foam insulation board base, which is built up in several layers, adding rocks, painting the surface, adding rocks and foliage, and finally the track, ballast, and structures.
Easy Street, Paved with Styrene
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 36 Scale: N Author: David Popp
Creating roadways from 0.040" styrene. Article includes step-by-step instructions and photos on cutting and scoring the styrene, installing the streets and shoulders, painting, and finishing the scene.
Finishing Touches for the Pioneer Valley
Model Railroader 1994-12 pg. 126 Scale: O Author: Michael Tylick
The author covers adding automobiles, figures, utility poles, detail castings, chain link fences, junk, scratchbuilt details, signs, and signals to his layout. A sidebar article talks about the cabinets the author built for the layout, including parts list and diagram. There is another sidebar on the signals and signal driving circuit he added to his layout.
Florida Scenery
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-01 pg. 92 Scale: Author: Bob Miller
Living in Florida, Bob describes his state, covering such items as flora, architecture, industries, and water, with lots of supporting prototype photos.
How To Make Better Scenery
Model Railroader 2005-11 pg. 46 Scale: HO Author: Lou Sassi
The article describes how the author creates a scenic base using Woodland Scenics' foam sheets, then covers it with "ground goop" (a mixture of Celluclay, Vermiculite, flat latex paint, and white glue). The photo essay continues with ground cover, planting trees made from Peppergrass, and finishes with two scenes of a suburban front yard and static-flock grass along the track side.
Jeff's Junction
NASG Dispatch 2010-06 pg. 5 Scale: Author: Jeff Madden
Making the case for focusing on mini-scenes when building a layout.
Modeling Deciduous Trees in Winter
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-11 pg. 71 Scale: Author: Brent Monahan
Tips on how to build tree with no foliage.
Modeling with Air
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-02 pg. 52 Scale: Author: Jim Martin
This is an interesting article about allowing space between the back drop and the three-dimensional layout to create the illusion of distance.
Over The Edge Scenery
Scale Rails 2005-05 pg. 20 Scale: (none) Author: Dave Jacobs
You can give your layout extra dimension by taking scenery over the edge - the edge of the layout that is. The article shows three photos of how to treat the edge of the layout other than the usual Masonite board. One is to use wooden supporting timbers, complete with nut-bolt-washer castings. Another is to use rock outcroppings, and the last one shows what a rock wall will look like.
Realistic Trees
N-Scale 2003-05/06 pg. 43 Scale: (none) Author: Robert L. Hundman
Models of Black Willow, Yellow Poplar, Live Oak, Black Locust, Common Ash, Sycamore, and White Oak trees.
Scenery From a Jar
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-03 pg. 60 Scale: Author: Spike McGinty
Using the various Polyterrain products, the author shows how he builds scenery from a foam base, installs track, ballast, scenery base, ground cover, and scenic details.
Seamless Removable Scenery
Model Railroader 2006-09 pg. 114 Scale: (none) Author: David Popp
Using a strip of fabric to hide the seam of a piece of removable scenery (to access hidden tracks, for example).
Standard Gaugers: Meet the Narrow Gaugers
Model Railroad News 2010-01 pg. 96 Scale: S Author: Dick Karnes
Sn3 layouts seem to have details that S standard gauge layout owners are complaining about not existing!
The Cow's in the Corn...
Model Railroad News 2010-09 pg. 96 Scale: S Author: Dick Karnes
The author describes some of the little details he has added here and there in his layout, even though he was "afraid" to do scenery work. He describes using an HO-scale corn field, building large trees, and using the flexible wall system for curved walls.
The Mighty Pen
Model Railroader 1978-11 pg. 146 Scale: Author: Robert E. Rothe
Using the various parts of a ballpoint pen to model clay sewer pipes, bags of cement, drainage culverts, smokestack, piping, industrial valve, stove, and vertical steam boiler.
The Scenery Clinic Part II
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-12 pg. 54 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
This installment discusses ground cover, specifically hills and creek edges.
The Scenery Clinic Part IV
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-02 pg. 72 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
This installment covers how to model a cut bank.
The Scenery Clinic Pt VII
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-05 pg. 53 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
This installment covers how to model water using Magic Water®. Paul shows how he creates the illusion of fast-flowing water by painting white foam around rocks.
The Scenery Clinic Pt. XVII
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-06 pg. 56 Scale: On30 Author: Paul Scoles
This last installment covers the final details of the diorama. The author covers debris, adding vehicles, and grass tufts.
The Scenery Clinic: Painting Flexible Track
Railroad Model Craftsman 2009-11 pg. 46 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
In this introductory article the author announces that he will be starting a series of articles on how he does scenery work. He has been giving clinics at shows for 30 years. In this installment he describes how he built the base for the diorama used in the article. The main topic is about how to make flextrack look more realistic by painting the ties and the rails.
Vast Vistas - In a Few Inches
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-11 pg. 97 Scale: Author: C. Jeff Riley
This article presents ideas on how to model steep hills in just two to five inches of space.
When is a Rock Mold not a Rock Mold?
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 84 Scale: Author: John P. Schick
Describes "Plastic Liquid" which can be melted to be poured over masters to make molds. The material doesn't stick to anything.