Adding the scenery to a model railway can be one of the most
enjoyable aspects of the hobby. And possibly one that frightens many beginners.
I often hear people say they could never do scenery like that pictured above.
I've certainly seen other layouts that make the above scene look amateurish. But
there is nothing particularly difficult in making such scenery. It's just a
matter of knowing how to go about it and then being prepared to have a go yourself.
The scene above is in N scale. The viaduct is an Atlas kit that takes only a few
minutes to assemble. The rocks behind it
are cork bark - straight out of the pack. The hills are
actually painted plaster bandages draped over chicken wire bent to the shape of
the hills and stapled to the board. Polyfilla and Cornice Adhesive have also been
used on this layout. The river is painted on the chipboard base with a mix of
green, brown and black Humbrol paints. A few layers of Woodland
Scenics Realistic Water were poured over this (no mixing or heating required
- and no toxic odour like epoxy resins). The trees and other greenery are
Woodland Scenics and Heki foliage and tree kits.
If this still seems too much for a first effort, then have a look at the
Making a Start section to show how easy it
really is. Once a bit of confidence is gained this way, you'll soon find that
what seems complicated isn't so bad after all. And, like many things, the more
you practice, the better you become at it.
Above: A small selection of the many many
scenery accessories available to the railway modeller.
Station platforms, road vehicles, trees, signals, bridges, houses and other
structures, fences and much more.
Above: While many tend to model rural scenes and country towns, there is much of interest in urban modelling too. This scene is from a diorama of a street corner complete with underground railway station entrance, Gents toilets, phone box and even working traffic lights.
An early Powerline MkII G class emerges from under a bridge.
Page updated 16/10/2012.