| After getting all your supplies together you need | | | | this will add a realistic touch that even the most |
| to form your terrain, which is often done by | | | | demanding of viewers will comment on. |
| placing foam spacers and carving them to achieve | | | | Laying track can be done in several ways, the |
| the desired results, then coating those with a | | | | simplest is to glue the track to the bottom |
| plaster, fiberglass or other sealer to harden them. | | | | directly - the most realistic is to form a true bed |
| Wireframe models with reinforcement are also | | | | of crushed or powdered stone, with actual |
| used on larger landscapes, while some 'purists' will | | | | wooden 'beams' upon which your track is 'spiked' |
| actually haul in stone, dirt and sand in an attempt | | | | but this is very uncommon and time consuming. |
| to make a 'true' world. | | | | Software to help with design and layout can help |
| One note of warning when using real-life materials | | | | with more ambitious projects as well - but |
| however: graininess and texture of common | | | | thought to maintenance and accessibility should be |
| elements can detract from the real-life aspects of | | | | given during this phase since cleaning and repairing |
| a landscape. Most dirt is not fine enough to give a | | | | track sections is the most likely maintenance to |
| true impression of 'earth' in a miniature unless | | | | need to occur over time. |
| coated with an even finder coating of dust or | | | | Last but certainly not least is the creation of |
| powder. Keep your scales in mind at all times and | | | | vignettes or 'small scenes' - it is this which most |
| work up your tallest points first (mountains, hills | | | | model railroaders really live: to recreate in |
| etc.) to help you form your valleys and streams | | | | miniature the thousands of small scenes that |
| or lakes in a natural manner. | | | | make real life so endearing and turn our model |
| When your base is in place the real fun begins. | | | | railroads into wonders. |
| After painting all surfaces necessary to help mask | | | | Choosing themes such as small cities or train |
| any exposure gluing and placing your various | | | | stations that fit into your theme and building |
| materials, stones and coverings is the next step. | | | | appropriate houses and edifices or buying them |
| Stippling on 'grass' and other coverings with a fine | | | | and placing correctly is critical - as is maintaining |
| brush is the normal procedure but a little | | | | the proper scale. The human eye can note |
| forethought can go a long way to increase the | | | | incredibly small differences in scale and proportion |
| realism. | | | | so staying true to your scale and theme is vital |
| For instance if you are going to have a lake or | | | | for a successful landscape. |
| pond place a narrow lake bed of earth around it | | | | There is much more we could discuss about |
| and have a ragged edge encroaching onto this | | | | landscapes but most likely you are ready to start |
| rather then taking the grass all the way to the | | | | playing - so put on your engineering caps and |
| waters' edge. In real-life ebbs and erosion will | | | | start thinking. Turning on the light is probably a |
| cause the bank to be washed away and tree | | | | good place to start - have fun! |
| roots to be exposed etc. - planning to emulate | | | | |