Tips and Techniques
Model Railroading is a constantly evolving hobby. And like most modelers and model railroading organizations, we are constantly updating our skills, and of course learning from our mistakes.

The purpose of this page is to exchange modeling tips and techniques. Hopefully you can gain something from our many trials and tribulations. If you have a tip or technique that you would like to share, please send it our way.

Scenery - Modeling Water - We have seen many methods for modeling water, some effective, others not. For many of the rivers on the layout, we have painted the surface a flat dark color and then applied a liberal coat of Matt Medium.

For one river on our layout, we used the following technique: The riverbed was a sheet of plywood, with hard shell scenery forming the banks. A thin layer of plaster was poured to form a smooth surface for the river. The riverbed was then painted a dark brown color. Almost any dark color would work, but try to avoid lighter shades of blue because they don't look realistic. Rocks, grass, weeds, and trees were then glued along the banks with diluted white glue. Finally, the liberal coat of "water" was applied.

Scenery - Plaster Use - On the new layout we have had success with building general forms with extruded foam and finishing them off with various grades of plaster. We have used plaster of paris when a quick setting batch is needed. Other slower setting plasters have been used throughout the layout. The sandability is nice and the finished plaster can be carved also.

Structures - Painting DPM Kits - Ever struggled trying to paint the trim detail on a DPM kit where the windows and doors are cast in place? We sure have. One solution we have been using to solve this problem is to paint the trim first (brush or airbrush will work) and then brush paint the brick when this has dried. Finaly, add your favorite weathering solution. We have found that painting the trim first, rather than last makes for much cleaner lines and fewer touch-ups.

Benchwork - Securing the Backdrop - When putting up your backdrop, you can easily avoid having to plaster up the screw heads by using liquid nails to hold the hardboard backdrop in place. If you need to go around a curve, this works too. Just make sure you have plenty of clamps handy. On the fascia, we have used hardboard as well glued and tacked in place.

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Page Last Updated December 2, 2007