Having a realistic landscape scene for scale model trains is a must-have accent in model railroading. Aside from the train itself, the setting is what captivates the eye. Building scenery doesn't have to be hard, and even beginners will soon discover how easy it is to create miniature settings for use with model trains or dioramas.
Build a Model Landscape
A berm usually refers to the hillside found on either side of a railroad. Berms can also be along roadsides, canals, and rivers. Berms are easy to construct and any mistakes can be easily corrected or converted into additional features. The supplies that will be needed are as follows:
- cheese grater or file
- utility knife
- tweezers (for adding bushes and trees)
- awl, ice pick, or screwdriver (used to make a hole for tree stems)
- hand held vacuum cleaner
- spray bottle
- styrofoam (approximately 1” to 3”thick)
- wet water—(water w/2-3 drops of dish washing soap added)
- wet glue--(glue w/small amount of water added)
- Elmer's white glue
- tacky glue
- hair dryer (speeds paint drying time.)
- paint brushes (Use a good brush for painting details; Use cheaper brushes for applying glue bases.)
- assorted water based paints
- lichen (clump foliage) and miniature trees
- board (size will vary depending on scale of the train layout)
Choose a workspace where there will be ample room to layout supplies and work on the section of model landscaping.
- Using the tacky glue, glue down a length of styrofoam to the layout board on either side of the railroad track. Tacky glue dries the fastest and will allow the hobbyist to continue working as the piece dries.
- If building a berm, glue one or more pieces on top of the first piece. It isn't necessary for the berm to have a shape at this stage.
- Using a file or cheese grater begin shaping the foam to the desired curvature. It's best to do this over a trash can or in an area where clean up will be easier. Shaving foam is very messy and having a hand held vacuum cleaner for easy cleanup is recommended.
- Optional. Glue on small rock outcroppings or coat foam with plaster and let dry. This is where using a hair dryer can come in useful to speed up the drying process. Use the utility knife to add niches, boulder effects, and crags.
- On a piece of cardboard or plastic, mix a color palette for painting dirt, grass, and accents. Browns, greens, and yellows work well.
- With a wet paint brush, dip the brush into one or two colors and apply paint so that the entire foam form is covered. Adding a small amount of water to the paint allows for more coverage, while intermittently mixing the colors adds more realism to the finished product. (Tip for working with plaster: Mixing paint into the plaster before applying it keeps the color scheme continuous in case of chipping.) Allow paint to dry
- Using a different brush coat the entire surface of the foam with a light coating of white glue that's been thinned with water.
- Using a spoon, sprinkle a bit of the finely ground foam (dirt colored) onto the berm.
- Mist with "wet water" and sprinkle grass colored foam on top of the "dirt."
- Mist again and sprinkle more foam on as desired. Mix different textures and colors to create a variegated surface.
- Add colored moss lichen to simulate bushes or add miniature trees to complete the setting.
These are the basic steps to take when building a model landscape setting and easy enough for anyone to master. Advanced techniques include adding water features, tunnels, ledges, and drop offs. Give model landscaping a try, feel free to experiment with different techniques, and build a picture postcard setting to be proud of.
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Ray Follacchio from the Miracle Strip Model RR Club in Shalimar, Florida.
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