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Offline Mr. Ron  
#1 Posted : 12 December 2022 02:52:13(UTC)
Mr. Ron

United States   
Joined: 05/07/2020(UTC)
Posts: 311
Location: Mississippi, Vancleave
During the course of building a model railroad, I am continually looking for materials that can be utilized in the build. Things like real tree branches, sand and rocks come to mind immediately. Model scenery can be very expensive and those artificial trees don't look all that realistic. What ideas have others used to make more realistic and cheaper scenery. I save all sorts of "trash" that I hope to use on my layout, like cardboard tubes, bottle caps, tooth picks, aluminum foil, etc.
Offline Alsterstreek  
#2 Posted : 12 December 2022 12:50:34(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,669
Location: Hybrid Home
Don't qualify as "natural", but still:

(1) Cable pipe (cut to length) = road bridge pillar
tna5.jpg

(2) Spray painted soda can = fuel depot
diesel3fuel3station.png

(3) Gutter pipe (cut to lenght) = grain silo
7A123876-7EE4-4F1C-AAF8-06DB1DCBDC05.jpeg
thanks 10 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
Online river6109  
#3 Posted : 12 December 2022 16:04:55(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,716
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
My whole scenery consists of garden soil and green scattered grass (package), Rocks and mountains are replaced by corkbark (in tile form), (got them cheap 40 years ago a full carton), my snow scenery consists of very fine white tile grout ($ 23.00 for a 15kg bag)

John
https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by river6109
Offline Mr. Ron  
#4 Posted : 17 December 2022 16:41:24(UTC)
Mr. Ron

United States   
Joined: 05/07/2020(UTC)
Posts: 311
Location: Mississippi, Vancleave
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
Don't qualify as "natural", but still:

(1) Cable pipe (cut to length) = road bridge pillar
tna5.jpg

(2) Spray painted soda can = fuel depot
diesel3fuel3station.png

(3) Gutter pipe (cut to lenght) = grain silo
7A123876-7EE4-4F1C-AAF8-06DB1DCBDC05.jpeg


I especially like the 1st idea. I haven't placed any scenery yet to my railroad. I have been saving styrofoam in large chunks hoping to use them to create a mountain with a tunnel through it. I have to figure out how to gain access to the tunnel in case of a derailment. I'm not crazy about soda cans. I don't think they fit any known size tank. My 88 year old back is giving me problems so it is hard for me to get to my shop and to construct layout ideas. I'm heading to Saint Louis with my son and daughter on the 26-28th to visit the transportation museum although the trip may add to the pain. I really don't want to go, but I may never get another chance. I have been following your building and must say you are meticulous to detail.

thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Mr. Ron
Offline Alsterstreek  
#5 Posted : 17 December 2022 20:43:05(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,669
Location: Hybrid Home
Originally Posted by: Mr. Ron Go to Quoted Post
I have been saving styrofoam in large chunks hoping to use them to create a mountain with a tunnel through it. I have to figure out how to gain access to the tunnel in case of a derailment.
Just design the mountain so that it can be lifted. In order to prevent the mountain from sliding around in a similar situation, I used tubular conduits, one with a smaller and one with a larger diameter. I jammed two shorter pieces of large diameter tubes into the lower and the upper module, respectively. When the two modules were placed upon each other, I inserted a longer small diameter tube (having the combined length of the two large diameter sections) into the large diameter tubes. Then, I repeated the process at a second location. On the one hand "the mountain module" stayed put - see pix. On the other hand, it could be lifted easily.

sti1.jpgSti2.jpg
Offline Toosmall  
#6 Posted : 17 December 2022 23:50:07(UTC)
Toosmall

Australia   
Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC)
Posts: 614
Location: Sydney
To make silos more "natural looking" in Australia it is popular to paint murals on them. They have become tourist attractions.

Kimba South Australia halfway between Sydney & Perth on the Eyre Highway.

IMG_0739 Kimba silo_094145.jpg
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
Offline kiwiAlan  
#7 Posted : 18 December 2022 00:29:39(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,103
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: Toosmall Go to Quoted Post
To make silos more "natural looking" in Australia it is popular to paint murals on them. They have become tourist attractions.

Kimba South Australia halfway between Sydney & Perth on the Eyre Highway.


That is a rather attractive picture. Certainly takes away the starkness of the silos.
Offline Toosmall  
#8 Posted : 18 December 2022 03:24:01(UTC)
Toosmall

Australia   
Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC)
Posts: 614
Location: Sydney
No reason why you can't tart up silos to make your layout more interesting. Easy enough to print off a picture, spray glue the back and stick on. Or tack on lightly so you can change artwork.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/

IMG_1776_012514.jpg


Or if you want some 3d sculpture on your silo, Urana silo spider sculpture NSW Australia https://www.visitnsw.com...so-itsy-spider-sculpture
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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