 Joined: 05/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 326 Location: Mississippi, Vancleave
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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.
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 Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,843 Location: Hybrid Home
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Don't qualify as "natural", but still: (1) Cable pipe (cut to length) = road bridge pillar  (2) Spray painted soda can = fuel depot  (3) Gutter pipe (cut to lenght) = grain silo  |
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 10 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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 Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,875 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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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)
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3 users liked this useful post by river6109
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Joined: 05/07/2020(UTC) Posts: 326 Location: Mississippi, Vancleave
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Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek  Don't qualify as "natural", but still: (1) Cable pipe (cut to length) = road bridge pillar (2) Spray painted soda can = fuel depot (3) Gutter pipe (cut to lenght) = grain silo 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.
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1 user liked this useful post by Mr. Ron
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Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,843 Location: Hybrid Home
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Originally Posted by: Mr. Ron 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.   |
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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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. 
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3 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,472 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Toosmall 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.
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Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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2 users liked this useful post by Toosmall
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