Menards concrete blocks

Menards has released an accessory that just about any layout, big or small, could use: concrete blocks. Each package contains 100 pieces of scaled blocks measuring 1¾” x ¾” x ¾”. A standard size block measures a nominal 8” x 8” x 16”, with an actual size of 15⅝” x 7⅝” x 7⅝”. At 1:48 scale, these blocks are oversized. However, prototype concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes, so this isn’t a deal breaker.

According to an email I received from Menards, the blocks are made from gypsum. Gypsum will allow you to use a variety of adhesives, including hot glue, tacky glue, and carpenter’s glue without melting. While the blocks come already weathered, they are also paintable.

Out of the box

I grabbed my painting supplies and headed to the office workshop to customize these blocks for our in-house layout, the City Terminal & Transfer.

hand holding hobby knife next to small gray block — Use a hobby knife to slice off a corner to simulate wear. Rene Schweitzer photo

Over time, the ends of concrete blocks disintegrate and chip away. To replicate this, I used a hobby knife to cut off a chunk of a corner.

three colors of paint, a pile of mixed paint, a paintbrush, and a block — Rene mixed three colors of acrylic paint to create a dark gray to drybrush the blocks’ raised surfaces. Rene Schweitzer photo

While the blocks are described as weathered, I still wanted to enhance that look. So I mixed three colors of acrylic paint (white, black, green) to make a dark gray. I used a paintbrush to drybrush the block, highlighting the texture. It’s ok if it’s not perfect; in fact, random patterns look better than uniformity. Next, I drybrushed white paint over the blocks to bring out more highlights.

paintbrush adding white paint to block — An accident turned into a nice accent. Rene added random areas of white paint in crevices to simulate fading. Rene Schweitzer photo

At one point, a blob of paint fell into a crevice. As painter Bob Ross used to say, it was a “happy accident.” I decided I liked the look, and used a tiny paintbrush to stipple in bits of white paint on other blocks. I did the same with bits of the dark gray paint while also using a wash of the paint to add areas that had darkened over time on some blocks. If I’d had an ultra-fine permanent marker, I would have tried drawing cracks.

Installation on the CT&T

hand holding hobby knife near layout — Rene had to scrape away excess material with a hobby knife before installing the blocks. Rene Schweitzer photo

Now that the blocks were painted, it was time to find a suitable location on the layout. I found a corner where a retaining wall might be useful, but it needed some prep work. I used a hobby knife to scrape away excess ground foam and Sculptamold. Next, I used white glue to secure the blocks in place.

blocks on a train layout — The blocks have been glued in place with white glue. The white areas of glue will dry clear. Rene Schweitzer photo

It would be fun to experiment with these blocks. You could partially crush them with a hammer and scatter them in piles around warehouses or derelict buildings. Perhaps they could become loads for trucks in a construction site. I also wonder if you could use either Scultpamold or caulk to create mortar between the joints of a retaining wall. So many possibilities!

These blocks are a great product. I hope Menards will consider releasing them in a smaller size or in different shapes. It could add a new dimension to your layout with little effort.