The N scale Salt Lake Route project layout part 5

Scene of Salt Lake layout

Learn some of the techniques used to build the desert scenery on the N scale Salt Lake Route. Layout builder Dick Christianson shows you tips for using extruded foam insulation board, rock castings, and more. You’ll also see some prototype photos that Dick used as inspiration for this N scale model railroad. […]

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Compact coved backdrop corners

Good lighting helps Flemming Örneholm hide the compact covered corner in his background.

Good lighting helps Flemming Örneholm hide the compact covered corner in his background. Coved corners help to reinforce the feeling of great distance that’s produced by a good backdrop. Large layouts with plenty of real estate often use wide, gently curved panels to make these inside corners disappear. But modelers with small layouts can’t afford […]

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Modeling concrete railroad bridges with real cement

A precast concrete bridge spans a small creek on the Florida Midland RR.

A precast concrete bridge spans a small creek on the Florida Midland RR. Lance Mindheim describes how he modeled this bridge using anchor-bolt cement and styrene sheet molds. Replicating the color striations, texture, chips, and cracks of concrete with paint and styrene is tricky at best. On the flip side, the texture of most concrete […]

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N scale trees by the bucket

For additional scenery tips, don’t miss Essential Model Railroad Scenery Techniques from Kalmbach Books. No muss! No fuss! Just add the ingredients, mix thoroughly, and pour yourself a hillside full of trees. Believe it or not, it really can be just about that simple. I came up with my scrambled-trees technique when I wanted to […]

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Cripplebush Valley Models HO scale Cast rubber urban scenery

Cripplebrush Valley Models HO scale cast-rubber urban scenery

Cripplebrush Valley Models HO scale cast-rubber urban scenery Price: $20 (oil drums), $50 (urban outcrop) ManufacturerCripplebush Valley Models264 Saddlemire Hill Rd.Sloansville, NY 12160www.cripplebush.net Comments: Cast-rubber scenery details have been around for several years now, but most model rock formations that are found in nature. Cripplebush has introduced two castings that model urban industrial settings. The […]

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Building the N scale Waterbury Industrial District part 3

Measuring roadbed

In the November issue Model Railroader managing editor David Popp describes how he added ballast and scenery to the Waterbury Industrial District on his N scale New York, New Haven & Hartford layout. In this part David gives you tips for installing ground cover of varying textures, making gravel roads and paths, and installing static […]

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