Scenery Layout
Scenery Layout

Model Railroad Scenery â How to Create Realistic Looking Rock Structures
If you've ever marveled at realistic looking rock scenery on model railroads and wondered how they were created, this article describes in detail how you too can easily achieve the same results.
These are the items you will need:
· Newspaper
· Masking tape
· Plaster of Paris or Hydrocal plaster
· Acrylic paints in burnt umber, raw umber, raw sienna, white and slate grey colors
· Art paint brush and craft sponge brush
· Assorted items for shaping plaster, such as spatulas and plastic knives
Â
The first step is deciding where you want that rock face, outcropping or rocky hill will be on your Railroad Layout.Â
Unless you're modeling a section of the Grand Canyon, bear in mind that rock structures usually emerge from areas of foliage and greenery. And it is precisely this contrast that makes the scene look interesting and real.
Â
Before you proceed any further, cover any areas on Your Layout near the section you're planning to work on. Wet plaster drips and tends to get on everything no matter how careful you are. Whenever I work with plaster, I tape over my railroad tracks with painter's masking tape and cover larger areas with cling wrap or aluminum foil. Aluminum foil is also great because, for this purpose, it's reusable.Â
Â
Once you have decided on the placement of your rock scenery, make up several wads of small pieces of newspaper. On my HO scale layout I use sizes varying from 2 to 4 inches in length, in varying thicknesses.  Use a size that you think is best for your layout scale. Larger wads will create bigger outcroppings on the rock face.
Â
Using masking tape, attach the wads of newspaper to the area where the rock outcroppings will be. Cover the wads completely with the masking tape. Try to go for a layered arrangement that looks random and not man-made. Don't worry, it will look much better and come together with a very natural look after you complete the next few steps.
Â
Mix up some Plaster of Paris or Hydrocal plaster following the instructions on the packaging. Hydrocal is very lightweight but considerably more expensive than Plaster of Paris. Plaster sets quickly so mix up smaller quantities and work with it in small batches. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out the mixing container and spatula between batches as any dried residue plaster will interfere with how the new batch sets up.Â
Â
Now comes the fun, albeit messy bit.
Â
Using a spatula, apply plaster over the newspaper and masking tape wads. Remember to keep the texture random -- smooth in some areas, craggy in others. Use a plastic knife to add more detail to the rock face with vertical or horizontal striations. Notice how the newspaper wads beneath the surface give the rock a three-dimensional look.Â
Â
Stand back, admire your handiwork and let the plaster dry overnight.
Â
Adding color to our rock is the final step to complete scenic realism.
Â
I usually choose a combination of raw sienna, raw umber, burnt umber and slate grey acrylic paints. The colors should be diluted with water to a thin wash so that we are not actually painting the rock but staining it.
Â
Using a paint brush or sponge brush, apply the washes in a random series of spots of burnt umber, raw umber and raw sienna. Go easy on the darker colors as they tend to dominate and, if overused, can make your scenery look somewhat somber. Then, apply a very dilute wash of slate grey over the whole rock face and over the other colors. The grey wash unifies the other color combinations into a very realistic look.
Â
Finally, very sparingly dry brush undiluted white acrylic paint in areas for highlights and to create a sun-bleached effect.    Â
Â
As You Can see, it doesn't take exceptional artistic talent to create realistic looking rock on Your Model railroad layout. But use these ideas as a starting point and feel free to experiment with ideas of your own. Try different materials and coloring techniques. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you may come with.
Â
And don't forget, as scenic modelers we must constantly observe nature for an infinite supply of new ideas.
About the Author
Clinton Carnegie is a music instructor and jazz/rock guitarist and has produced 2 CDs under his name. He has been a model railroad enthusiast for 2 years and The Sunny Model Railroad is his first layout.
http://thesunnymodelrailroad.blogspot.com/
http://cdbaby.com/cd/carnegie
![]() |
R14 10pcs Model Railway Lamppost lamp HO N 5cm | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 50m |
![]() |
L125W 20x White LED Lamp 20cm Pre Wired 5mm 12V DC | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 1h 15m |
![]() |
t11560 20pcs Scale Scenery Layout Set Model Trees HO N | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1h 15m |
![]() |
10 5mm White Leds Resistors for 18v DCDDC Headlights | ![]() |
![]() |
US $6.99 | 1h 36m |
![]() |
5Red 5Green BLINKING LedsHoldersResistors for 18v | ![]() |
![]() |
US $15.99 | 1h 42m |
![]() |
t12045 20pcs Scale Scenery Layout Set Model Trees HO N | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 1h 46m |
![]() |
t3517 100pcs Scale Scenery Layout Set Model Trees N Z | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2h |
![]() |
t5018 50pcs Scale Scenery Layout Set Model Trees N Z | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 2h 31m |
![]() |
R18 10pcs Model Railway Lamppost lamp HO N OO 13cm | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 2h 39m |
![]() |
D14070 4pcs Scale Train Layout Set Model Trees O G 14cm | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 3h 6m |
![]() |
10 x Model Tree Train Set Scenery Layout Landscape OO O | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 3h 44m |
![]() |
D7040 20pcs Scale Train Layout Set Model Trees N HO 7cm | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 3h 59m |
![]() |
100 Model Fir Tree RR Train Scenery Layout N Z Green | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 4h 29m |
![]() |
25 x Model Tree Train Scenery Layout Landscape HO N Z | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 5h 31m |
![]() |
24 x HO Scale 187 RR Train Painted Passenger Figures | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 5h 48m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 4 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 24m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 1 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 26m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 24 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 27m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 2 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 28m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 3 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 29m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 13 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 30m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 15 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 31m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 10 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 33m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 14 | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 34m |
![]() |
Breweriana Decals 4050 reefer boxcar Valley Brew 12 | ![]() |
2 Bids | US $1.29 | 6h 35m |
![]() |
O Scale Crossing Signal Controller | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $29.95 | 7h |
![]() |
HO Scale Crossing Signal Controller | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $24.95 | 7h 4m |
![]() |
LIONEL COMPATIBLE O SCALE LAYOUT TREES | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $1.00 | 7h 52m |
![]() |
3 Model Railroader Mags Wiring How to Book and DVDs | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $15.57 | 8h 5m |
![]() |
10 X Model Green Tree RR Train Scenery Layout OO O | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.01 | 8h 18m |
![]() |
10 White 3mm LedsHoldersResistors for 18v Systems | ![]() |
![]() |
US $9.99 | 8h 42m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin TEE Panorama Roof Car 8728 VGC | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $27.72 | 8h 58m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin TEE Dining Car Panto 8727 VGC | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $18.28 | 9h 4m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin TEE 1st Class Open Seating 8725 | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $17.66 | 9h 9m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin TEE 1st Class Compartment 8724 | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $10.83 | 9h 13m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin IC 1st Class Compartment 872x | ![]() |
6 Bids | US $16.11 | 9h 16m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin US Amtrak Coach 8761 New Boxed | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $11.61 | 9h 24m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin US Amtrak Tail Car 8765 New | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $10.06 | 9h 28m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin 4ax 1st Cl Express Coach 8710 | ![]() |
5 Bids | US $10.83 | 9h 35m |
![]() |
PACK OF 50 BUILDING SCENERY SET MODEL CAR N SCALE 1 150 | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 9h 38m |
![]() |
Z Scale Z Gauge Marklin 4ax 1st Class IR Coach 8743 New | ![]() |
4 Bids | US $4.97 | 9h 39m |
![]() |
100 x Model Tree Train Set Scenery Layout Landscape N Z | ![]() |
![]() |
US $1.99 | 10h 43m |
![]() |
SMC 431 Natural Wood Bark log Scenery Pack | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $6.45 | 12h |
![]() |
25 Model Green Tree RR Train War Scenery Layout HO N Z | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 12h 36m |
![]() |
16PCS Scenery Layout Set Model Trees HO Scale NEW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 12h 49m |
![]() |
10 White 3mm Leds Resistors for 12v DCDDC Headlights | ![]() |
![]() |
US $8.29 | 14h 37m |
![]() |
IHC PREMIER GG 1 MAROON ELECTRIC PENNSYLVANIA ENGINE NR | ![]() |
8 Bids | US $39.00 | 14h 41m |
![]() |
20 sitting G Scale Scale1 Figures Passenger NEW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $16.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
100pcs Scale N Figures w Pairssitting FREE SHIPPING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
20 x G Scale Scale1 Figures Passenger NEW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
100 sitting N Figures Passenger N NEW FREE SHIPPING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $13.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
100 N Figures Passenger N NEW FREE SHIPPING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
24 x G Scale Scale1 Figures Passenger NEW | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $16.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
100 Z Figures Passenger Z 10 Poses FREE SHIPPING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
100 sitting Z Figures Passenger Z NEW FREE SHIPPING | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $13.99 | 16h 7m |
![]() |
RDA HO Scale Kit Crosstown Garage Structure KIT | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $31.95 | 16h 17m |
![]() |
HO HOn3 Scenery Materials and Vehicle Package | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.95 | 16h 25m |
![]() |
MIB 1960s Kibri HO GERMAN PINE TREE Scenery KIT | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 16h 27m |
![]() |
10 White 3mm LedsHoldersResistors for 15v Systems | ![]() |
![]() |
US $9.99 | 16h 46m |
![]() |
Marklin 7253 Bridge Pillar 1 3 16 2 Pack MT Box | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 17h 9m |
![]() |
D9048 10pcs Scale Train Layout Set Model Trees N HO 9cm | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 17h 44m |
![]() |
YZ150 10pcs Model Train N Z 1150 bench chair settee | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 18h 53m |
![]() |
100 Model Fir Tree Train Set Scenery Layout N Z Green | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $4.99 | 19h 23m |
![]() |
CF A1 100g Green Grass Fibre Mat Model Railway Layout | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $7.72 | 19h 48m |
![]() |
10 Model Tree Train Scenery Layout Landscape Scale N Z | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 19h 48m |
![]() |
ONE SET OF 10 LIGHTS FOR HOUSES STATION ETC SCENERY | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.25 | 22h 37m |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
Tags: design, free, layout, model, scenery, scenery layouts, scenery layouts 1.0, scenery layouts 2.0, scenery layouts for myspace, scenery layouts for myspace 1.0



































































