There is a lot more to model railroading than just operating trains (although that is very enjoyable). Making scenery, trees, buildings, mountains, bridges, roads, backdrops etc., can be a big job and very time-consuming. Although, in saying that, if you enjoy something - then it is not really work.
For many, scenery making is the best part of the hobby. You learn as you go, and get better and better over time. You will make a few mistakes (but who doesn't), but you will see the results of your efforts take shape...which is very rewarding.
There are lots of different ideas for scenery making, several tricks of the trade, and short cuts to learn. It really is the fun and excitement of being creative that is so good about building scenery and structures.
One little tip is not to make things too perfect. You do not want all your trees the same width or height, or planted in a perfect row. Walk along any road in your town an you will notice cracks in the footpath, flaking paint on buildings, garbage lying around, graffiti etc. We do not live in a perfect world, so your scenery needs to reflect that.
Here are some ideas you might find useful.
1. Make a Miniature Garden Hose
Make a little garden hose is easy that will look really good beside a house, or perhaps being held by a gardener watering his or her flowers or vegetable patch.
Find an old piece of black, or green, insulated coated wire as this works best. Coil the plastic wire around a small length dowel rod. Make sure you leave both ends protruding. You then simply attach one end of the hose to the side of the house and the other end of the hose in someone's hand... as though they are watering the lawn or washing a car, or squirting a dog. Simple and effective!
2. Make Culverts Using Drinking Straws
If you have every bought plastic drinking straws for a kids party, you will know how inexpensive they are to buy. Drinking straws are amazingly versatile and have a kinds of uses around a model railroad layout. They are ideal for making realistic looking culverts. Buy the straws with the bendable plastic sections, because this is the piece you use for the culverts. Cut the bendy bits into small sections and coat them with gray paint to resemble metal or concrete culvert drains. These are really quick and easy to make and can look amazingly realistic as part of the scenery on a train layout.
3. Make a Fence
Here is another easy idea for your model railroad layout. Hunt around for a piece of old discarded insect screen. Your local hardware store might have some, or maybe a local insect screen installer might give you a few off-cut for nothing. You will not need very much, because fences on layouts are very small. Cut the insect screen into sections about 1" x 2" long. Paint the insect screen, silver or gray, before attaching each cut section to the posts (toothpicks, or match sticks are ideal). When complete, you will have made small sections of cyclone fence ready for positioning on your layout. Simple but effective!
Source : Ezinearticles
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