You only have to walk or drive up a road to see signs on shop fronts, advertising billborads, on vehicles etc. In everyday life signs are almost everywhere, so that can also add reality to a train layout.

Using your computer is a great way to make signs. Example: If you search google images for “Pepsi” you will get dozens of images of the logo, bottles and more. Select the image you want and save it as a jpeg. If you have a graphics program on your computer you will easily be able to resize the image and print it out. Even a simple graphic program like PAINT (which is free on most PC’s) will do. You can also design your own signs using these a graphics program. You simply choose the font size, style, font color, background color etc.

The next step is to spray a thin sheet of styrene plastic with an artists adhesive and then glue the signs to the plastic. Smooth it out to remove any bubbles. When it’s dry use hobby/craft/xacto knife and carefully cut the signs out.

You can then attach the styrene backed signs to any other plastic surface using styrene cement. You will be able to fit lots of signs on one sheet of paper, so that will save on printing costs. For best results you might want to seal the signs with a dullcoat matt varnish, but test a piece first to make sure the ink doesn’t run. From experience I have found it best to apply a couple of light clear varnish coats rather than one heavy coat which could run or be so thick it looks yellowish.

Jon asks readers:

“Does anyone know someone in the Denver Metro area that can put together a Terrain for Trains’ High Sierra layout?”

Comment below.

The layout is a module built according to the NedTrak-standards (comparable to N track). It measures 120 by 60 cm and depicts a sportsground in the Netherlands.
On the right hand side a korfball-pitch is shown, which is exactly to scale and shows a korfball-match on hand.

 

On the left hand side an athletics track is shown. All necessary equipment is or will be built, including pole vault, hurdles, javeling, shot put etc.

The building in the back is a sportshall, built after the example set in Abcoude, NL. This building depicts the hall as it was before it was extended in the mid-90's of the last century.

I try to use unorthodox materials to create the scenes, e.g. the hurdles were made of staples. 

If you would like to share details of your layout please complete the form at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/my-layout.html 

David has kindly sent in these tips to share with others in the hobby:

Just read your tunnel problem with not being big enough and thought I would add something to it.

When getting ready to plaster a tunnel use heavy duty aluminum foil to line your tunnel.

It won't allow any drying plaster debris or anything for that matter to fall on your track. At the tunnel portals area you can actually crunch the foil to resemble rock work inside the tunnel and spray paint it to look like rock work. Keeps your tunnel free from all debris and keeps track clean.

I have actually been using it instead of wire to form mtns. and hills and then using the plaster cloth on top of foil. You can spray paint foil first-add plaster cloth-then do your ground or rock work. Easy to use and very inexpensive. I have also crunched foil up to resemble rocks and used the foil as a rock mold and poured hydrocal in and made really large rock formations. It really makes great looking rock formations.

Take a sheet of foil about 12" in length and just crumble it up-then carefully spread it back out and you will see the wrinkles and the rock formations appear and then add your plaster cloth and try settle it into formations. Give it a try. Can be used over for molds. Spray with wet water befor pouring hydrocal into foil mold.

Readers might also like to look at these tunnel tips submitted by Geof http://modeltrainsetshelp.blogspot.com/search?q=tunnel

Model railroading (like any hobby) can be expensive, but there are lots of ways to save money. Making your own scenery props is a good example.

Making Ground Cover

If you want to avoid paying retail prices for commercially made ground cover, then have a go at making your own. Some inventive model railroaders use everything from coffee grounds, tea leaves, to ground-up fresh mulberry leaves. They use their microwave ovens to dry the leaves out, before putting them in a blender. They often combine different leaves to get the desired color and texture.

Sawdust is also an inexpensive material for making ground cover. Fabric dye (from the supermarket) can be used to color the sawdust. Mix up the dye, following the directions on the label, and carefully add it to your sawdust. You need to keep adding the sawdust until there is no more liquid. Pre heat the oven. Then put the colored sawdust on some baking paper (as it will stain anything it comes in contact with). Make sure it is spread out evenly and not just in a big pile. Put the baking dish in the warm oven, for an hour or so, to allow time for the sawdust to dry out. DO NOT cook the saw dust as it could catch fire. The oven should be warm enough to dry out the sawdust, not heat it up. You can bag the sawdust when it has dried out and cooled down. Use white PVA woodworkers glue to stick the colored sawdust to the ground or on tress etc.

I hope you found these model railroad tips useful.

Charlotte is working on her layout scenery and has an unusual question to challenge readers:

“Apart from trying to shred foam rubber in a liquidizer and dying the foam, how can one make flowers?”

Comment below.

Charlotte has replied to comments posted:

“Thanks for the flower tip, Geof. the scale is HO. In case anyone wants this tip, but I’m not sure it’s unique, here it is. spray texture paint on paper. it makes great walls if you’re into making your own buildings. Glue the textured paper on the cardboard or balsa wood you’re building with.”

Jake is new to the hobby and wants some ideas from anyone willing to share their experience on building houses in a town scene. Jake asks:

“Hello, can someone please help me…I have just started my first HO layout and I don’t know how to get started? What is the best way to make houses?”

To set Jake on the right track (excuse the pun), please add your comments.

Bill has a question for N scale enthusiasts:

“How wide should I make the city streets and a dirt road on my N-Scale layout?”

Comment below.

Jim wants ideas from readers for construction an S gauge layout and asks:

“I am looking for the best S gauge layout for a 15′ by 15′ space. I would like my layout to contain a mountain, a plain, and some city structures. I would welcome suggestions.”

Add your comments using the comments link.

Jerry wants advice from others in the hobby about road building and asks:

"I am looking for the best and or easiest way to build roads on my N scale 4' x 8' layout.  Additionally, how do you build crossings where the roads intersect the tracks?"

Note: There is an excellent section in the model-train-help.com ebook on road building ideas.

Mark wants to hear from anyone with experience building tunnels and asks:

“Hello, I’m building a layout for my ho/oe3 train I would like to build a tunnel but have no idea on how to go about it. Most of the layout is foam with plaster bandage over the top.”

Add you thoughts to Mark’s posting below.

Some our regular contributors are away on vacation at the moment so it would be good if some other experienced model railroaders could step up to the mark and answer some questions from others in the hobby. To answer a question you simply click on the green Comments link below each posting.

If you are not already registered it takes only 3 minutes and is really easy. After registering you can participate in blog discussions and answer questions if you can.

On behalf of all the new comers to the hobby, thank you in advance for help.

John asks:

“What is the best way to build a tunnel ,going through a wall in a room (like from in the room to the closet and how do I finish this so it looks nice?”

To assist John with ideas please use the green Comments link below.

Pieter from South Africa wants to model Chicago railroads and would like some advice from readers of cityscapes:

"I have had HO trains for 20 years, but due to my career taking up a lot of time, I did not spend a lot of time with the hobby. I have now resumed it. Since I am from South Africa, have mainly RSA stock. I am also still deciding on what eras and railways I should model. My first ever visit to the US at the beginning of September 2009, took me to the absolute amaizing city of Chicago, which I fell in love with immediately. Needless to say, that is what I want to model. I purchased a book on the history of the Chicago railways, but need some advice and articles on modeling city railroads and would appreciate any help I could get on modeling Chicago specifically. My space is reasonably limited, although that might change. Any advice for both limited space and unlimited will be appreciated"

Add your comments below.