Bob is constructing a winter scene on his RR laout and wants your views on including a winter scene:

“I am building a layout using dept56 building, ski slopes, gondola ride, etc. Therefore, the village will be a winter scene. I have decided to incorporate a model train around the village. Has anyone ever constructed a winter scene incorporating a railroad in HO or O27 gauge trains? Mostly all I have been able to find are not winter scenes.”

Add your feedback and comments below.

Matt has an O Scale 3-rail layout and wants to know about wiring a diorama:

“I built a 4′ x 4′ diorama, which I use to photograph different locomotives and rolling stock. It has two sections, 4 ft long, of track and a 2 ft section with a bumper. Can someone inform me is there a way to wire the track so that I could take pics with the locomotives headlight, or passenger cars with the interior lit. I am relatively new to this hobby so need help from those who have some experience.”

To help this newcomer simply click the green comments link to add your feedback. I’m sure Matt would be very grateful if you could help him.

If you have made streets and roads for your rr layout you might like to share your ideas with Tom who asks:

“What materials are out there for making city streets and roads. I have tried various methods including matte board and plaster of paris, neither of which look realistic?”

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Carl wants to hear from anyone who has build HO scale roads:

“Can someone tell me, for HO scale, what is the width for a two lane road for automobiles? Thank you.”

Dave is building scenery for his layout and would like to hear from others who have used both Sulptamold and Hydrocal:

“I was wondering if anyone out there could explain to me the pros and cons of using either Sulptamold vs Hydrocal used for landscaping etc. Is one better than the other? Are they both paintable etc. Thanks in advance for everyone’s input”

To help Dave add your feedback using the green comments link below.

“I have several articles on making roads, many refer to using foam core. I have gone to building supply stores (Home Depot,etc.) and noboday seems to know what it is or where to find it. Is it also know by another name? If you have used foam core please let me know where I can find it.
Thank you.”

To help this reader click on the green comments link below.

Phillip would like to hear from others about gradients and a saw mill/logging scene he wants to have on his layout:

“I haven’t begun my model layout yet, I am busy researching as much as I can. I would like to include a saw mill/logging scene and a mineral/quarry scene and incorporate a change in level. Does anyone have have any pearls of wisdom on creating different levels and efficient and easy inclines? Also it seems that there is a greater choice of OO/HO kits in America and I am having problems finding any saw mill/logging kits – does anyone know of any?”

I wonder if Phillip got his inspiration for the saw mill/logging scene from the Mountain Ash Railway Tour on video 31 (week 18) at http://www.model-train-help.com/member-only-videos.html

I am confused with this question from Derek, but a reader who uses Plaster of Paris regularly might understand better:

“For scenery building I like to use plaster of Paris bandages off cuts (yes, as used with broken bones! and free of charge!). I wet the Plaster of Paris and form it into appropriate sizes/shapes to layout as suitable ‘topography’profiles. However, I can’t get such off cuts at present and wondered if – please – a reader could perhaps suggest any suitable options?”

Suggestions from readers can be posted using the green comments link below.

David needs your feedback on joining foam layers and also share a quick model railroad tip:
“Can anyone tell me what does one use for a quick cement to secure foam together in layers?”

David also has a quick tip for fellow railroaders:

Tip — I am using one layer of 1/2 inch foam with light pine re-enforcment to cover tracks going into tunnels, So I can remove the whole mountain to clean track and fix a derailment. Seems to work very good and is light to handle. The mountains have been made on top and the whole thing is removable when needed.”

Gerri has a question about making mold for people on his layout:

“I am new to the model RR hobby and am working on a garden railroad. This year I got the landscaping all in place and next spring I will install the track. I have my starter set train and a couple of buildings.

I am now looking at the people that I will need to inhabit the train, rail workers, towns folks and by the time it is all done there will be over/near 100 people needed. At $10-14.00 per individual that looks to be expensive.

As part of the hobby, I am enjoying starting to scratch build houses, etc and I would really like to also mold my own people. I am at a total loss as to what materials are available and what is best for the molds and the people. I have worked with polymer clay before and thought if I could get a mold material and mold a basic man/woman/child then I could individualize details such as clothing/sitting-standing/activities etc. I have no idea what type of material to use to make the molds from.

Is there anyone who knows of a better way to accomplish this or where I can research the information/supplies?”

To comment on Gerri’s posting click on the green comments link below.

John has sent in this information about his O layout for publication.

My layout is very large 26 X 24. It consists of a very detailed project.

I do not place buildings, switch towers etc. just to have all acc. working. Half of my L.O. consists of a oil refinery with derricks and storage tanks with smoke stacks and billowing smoke(cotton). Also in the refinery are many pipes leading to the tanks and all is very detailed.

In the midlle of L.O. is the rail yard with a large scrap yard in between two tracks that are switched to the main track for loading with 2 cranes Operating. On the far side leading down a lonhwy is a service station and a motel with a coaling station in the rear.

When you arrive in town there is a Hospital, police station , fire house, church and cemetery with three stores of a mexican flavor and resturant. All this is connected by hwy and bridges and in the center of all is my access that is covered by fake water and rocks with water fall.

I have two operating trains with a large elevated tressel that proceeds next to a large mountain with trees and hanging grass. The are 11 signal bridges(2-153s) that have dwarf signals. The back of LO is formed and painted rocks with a waterfall. Quite immpressive. Many other things not listed.

Gene has sent in this clever idea to make realistic looking culvets from drinking straws. His wife cut short pieces from the bendable sections of plastic straws, painted them gray, to use as “metal” culvert drains.

Cal is in the process of creating a backdrop for his model railroad layout and would like to hear from readers who have made a backdrop. Here is his question:

“I would like to put up a curved backdrop to be paintable as sky & clouds. Where can I find a roll of cardstock about 36″ high that will work? I need about 50′ roll. Is there something better to use?”

If you have made a backdrop for your model RR layout and would like to comment on Cal’s posting, simply click on the green comments tag below and post your thoughts.

Bob asks for your help:

“Does anyone know if someone has ever hot melted sheets and blocks of urethane foam (available up to 4″ x 48″ x 96″) and used a shredder file to roughly shape it in a normal type landscape and then gone in and carved out the road bed for their train? Point being, that’s the way it’s done in the real world. Mother nature didn’t lay down the rails and put hills and mountains around them like many modelers do.”

To suggest a solution click on the green comments link below this posting.

Can you guide Thomas with building mountains on his HO layout?

“I am modeling the Hedley crusher plant to HO scale. The plant produces copper, zinc, gold.and silver. The Canadian Pacific Railway serviced the plant. I need to know the best way to build a mountain. I sure need some help with this scenery,and mountain. Thanks in advance. Regards Thomas.”

Click the green comments tag to help Thomas.

Here is a question from a reader interested in creating a scene depicting war time bombing. He is interested in hearing from any reader who has experience in construction burnt out buildings. Here is the question and if you want to offer a suggestion, simply click on the green comment tag to submit your ideas and thoughts.

“We’ve planned the idea of late World War 2 Great Britain (say 1943-44), so we’ll have a mixture of American and British military mixed with civilian items, in a coastal port setting.This should include the preparations work for the invasion in June 1944 of occupied Normandy.

Something I’ve been pondering on is the inclusion of bomb and fire damaged buildings and roads around the port area. Technically these would be more challenging than whole buildings, since the exposed interior and rubble needs to be modelled accurately.

Has anyone experience of this type of model building.”

Submit your answer below.