Readers might like to share their ideas and experiences and have a go at answering this question posed by a fellow model railroading enthusiast.

“I would like to design a diarama showing an after rain shower with puddles, water stains on the rolling stock and wet ballest. But I am at a loss as what to use to similate hard packed soil between the ties on the sidings from years of wind and dust which would eventually cover the ballest. I was told not to use plaster as it would crack. Any suggestions?”

This model railroad blog is for all model railroading enthusiasts so please feel free to contribute and share your ideas with other readers.