Ok folks, I've gotten quite a few comments on my weedy trackage, so I figured I'd share the process I use to make it.
One comment I feel I need to make is that I don't have any roadbed under the track, as I didn't feel tracks sitting up on ballast is representative of what I'm trying to accomplish. This makes the track seem to sit into the ground a bit, and looks even more so once the grass is added.
First :materials..I am modeling late summer, adjust for your season..And also tools..
First, I started with this, already ballasted, which will be partially removed ...
Here I started removing the ballast between the ties, by slicing on either side of each tie with a hobby knife, after this I dig it out with a pick or a screwdriver tip, then vac up the loose stuff.
Here it is after removing most of what I wanted to replace, I wanted this area to be extra "lush", so I removed more than other areas of my layout I've done this on..
Here I've started adding taller 4mm grass tufts, and some 4mm leafty tufts too, in areas that it won't affect the train, as this stuff is too tall for that..
Next I add smaller 2mm tufts around those, to indicate younger/less healthy grass. Once I am happy with that, I start adding 2mm tufts, cut into strips, between the dug out ties. This doesn't have to be exact, if they are wider than the gap they can still fit if they're close..I try to cut them the same width as the scissor blades, seen in the pics. I dip them in Foam tack glue, and dab off excess before planting them.
After that's done(it took me a few evenings for that last step), I sprinkle the ground foam around the 2mm tufts, and any area where I want to represent new growth. I also sprinkle it into any area where the base shows, and then rub the ground foam into the grass while its dry, so it settles into the grass without sticking. After I'm happy with that, I dribble Scenic Cement onto the ground foam and let it soak the grass alittle too. let that dry, and you should look for areas to touch up, and then you're ready for any details you want to add!
Soaking with Scenic cement:
results: down the tracks, notice I did my best to keep it away from the rails, probably a good idea.
OK, I think that's it. Questions and comments always welcome!
