Interactive Scenery Clinic Week 2: Paved and Gravel Roads

[DKS]

Most of the time for asphalt roads I use a roughly 50-50 mixture of Sculptamold and Hydrocal, tinted with black concrete dye until it is a dark grey. If the roads have curbs, I make these first before paving. I'll apply the mixture and work it with a plastic spatula until it is smooth. After it's set, I'll add cracks with a knife and chip out chunks for potholes. Sometimes I'll remove portions and re-apply fresh material to make the road appear to have been patched. I'll weather it with grey and tan chalks, and add tar lines and skid marks with a Sharpie.

...

I use sanded styrene for concrete roads, usually cut into individual sections, and distressed with cracks. I'll spray it with concrete spray and then weather it with chalks. I detailed my line-making techniques in this thread: http://therailwire.net/smf/index.php/topic,15591.0.html

Do you use the same mix for the curbs as well? why not use just 100% of sculpamold or hydrocal and not mixed 50/50?

I use styrene for the curbs. I use the 50-50 mix of Sculptamold and Hydrocal because Sculptamold alone has too much texture, and Hydrocal alone has almost zero working time. So, I get the smoother texture of Hydrocal with the longer working time of Sculptamold. Strange, I know, but hey, it works.

[lashedup]

Anyone else think of Mister Roger's Neighborhood with this shot?

Nice stuff Dave.

[pbrooks]

Here's a dirt road on my layout. Usually dirt roads looked like mud when I modeled them, because I used too much water.

For this one, I painted water/glue mix on the painted plywood base, then sprinkled on real dirt. The water wicked up from underneath to lock the dirt down. When dry, I ran some cars over it to flatten it out and make scale ruts. I think I also dusted on some more dry dirt to make it look loose and dusty.

Cool info in this thread, guys... thanks for sharing!  ;D

-Phil

[chuck geiger]

Phil love your layout and the articles in the N scale magazines. What do you use to weather your rail?

[Chris333]

Guess I can add at least something.

From my small 2'x4' layout. The dirt was rubbed through old stockings to end up with what was just about powder (this is N scale) After gluing I used more fine dirt from the "Weather it" kit, this was a different shade for contrast. Then even after all that I dry-brushed it various colors.


I'm not so good at scenery, probably why my layouts don't get far...

[Dave V]

Guess I can add at least something.

I'm not so good at scenery, probably why my layouts don't get far...

It must be Opposite Day at Camp Irony...

That's some of the nicest scenery I've seen.  Can't even tell it's N!

[shark_jj]

Wow, there are a lot of great ideas in this thread and the one on trees and shrubs.  I really appreciate everyone who is posting and sharing.  This has obviously caught on so I will be continuing these threads next week with the next segment.

[chuck geiger]

Chris please teach everything you know Yoda!

[pbrooks]

Guess I can add at least something.

I'm not so good at scenery, probably why my layouts don't get far...

It must be Opposite Day at Camp Irony...

That's some of the nicest scenery I've seen.  Can't even tell it's N!

Amen to that!

Chris always posts something that knocks my socks off.
Man! I hate to sit here in my bare feet...


Chuck-

I weather my track with an airbrush using Polyscale paint.  The rails are sprayed from the side using about half dirt and half rust mixed together. the ties are painted by spraying down with dirt and some oversprays of grimy black. I add some weathering powders and real dirt dropped in for variety later. By spraying ties after the rail, the dirty colors bounce up and give variety to the rail color.

Thanks for asking,

-Phil

[railbuilderdave]

I use fine grit sandpaper for some roads, especially older asphalt roads in my mill and town...

That parking lot woth the Domtar trailer looks great, how did you do that lot?

[DocGeoff]

3rdrail,
In your photo it looks like the rear end of a Twin Coach." Where did you get it? Is there any chance of my finding one?

[3rdrail]

3rdrail,
In your photo it looks like the rear end of a Twin Coach." Where did you get it? Is there any chance of my finding one?

http://www.ultimatenscale.com/n-scale-General-Motors-buses.html

[NSES40DC]

I'm currently working on a nscale module that I've used sand paper and so far it looks pretty good. I also haven't figured out how to upload any pictures from my camera. HELP!! I want to see what other opinions on my module.

[Rowan]

 
What fabulous roads and tracks you folks have built !