Hills

What is the best material for modelling hills and montains

 

I guess I am old fashioned but after trying different ways to create mountains and hills as well as other landscapes my favourite way is to cut plywood cross section formers and then hot glue 3/4 inch cardboard strips to the formers and base then weave more cardboard strips through them to create a mesh. I cover this with plaster soaked paper towels and when hard, cover with a layer of floor levelling plaster.
You can see some of my work in the early days of construction shown on my web site.
Come to http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html
Some people do well with foam construction but I found it too messy. Try all ways you hear about or can think of then decide whats best for you.
Robin

[This message has been edited by Robin Matthysen (edited 13 June 2000).]

 

I use foam board for almost all my layouts now. There is a completely different way to do your hills and such with foam.
There are 2 types of foam board 1) EXPANDED 2)EXTRUDED. EXPANDED looks like a lot of little beads bonded together. When you cut the stuff it can be a mess. (Use your vacuum cleaner and hold the hose end by your knife/saw when you cut/saw the foam. The vac will suck up the dust as you go) If I am not going to be cutting pieces very much a I will use EXPANDED foam board. It is used for packing boxes and crates, most companies don't want the stuff and will usually give it to you if you ask. Most of the time EXPANDED foam is white.
EXTRUDED foam comes in sheets and doesn't have the "beaded look" like Expanded does. It has little air pockets all through it. It is not near as messy to cut as Expanded, still use the vacuum tho. EXTRUDED can be pink or blue depending on how strong it is. It is used as building insulation around here. Builders put the EXTRUDED foam on the out side of buildings. Many times builders will let you have all you want if you pick up the partial and discarded pieces around a building site. (Ask first)
To glue foam together I use LIQUID NAILS, a construction adhesive. Made sure that the LIQUID NAILS is for foam. One way to check is to see if the LIQUID NAILS is the NON-FLAMABLE type made with latex. The FLAMABLE type is an oil base that will attack the foam. (What a mess! Take my word on this!)
Check some of the Model Railroading magazines for articles on building with foam board.
I have used plaster and foam boards on different parts of my layout and find the foam goes quicker, is less messy, and can be redone easier that plaster based scenery.

'Nuff Said!

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Let's Go Run Trains
MARK

 

Hello Matt,

Woodland Scenics has a paperback book out called The Scenery Manual. It sell's for 9.95
here in the states. I think it is a good instructional and reference book on building terrain. You don't have to use their products for it to be useful to you, although their products are very good. I do not represent them in anyway other than I am one of their satisfied customers . If you can get your hands on the book over there take a look. I think it would be well worth your while. Welcome to the group. Great bunch here.

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Residing in BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision near Trempealeau, WI