Railroad scenery ‘how to’ from Chris

Remember Chris’ superb layout pics?

Well he’s got in touch with a ‘how to’.

Thank you Chris!


“Hi here is a tip, how to lay out you base, from frame 2 the gravel felt.

The pic’s will show how i layout mine out so it is easy pin your track also not having to go and by rolls of underlay from a model shop.

First i make up the frame to the size i need, once done i use 6mm M.D.F for the strength and less chance of the base sinking with any weight on top, then i use 6mm flooring mat witch is a soft and ideal for track pin’s, this will act as your underlay as well as it will also soften the sound of the train running round.

When this is all done i will use a roofing felt to cover were the track is being placed, make sure the felt has a stone look to it, you can then heat the felt to stick down, but with the smell i tend
not to do this i stick with P.V.A lot’s off.

It take’s about 24 hour’s to have a good drying but when done your ready to lay and pin your track.

As you will see in one off the pictures i am do a extension on a layout for some one using the method that i have said about. ”


A big thanks to Chris – really liked that tip. And as his pictures show, it looks great.

More gems like that here.

Best

Al

22 Responses to Railroad scenery ‘how to’ from Chris

  1. John Fuller says:

    Don’t even think about the complaints but think about those that didn’t complain. They must far outnumber the two oafs that did.

  2. Scott Cameron says:

    you lost me with 6mm. I just can’t picture this measurement in my mind at all. I’m also lost on what a ‘flooring mat’ is. I guess it’s my old yankee brain having one of it’s pharts. Nice layout though.

  3. david j howarth says:

    That sounds like a good tip laying your layout on felt , it saves a lot paint where you want roads , and for under the track

  4. Bill Antonette says:

    6 mm is approximately 1/4 or more accurately
    0.236 inches. “flooring mat” may translate to
    carpet pad. Pad comes in thicknesses from 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Hope this helps.

  5. chris holness says:

    Hi David j howarth, for roads i use blackboard paint as you can draw the white line’s and they can be washed off at any time. I use felt under the track as it is only £15 a roll and i can do 3/4 layout’s with it.

    Nice work Bill lol.

  6. chris holness says:

    I will post layout back on scott when i have finish, it will be by sat i hope.

  7. Claude says:

    Book is not available in the US. My Amazon accoun states that the book is only available in the UK.

  8. paul Otway says:

    Nice work chris

  9. Ian says:

    looks great.pics and tips are always help ful.

  10. I’ve been saving everything for almost a year now And I’m just about ready to start setting up my layout We bought a house and I have a 35’X15′ space Todays tips from Chris is gonna be as very help for my beginning Thanks so much I’ve saved every tip you have send me in the last 8 mths Again ThankYou soooo much George

  11. Geoman6673 says:

    Great tips on begining layouts. I wish it came sooner after hundreds of dallors for track bed rocks senery and everything in between.

  12. John Coffey says:

    I realy like all of the tips that you send ,and the responces that every one sends it realy helps on a layout.
    keep up the good work

  13. Dave says:

    Don’t worry also about the 2 idiots ,I had a couple myself last week saying I had the wrong trees for that area…so you see we all get them

  14. tony says:

    al got the book on my new fangled kindle think its great well worth the very very small price tag

  15. Hi I just posted a nice review for you. 😉

    I do believe you can edit your Kindle book and add some images if you can still log in to your editors account.

    Geoff Lord

  16. Ed Macomber says:

    I am with most here when I say that most reviews are done by pre-collegiate geeks who seem to delight in dis-ing anyone and anything between diaper changes. I am buying the book just to upset them…and buy the Mrs. a faux mink coat!

  17. Meirion Jones says:

    Keep up the great work, I enjoy all the tips you post, I am a seasoned model railway owner but have no layout at present when I move into my new home will probably start in earnest as it has a loft conversion already carried out on it. As for the 2 that complained about your book ignore them they are obviously idiots and I thought a book contained words not pictures, by definition a comic normally comes with pictures, never mind I will stop before I go too far. It is great to hear about different ideas for doing many things on model railways I love all the tips. Keep them coming Al great news letter once more

  18. .Interesting…..I Was A Passionate,Devoted model Rail Roader Until I Got Married….& That Was Soon The End Of That…Been Gnawing At Me To Conclude.At The Time I Was Indulged Into Lionel & Still Love Lionel From A Collectors Stand Point,,,,but If I get Back In,,,,it will probably be in HO….I love The Landscaping Part Of It & Even Came Upon A Little Secret For Making Water With Liquis Plastic & Another Secret Ingrediant….If I decide To Get Myself Crazy Again,I’ll Get Back In….Until Then,,,Happy Model Rail Roading….What Do You Think of The Trains From Germany?’

  19. Smokey Joe says:

    Great tips as always 🙂
    I am planning a 13′ X 4′ layout of my home town in the 1950, the station and goods yard were very busy at the time (before the Beeching cuts) to learn the basics, and get some practice in, I have built a shunting puzzle based on goods shed that is a small part of the larger plan. It’s a great idea to start with, as a large layout can seem somewhat daunting, and you’re never sure where to begin. start small, and work up. The puzzle will slot into the goods yard when I start the larger layout.

    Happy shunting chaps

  20. Dale says:

    I was fortunate to have 2 people in rather short matter of time advise me: “It is your railroad; you are the president, and you get to make all the decisions re: everything about your railroad.” Ignore the nay-sayers. If the president of the RR is happy, everyone else should shut up.

  21. Michael C says:

    I do agree, never, never, never listen to nay sayers, they will forever hold you back. Work on YOUR project, your way. You only have you to please. Love reading all the tips, to learn, and see what others are acomplishing. Michael. C.

  22. steve masters says:

    great small layout, very neat and good essential detail. This is the stuff which will encourage people to start on a layout which by any standard is a big time consuming project. My layout also does not have people and signals – yet !- but already looks believable and realistic. The fine details are added to the layout over a long period. It never ends. Some layouts have taken decades to complete. Keep up the good work, we live and learn as we go, all the best Steve

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