After getting all your supplies together you need to form your terrain, which is often done by placing foam spacers and carving them to achieve the desired results, then coating those with a plaster, fiberglass or other sealer to harden them. Wireframe models with reinforcement are also used on larger landscapes, while some 'purists' will actually haul in stone, dirt and sand in an attempt to make a 'true' world.

One note of warning when using real-life materials however: graininess and texture of common elements can detract from the real-life aspects of a landscape. Most dirt is not fine enough to give a true impression of 'earth' in a miniature unless coated with an even finder coating of dust or powder. Keep your scales in mind at all times and work up your tallest points first (mountains, hills etc.) to help you form your valleys and streams or lakes in a natural manner.

When your base is in place the real fun begins. After painting all surfaces necessary to help mask any exposure gluing and placing your various materials, stones and coverings is the next step. Stippling on 'grass' and other coverings with a fine brush is the normal procedure but a little forethought can go a long way to increase the realism.

For instance if you are going to have a lake or pond place a narrow lake bed of earth around it and have a ragged edge encroaching onto this rather then taking the grass all the way to the waters' edge. In real-life ebbs and erosion will cause the bank to be washed away and tree roots to be exposed etc. " planning to emulate this will add a realistic touch that even the most demanding of viewers will comment on.

Laying track can be done in several ways, the simplest is to glue the track to the bottom directly " the most realistic is to form a true bed of crushed or powdered stone, with actual wooden 'beams' upon which your track is 'spiked' but this is very uncommon and time consuming. Software to help with design and layout can help with more ambitious projects as well " but thought to maintenance and accessibility should be given during this phase since cleaning and repairing track sections is the most likely maintenance to need to occur over time.

Last but certainly not least is the creation of vignettes or 'small scenes' " it is this which most model railroaders really live: to recreate in miniature the thousands of small scenes that make real life so endearing and turn our model railroads into wonders.

Choosing themes such as small cities or train stations that fit into your theme and building appropriate houses and edifices or buying them and placing correctly is critical " as is maintaining the proper scale. The human eye can note incredibly small differences in scale and proportion so staying true to your scale and theme is vital for a successful landscape.

There is much more we could discuss about landscapes but most likely you are ready to start playing " so put on your engineering caps and start thinking. Turning on the light is probably a good place to start - have fun!

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Looking for ideas for model railroad scenery? Visit The Model Railroader at http://www.themodelrailroader.com for lots of helpful ideas and to get your free copy of my report on designing model railroads.