Landscaping and picking out the scenery can be one of the more fun things that you can do with your model railroads. You are the person who gets to decide just how you want it to look.

From fanciful hobbit themes, alien worlds or realistic recreations there is nothing that you cannot create and display, all it takes is a plan, some materials, a little skill and some time.

First and foremost you need a plan or at least a concept.

- Do you want to copy something you've seen somewhere else?

- Do you want to recreate some historical place?

- Are you more likely to create a one of a kind scene to delight your viewers?

Making a choice on one theme for your layout and staying true to that theme is perhaps the most important keys to success. If you change your methods and style in the middle of your landscape the result will be inconsistencies that will detract from the overall impression you are trying to form.

Staying consistent will enable the people.who are observing your project to find all the small details that you have added to make it so special.

Once you have picked your theme you need to work on where you will put your tracks and the landscaping. It can be more advantageous to first put in your turns or switches and then add your terrain than vice versa.

Your next step is to collect the items that you think you will want to use. Some you may already have around the house, others you may want to purchase from dealers or even a local hobby shop if you have one near. Just remember what your original design plan is so you don't stray from it. Just because you like the look of something doesn't mean that it will suit your project. Some common materials that you can gather are:

1. Tables or Stands 2. Plywood (preferably outdoor grade) for base if using stands 3. Glues 4. Twigs, 'dirt' gravel, crushed or powdered stones, herbs etc. for plants and groundcover 5. Paints of various kinds for touch-up, covering the base and backgrounds etc. 6. Poster board, wax paper, aluminum foil, tissues etc. for texturing and shaping 7. Styrofoam blocks and sheets for shaping

Optional items you may wish to use include:

8. Plaster of Paris and / or fiberglass 9. Talcum powder, pepper and salt, cayenne pepper " for texturing and colorants 10. Corkboard and cork 'paper' 11. Roof repair tar (for road surfaces etc.) 12. Paintable caulks and adhesives for securing items in place

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Do you have solid model train tables holding your trains? You're going to need them to hold all your equipment as your railroad grows. Learn how to build tables as well as other helpful information at http://www.themodelrailroader.com