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What kind of dirt do you get at the nursery? It must not be potting soil. I assume you sift it and apply it just like ground foam. How much does the color change when it is saturated with scenic cement? I have been using Arizona Rock dirt and it can get sort of mottled as it gets more or less...

Thanks for the suggestions on covering the seams between layers of foam board. I'll try that as I get into the mountains. What base color do you use for the rocky areas you carve? And what is your color/layering/wash process? The grapes (drying into raisins) are on those manila-colored pieces...

Well after taking the summer off for other hobbies, I got back working on the railroad. I realized that I had too much track going on and not enough space for scenery, so I removed a large yard area running through the center and simplified the module connection points. I decided to finish...

Great discussion, guys. One thing to remember about any modular system is defining what you are going to do with it. If you are going to be connecting it up with other club members, then you need to be strict with the rules. If you are doing it mostly to be able to change the size and...

There's no minimum length specification, but shorter than a foot would be a bit useless unless you were needing to fill in a gap or something. The average length that I have seen for a "straight" module (connection at both ends, but not necessarily straight) is about 4'. My balloon modules...

The foam is 2" thick and glued to 1x2 framework -- no plywood. It's quite strong. Bend Track is a modular system like N-Trak, but it has a double main line on both sides of the module with a standard "connection" point at each end. There is a "balloon" module at each end of the group of...

Thought I would post some progress on my modules. Here are all 6 modules crammed into the shop space. I probably won't have them all in here at once very often. I tore up the old mountian module and rebuilt it so the entire loop is in a tunnel. This allowed more realistic mountains...

The foam is 2" thick. It comes in 2'x8' sheets at Home Depot. The blue foam is 5/8" thick. I make the rough cuts with a handsaw in a jabbing fashion to create random cliffs and gorges. I then go in and gouge and rip smaller chunks with a small knife. Hiding the seem between layers can be...

I'm not sure what to do with the old layout. I will probably salvage all the buildings and trees. What's left would be a great starting layout for someone who wanted to run trains right away. The track and switches all work great. It would just need scenery. If anyone in the Portland, Oregon...

Progress update Foam is flying! I decided to start with the mountain/lumber module. It is the most difficult and it has an elevation change which I had never done before. I initially looked at the Woodland Scenics risers to create the elevations, but in the end decided to cut it all out of pink...

I plan to use epoxy resin which doesn't harm the foam. I'm hoping that it won't be much more work than thin plywood or Masonite. Does anyone know any double-track bridges that have a 1.5" track spacing? BTW: Andrew, HoTrak has some nice modules...

I've taken the plunge and started 5 new Bend Track modules to replace the 4' x 10' layout in my shop space. I realized that if I went around the walls, I could have 3x more mainline, and the trains would go somewhere -- and come back. This is based on Bend Track standards with a branch line down...

I have seen real water in layouts, and it does does add an element of realism. It also tends to wick up into the scenery -- at least in the layouts I've seen. Just like resin, it also forms this curved up edge where it meets the shoreline (something about capilary action). You can really see it...

Thanks for all the advice. I'm leaning toward just covering it up with dirt and plants, although I really like the the idea of adding a drain or a dock to make a point of interest and justify the buildup on the bank. For the future, is it better to put the water down first, and then put dirt...

OK, so after all the prep work, I mixed up, tinted and poured some Magic Water. The resin did what it was suppose to leveling itself out, but I didn't realize it would soak up into all the scenery and foliage nearby! So, I had to tear out all the plants and watch it soak all through the...

My requirements and needs are about the same as yours and after looking at a lot of systems, I got an NCE PowerCab. Being a newbe, it has all the sophistication I need. Everything is in the handset, so it is easy to wire and doesn't need space for big power supplies and boosters. You can also...

Hey Herc. Thanks for the comments. Making everything match to the same ground level and look natural is a real trick. Sometimes you have to raise the foundation, sometimes cut a hole to sink it. Most buildings seem to have a lot of brush next to them and that seems to hide a lot of "seams." Do...

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm using Woodland Scenics Fine Dark Brown Ballast for the dirt aresa, although I wish it were a little bit finer. I'd like to try real sifted dirt at some point. Everything is glued directly to the foam, including the track. I hope it stays put. I use alcohol as a...

Plenty loud My wife got me a Challenger for my birthday and I have to agree that it is an amazing piece of engineering. However mine is plenty loud -- I would not want it any louder. I'm certainly not an expert in N-scale sound, but I have 4 locos with sound -- the Challenger and 3 with MRC...

Urged on by all the great layouts shown on this forum, I have been working on the center parts of my 4x10 free standing layout. Finishing buildings, painting, weathering, foliage and some scenery. New pics posted here: Picasa Web Albums - Dan - N-scale model... It's amazing how much effort...