Building Open Country Scenery for a Model Railroad Layout

In this video I am building open country scenery for a model railroad layout. I am working on the North Texas scene on my model railroad. Using a reference photo, I am working to create ultrarealistic scenery for a great run through scene. I used some awesome products from Martin Welberg Studios and others. Let me show you how I did it.
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Scenery Products Used in This Project:
Martin Welberg Products--WB-PW201 Spring Tufts with Weeds
WB-P243 Late Summer Layered Tufts
WB-PW404 Fall Tufts with Weeds
WB-P404 Fall Tufts
WB-SFBG Burned Green Bushes Type F Low
WB-SDLG Light Green Bushes Type D
Silflor MiniNatur Products--002-24 Autumn 2mm Grass
002-23 Late Summer 2mm Grass
004-24 Autumn 4mm Grass
002-29 Hey 2mm Grass
Noch Products--50190 Summer Meadow 2.5mm Grass
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🔸 Contact me via email: [e-mail]
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🔸 For more about my layout, the Texas Colorado & Western Railway, check out / tcwry
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Credits:
🤘 Theme Song: "Extremes" by the Lemming Shepherds
Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

See how I composed this scene, built the scenic forms, and cast and painted the rocks in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3bOg3eBZ6p_fq8

[@user-bl3cn6xy7m]

Very well done Ron, there was a lot of useful information and materials included. Thank you very much.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Phoenixknight79]

I have bought those spray bottles from the dollar store as well, they do work to a point, but when the glue dries you pretty much have to use hot water to get it to spray again. I now use the clear plastic ketchup and mustard bottles with covers

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

It's great to hear from Ron trains n things

[@marklittlejohn1457]

Thankyou for the tips and video 👏

[@kinnywolf2862]

Great video

[@thomasharroun8068]

very nice

[@rolandhersom239]

If you want a cheap alternative for sculptor mould try this. Take a dozen sheets of soft toilet tissue, put them into a nutri bullet, give it a whizz, put about an inch or so of plaster into a plastic fruit bottle, fill loosely with the toilet paper fluff and give it a good shake to coat the fluff with plaster. Add water to the fluff and mix to the desired consistency. Excellent sculptor mould at minimum cost. Try it!

[@lorrainemclay3343]

Great tip, thanks 😀🌈🇭🇲🚂🚂

[@lobotomyscam1051]

I don't own a nutri bullet.

[@rolandhersom239]

If you don't have a nutri bullet, buy a $14 coffee grinder from Kmart. Fold 6 sheets of toilet paper zig zag fashion on each other and cut into half inch squares. Toss a few into the coffee grinder and you will get the same result. That is how I first did it. The coffee grinder has many uses for making and colouring flock and other stuff with artists acrylics straight from the tube. It is very well worth the $14 outlay. One tip, shake it vigorously while using, to ensure good mixing and colour coverage. All my DIY static grass made from weathered MDF and my foam flock was made in my coffee grinder. You won't be sorry you invested in one.

[@JohnTheNscaleModder]

Hey Ron. My name is John Newman. Would like to say your videos are so helpful. I am starting my own Nscale layout.

[@mikedurhan9941]

This was great. Thanks, Ron.

[@davidwilliams1060]

The grass and dirt combination looks right for a hot and dry summer in the north as well.

[@IMRROcom]

Thank You! Nice to have you back!

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank, you for you're great helpful video]👍

[@stevehughes5403]

Nice video showing the processes. Your Lineman Truck will need 5 guys on the ground. 4 standing around watching the Bucket guy, and one guy with a broom sweeping up what the bucket guy drops to the ground. Thanks

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video. I am currently waiting for a package from Midwest model shop. Lol.

[@randydobson1863]

hello ron its is randy and i like u video is cool ron thanks and open country scenery is cool thanks friends randy

[@rolandhersom239]

An expansion on your clothes pin clamps. About 30 or so years ago I was building a quarter scale RC glider and needed clamps to hold reasonably soft balsa sheeting to spruce stringers for gluing. All steel clamps I had would have done damage to the sheeting. I got wooden clothes pins, removed one jaw of each pin and super glued the shortened sides together. This gives a gap between the jaws about a half inch wide before you squeeze the pin open. Works really well and can open very wide. One tip on super gluing pine or spruce. Spread a thin coat of super glue over each surface to be glued and allow to dry momentarily to seal the surfaces. Then apply the glue as usual. This method ensures that the glue doesn't soak in and rob the joint of glue.

[@wykedinsanity]

looks darn good ron

[@dodo1opps]

Great video, Ron. Maybe you can add Texas Utilities decals to the truck.

[@JenHamon]

I'm learning a ton from your videos. Thank you for explaining everything so well.

[@CM-ARM]

Ron you really captured the Texas country side.

[@chrisscott8934]

Hey Ron hope you're having a good New years I seen lot scenery like old fashioned buildings abandoned stores and other stuff and also let's not forget the antelope eating at fields in the Colorado area but My best scenery that you did is outstanding! Keep up the good work Ron can't wait to see more stuff.

[@markhayes6407]

This looks very realistic.

[@user-wz2dd3dj5i]

Like always Ron you did it again, looks amazing thanks for sharing your amazing technique

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Yup, I get ask about how tall my Trees are......I go by Scale Feet for that Scale. Your scenery work looks good Ron. Bob

[@kevinleftridge8241]

My goodness! I remember you putting that truck together a few videos back , then to add that to the scenery is just amazing !!!! Excellent tutorial👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@alainaarrhodge5900]

Holy cow, Ron! You absolutely nailed this scene. It looks AWESOME! Perhaps in another area you could add some deer or local wildlife including cattle to draw the eyes in. Your scene definitely reminds me of high desert and the panhandle area. Bravo!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I do have some wildlife to add to this scene and others on the layout. Thanks for the kind words.

[@MidTNandAL]

Good to see you back again after being off for a while. I really enjoy your videos and this one was very useful as I am about to start putting scenery on a couple of T-Trak modules.

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Ron, some very beautiful, cool and realistic scenery you made on this part of your layout.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

Like always Ron you did it again, looks amazing thanks for sharing your amazing technique 😊

[@tomg721]

The scenery looks really good Ron. It is giving me the insparation to experiment on my model RR. Thanks

[@GregAtwell-iu8ud]

I plan to use some of these ideas on my layout...THANX Ron. Glad to see you back making vids.

[@DruSteel69]

Beautiful work, Ron. Amazing. I love it. Thanks for sharing tips and techniques you made.

[@AbelG8781]

Ron, your scenery skills are my favorite! Keep up the great work my good sir!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thanks so much.

[@deputydog73]

Everything looks great Ron! Glad to see you back.

[@buzzard4242]

Hope you are doing well. I missed seeing your videos recently. I like your approach.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

great, good looking scenery

[@williamdavid9333]

Great looking video! Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Looks great! Thanks for the video!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great ideas here Ron, I will use this for reference. Thanks much! (Dave).

[@robertdoyen5434]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@tommynorwood5184]

Hi Ron , hope you’re having a good New Year glad to see you back. Very good how to video on doing static grass. I’m wanting to do some static grass. This video will help. Thanks for sharing. Have a good day.

[@boomerdiorama]

The layout is looking great Ron! Thanks for sharing. Cheers.😁

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thanks, Boomer. I'm fight the urge to get in a hurry. Thanks for watching.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@RonsTrainsNThings I dread the thought of any layout build ending . . . lol.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

@@boomerdiorama Agreed. Most of the fun is in the building.

[@folkertvanwijk5168]

Good video and great scenery! Nice to see you use materials from a fellow Dutchman.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thank you. That fellow Dutchman does fantastic scenery work and makes excellent scenery products.

[@joesestito4342]

Wow, looks awesome nice detail work !!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Thank you very much!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on the channel thanks lee

[@ProScaleModels]

Hey great video Ron, love the scenery. Hope to see that reefer pass by it soon - cheers :)

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I know I've been absent ..but I have not forgotten. It is on top of my desk presently.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

Why “never mix” the different lengths of grass? Glad to see you posting videos, it’s great info. Thanks for the nod to Midwest Model RR, great service and delivery.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Yes, I should have explained that in more detail. If you mix different lengths of grass, the tendency will be for the shorter grass mostly to come out first and then the longer grass later which means it won't mix in the scene well. There is an exception to that and that the static king has a divider where you can put two lengths of grass on the two sides and a screen that has two sizes of holes so you can apply them at the same time without mixing them. That is possible, but I prefer the results I get from layering.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

@@RonsTrainsNThings Thanks for answering and expanding on your answer. I believe as I get that far I’ll stay with your preferred way as you say, you can always add more. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mhojunction]

Nice work, now the only thing missing are the guy wires at every pole that is not in a straight line.

[@sfalkow24]

Hi Ron, An elementary question (I'm new to this hobby): why do you apply isopropyl alcohol to the ground cover? Is it simply a wetting agent? Thanks!

[@jamesthomas7724]

Hi Ron! What do you use on the end of the alligator clip of the static king? I’ve just been using the included metal ground but want to change that out.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I just use a stripped piece of 12 AWG copper electrical wire.

[@Mike__B]

I wonder if there isn't a way to artificially add more weight to the line to stretch it out and cause it to hang in a more natural way.

[@tomalcock620]

Hey Ron, where did you find the Martin Welberg products?? I'm always on the lookout for his scenery products!!! Thanks!!!

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Scenic Express carries them, but they can't always get stock of everything. I just got notice from them on 3 products I had backordered that they don't know when/if will be restocked.

[@tomalcock620]

@@RonsTrainsNThings OK, thanks Ron!!!

[@michaeldixon5144]

how powerful Hoover is best for hoovering dust off without destroying scenery when cleaning?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm not sure exactly how to answer that question. I use the mini shop vac linked below, and I always use a stocking over the end in case I accidentally suck us something I didn't mean to. amzn.to/40Hb88E

[@felice12151]

Can you provide the list of Martin Welberg scenic products used. Thanks

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm sorry, I said I would provide them in the description, but forgot to add them. They ARE in the description now.

[@TheLee1947]

What frequency does the railroad defect detector use, so I get the right scanner to listen in??

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Every detector uses its own frequency. You can look all of those frequencies up at this website: www.radioreference.com/db/aid/7747 That said, the scanner you want is this one. It is by far the most popular and works fantastically: www.radioreference.com/db/aid/7747

[@TheSonofruss]

I am wondering if you are going to get the Kato Big Boy I have it ordered and mostly paid off but I hope that you will give it a review in July when it is scheduled for delivery

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Doubtful. I will not be buying one as it doesn't fit with what I model, and I don't get much opportunity to review mfgr samples from Kato.

[@N-Scale]

Ron that looks fantastic. I simply can not get the hang of any of my static grass applicators. Mike

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Hey Mike. My biggest issue was always that the battery powered ones don't put out enough voltage consistently. I only use wall powered ones now, hold it close, and I get good results.

[@N-Scale]

@@RonsTrainsNThings Thanks for the tip Ron , I will try that !! Could I rig a power supply to a battery unit and what volt and amp would you think?

[@AbelG8781]

@Mike Fifer you're over complicating this. Woodland Scenics sells a power supply for the Static King. Easiest thing to use is that, battery doesn't get you good enough results

[@N-Scale]

@@AbelG8781 I iunderstand but I have 3 different brands of applicators. Thanks , Mike

[@10.000Days]

Those mesquite trees look awesome I'm working on a north Texas oilfield diorama and I was wondering how you made the trees?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

There is a full video on the coming next Tuesday.

[@10.000Days]

@@RonsTrainsNThings Thank you

[@jmcguire56]

Can you add color to the Sculptamold so you don't have to paint it once it cures?

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Yes, you can add acrylic paint when you mix it.

[@fernandodelgado969]

Ron, How can I find N scale Utility vehicles

[@michaeldixon5144]

which glue do you recommend for cork under track please

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I just answered this question on another video.

[@michaeldixon5144]

sorry didn't realise put on two episodes thanks for replying

[@RichsModelingTrains]

What was the part numbers to these products

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

I'm sorry, I said I would provide them in the description, but forgot to add them. They ARE in the description now.

[@emilmccauley9704]

MATTE Mod Podge, not Gloss.

[@RonsTrainsNThings]

Yes, how did I fail to say that? Thanks.

[@Fyrfotog2]

Where are the outriggers on that bucket truck?

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank you for you're great helpful video]👍

[@jhoodfysh]

Very well done Ron, there was a lot of useful information and materials included. Thank you very much.