Chain Link Fence - Model Railroad Scenery

A cheap and very easy way of making very realistic chain link fence, not only with simple galvanized steel wire but I’ll also show a simple way of making a styrene version as well. Techniques can be applied to HO scale, N scale, O scale and more. This fence will look fantastic on any model railway layout, diorama or even on war gaming terrain and architectural models.
Micro-Mark have set me up with a special promo code for my subscribers and viewers, you will be able to save 10% when shopping with them simply by using the promo code ‘boulder’ when at the checkout. By teaming up with Micro-Mark I’m able to pass on the savings to you and I will receive a small commission on individual sales as well when you use the promo code.
Please know that I would not send you to a company who I didn’t fully trust and think delivered a great product and service all of which Micro-Mark have, just ask any serious modeler and they will all speak very highly of Micro-Mark so you can be confident they will deliver!
www.micromark.com Promo Code: boulder
If you want exact dimensions for the fence that I built you can go and check out my website, I’ll put all the specific details there for you to check out.
www.bouldercreekrailroad.com
Materials -
Nylon Tulle
18 Gauge Galvanized Steel Wire
Solder (60% Tin 40% Lead)
Flux
Super Glue (Thin and Gel versions)
32 Gauge Jewelry Wire
Rustoleum Winter Grey Spray Paint
Dull Coat
0.8mm Styrene Rod
Plastic Cement
Tools -
Pliers
Clamp
Soldering Iron
Sharp Hobby Knife
Ruler
Pencil
File (Small & Large)
Tweezers
Blue-Tack…. aka Poster Tack
Drill
Chopper (Similar to the ‘Chop-It from Micro-Mark)
Spray Adhesive
Baking Paper
Scissors

[@ramrod126]

This video showed up in my recommended feed. I am not sure why, I haven't had a train set in about 30 years. That being said I have binge watched about 20 videos straight. Subbing for sure.

[@megaroo6110]

Justin Updyke Same thing for me. I make miniatures, but not railroad, this turned up in my recommend and I've been watching for a couple hours now lol.

[@eternal8song]

Justin Updyke same. I make 1/6 scale art dolls, not railroad models. still. it's cool to see how people use the materials.

[@eternal8song]

Justin Updyke same. I make 1/6 scale art dolls, not railroad models. still. it's cool to see how people use the materials.

[@cyrusdavirus3411]

Same here. I think its coz im high as fuck.

[@hamdanjf]

Justin Updyke me thoo

[@ashboy225]

You should make a video with all your scenes laid out, and have a quick talk through of them, that would be cool

[@mrgarbage2568]

Can you PLEASE make a realistic snowy landscape?! It would be awesome!

[@4cqker]

There's no snow in Australia except for the mountains in Victoria, I think he's a South Aussie so It's not very likely sorry :( I'd love to see this too though

[@xXTHEBOMBSQUADXxGaming]

Ethan Porter forgeting the blue Mountains

[@MrTravsStuff]

@@4cqkerIt snows on Mr Lofty. :D

[@estermarie2731]

This is super easy! You need: cardboard Glue gun aluminum foil Baking paper gypsum Take some cardboard and make a basic form of the landscape you want,glue the parts together (if you want a round shape; you'll need cardboard with a curved inside*, remove one of the paper parts almost completely. Curve it like you want and glue the paper back on) Cover the whole model with aluminum foil (tip: curl the foil and open it again before gluing it to the cardboard-model) you can also mabe aluminum foil-balls and glue them on the model, for example to make a snow man Put baking paper under the model and Cover the model with gypsum (tip: make sure the parts you're covering is laying flat (suport the model or hold it for a few minuttes, this will prevent the gypsum from slide/drip) Take smal parts at the time, the gypsum is harding fast(you can use some of the harder gypsum to make another type of snow) Enjoy

[@billsaylor4053]

@@4cqker l

[@zIITOASTYIIz]

Thanks for the recommendation KZbin, I really wanted to learn how to make a miniature fence. Very useful to know just incase the world shrinks

[@jackiejikariti8718]

jamie lad Well then you would be making a full size fence ;;))

[@UnknownSwordsman]

jamie lad lol

[@motherhors7036]

Haha, but people would just rip right through the fabric.

[@zaniityy]

Howard Fortyfive it’s really important to learn the ins and outs of a joke.

[@3dland540]

LOVE THE INTRO!!!!!! It made me laugh😂

[@HotrodHud]

Same

[@takoyucky]

I don't even do any modeling, yet here I am watching all of these videos. Something about them just gives me a comforting and cozy feeling.

[@guytero8812]

Wow! I admire your perfectionism and tenacity. Not many people have the patience to do this kind of thing. 👍🏻

[@EclecticWizard6]

I never thought 1.6 million other people would also want to know how to make a miniature chainlink fence.

[@johnnyplto5592]

i dont want rats getting into my warehouses and eatin my cheese

[@just.jose.youtube]

2.3M and counting! :D

[@Samstarion329]

Hi Luke! I'm not a modeler but i've subscribed to your channel a while ago because i love your work! It's fascinating to see how you create those realistic sceneries. Your videos, your thoroughness, everything is very impressive. Keep up the good work!

[@Outland9000]

Another cracking material for the fence is aluminium mesh for car body repairs. I just normally drybrush it to make it look like weathered steel chainlink. Oh, and wire saws from survival kits make nice barbed wire. I coil it around a pen or wood dowel to make razer wire.

[@nowhereman804]

I love how you put lots of work into such a realistic model. you make the most obvious model toys look like real life

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

thank you for the great compliment 😀 I tend to spend a lot of time obsessing over small details

[@slashusr]

Wow! The wire one looked so very realistic. All you need is a pair of scale Dobermans and you're good to go!

[@Aartwood]

That was insanely detailed and precise! And very satisfying to watch too, very nice indeed :D

[@selfproclaimednobody4614]

I'm not into making models but I can really appreciate the art and time and patience and skill it takes to accomplish such a task. Pretty cool man..

[@whiterottenrabbit]

Yay, metric scale! :D

[@exveefan]

Man I wish I had this video 2 months ago when I was building my N-gauge layout, these look so much better then the one I tried to make. :-)

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol, that's what it's all about :) Trail and error :) Cheers Luke

[@joshjohnston7388]

Man... don't feel bad. I've watched several of this guy's videos, and he'd make anybody look like a filthy casual. Amazing skill.

[@oddballsok]

of course ,you don't get to see HIS failures...

[@slagondrayer447]

The Bob Ross of 3D minis. Amazing!

[@kennysmart8273]

I want to do this in 1/35th scale I love it, it’ll be great for modern day scenes. Thanks for sharing

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Wow ...Just wow , these are Brilliant !!!

[@XDXLTX]

This is probably the best model accessory i have ever seen!

[@packardexelence]

I just LOVE the "cops catching you" at the begining!!!!!!

[@davidjohnston6993]

Pretty slick. I will be using this in the future not only for a diorama but for a zombie apocalypse truck model I plan on building.

[@Rickswars]

I installed chain link fence for over 50 years it's the most popular of choice. You will always have work if you live in or near a metropolitan.your fence is accurate and the half diamond on the top rail looks right. We use 'aluminum color' anti rust paint for touch up, it matches perfect too.

[@beasleykeith8956]

This guy is insane!! His skill level is beyond anything I've ever seen

[@Hastilygrim]

To straighten the wire: Clamp one end as you did in this video. Take other end and put into the chuck of a drill. Twist wire at high speed for a few seconds. Et voila, perfectly straightened wire.

[@icenesiswayons9962]

Fence looks better than the store bought one. Way to go.

[@kennethbradshaw3937]

I just completed a security fence for my power plant and it came out great! I added some rust wash, which helped hide some over-glue... I used a cloth thule, which was was lighter and a little difficult to place. I also had a larger nozzle for my super glue, which led to the over-glue; a needle applicator is now on my purchase list! Thank you for posting this, Luke!.

[@wonderwend1]

Certainly a labour of love, but worth the effort

[@modelmaker2001]

Great technique, well presented. I also like the opening!

[@johnlamprecht7523]

Thank you so much, it's the best fence I've seen

[@mohorovski]

That skit at the beginning is very funny!

[@Luna-cf3op]

Very neat!

[@efvaivanov1311]

Miniature anything is awsome!!!!!

[@projectclockcodes]

Well done handsome 💋. Absolutely love and enjoy your ideas and brainstorming sessions. Making a useless wall in which you can walk around is a great suggestion. You could make it funny to. Add a large dog with a squeeky voice for fun. Lol.😂 Up to you my aviator. Don't forget to buy Christmas presents for your family, post office will be super busy this week 😆 (friendly but firm reminder). Love you handsome 💋 👄

[@Hambone571]

I was with my wife at a material store, you know, like ??? Fabrics and such. I look for hobbies stuff, while she buys sewing materials. I model N scale trains and found that a certain lace ribbon for wedding dress making comes on a roll and you can buy how ever many feet you want. A few straight pins and the ribbon along it, prefect looking chain link fence. Cheap, very easy. Much cheaper and easier than this video.

[@Rasdock]

I think the cop was right to run you off. You had that, "I'm about to put a penny on the track" look about you. Man, that fence looks real. How'd you get to be so smart/creative?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ha ha ha :) I once threw a water balloon at a train when I was a kid and within about 2 minutes the cops were there telling me off! Glad you liked the fence :) Cheers Luke

[@flimsypopcorn638]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad hahaha

[@abdoff9393]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad Brother, when I buy from your store, there is shipping to Algeria

[@dacuzzz]

another great "How To" vid.. thanks for sharing.. vinny

[@SideKickStudios]

top tip from a completely different world of use ;) - to straigten the wire perfectly right away, hold one end with pliars while the other end is fixed into the centre of a drill chuck, pull slightly to add tention and then run the drill for 5-8 seconds. stop and release the pliars but don't let the wire slip and drop. Boom, instant super straight wire!

[@MichaelHarris-ws5lj]

I use a fly fishing thread holder to aid in adding the barb wire to the fences, also for power wires on telephones

[@TrainsandDioramas]

Incredible Tutorial! I love the use of commonly available materials to make professional looking models, but how you make it look easy and the small tips of making 'baking paper jig' or 'blue tack jig' is just top notch. It's so simple, yet so effective and give so much confidence even to novices that they can make a professional model easily. It's always a pleasure to watch how masterfully you make these rather fine models.

[@christophercarran4164]

This is real neat. I'm a remote control operator for kiwirail and we have lots of these short useless fences about, some without barbed wire, one 30 meters long with a hole cut in the middle! Will be adding this to my future layout, when I get the time 👌

[@joelmora16]

I am not a modeler or anything like that, but I am amazed by your videos, what a detailed way to do such small thing

[@zepledfan413]

Even the shadow looks real!

[@Shigzmi]

Wow i am so happy i found your account, i dont even know how to make models yet i fell in love with these videos.

[@MonkeyBoyDrinksVat69]

That looks perfect, very well done.

[@TATICMOOR]

WOW LUKE... YOU ARE AN AWESOME MODELLER & TOOL MAKER... MARVELLOUS VIDs.

[@B4WZeR]

KZbin recommended this and somehow im already 4 hours in to watching how to do model scenery :x I doubt ill ever do it but its so awesome to watch!

[@dwaynedavis5257]

So cool Luke!. And easy. Thanks a bunch.

[@Godrocks1998]

Thank you so much!! This is incredible. I've decided I really want to build a miniature city, so I've been watching your videos to help me get ideas for how to make it more realistic.

[@mikem8145]

It's almost frustrating how this guy makes it look so easy. Each video I see from him I almost leave home to go to the hardware store to buy all the stuff needed, then I realize I actually don't have enough empty place for those miniatures on my slot car track. I have to build a bigger room to my house, then a bigger a slot car track, then I could build this guy's miniatures. Hey Luke how about a tutorial on how to build a 50 ft. by 50 ft. extension to the house? ;-)

[@punchline43]

Looks awesome, I never would've thought this was a DIY project.

[@tjfSIM]

genius as always Luke, thanks for sharing :)

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries mate :) Glad you liked it

[@obedan3990]

Your work...PERFECTION & PRECISION!!

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Fantastic i liked how you showed both the metal wire and styrene methods

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

thanks Peter 😀 yeah I prefer the metal wire method myself because it's a little more durable 😀

[@rachelmarieLMT]

Id love to see a tropical landscape!

[@Mark-bn6uu]

This is great. I'll try it when I eventually construct a permanent layout. Really great.

[@NaderiosTNT]

I dont have a railroad or any other model scenery and i dont know why i'm watching this - but this fence is amazing!

[@bengoldsborough593]

Fantastic. I loved how you twirled the jewelry wire to make the "barbed wire".

[@mitchmackenzie3293]

Why have I never found this incredible channel

[@mchagnon7]

"This fence is a complete waste of money" Now that's a realistic model!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

ha ha ha... so true! I see useless fences all over the place near where I live 😄

[@matthewlu150]

The world is in chaos, but you still doing your thing. Love it. So peaceful. So calm. Great attention to detail. I don't have a model train but I see the appeal. Your model fence looks better than all the fences in my hood.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

lol :) It's amazing how chaotic the world is at the moment! So much violence and political issues, if I didn't keep doing what I'm doing I'd probably just get depressed...

[@matthewlu150]

Luke Towan keep on keeping on.

[@TheCircusWorker]

you can make styrene fence stronger a couple of ways. for round posts use long halve round stock, make full length horizontal and "chopped" verticals on one side, then full length verticals and chopped horizontals on the other side. For square posts draw pattern on 0.5mm sheet glue on 0.5mm posts and when dry cut out unwanted 0.5mm sheet.

[@namechiangunpla5057]

I'll definitely be using this on a project soon. Thanks for the tutorial, you guys are awesome!

[@muskokamike127]

dude, you're a magician! That looks awesome

[@CarminesRCTipsandTricks]

It doesn't seem like that much more effort just to stay with the Steel Wire. The Plastic will ALWAYS be brittle, especially after installing, in my experience!! 😳 Thanks for this! Carmine ✈🚂🚙

[@morriganravenchild6613]

impressive - looks very authentic Presumably you can lightly dry brush with "rust" to give the impression of old wire.

[@skeeter7932]

The stuff you make is amazing! I can watch the same video over because it's so cool to me!

[@larrysheppard42]

A tip. Fill the void in the cutters with RTV, let dry (3-4 days). Then use a razor to cut open the RTV with the cutting edge of the cutters (so that you have RTV on each jaw). This will keep your wire from shooting across the room. We use this in Aircraft maint.

[@PedroMidwest]

Wow, you made this so easy!!!!!

[@kjamison5951]

This is an awesome build! Thanks for the video!

[@railemotion]

What an amazing result!!! 😮😍 thank you & cheers, Remo

[@Hambone571]

I made chain link fence for my N scale layout using straight pins for posts, and wedding gown ribbon material for the fence.

[@JonathanCastillo-wg7yk]

Unbelievable work!!!! I love it!!!

[@HobbyLifeSMF]

Your technology is so real and wonderful. I watch it many times.

[@barbbarbie2555]

That fence was so cool!

[@19mansellcj54]

Luke, as always a great how to video with an easy build.

[@stephenmcallister2169]

this dude is so talented.

[@KKEM641]

One thing this takes is fine motor skills -- something I am not able to do, but it is fine work.

[@okyoskartraincar]

Congratulations!! very good work

[@doctommy]

Found the TULLE in different colors at Jo-Ann Fabric. I chose the Grey TULLE which doesn't need painted. Made the framework and painted it Grey then secured the TULLE. Used twisted picture hanging wire for the 'barbed wire'! Excellent video by the way..

[@Fur_ball]

This will work great for my 1/12 builds with some adjustments. Thank you!

[@netbis-marek-duda]

Your videos are great, thank you for your great work and inspiration.

[@1989worms1]

Those fences look so realistic, I will might use this tutorial for my upcoming NASCAR stop motion tracks!

[@gamingboysandgirls8994]

HEY Luke Towan... U SHOULD DO A VIDEO ABOUT HOW U JOIN TOGETHER ALL OF UR CREATIONS (WHICH R AWESOME!!😉) AND SHOW US UR LANDSCAPE/RAILROAD!!

[@natevizzi2901]

dude ... the scene where you place the first fence down on your layout .... that scene looks soooo good like the static grass and stuff looks unbelievable !! nice video

[@RobMcCauslandArt]

This is so cool!! What a great idea! A bit labor intensive to make but the results are AWESOME!!! That metal fence looks sooooo good!

[@Cmdrduo02us]

Thank you for these tutorials. I have been looking at these to make military dioramas.

[@wretchedslippage3255]

this dude has some wicked macro lenses

[@serialshitposter186]

Definetly making these. I am making a layout with a railyard so im going to place a lot of this fence around it.

[@truenorth3077]

This is great! I'm creating an HO scale layout of our historical downtown and one area needs a chain link fence. I like the wire version best and will use that one. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@danbarr5286]

Another tip for wire straightening, put one end in the vise or have an assistant hold it with pliers. Clamp the other end in an electric drill and gently carefully twist the wire by spinning the drill. It will be stronger and very straight.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Awesome, thanks Dan for the tip... I might try to fashion up a rig so I can do it one handed? Just a thought...

[@danbarr5286]

@@BoulderCreekRailroad Should work - only thing is depending on the thickness of the steel wire it might snap if you do it too quickly.

[@oddities-whatnot]

I wish I had the patience to do this. I have a grasshopper mind, I learn information quicker than I know what to do with so end up not sticking to anything.

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Very cool. The final results are fantastic !!!

[@Matthew-pn1qu]

These videos are not only entertaining, but incredibly well produced and edited.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Robert, spent hours learning the editing program 😀

[@leeallen7964]

Hi Luke. Instead of yanking your wire with pliers to straighten it try using a drill on slow speed with your same setup. You'll get perfectly straight wire

[@JiveJV]

Hi ! Your channel gave me the desire to resume with my little girl the construction of my full train scenary (just 3 ft x 3.5 feet), the same that my parents built me when I was young, in 1995. Thanks. Keep going! You have my suscription.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Cool,. I'm sure your little girl will love it. Sounds like a great project for a very good cause :) Cheers Luke

[@andreanofri7411]

you are the best !!!!!!!!!!!

[@Shawn666Hellion]

Metal screen would work quite well for a chain link fence

[@mitchellryan515]

I don’t even make model scenery and I love watching your stuff man. Top notch

[@realdippinshawley2547]

8:30 the shadow even looks legit 😂😂 good job man