How To Make Hills & Embankments - Model Railway Basics: Episode Four

Have you ever wondered how to make hill & embankments for your model railway? Well then this tutorial is for you!
Hi everyone, I'm back again with another episode of Model Railway Basics, the tutorial series where I walk you through all the basic skills you'll need to build your own model railway. In this episode we finally get to do some modelling as we set work on the landscaping. Adding hills and embankments to your model railway can really transform your layout as it makes the landscape so much more interesting to look at.
In this video I'll show you how I do it on my layout using recycled polystyrene, mod roc (or plaster bandage) and modelling compound/sculptamould. As always there are lots of different techniques out there and the way I demonstrate here is just one of many so feel free to make it your own and adapt it for your own uses.
In the meantime don't forget to check out the other episodes of Model Railway Basics: • Model Railway Basics -...
Products Used: (affiliate links)
Polystyrene: amzn.to/3FY7uzp - or save up any that comes as packaging!
Hacksaw: amzn.to/3NvC9Wa
Chicken Wire: amzn.to/3UnTAKA
Superglue: amzn.to/3DYE6rl
Plaster Bandage/Mod Roc: amzn.to/3FY7Vtx
Sculptamold: amzn.to/3NvCOqC
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Shaping The Polystyrene
02:58 - Gluing Everything In Place
04:27 - Creating A Modroc Surface
06:57 - Filling In The Gaps
Thanks for watching!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Don't forget to check out the other episodes in the Model Railway Basics series: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZSbo4hrqdKGhZI

[@paulalexander4657]

Returning and rebuilding my Dad’s railway since he passed away. Thank you this is really helpful material.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I'm sorry to hear that Paul but I'm sure he'd be pleased that you've taken up an interest in his layout and have continued developing it. I'm glad the videos have been helpful too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Eclipse1988]

Just got a couple of new train sets for my project, so I have a good amount of this stuff to make some hills! More efficient than having to buy some right away. I love sets, as they come with more track, the train itself, and this packing foam which will add up to quite a bit of purchased individually! Great video!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! I'm definitely a big fan of using what you have to hand for scenery gathering than buying specific materials. Thanks for watching 😃

[@edwardmullins2716]

thank you sir iv got back in to the hobby at 24 years old got my set from argos as a gift when i was 14 you given me some ideas with hills to try out

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, great to hear it's given you some ideas for your own layout. Thanks for watching 😃

[@tonypetts6663]

As I've stated before your videos are nicely informative and helpful for beginners. You follow good practice with your methods without passing on any bad habits. Best of all it is always to the point, and you do not spend half an hour explaining something that takes a few minutes. Keep the videos coming and keep up the good work.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Tony, what great feedback! For the most part I'm just trying to keep things simple and use common sense. But I agree about keeping things to the point as it always annoys me when people ramble on and then the interesting bit is 15 minutes in. In contrast I was worried about this video because the intro was almost a minute long! 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@willbreckinridge8010]

I've been binge-watching your videos lately, and now my entire KZbin feed is That Model Railway Guy videos.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, that’s what I like to hear Will 😁 Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@SouthDown]

Plenty more food for thought. You make this look very easy. As always, thank you for sharing.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Haha, that's because I only show you the good bits. The mistakes end up on the cutting room floor 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@shawnpowell5876]

Awesome video and glad you had an episode on using casting material bcuz that's what I have in mind to upgraded land areas on my layout. Thanks for sharing this video and am definitely interested in the different topics you talk about.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad to hear you found it useful Shawn. It's definitely a good a way of getting a nice hard shell for the scenery but it's always handy to see someone else trying it out first. Thanks for watching 😃

[@H007Chris]

A very useful video. Was planning on starting the scenic work this weekend, and there's some good little tips here. Keep up the great vids!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Christopher, really glad you found the video useful and best of luck with your modelling this weekend! Thanks for watching 😃

[@NorthernBandit1]

I like your approach here...I will be starting a layout in the near future and you have sparked my imagination. Thank you!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, glad to hear it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@a.r.productions]

Another great installment. Can't wait to see more :D

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks, really glad you enjoyed it! I'm busy editing the remaining episodes at the moment so hopefully it won't be too long before the next one is released. Thanks for watching 😃

[@madmerlinsart]

Another helpful video! I've been working out how to do this myself and I'd more or less got it sorted, but the extra tips you've thrown in have been really useful. My plan is slowly coming together. Thank you.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, great to hear you figured out for yourself but yes those little extra tips can make all the difference. Best of luck with your layout and thanks for watching 😃

[@madmerlinsart]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I've had great success in making wargaming terrain using polystyrene sheets, thick card and ready made plaster. I might use a similar method but might change the plaster for that putty stuff and the plaster-bandage.

[@TankEngine97]

I got some modrock a while back and had been looking for a tutorial on it. This video will definitely come in handy.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, glad to hear you found this helpful! I've been using a lot of mod roc myself lately for a new project which will hopefully be revealed fairly soon. Thanks for watching 😃

[@officialdjhoody]

Thanks for this. Very helpful.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! Glad you found it useful and thanks for watching 😃

[@Freedomone153]

Great video

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃

[@rodneymcgiveron]

Great. Loving your terrific videos.....I used to use plaster bandage but I ended up making my own ,,I bought cheap disposable kitchen roll and cut it into strips like you did ..I made a more watery mix of casting plaster you can buy cheap at any hardware outlet and soaked the strips in it ...takes a little while to dry but once it is it works great ..I have made larger hills on my layout that way after using chicken wire and cardboard lattice bases..The best bit of model rail is how inventive it can be .. On my rock faces I use real rock embedded into the hill..As I walk in the bush with my dogs I often find shale that is lightweight perfect for this job and looks realistic because it is .. My layout is an HO scale 4.5 metres x 3 metres modern era U.S. BNSF DCC one..Although I'm in Australia it allows me big scope but one day I want to build a BHP Billiton Ore layout set in Australia ..With more Aussie manufacturers coming on line making Aussie stuff you don't need to take out a second mortgage for it'd be great to model my home country stuff one day..

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Rodney, glad you're enjoying them. That's some really great tips there about plaster bandage and creating rock formations too, definitely good for anyone who is on a bit of a budget. Best of luck with your own layout and thanks for watching 😃

[@Rose18Red]

Nice well explained process

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Kat, really glad you found it easy to follow. Thanks for watching 😃

[@johne5854]

Your baseboard ends are a unique and clever idea.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks John, I show them a bit more in this video if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5-UeH2Obpl3e7s I'm not sure how unique they are though as I've definitely seen other portable/modular style railways that use something similar. Thanks for watching 😃

[@typhoon5445]

Excellent thanks for that 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧👍🏻

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure, hope it helped Brian. Thanks for watching 😃

[@typhoon5445]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy yip just really starting in this world and i fined your site along with others really easy to follow all the best to you for 2022 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧👍🏻

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank, you for you're video]👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

My pleasure, hope you found it helpful and thanks for watching 😃

[@99AVB]

Hello. Just been enjoying this episode. Thank you. You built the main hill with what sounds like sellotex which I can't find. What is the correct name please,? Thanks.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, I'm not sure what you got sellotex from but I used simple polystyrene for this hill - the sort of stuff that comes as packaging. Some people do use "Celotex" (which is basically just insulation board) but I don't as I tends to be more expensive, especially as polystyrene can often be free. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 👍

[@Theoriginalborgy]

I really like your videos, I'm a bit gun shy for finishing the scenery I've never do it before.As a child I had a board with track pinned down with a few building that was it. Now I build my baseboards from (1") 25mm thick sheet of polystyrene fully covered in paper mache painted off white (left over paint from decorating) which helps to prevent warping and then add a wooden frame like yours. Not only can I build up but also I can carve down below the track level adding extra polystyrene on the under side if needed . I re paper mache the whole top and paint in patches of colours, grey for roads & paths, green for grass and blue for any water. that's as far as I have got. Next do I use flock or static grass, what to use for a road surface?... All the decisions I've been putting off. Looking forward to the next great tutorial.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Leigh, glad you're enjoying the videos! That sounds like a great way of doing it and your baseboards will definitely be light that way. Does the polystyrene stay flex at all, or does the frame keep it all rigid? I'll definitely be covering static grass in an upcoming video so keep a lookout for that. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Theoriginalborgy]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Being an inch thick polystyrene it’s quite rigid then with the paper mache all over helps stiffen it up. And yes it very light I can hang my 6x4’ test layout on the wall like a picture when not in use. And now in the middle of building a Inglenook layout thanks to your video.

[@billaggel]

Hello, this recording as well as all the other ones especially for beginners are extremenly helpful; million thanks! I was wondering if you have any plans for making a recording of how-to-build inclines also, instead of having only flat model railways?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, really glad to hear you've been enjoying the videos. I actually have a plan for an upcoming layout build so I'm sure I'll cover creating an incline as part of that. In the meantime, maybe have a look at the Woodland Scenics Risers and Inclines as an easy way to create gradients. Thanks for watching 😃

[@johnchandrav.1823]

Subscribed. 👌

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks John! Welcome aboard 🤩

[@benraine6705]

Thank you for this tutorial just what I needed! What paint would you need for the hills?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome, glad to hear that Ben! I'm actually working on a video at the moment where I do all the scenery on these hills, including the painting. But really you could use anything - I've used cheap acrylic or even emulsion tester pots in the past and both have turned out fine. Thanks for watching 😃

[@petermorley6425]

These videos have been really helpful. Forgive me if I’ve missed it, but have you done one for how to lay track over a gradient?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Peter, I haven't done a specific video on gradients but I would recommend looking at the Woodland Scenics Risers and Inclines. They're a little bit pricey but very easy to use and takes away all the headaches with working out the percentage of the gradient yourself. Hope that helps and thanks for watching 😃

[@thiruraj3866]

Nice

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! 😃

[@Captainpubwatch]

Another comment on the video - but - for anyone watching what you say at 4:50 is really important. I needed A LOT more plaster bandage than I would have expected. I had three 3 metre rolls for a three foot embankment and needed to get more as I only had one layer on a large part of it. Something I won’t forget for anymore hills and effects!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yep it's a really good point! Personally I tend to buy plaster bandage in multipacks from Amazon rather than the model railway specific brands as you often get a lot more for only a little bit extra cash. I think I made exactly the same mistake though when I first started which is why I mentioned it in the video! Thanks for watching 😃

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thanks for the reply and I’ll just point out that the embankment was three feet in length and only about 8cm high to go between two bridges! I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’d tried to build a three feet high embankment on a 4mm layout - modelling mountains isn’t my thing! Thanks again and wishing you all the best 👍🏼

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Hello and hope you’re well. When I first started viewing your videos I had no layout and no idea where to start! I’ve recently made a video to show where I am with it now, it’s not the best but here goes, it’s unlisted for reasons described in the video and below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmGTm3tmhc2fjrs I’m still a real beginner and have so much more to do, even though my layout is small. You should be so proud of your videos and advice as I’d never have started this before I saw your channel. Thanks so much and wishing you well!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

@@Captainpubwatch This is absolutely brilliant and it's great to hear that you've found the videos so helpful! I know you've kept the video unlisted but is it ok if I share it on my channel with the wider audience? I think it could be really good for others to see what a beginner can achieve in a relatively short space of time - and also it's a nicely made video too! Well done😃

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Hello and thanks for your message. I’m really chuffed that you’d be prepared to share the video and if you think it would help anyone new to it all I’d be really ok with that. Sadly the video is very wobbly and not very professional (filmed on an iPhone 11) and not with the best lighting being filmed in my loft. I’ve got a lot more to learn but if you reckon this could encourage anyone feel free! Thanks so much for your kind message and also for your videos in general, they got my layout started in the first place! 🙂

[@ModelRailwayFan38]

Something worth mentioning at some point if your doing hills in another video is that hot glue works well for sticking the foam down, so long as your quick with it.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yes that is another good way of doing it. It's a technique I should use more myself, though I tend to build most of my large hills out of chicken wire these days. Thanks for watching 😃

[@ModelRailwayFan38]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy yeah, chicken wire is probably a good idea too. I’ve personally never tried it since the only place I know of where I can get it within a short drive is my local garden centre, but their only open in the garden season, and I tend to do many of my projects in the winter.

[@amraceway]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I use carboard formers overlaid with cardboard or paper strips which I cover with paper towels glued down with watereed down PVA glue. I then dab on with my finger plasterboard ready mixed plaster. This makes a cheap lightweight and realistic hill.

[@RichardKuivila1947]

Doesn't super (CA) glue melt the foam board, leaving a cavity underneath ?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I've found it depends on the glue and the polystyrene. Most of the time it doesn't really have any effect and is useful for working quickly. Thanks for watching 😃

[@funkid28060]

i hear to make some hills for my large layout is in my room permanent thx this is helpful

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Really glad you found it useful! Thanks for watching 😃

[@funkid28060]

i am subed@@ThatModelRailwayGuy

[@Captainpubwatch]

Hello and thanks for posting these videos - I’m starting to build a layout after years of thinking I’d never have the time or patience for it - for some reason when my 40th birthday came I decided to take the plunge! I’ve constructed an 8x4 baseboard with information from your baseboard video - great stuff. Got a question about Modroc: How much extra height does this put on when applied to the polystyrene? Say I have a bridge which has its level 80mm above rail level, can I still cut 80mm of polystyrene, or would this have to be slightly lower to account for the Modroc? Modroc looks a great thing to have and easy to get from craft & hobby shops as opposed to just model places. Many thanks for posting and your videos have been a big part in making my mind up to start this project, top stuff 👍🏼

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, it's great that you've finally decided to jump into creating your own layout and I'm glad you've been finding the videos useful! In my experience modroc tends to be completely flat (unless you deliberately bunch it up) so it shouldn't add too much height. Maybe a millimetre or two at most if you want to account for that but it doesn't expand or anything. Hope that helps and best of luck with your layout! Thanks for watching 😃

[@Captainpubwatch]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Hello and sorry for the delay in replying, my notifications have been playing up. Thanks so much for this - that’s excellent and it’s something I’ll remember. I’m waiting for some bridge kits to be delivered first, once they’re up and I can see the height then I can start shaping the polystyrene and the embankment can come together! Many thanks for the reply and also for making such excellent videos

[@stuartsmith9168]

Excellent video, must take alot of time. I wonder what you do for a living (unless you're trying to make enough money off youtube) you should do instructional videos. Very easy to follow, well-spoken. Really very useful 👌 👍

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks Stuart! Part of my normal job is running my own video production company, which I’ve been doing for several years now. I like to try and make these videos to the same standard so it’s great to get positive feedback like this. Thanks for watching 😃

[@jeffreywall8822]

I use Hard as Nails, £1.00 per tube to stick expanded polystrine together.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Great idea Jeffrey, I’m definitely stealing that in the future! Thanks for watching 😃

[@_RandomPea]

Hey 👋... You said to use superglue... I've just used UHU all purpose and it just burnt through the polystyrene? What do you use?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi there, that's weird as I thought UHU was supposed to work with polystyrene! The stuff I used is just a generic little bottle from Amazon, there's a link to it in the description. You do have to be quick still as it will melt the polystyrene a little bit but as long as you don't hang around it works fine. You don't need that much in my experience. Thanks for watching 😃

[@_RandomPea]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy sat waiting on standard PVA to set now, but yeh weird about the UHU, it's just a little all purpose adhesive but within seconds it burns right down meaning it won't stick to anything. Just finished laying cork down for a simple 1st radius for the boy at Xmas. Kinda want to leave some bits for him but I'm enjoying it too much!!! Lol 😂

[@Mafaldamou]

Do we use room temperature water or hot water for the plastic bandage?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Room temperature water is fine - generally if you have to use something specific I'll mention that in the video. Thanks for watching 😃

[@Mafaldamou]

Thanks very much. The package said use hot water, but I think that was just for helping you bandage injuries.@@ThatModelRailwayGuy

[@davidsheriff8989]

Years ago used old newspapers and water and flour....

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! I still use newspaper for papermache over chicken wire if I need to do a particularly large section. Definitely cuts down on the mod roc! Thanks for watching 😃

[@lescliff1795]

You can make cheap modgepodge wet newspaper mixed with pva for a lot less than modgepodge

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Les, I think maybe you're getting mod podge mixed up with modroc? You can certainly use newspaper and pva to create a papier-mâché shell. I actually did this in my tunnel building video. It's wasn't as strong as modroc though so I only used it as a base layer. Thanks for watching 😃

[@lescliff1795]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy I make my own modge podge with newspaper water and pva as a filler to smooth transitions in the jablite polystyrene structure and then plaster bandages over it so no I’m not confused with modgepodge and modroc

[@lescliff1795]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy it was not a criticism of the excellent modelling you were demonstrating just an alternative cheaper building material as also is using j cloths soaked in pva as an alternative to large expense of expensive modroc .

[@gammr3227]

could i skip the modelling compound as i think it looks fairly even without it?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Yep it’s your layout so you’re happy with how it looks that’s all that matters. Personally I wanted the surface to be a little less flat so I used the compound to introduce some variation and also for smoothing out harsher bumps or edges. Thanks for watching 😃

[@gammr3227]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thanks for the reply! ive decided to go without the modelling compound and even then your method makes my terrain look absolutley stunning, thank you so much for this video, it really helped!

[@thepotatoechipz4628]

Hi what do you call that kind of bandage?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Either plaster bandage or mod roc - there's links to it in the description. Thanks for watching 😃

[@vidiottheowl2825]

For the chicken wire technique, I think it might be a bit quicker, easier, and less messy to use masking tape instead of paper mache, but I'm not sure. And it probably isn't cheaper. Or I guess you can just use plain paper?

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I’m not sure how well masking tape would work unless you still put the glue over it. Part of the reason for using paper mache (apart from it being cheap) is that it creates a nice hard shell too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I’m not sure how well masking tape would work unless you still put the glue over it. Part of the reason for using paper mache (apart from it being cheap) is that it creates a nice hard shell too. Thanks for watching 😃

[@vidiottheowl2825]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy oh yeah, that makes sense.

[@joekeenan6423]

I would like to know how to use dropers .J0E 73.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Hi Joe, I'm not entirely sure what you mean there. Thanks for watching 😃

[@DadCooks2]

An informative video, but, you should have protected the track to avoid getting any plaster on it. I use painter's tape of the appropriate width to cover the track when doing any scenery work around the track.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Thanks! That's definitely an extra step you can add if you want to. As you'll see in an upcoming video, I paint my track quite heavily before ballasting so I wasn't too concerned about the odd splodge of white as it's mostly covered up anyway. That said I've found the plaster doesn't tend to drip off the bandage much, so there wasn't really any clean up to do. Thanks for watching 😃

[@AotearoaAviation]

What's the music? Merry Christmas!🎄 🎄 🎄

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Merry Christmas to you too! All the music is stuff I’ve written myself for the channel - helps me to avoid copyright issues 😂 Thanks for watching 👍

[@AotearoaAviation]

@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Nice! Pretty nice music! Would I be able to use it for my videos?

[@gageblymyer6552]

"It's very rarely completely flat." Me, who lives in Ohio: *o h r e a l l y ?*

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Ah but if I was building an American layout I would have called the series Model Railroad Basics surely 😉 Thanks for watching 👍

[@lighteyesvr3]

yo i have a flying scotsman

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! Thanks for watching 😃

[@Archk1]

Also… sculptamold is 1,000 times better than plaster sheets. Looks more like rocks too.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

I would say they each have there uses. There are somethings I would definitely use Sculptamould (or the other branded equivalents) and there are certain jobs that would be much easier using plaster bandage. For me it's about using the best tool/material for the job at hand. Thanks for watching 👍

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

So follow the instructions on the box. Sorry, kinda a waste of a video.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

What box? 😂 This isn't a single product you can buy off the shelf, it's a combination of different things brought together to create one technique.

[@mammaliturchi54]

no,no,no,no.........not "polistirolo espanso" but "poliuretano"!!!!!!!

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

You can use Polyurethane if you want to but personally I find Polystyrene easier to get hold of. It's cheaper most of the time or free if you reuse it from packaging so it's great for beginners. Thanks for watching 👍

[@user-sg1sz7vj5t]

Another helpful video! I've been working out how to do this myself and I'd more or less got it sorted, but the extra tips you've thrown in have been really useful. My plan is slowly coming together. Thank you.

[@ThatModelRailwayGuy]

Awesome! Yeah there's always little things you figure out the more you do it, I imagine you'll find some own tips and tricks of your own too. Best of luck with the layout and thanks for watching 😃