Irish Model Railway | 07 Depot #8 Layout Update September 2024 | Riverbank Railways

Major scenery update, sorry for the delay! In this video we see the final look of the embankments and scrub ground around track. There's also a detailed how to for creating waste ground scenery and controlled static grass for anyone looking for handy tips and tricks.
P.S. Around halfway through I'm describing adding small amounts of different coloured grasses, I should also mention that it's important to hoover / vacuum up any stray grass after each step (i.e before applying the next type of grass). It's a pain, but worth it, extra grass is removed and the vacuum also helps the gras to stand up :)
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Materials
All are from woodland scenics, maybe one or two of the yellows from Noch
Static Grass
2mm: light green, dark green, straw, brown
4mm: light green, medium green, dark green, straw, autumn, winter,
7mm: medium green, dark green, straw
12mm: light green, medium green, dark green
Coarse Turf
Light Green, Burnt Grass, Earth
Underbrush
Light Green, Medium Green, Olive Green, Forest Blend
Bushes
Medium Green, Olive Green, Forest Green
Clump Foliage
Light Green, Medium Green
Foliage
Light Green, Medium Green
Briar Patch
Medium Green, Dry Brown
Fine Turf
Soil, Earth, Earth Blend, Burnt Grass
Flowers
Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange
Plant Hues
Straw, Golden, Red, Green
Glues
War World Scenics Tuft Glue
PVA (& washing up liquid)
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

[@mintymoore6054]

Brilliant masterclass, thank you

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you Minty, glad you liked it :)

[@wjvandijk1ify]

Very REALISTIC and wonderful scenery. GOOD JOB MAN !!! Might copy some hahaha

[@riverbankrailways]

Cheers, copy away!

[@russelljennings9319]

I agree, an excellent video and well done, you have done a great job.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you Russell :)

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

It's a really enjoyable video. My grandson re really enjoyed it. You've done it at just the right time for him as he'll soon be starting on his scenery on his 009 layout. An interesting update...cheers James 🙂👍

[@riverbankrailways]

Thanks James, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TezTurner]

I really enjoyed this and have learned something new. Glad I found this.

[@riverbankrailways]

Excellent, glad you learned something, that’s makes me happy :)

[@josefbuckland]

Looks great. And solid technique almost same approaches. I have to static grass effect absolutely identical up to an including I just cut a spare piece of rail out and use that as my extension on the alligator clip and I agree I’ve seen all the videos too about stick the probe in the glow stick it here hover it here put it there, put it there. You just gotta go with what works the best forkeep up the good work.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thanks Josef, same as. I had a lot of frustration trying to figure out static grass, even with all the tutorials and stuff out there.

[@josefbuckland]

@@riverbankrailways you know it’s funny in some 100 vids in the series static grass is still in. A folder waiting for an edit and has been there for two years since after all I have done with it I still think I can better result. We’ll keep up the great work.

[@turnout999]

Excellent video again…many thanks for sharing..Regards from Maryville Junction…👍👌

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you Maryville, glad you liked it :)

[@andyt741]

brilliant video👍 very well explained how you go about scenic work and very very helpful, thankyou for sharing this Mr Riverbank Railways sir👍

[@riverbankrailways]

You’re very welcome Andy, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@nicolasberthon1788]

Splendid 👌really realist !! True colors...👌🖐️👏 Sée you son🖐️😉 Nicolas from France

[@riverbankrailways]

Merci Nicolas!!

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

This might now become my go-to video for the scenics for the new module. Great video and great techniques.

[@riverbankrailways]

Wow! That's high praise Dibs Yard, thank you :)

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

Not at all ​@@riverbankrailways. You have set a very high bar for rough ground in the yard. Can you add your materials (well the fine to course grades) in the description, please? If you have not already, of course. I should have looked first! 😅

[@riverbankrailways]

@@dibsyardshuntinglayout Will do

[@stevejh6630]

Excellent! Was about to bin my static grass applicator because it tended to dump the entire contents in one go. Using a paper mask/filter is a great idea. Thank you.

[@riverbankrailways]

Class! Glad I could help Steve. The static grass is tricky, there's sooo many videos out there about it and different techniques. I spent a lot of time experimenting with glues and technique on a spare piece of MDF so I'd recommend practicing on something like that before hitting the layout. Actually, if you check out the video at 16:02, in the top right corner behind the plastic box you'll see a test piece I used divided in sections for different methods / types of glue etc

[@dusseljeef]

​@riverbankrailways Hello from the Netherlands! If you have so much time spent on experimenting, could you help us out with the big question of the glue? What is the best solution that you find out for yourself? I, and probably all the folks, are looking at this video like hear more about the right way😊. So... saying this, I cannot wait longer to watch this video 😅 Thanks for showing your work!

[@riverbankrailways]

Hey, thanks for the comment. For the initial static grass layer, I use either WWS Basing Glue or else Modge Podge (matt). Either of these work perfectly well, you don't dilute them (the Modge Podge is more widely available in standard craft shops and cheaper). The trick is to spread it thinly on the area you want to cover, if it's too thick, it takes too long to dry and the grass falls over. Once the initial 2mm or 4mm grass is in place then to build up extra layers of grass I spray the existing layer with either WWS Spray Adhesvie or Spray Mount (again Spray Mount or any form of art and craft spray adhesive is more widely available in craft shops and cheaper). This will then allow you to add more static grass on top of the original layer and it will stick to it. Then you just repeat this second step over and over until you are happy, spraying between layers. Lastly, I always *touch* the alligator clip onto the baseboard when applying the static grass and keep the grass hopper hovering over longer grass for a few seconds after applying. This helps the grass stand up straight. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to both suck up non-stuck grass for later use, as well as pull up any stuck grass to make it stand straighter. Hope this helps, feel free to ask any more questions :)

[@dusseljeef]

​@@riverbankrailwaysThanks a lot!❤

[@mmrwattie8337]

This is awesome, I'll be adding it to my list of how to's. Many thanks.

[@riverbankrailways]

You're very welcome, glad you found it useful!

[@highlandersixtysix]

Just stumbled across your channel, excellent work and very effective.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you Highlander, welcome aboard :)

[@MrSulzerboy]

Very nice, looks great. Thanks for sharing.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you!

[@alwinschonenberger954]

Amazing Scenery! Thank you for sharing! Alwin

[@riverbankrailways]

Thanks Alwin! Appreciate that :)

[@johnbentley2945]

Beautifully done 👍👍👍👍

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you John :)

[@eattherich9215]

Excellent.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you!

[@MichelleLngersoll]

Were here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.

[@russelljennings9319]

I agree 😊

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Very good job

[@riverbankrailways]

Thanks a lot :)

[@alanwhite4003]

Looks great, I love it. Any chance of (even a quick update) or just say hello. 👋

[@riverbankrailways]

Hello Alan :) Update coming this week, watch this space!

[@mauracurran6500]

Excellent video, you have made huge progress over the summer, great advice on static grass application. Think you got a bit mixed up between WWS and woodland Scenics at times 😂

[@riverbankrailways]

Eagle eye!! I sure did Maura, after watching the video back I was like oops! But the video was 20 mins long and came out as I had hoped so I don't want to redo it. Hopefully no one has an issue...they are both great supplies and their products are class! There, that should keep everyone happy :)

[@CGngauge]

Great video, it's brought me to your channel... Going to check out some of your other content now. Great to know about the Tuft Glue. Great tip about the applicator adding the paper holes to make it smaller, didn't think of doing that.. Saves buying the smaller one!! (I've had the issue where it all come out quickly and I don't have the control... I am using 1mm and 2mm... N Gauge.) Do you have a video on how you went about weathering the tracks and ballast? Also.. Have you tried using kitchen grease paper instead of the WWS paper to make the tuffs on?

[@riverbankrailways]

Thank you for all your kind words :) Really glad there was some tips that helped you out. I don't have a specific video for weathering the tracks and ballast, but you might like this playlist when I made the dirty oily ballast for the fuel area: kzbin.info/aero/PL4sIrxM1DXchtwszcbz5uVz9RU_WnZ7c- You've given me an idea though, I might do a similar how to video for the track and ballast weathering as it was quite involved. And no I haven't tried the kitchen grease paper yet - if you're gonna try it out, let me know how it goes!

[@CGngauge]

@@riverbankrailways It would be great. Your weathering of your track is great. I did see some of your videos about the weathering of more of the concrete work areas, not so much the siding areas that you have added the grasses too. The oil and general weathering is really good. I'm yet to do mine, 1 - holding back as not sure how I want to do it.. 2 - I have other things I think I need to add before I weather the tracks. (Point Rodding..etc) I'll let you know how I go with the grease paper.. I was thinking about doing it this afternoon, but got stuck making some trees. Thanks Craig.

[@riverbankrailways]

Thanks Craig, I'll dig out the paint mixes I used and the process from start to finish and put a vid together in the next couple of weeks :) You're right to hold back, the trackside stuff needs to be done and there's no rush. It's a hobby :) As with the grass, I'd recommend practicing your technique and colours and a few spare pieces of track glued to some MDF before you get to the layout. I'll show some of my test pieces in the video.

[@CGngauge]

@@riverbankrailways I've already done a lot of my static grass, but it the nice little fine details in the tracks just off the main lines etc... You can see what mine layout looks like in the latest video. Look forward to seeing how you went about your track weathering. Craig

[@alanwhite4003]

Are you going to the Model Railway Show this bank holiday weekend ?

[@riverbankrailways]

Hey Alan, I actually completely dropped the ball on this one and forgot it was on. Have been very busy in work lately. I'll definitely be at next years one, hopefully see you there :)

[@michaelkellehertrainlord746]

👏👍☘

[@riverbankrailways]

:) Thanks Michael!

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

Soo vacuum while the glue is still gong off? You said it helps the grass stand up.

[@riverbankrailways]

Yes immediately after applying the grass. It might seem strange but the glue is strong enough to hold it, and any bits that do come up contribute to thinning out the grass which the effect were after anyway. I have a cut up pair of tights over the vacuum to collect the grass and clean it out after every step to avoid the grass mixing. Also I use a proper household vacuum plugged into the mains, not a handheld one, I’ve found they’re not strong enough.

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

@@riverbankrailways great tips thank you. I used a sock to collect, but only on a hand held. I'll bear that in mind for the new module. Thanks again for taking the time to explain

[@CGngauge]

Yeah this is how I have done mine.. Very hard to see it standing up in N Gauge when the grass is only 1m or 2mm max though!!! But I usually leave the glue for about 5 mins. Then using a normal vacuum with tights over the end, vacuum it up. (Only problem is when you get too close and the vacuum pulls you down and you make contact! So I'm now mind full of that happening!)

[@dibsyardshuntinglayout]

@@CGngauge good to hear this is the process many are using.

[@riverbankrailways]

@@dibsyardshuntinglayout You're welcome Dibs

[@darrelmcmanus9712]

Do you make your own grass ?

[@riverbankrailways]

I don't make the grass itself Darrel, I buy most of it from Woodland Scenics. But I do make my own grass tufts, quick simple and really adds to the realism

[@SteamCrane]

0:00 - I'm hooked!