Realistic Hay Bales - Model Railroad Scenery

Adding realistic details to you model railway is vital to creating that sense of realism and awe. These large round hay bales are a perfect example of how simple to make scenery details drastically transform your layout into a museum quality master piece.
This method is about as easy as it gets when making ultra-realistic scenery and details, they are very fast to make, super easy to make and best of all they are made using simple cheap materials.
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Cheers and thanks for watching :)
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[@r.catssapin191]

Wow! This dude has remarkable patience. I'm a huge admirer of his talent. Absolutely amazing!!!!

[@Silver_Paladin]

Luke Towan is OP. All these tutorials are quite simple but very creative and fun, great results for those who aren't very advanced but have at least some practice in the way of scenery crafting/model building, and even new people can enjoy these with rather nice results

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

Man, Luke, you are an incredibly inventive person! Your techniques and solutions are brilliant!

[@tomlangley8852]

Not a Model Railroader here but I happened upon your Channel. This is amazing what you do! Im enjoying just watching your creativity, Thanks!

[@willwinn8559]

Tom Langley Lol.... Me too , but I'm trying out some of these tips , just to do it .. Pretty soon , I'll have enough miniature things ,,, i could put together in a theme . 👍👍

[@tomellis487]

Excellent. Only realistic model hay bales I've seen. Foam ones look like foam. Read some of the comments, they do squish at the bottom, and the top, due to their own weight. Here, in Scotland, they soon get a green tinge from grass growing on them, if they're not immediately wrapped in plastic. Have stopped modelling myself. It's good to see the work of others.

[@rezahoque8655]

Amazing craftsmanship and patience

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Reza 😊

[@N1NTHWARD]

I'm in love with channel! I've watched about half the videos on here, and I think this is the only one I could do myself 🙃.

[@kenvandevoort7820]

Fun to watch. I came from Pella, Iowa where the round hay baler originated.

[@harkejuice]

You could make thatched roofs with this method too! Very cool!

[@riverbankrailways]

That…is amazing :) Thoroughly enjoying your videos Luke and making my way through them all, picking up lots of tip along the way - thanks for sharing! Adrian

[@PowScience]

We're trying a project based on your ideas here but with coconut fiber (the new miracle material!)--I've found that whenever I cut that stuff, I'm left with a beautiful pile of fibers and flock on the workbench. We're putting it to use!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Great idea! I can't tell you how much coconut fiber stands I've thrown away! I'll have to start doing the same and put it all into a spare container! Thanks :) Cheers Luke

[@PowScience]

Trying it blended up as forest floor for a pine forest as well. It's a timeless wonder :D

[@jerrywhidby5259]

I don't even care for modeling. I find it relaxing to watch these videos though. I think I enjoy the thought process involved in replicating items from everyday objects. I noticed the chain link fence in the back drop, and I knew how it was made. I just like the clever ideas involved. A bonus for me is that if my child ever needs a diorama made for school, I'm golden.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Jerry :) I get quite a lot of people who don't actually do any modelling but just enjoy watching the video. I remember making plenty of dioramas as a kid for school :) Cheers Luke

[@erho2967]

Jerry Whidby kind of like watching Bob Ross!

[@narwhool]

puts me to sleep

[@khertler]

Between this, Clickspring, and Primitive Technology, the Aussies sure have the relaxing videos down.

[@jerrywhidby5259]

Love primitive technology too

[@gh7319]

This will be very useful if Oxford Diecast produces a round baler in their line-up.

[@pratyushgirdher2965]

this guy is a genius

[@ak1969]

Man. You are an artist!

[@curraheewolf]

Wow! Talk about thinking outside the box. I gave a thumbs up and I subscribed to your channel. Happy Railroading!!!!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+curraheewolf Thanks mate, glad to have you on as a subscriber :) and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Cheers Luke

[@alrozanski8352]

Luke- Great video as well as your others. I am an O scale model railroader and have picked up a lot of info from you. You do superb work.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Al, it's good to see some of my techniques can be applied to the other scales. Cheers Luke

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Luke another fantastic project and tip. Thank you.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Peter CPRail8748 Cheers Peter, glad you have been enjoying the videos. I have another one which will be posted tomorrow night on making tall forest pine trees. Cheers Luke

[@kilbraur]

Excellent, thanks for posting. Clear and concise instructions, easy to follow.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries mate, glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@fuzzy4461]

Very good, the only improvement i can think off is adding some very fine wire around it for a more realistic look.

[@schadowolf]

Ingenious technique! Enjoying all of your videos!

[@hamfastgamwich]

I think a nice finishing touch is to use and lighter shade of twine to tie around and look like ropes

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Lord Smith great idea, I do see some of these large bales wrapped up in a mesh, I even see them completely wrapped in a light green plastic sometimes! But I like the rope idea :) Cheers Luke

[@ludovictillo6189]

GREAT !!!.......And good appetite !

[@GuggleMusic]

Great tutorial! I have made some of these but I use wood chips... And they look fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+ModelShow TV cool, I never thought of using wood chips. Thanks for watching :) Cheers Luke

[@unix1033]

You made me start my hobby

[@matthiasdeboer7938]

this is a great tutorial i love the haybals

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate :) Glad you liked it

[@artiistic8347]

matthias de boer I’m sorry, but can u explain to me what a “Haybal” is?

[@artiistic8347]

(PS I’m joking. Not a grammar cop)

[@thomasyasin7745]

I will definitely try this!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Annette Yasin I'm glad I've been able to inspire you to give it a shot :) Cheers Luke

[@primafacie5029]

Big thanks!!! Was thinking about this.

[@Cedric220480]

simply amazing, your work is exceptional

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you heaps :)

[@KorraDaTrainBuff]

My god, this is brilliant. If I model a farm, I'll have to remember this.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

thanks mate :)

[@harryyoung4209]

I had to comment,absolutely brilliant

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+harry young Thanks again mate, glad you're enjoying the videos :) Cheers Luke

[@colewise6493]

Thanks i have a model farm and you helped me a lot

[@guywgane3]

That was like watching a magic trick! Great work!

[@mauzer8k805]

Works very good I tried it

[@danielelhote4627]

excellente votre idée j en suis ravie et je vous pique votre idée pour mon diorama merci

[@eddywilliams6212]

very realistic bales! fab

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks Eddie :) glad you liked it. Cheers Luke

[@originaltechman]

Brilliant, love it. Amazing job Luke

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+John Ellington Thanks John :)

[@youshallnotpass26]

You are Master !

[@carmium]

That's really thinking outside the box!I like it. I was curious about what your approach was, because I built a display for a mining company that was drilling test bores around some rural properties. They proposed using hay bales and sound dampers for their equipment so as not to bother residents, cows, etc. The problem? It was in 1/32 scale, so that we could use commercial model vehicle parts! In the end, I made a half-fist-size core of Renshape wood substitute, covered it in Fimo clay, and hand-tooled the circular end patterns of the hay. I found some cheesecloth (I think it was) and wrapped the circumference, as wrapped bales are fairly standard around here. After that, it went to the casting bench, whence about two dozen resin bales emerged over a couple of days. After a paint and wash, they were glued together to form an impressive barrier, but by gosh, they did look like bales! If I'd only had a miniaturizing ray, I could have made really easy HO versions!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+carmium wow that sounds awesome, I'm sure it would have looked fantastic. I considered crafting a bale that could be molded but wasn't sure where to start! Cheers Luke

[@mikeseba7817]

Wonderful work! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much, now i made first bale and its awesome! Nice tutorial! :-)

[@aidenfiori4825]

SO SMART!

[@pauldenhertog256]

You are great Luke! I love your job

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thank you :) Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers Luke

[@UnitedGamesVICERAL]

Thank you so much ! Now i can product bale ! Great Video ! Thanks !

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

No worries, glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@ChrisSmith-bw1nt]

Super technique! Thanks.

[@railemotion]

Thank you for this great tutorial 👍🏼😎👍🏼

[@upsd402]

Very nice. Thank you for your video.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+upsd402 No worries glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@petersackett9058]

Nice work.

[@matthewsnowdenshunterguy3352]

Haha wow, so easy n so effective!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Matthew Snowden It sure is Matthew, glad you liked it :) Cheers Luke

[@AlfTrains]

Great job

[@40belowful]

Cool idea! thanks for showing us:) Hay where's the collie? lol

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+40belowful ha ha... I should make that a theme, somewhere in the video I should have a character that shows up :) I think I'll start with the next video and you can know you were my inspiration. I like the idea of using the collie but I'll have to give him a better coat of paint. Cheers Luke

[@40belowful]

Cool:) I love collies as they are "old" school dogs:) I have had 5 collie's and 2 shelties in my life:) GREAT dogs:) unlike todays modern generation who want pitbulls,rotwiellers, you get my drift:) I lived on a homestead here in Alaska back in the 60's and we had german shepards. they were great then but way to aggressive now with so many people around even here.. so never had them again as hard to contain these types of dogs in a fence even. sorry to bend your ear:) keep up the great video's:):)

[@peterpocock9062]

Hi Luke I have read some of the comments and one person queried the scale of these little rolls. Yours are pretty close using 18mm tape (HO scale). The REAL rolls can be up to 6 foot in diameter (takes a decent front end loader equipped tractor to pick up 2 of them for stacking). If we accept our scale is 3.5mm = 1 foot, the the maximim roll diameter is 21mm and the width is the same. But, in practice we made the full size rolls 5 foot dia. (although mine are a bit narrow using 18mm tape) so guess what? Luke's are near enough! And just to add, I have a 1:87 John Deere Round Hay baler and the little rolls "look" the part, in and outof that. Now all I have to do is make a suitable set of forks for the front-end loader!!! Pete

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Peter Pocock Thanks for the great info Peter, I also made some forks for my tractor they just need a coat of paint. Cheers Luke

[@PhillipMcCallum]

great video very smart idea

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Phillip McCallum Thanks Phillip, not exactly sure what gave me the idea... but it works :) Cheers Luke

[@hakatata]

Excellent

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Marius M Thank you :)

[@laceyavron]

very good. thanks for sharing

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate.

[@Deaf-je5bd]

Cool!

[@willwinn8559]

Great tip , i think I'll go make a few just to have around.. Lol 😎👍

[@slsawrc]

Nice!!!

[@chrisxdegroot]

Nice video, i like it. Maybe using a coffeegrinder makes chopping up the fibers less timeconsuming?

[@BearsTrains]

+Chris de Groot I was thinking the same thing but it might pulverise the string too much.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Chris de Groot yeah a couple of people have suggested that now, I might have to give it a try and see how it looks?? Cheers Luke

[@budwhiteman8723]

awesome

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Bud Whiteman Thanks mate

[@danielmodellbau]

Cool 👍

[@-Benedict]

It's a lovely technique, though I wonder if it might be quicker and less messy to just drybrush some rolled up sections of scouring pads?

[@zebra5591]

only if i found your channel in high school

[@genorails3]

awsome

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+genorails3 Thanks mate :)

[@Salmonman0604]

Since the twine hay in the center of the bail can never be seen again once rolled up, couldnt you only apply twine at the edges for

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

I'm sure that would work, I did consider it but I couldn't think of a simple way to do it? Your method sounds like it would probably work. I might give it a go next time I make a bunch of hay bales... which won't be too far away! Cheers Luke

[@juliusfucik4011]

Liked for the chopper joke :-D

[@WinterCrafter]

I would have thought you would have used the coconut string/basket liner thing xD sorry forgot the name.

[@JustThingKing]

Great video! Can you make one on plastic/wrapped hay bales?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Filip Carlén Great idea, I have done some brain storming about how to do it, I'll put up a tutorial once I find a good method. I'm about to try wrapping a piece of dowel with plastic, similar to the plastic you get when you buy a packet of chips and then bake in in the oven for a few minute to shrink the plastic onto the dowel. Cheers Luke

[@simpleking100]

great tutorial, great result! easy to make :-) but fast ???

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks mate :) lol... maybe I should have said a reasonably moderate amount of time :)

[@lkocevar]

+Luke Towan They would look even more realistic if you could manage to align the fibers in one direction (e.g. with static elec. then roll them down in one direction) and maybe add some kind of lines that represent the binding thread. All in all an awesome job! :)

[@patglenn7762]

Have you ever tried a rotary chopper, say something like a coffee bean grinder?

[@jvanamb]

Great tutorial. Have you ever tried Matte Double Stick Ta e? If so what is your thoughts?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+jvanamb thanks mate, I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it would work. I guess you'd need to apply fibers to both sides? It might be worth a try though? Cheers Lukle

[@kingfisherfd2]

some cinnamon or spearmint floss would be good for baling twine on these.

[@charlesmayer7097]

Great video! I was just wondering what the diameter is of the Bales? I know any size work, according to anyone's preference... But I was just wondering how big the ones that you made are. Thanks.

[@maryudomah4387]

If I did this, I might end up trying a blended instead of chopping each and every bit like that.

[@OrinAdamthwaite]

Great tutorial. Could the twine be used also for static grass? For instants, random weeds?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+InLowRange 4X4 I also wondered this myself? I'm not sure if it will react to the static grass applicator but it's something I will be trying. Cheers Luke

[@forestpkguy]

I wonder if you could cut in small pieces and put in a bullet chopper

[@L33CHW33D]

Luke, is there a way this technique could be adapted for square bales? layering the tape in rectangles perhaps?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+xvonline lol, I just answered this question from another person... here is what I suggested, you could cut a piece of extruded foam into a small square bale shape, spray the square foam with tacky glue and then using the same cut pieces of string (Jute Twine) roll the foam square in the fibers? To finish it off tie two pieces of string around the bale to show the twine holding the bale together? Hope that gives you an idea :) Cheers Luke

[@L33CHW33D]

+Luke Towan thank you lol

[@danthewolf1997]

That is brilliant! I was thinking twine would be perfect, but I couldn't figure out a way to make it small enough. How do you come up with these!?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Dan Teall Sometimes I don't even know myself how I come up with the ideas!! They just pop into my head. Glad you enjoye the video. Cheers Luke

[@Raythe]

Why not just coat a chunk of dowel and not waste so much shredded bale twine?

[@wallaguest1]

crazy,

[@Rich77UK]

Could you not stick the twine in the food blender?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

possibly, would just need to be sure the blades are very sharp... My blender didn't work but it's just a cheap one! Love your pic, I'm a Collingwood supporter. I had to though because my dad played a few games for Collingwood when it was the VFL back in the early 80's.

[@destinodk]

would blending the twine not be an option.. just wondering

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

It's possible but I've not tried it yet. My blender is not sharp enough!

[@RustyNickels]

This channel is addicting.

[@ThumpertTheFascistCottontail]

Did you mean: *addictive*

[@alien_industries3803]

@@ThumpertTheFascistCottontail grammar nazi!

[@samuricexful]

I know right? I have no interest in ever doing any of this stuff that I watch either LOL.

[@boltuss]

HAY ....... what a great tutorial luke

[@VRHandmade]

Hay quá :))

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+boltuss2006 lol, I wish I had a witty reply......... nope I got nothing :) Cheers Luke

[@maxpracht7719]

I was thinking of ANY way to make this faster. I came up with a blender, putting your leaf mix on a toilet paper roll, but none are super effective.

[@mielmiek81]

dear Luke stumbled by accident upon your channel and you've inspired me greatly. I'm going to create my own dioramas with help of your videos. For my first project I'd like to create an fenshui Japanese garden. I bought the Woodland coarse ballast light grey do you think this is the best option for a gravel garden? Kind regards

[@mentlegen8187]

boltuss2006 clever I like it

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

to make them more realistic squash them a bit because round bales are not purfectly round they always have some flat spot under them

[@JFBence]

Also non belt balers cannot roll bales so perfectly, they leave a squished knot shape in the middle. So if I wanted to make it a bit more realistic, I won't use tweezers, but just push a bunch of tape together, and start rolling afterwards.

[@missyb9438]

Purrfect!! Meow 😂

[@doubledarefan]

Hay, that's clever!

[@RustyNickels]

Hay, gurl! Hay!

[@michaelfranklin7243]

Bruuhhhhh dad joke

[@johnnyblythe5375]

I just subscribed after watching 2 videos, fantastic ideas and work. I do armour modelling and am just about to start my first diorama and your tips will certainly come into play. Thanks for sharing.

[@fodilhassanine8799]

I just subscribed after watching 1 video, outstanding experience!

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

Thanks guy's :) Good luck on your first diorama :) I'm sure it will be awesome :)

[@kyriandion465]

I actually would like to start modeling, but i'm only 14, but you're video are nicely edited and quite relaxing and I enjoy those type of videos. And I would model to make terrain for rp games. Btw continue you're vids are awesome

[@rahmahsadoun3265]

CrazyMMO I'm 17 and modeling is really fun you should try it

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Nov. 2017----KZbin has a lot of how to terrain videos for gamers. Check out the how to diorama building videos for action figures...some good tips there. There's DM's Craft, a website for gamers. It's basically for D&D, Warhammer, sci-fi, etc. type gamers, but there's a bunch of people who make their own fountains, buildings, monsters, etc. Started modeling (aircraft/armor) back in '74 and have picked up more than one good tip on how to do something. As for modeling, check out IPMS (International Plastic Modelers Society) which has clubs all over the world and it doesn't matter what your modeling interest is. Guys in my IPMS club do aircraft, armor, cars, figures, ships, sci-fi and paper models. Along with regular modeling and railroading videos, I've also checked out the doll house people and how they do things.

[@zabilife]

I am 14 myself and started like 6 years ago. It's really fun and relaxing. Go ahead and try something new and fun!

[@firestrikingaviation9978]

CrazyMMO do it! It's addictive

[@westtexasrailfan]

Go for it dude! I'm 14, and been into model railroading and modeling from the time I was 5. It's quite fun and relaxing.

[@peterpocock9062]

I have not seen 3 rolls on the front of a tractor's loader. The reality is that 3 rolls for the front end would be way too heavy for all but the biggest 4WD tractors. Hence the 2 on the front and 2 on the back, balences things up a bit when you are tearing across paddocks that tend to be less than smooth! As to your last part of your comment, regarding work, my motto is, "work smarter, not harder"! Seems like you have that sussed! Cheers Pete

[@hamm6035]

I'm a novice at best. Just one interested in the "how right now. I have to say that was just cool.

[@Cedric220480]

simply amazing, your work is exceptional

[@hardrocklobsterroll395]

hey Luke, great video as usual. could you use a coffee grinder for the twine or would it make the pieces too fine?

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

+Taylor Trottier I think it's possible, finer fibers would probably work quite good as well. Unfortunately I don't have a coffee grinder. But I would suggest chopping the twine quite small before putting it in the grinder to prevent the twine wrapping around the blades. Cheers Luke

[@ringnc]

I was wondering the same. Going to try it today. 5 years on, and this tutorial is STILL. Helping new modelers. Thanks, Luke!

[@Grellibe]

I don't know anything about modeling and I find this fascinating! Awesome!

[@marvinjoosten8295]

Youre videos are AMAZING!!

[@billrichardson6389]

Hey Luke, I used 2mm static grass instead of the jute twine, cuts down the construction time immensely.Cheers Bill

[@AlexisPrieto]

que crack!! menuda paciencia

[@elizagaskell7957]

You are MacGyver - with tweezers, string, glue and sticky tape and hey presto - hay bale.👍

[@astridvallati4762]

Excellent for post- 1970s layouts (I saw Roll bales in Europe before they were introduced to Australia. Since I model 1930s QGR in 1/48, its rectangular bales for me ( and wheat bags as well). But good technique for HO, S and O. Doc AV Brisbane.

[@bartoncessna1]

Another really creative and original idea Luke - thanks!