Model Railroad Update 57- Scenic ground cover & details

This update shows the scenery progressing with the installation of Heki Wild Grass & Deco Grass, Silflor mat pieces and other scenery items to add depth to the ground cover. More basic ground foam was installed and the built up 3D detail parts were placed in the scenery.
We need your feedback! Let us know how our first attempt at "advanced" scenery looks. It is just a start, and we may need to modify and improve our techniques. So let us know what you think!
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[@csx-nsmodelrailman4098]

Awesome sir!!! l have been model railroading almost 30 years and you are an inspiration too me. Scenery is my passion. It is Great do not change anything. Nature is not consistent. It looks really and that's how you do it. NO SMOKED sir! Just truth.

[@Adam.J.Reynolds]

Railroads tend to spray for weeds along the main lines. Maybe put some yellow and brown dead plants along the edge of the right of way. I think it is all looking fantastic. Once you get some trees and more bushes in it will all blend together. keep up the great work. I look forward every week for your videos. Adam.

[@neilrogers1571]

Think about the land form where it would be dry, where it would be wet and in between. Where it is exposed where it is sheltered. Plants specialise in certain conditions and tend to fill there niche. Have reference photos look for elements that stand out in them. Keep up the good work Neil

[@retrainrun]

Wow! It's coming out great. I specially like the little details that your putting every where( culverts man hole covers), I think that's what makes everything come together. And the grasses look awesome. RT

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

Thank you, the little details does make the railroad feel more realistic! More detail the better.

[@lamarfoster2778]

I really like the catch basins, man holes and culvert details. It really adds realism to the layout. The various types of scenic materials is shaping up well. The hard corner needs to be softened with some trees , but it is coming along nicely. Where the scenery meets the backdrop over the rocky area I think the trees need to match the backdrop tree colors closely to have continuity. It is really nice to see the variety of scenicing materials being used. Many times we have to compromise because of cost so do not often see the variety you have. Looking forward to your updates as usual Lamar

[@SeaboardCentral]

Color and texture are the two most important things in scenery. When you master that you definitely turn your layout into a masterpiece. You definitely have a great start. I'd recommend using small bushes and trees to help blend the different colors on your hillside. One thing I think most folks don't realize is just how much investment you can have in just one scene with all these advanced scenery materials. But it really takes things up a few notches compared to the older stuff! Also if you haven't done so I'd make sure to include MW access roads to all turnouts and signals. BTW my dad really would like the Air Force Mug. He's a retired Colonel. He would have loved for me to have joined but my passion has always been railroading so I went the Locomotive Engineer route. Lol! Regards, Tim G.

[@robbennett1965]

+Seaboard Central Thanks Tim, but that mug is staying! I bought that quite a while ago one of my deployments. Been using it for years! And you are very spot on about the investment in scenery- if one wishes to make it as realistic and accurate as possible it will indeed be an investment. And access roads to the various RR lineside equipment is on the list. Thanks for watching!

[@ghewitt94]

It is looking good. The products you have sourced really make a good impression. Nature is very variable, and unless someone has plated a pine plantation or orchard it is rarely uniform. What you call patchiness is a great effect. Keep going I think you are heading in the right direction.

[@d.mishler1475]

Looks good, I live in the"Central Valley" of California and it looks just like our hills with the rain we have had. There are several different type of grasses and plants that grow and give a great look of patch work. I am enjoying the updates, thanks for the ideas.

[@GeraldMabry1970]

I think it looks great! Nothing in nature is uniform. Keep up the good work... For me it's all about the journey, not the destination.

[@firephotographer]

I think it looks really good, I always enjoy the updates , love seeing the layout coming along.

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

I really like the way you've blended the 3D scenery with the photo backdrop. You can't tell where the 3D scenery ends and the photo backdrop begins. ...Roy

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

Thank you, yeah it looks good to me, I like how it turned out so far

[@hakatata]

Very nice,it looks so natural!Many thanx for the explanations.

[@TheDougday]

It does not look too "patchworky". The nut does not fall too far from the tree. Things grow in clumps in nature. Once you get some trees in all will come together. Lookin' good! Doug t

[@kristinpoirier9583]

I think the ground cover you did looks great. In real life plants and grasses grow in clusters and patches. Don't second guess yourself too much it looks amazing. I always end up ruining projects thinking about things too much. The artist always sees all the flaws but thats what makes a piece great.

[@northcoastrail2487]

It looks fantastic. The contrasting colors near the tunnel portal look great. Once you add some tufts and some flowers trees and so forth it will blend in. You still have many more items to use. Remember some bare ground from animal trails and erosion on inclines.

[@paulfrazer6265]

I think this is more realistic with the different materials, colors, shapes etc. As a upland hunter with my golden retrievers in the fall, this is exactly what I see in the wilds. Usually, there is more variation with rust and dull reds, oranges, yellows,etc. as the plants reach the end of their growing season, and some are bearing fruit.Excellent and keep up the good work.

[@upsd402]

Great update, love the landscaping. Looks like it rained, because it dark......

[@njgates7189]

As a beginner who is learning from your videos, I think that it looks wonderful! I am amazed at how well it blends in the the background! I cant wait to catch up to the current state of your layout! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@QRoutback]

Great work looks good against the farm paddocks , it's railway ground no one sprays the weeds on rail ground , so is always over grown and looks a mess . keep the good work up Cheers Glynn

[@JohnAPrescott]

I think it looks great! I would say that if you were to leave it bare as is it would be a little patchy but once you put trees and shrubs in there it's going to rock! Looking forward to the next video! Best, John

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

thank you, next update video is coming soon

[@revealingfacts4all]

I really, really love your work. in your earlier video where you showed all the scenery products you purchased, I at first, couldn't envision it. I thought it looked too furnace filter like, but wholly cow does it look fantastic on your layout. I'm surprised and blown away by the realisim. I bet it will look really cool with some trees on the hills. you've convinced me that I have to look into the hecki and polak products.

[@invertd007]

it's looking very realistic to me, great job!

[@Kevin-ev7hw]

Stephen. You have an eye for good scenery. I love the way the rock out cropping's came out on the single track curve. The way you blended with different scenic items turned out well. I think that when you get the trees in the scene will pop! I also like your idea of how the roads will all tie in together with one another. Will you have a plate gutter Bridge in over at the door? When I was in the local Modular Railroad Group. I had a corner module that had a Girder Plate Bridge with a two lane road going under it. I took an atlas Bridge and cut the Girder plates from the track. Then I mounted the Plates to the subtroadbed. Then I took a Plasturuct I beam piece and mounted it onto the side of the Sub Roadbed to represent the girders that are on the bottom of the Bridge. I thought that it turned out well. Just to give you an idea. Keep up the good work. Kevin

[@bartoncessna1]

I think you're definitely heading in the right direction. Looks great on screen. Natural landscapes are full of variety / randomness. Miles away from what you see on a lot of layouts - uniform grass covering punctuated by the odd bush or trees. Keep it up! All the best.

[@rob7371]

I think it looks very realistic it’s brilliant

[@vwgolfer1873]

IMO on camera it looks damn good.

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

Thanks!

[@genorails3]

man been following the whole build mite not comment too much but the work on that layout is impecable awsome stuff man

[@YaknCamp]

I like what you have done on camera it looks like late summer time of year. not as much rain during that time. think you nailed it.

[@austinyingst5902]

I like very much your terrain contours and selection and blend of ground cover materials. Trees will make it all look like what I want on my layout. Thanks.

[@mhbpodnk]

looks good and yes there would be a berm behind the catch basin by the lake so as not to let water run down the side and wash it a way .and yours looks better than the ones we build all the time at work.

[@SD70ACEguy]

The scenery looks great! Once you get trees and some more shrubs in there it should look even better, if you want to tone it down a bit you could go over it lightly with a dark green fine turf just to blend it a little better.

[@centraljerseyconrailinnsca5676]

Looks good so far. I think once you start adding trees and bushes the "patchiness" will not be noticeable. Plus I notice that late summer the foliage in New Jersey ( I know that's not your area) becomes patchy because of the lack of water. I would continue do what your doing, and avoid the analysis paralysis. Looking forward to watching the next steps!

[@seagraver]

Ground foam layer looks great to me. I hope mine will come out as nice. As for the next layer in the section you've shown, I'd say that the section on the left looks more "patchwork" than the one on the right. It doesn't look bad by any means. Looks good so far. I haven't gotten to that kind of scenery myself yet.

[@kevintregunna]

Hi looks really good , I like all the different greens which is like real life landscapes especially on railway banks it should be all different shades cheers Kevin

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

Thanks you, glad your liking the progress so far!

[@Trevor_Austin]

i think you have the colours spot on. You have a nice variation and my mind adds bushes and dense undergrowth, exactly how it should be. My only negative comment would be that you must paint the edges of the exterior bends on the back scene. Even if it's not a good match, it will look better than white. Overall, pretty good.

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Scenery sure is coming together. Can't wait to see the other layers go on.

[@ErokkProductions]

In my opinion Stephen I think it looks great! I love the products you are using, looks really nice. Could you put up a video on how you managed to get this effect (maybe a step by step on a small area?). If in the end you don't like how "patchwork" it looks, you could always spray some clear-drying adhesive on the spots that you don't like, say the darker brown spots, and sprinkle some fine turn on it to change the color. It will lighten the area with the green but still leave the "dirt" look behind it. I'd try that on a section or two. Regardless, wonderful jobs. Ill have to try these products and your techniques when I get to scenery on my layout!

[@chumbo7945]

nailed the scenery mate looks awesome cheers mate. Andrew

[@sd402rcool]

I think it looks great! I would not change it at all.

[@Don-cd2cb]

look beautiful, I love the randomness, looks great in my opinion

[@dismaldog]

Looks fantastic mate

[@BaronvonBavert]

great work !!!

[@cnwtrains]

Looks better than my O scale table

[@carlossmith3316]

i realy like the look,working on 1 area,does make you a little crazy,but when you see it,as we do,its great,keep up the great vids

[@mike1968442]

I think its awesome!!!

[@giulius7176]

Wow...it looks great. Love following along. You might want to check out the videos by Everard Junction. In the video for Hillside Scenery, he uses the same material you are using and tackles a steep transition to the backdrop like you have. The finished scene is really nice. Keep at what your doing.

[@natclarke10]

Looks fab, gets patchy like that in England, so you must be doing it right😉

[@GooseinTheCabooseProductions]

Wow. That's looking awesome!!

[@kenk2345]

I think the dark green areas....need more color variety integrated into them. But it's looking great...interesting to follow your progress.

[@1stummel2]

No Sir, it´s not looking too patch worky at all. What I am missing however are patches of bare ground where for instance the rain has loosened the roots of grasses and the like, especially in vertical areas, or where animals have their paths. I hope You do not mind me saying that. Keep on the good work!

[@robbennett1965]

+1stummel2 Not at all- good advice. I was looking it over late last night and a similar thought hit me- there are no paths or trails. And yes, there are always bare spots...thanks, will add this to the list of things for improvement!

[@JeffBakst]

Binge watching the update videos starting at #1. Well done Rob and Steve. Happy holidays to you and yours

[@southern207hobbies]

it's a very good start PS the level your at currently is where my skills are at and I'm actually redoing my track on my layout to handlayed I like its look more then the stock track and mind you I'm a n scaler but I did start in Ho so keep up the high standards and over all your base is a great start as nothing in nature is uniform so high ball

[@chazzyb8660]

I too am doing a binge watch - over the last couple of weeks. To me - in southern England, UK - the patchwork looks as I would expect. The mix of colours does look 'prototypical', for here, and I would imagine in the part of the States you are in too, where the climate is more temperate? I wonder though --- if you place the trees/bushes a little bit away from the backdrop, rather than right up against it, I feel it helps the 'illusion'. Otherwise you may get a slightly weird shadow when they are hard up against the background? As you mainly have overhead lighting the shadow should disappear if there is a (slight) gap. The fall off between foreground and background can then work for you. I realise you have very little space to work with in some places on the layout but even a few eights of an inch will work in giving the 'illusion' then, that the field behind runs up to your trees/bushes. Also, it looks like you have hedges running through the fields, OK perhaps not to the extent we do over here, but a hedgerow is a jolly handy thing in a layout!! Loving your work. and looking forward to the next couple of weeks (binge watching remember), when no doubt you will prove your way is best.

[@PhoenixCustomPrimiti]

This is stunning!

[@FGLKPaul]

Only thing that stood out to me, and I am by no means a scenery expert, would be maybe doing something to conceal the corner of the wall/backdrop, to me it kinda stuck out, maybe some bushes like you had in other parts would help. You just don't see 90 degree angles like that in nature lol. otherwise I like it. It may look a little patchworky for say late spring early summer when everything is deep green and full bloom, but I would say it looks accurate for a time when their hasn't been a lot of rain and things are starting to dry out, or possibly early fall after first frost when things start to discolor.

[@rembrandt100]

As others have said once some trees and small shrubs go in it will look fine, I think you need to do that first then life with it for a few weeks. You will see if there are spots that need improvement.

[@bobbiemitch]

First, I'd add some more rock out croppings by the tunnel portals. I'm guessing the tunneled into rock and not dirt. Second, as others mentioned you need more vertical elements, i.e. small trees, bushes, shrubs, etc. Maybe some tall static grass in select areas. I doubt that that area has seen a brush hog in awhile. Unless your time frame is late Spring/early Summer, any grass on top of the rocks and the top of rises would be lighter in color than those in a depressed area. Overall, it looks like you have a good handle on the ground foam.

[@nsvatrain9112]

Great Job!!! Hope mine will look that good when mine gets to that stage...

[@kanel.6326]

15:40 looks great man

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

It looks great! It's your layout, you are god on your layout. You will get negative and positive comments. But in the end, YOU will have to decide what looks best foot YOUR layout. I have a suggestion though. Maybe lightly dry brush some white paint on top of the rock outcroppings? And place some dead tree branches near the catch basins. Also some water outlets have a concrete apron down the slope so the water doesn't create a waterfall effect and wash out the ground. And some long run water troughs have concrete steps down so rushing water won't wash out the ground. If any of that made any sense? Some catch basins are only a steel corrugated pipe.

[@larnnnz]

Looks Great!!!

[@Epitecture]

I like the variety in the ground cover around the rocks and vertical areas, but the flat areas seem at odds with the backdrop.

[@adrianwagner1045]

great work so far...im really enjoying watching this layout progress...even if i am a bit of a late comer ;-) thanks for the added effort of filming and posting for the rest of us to enjoy and, at least for me, to experience building a dream lay out vicariously one thing i noticed is the white/grey "border" where the backdrop and scenery turn the corner...have you considered painting (even roughly) that corner to match the other colors of the back ground and scenery? just a random thought i had

[@StyreneMikesModelShop]

You're overthinking it Stephen, it looks like nature to me!

[@andrewboreham7377]

Looking nice it's not patchy mate from UK

[@evansdarin]

Try misting the trees against your backdrop with a very light grey. Great job!!!!

[@GeraldMabry1970]

I think it looks great! Nothing in nature is uniform. Keep up the good work... For me it's all about the journey, not the destination. How did you make those drains?

[@sparky107107]

you can clean sprayer bottles out ? I thought they just ,,,, well wrecked so I toss them and buy , more ,, after being mad ,, lol ,, how do you clean them ,, layout is looking good ,, are you adding water affects to the large ditch area , and water out of the culverts , nice blend of colours . so far looks great , keep going , levels add realism ,, too me any way ,

[@poshingtonno1157]

really helpful so much better than some other videos

[@CurtisWestsail]

Wow amazing job so far. I was surprised to see how great the mat turned out. i thought it might look like a patch but it looks really nice. Question??? The area of the layout where you just put the pink foam in before the tunnel to the staging area? How are you going to access trains in that spot if there is not a pop up? Can you reach that area from the edge of layout? Thanks again for sharing it looks amazing one again.

[@robbennett1965]

+Curtis Westsail The track itself is reachable form the aisle, but not the far back corner. That is why we are working to get all (or at least MOST) of the scenery in that area done before we fill in that access area.

[@daletrongale2606]

Mr. Bennett (Stephen?). Not sure who I am addressing this to as there are two names I see referred to in your videos so forgive me if I use the wrong name. I have been catching up on your videos and layout progress over the winter months and now into spring, 2016. I have been following most of the videos with great interest and just caught # 57/58 (?) LOL. In it you asked for constructive criticism regarding the ground cover in that hard to reach area. You wondered if it looked too patchwork or not.As I live out west in Idaho I forget my place, now and then and make a statement without thinking of the other guys locale and where they are basing their railroad. That being said, I thought the closer up views of the scene appeared to be, like you said, a bit patchworky (is that really a word?) Given that your railroad is set in an eastern locale, though, all the greenery on the hill side would probably be correct. But the various colors of that ground cover DO lend to a patchwork appearance in the close up views. However, with the eastern setting, all the moisture in the ground and air would make grass, weeds, bushes, etc more green than out here in the west and in your distance shots it appears more natural. Maybe using 1 or 2 less color variations in the Heki/Woodland scenic ground applications or possibly blending them together more would help lighten or eliminate the patchwork appearance. Just my thoughts. As for the bit of 'rusty' looking rock at the base of the 2 rock outcroppings in that scene; I try to think of the what, when where approach when placing things like rocks or deadfall, etc. Where did that particular color or type of rock come from? Was it deposited there by an unnatural force (man)? Did it degrade and fall off the outcroppings? If so, then those outcroppings might need to have a bit of that color in the rock so what falls off will look more like it belonged on the ground below. I hope that is making sense. I look forward to seeing whether you make changes to that scene or not and all the rest of the videos. One more thing, that bridge you are working on: I am building one for another modeler and WOW, what a project. I have never tackled anything quite that in depth before but I am having some fun with it. I look forward to more of that installation too. I am REALLY enjoying the # 68-70 videos of the application of all the scenery along the tracks from that hard to reach corner. I Immediately went out and ordered several items from Scenic Express and, though not installed yet, have been very pumped up about using it. Keep up the great work and as I said, I look forward to more videos of your layout. Dale Trongale, Meridian, Idaho.

[@jimworcester981]

I think the colors and patchwork look great! The only thing I see is the contrast between the colors in your work vs. the colors in the backdrop. The backdrop seems to have three shades of green and not much yellow. Maybe try to use more dark green towards the back, next to the backdrop so the transition is not so stark. I think trees along the backdrop with a shade of leaves matching shade in the backdrop would also help the transition! Just my 2 cents to a really great job! BTW, where did you get the backdrop? It would work well on my layout!

[@joelstrain6664]

honest feedback this is really good. not just praise this is really nice, most grass scenery that I see is either all static grass or all groundfoam and way to even. the ''patchyness" is very realistic. Id say if you were going to add anything more add some very small brownish bushes in the middle of the patchyness like the ones that you have against the backdrop right in front of the mat you put in last

[@THEBENNETTRAILROAD]

+Joels Train Thank you. Yes, more scenic details of several sorts are still needed...so much to do! We plan to get the scenery to an acceptable level on the entire layout, then go back and super detail as time allows. Thanks for watching!

[@karlpiepenburg3157]

So all you have to use to hold down the grass is mod podge? you don't need to put any clear sealant over it? or was that the craft bond spray you referred to? looks great. I am just starting a layout and can't seem to get the grass to stay down.

[@bhuddaloyd]

looks great. nature is not uniform in color. if you go look at a large field there are many colors. our eye blends it. i think it looks natural.

[@rodyoung3418]

Notice your back sheets appear to be the English ID Back Scenes. If so could you tell me how you got them to stick please? I have used expensive spray contact fixative, which left a near perfect job, but a week later shrunk leaving gaps between the sheets. Went on smooth and just pulled back on itself creating folds. Next was to import the correct glue Very expensive and it soaked into the paper and the scene dropped off the wall . Each replacement costs a small fortune to import into Australia. wondering if you can share your experiences please? EDIT Found video #7 Hopefully can work out what you did differently :)

[@fruitgums]

Is there another type of water? other than "Wet Water"? What am I missing? is there an additive in it of some sort?

[@poppabob69]

Fruit Gums; 'wet' water does contain an additive to eliminate the surface tension that's inherent in water to allow better penetration or absorption. Some people use a few drops of dish soap, some use rubbing alcohol, I know of one guy that uses Windex because it contains ammonia which is another agent that's usable. Hope this helps.

[@bobbywright2100]

Is there anyway, probably not lol this video was awhile back but do you know some of the part numbers on the heki grass you used on this part of your layout?

[@kenp6549]

It may look like "patchwork" to you from your angle, but from my angle it looks like non cultivated prairie vegetation.

[@rjl110919581]

TRUE GRASS OUT WILD AREA IS PATCH DUE HOW MUCH RAIN AND SUN LIGHT DUE WEATHER GOOD GREAT DUE TO LIGHTS ROUNDLAYOUT. NOT PATCH O ON LAYOUT.

[@rjl110919581]

LOOK AT PHOTO FROM OUTSIDE

[@denniscox8000]

If you think that is patchworkey you should see my yard.

[@ikelom]

Hey, what happened to Video 57?

[@robbennett1965]

+igo258 Ah man- you're right! In working with the source files I mistakenly thought this was 58. Let me see if this can be fixed up. This is what happens when Dad tries to do the video work...

[@ikelom]

Ok :)

[@BALD8BIL]

your layout is coming together I think it will turn out sweet when you add trees , I have a old video where I made a homemade dirt blower that may help you out..kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipCXZYOrYshnfMk and I think if you take a day off from the layout then look at the scenery again you may find it look good or you may need to add flower ,and a old barn, trees in n scale to bring out that look you are looking for

[@TheLagCatz]

It's cool, but I think mine is better.

[@robbennett1965]

+Blazing Poo Cow How did the Cardinals do , RYAN?????

[@michaellombertino7963]

To patchy