On30 Layout Scenery Process How-To

I wanted to add some simple scenery to the back of my display layout, and this video shows the process. You'll see how to make and shape spray foam hills, make and apply ground goop, make ground cover from free stuff in your yard, and create a convincing scene for a few dollars.

[@bonniehollingsworth1996]

When I was building my first models in the 1990’s I used Great Stuff to build a large mountain. I first made a paper cone so the mountain could be hollow, as it was 10” tall. After I sprayed the foam over the cone I covered the Great Stuff with a layer of clear plastic wrap. That way I could mold it with my hands without touching the gooey foam. It happened to be a technique that worked well. The shell of the hollow mountain (about 2” of foam) was tough and lightweight. It has withstood the test of time. I gave the mountain a 1/2” coat of Sculptamold to refine the texture. I have not seen anyone else use Great Stuff in this way before. I’m glad to see that you discovered this non traditional use of the spray foam, too.

[@grits3d]

Thanks Bonnie, the plastic wrap is a great idea. Especially if you want to sculpt with your hands while the foam is wet. Really sticky stuff.

[@marke.saunders4803]

Very nice technique using the leaves and great stuff. It looks really good.

[@crystal338]

Remind me to never ask you to make me a smoothie😆 Nice video nice ideas, thanks!

[@zingerflippinz2066]

I love spray foam for making bases. It's easy to work with. I remember when it was a 2 part mix back in the 80's. The expansion rate then was 20/1. Now I just spray it in a pattern and sculpt it after it cures. I think it resembles lava.

[@kenneyflynn4951]

Incredibly realistic scenery , thanks for sharing

[@MARKLINMAN1]

That is AWESOME. Love, love, love this.

[@melfordhorrocks3327]

This is one of those videos that keeps you mesmerised as to what is coming next. I absolutely love it, mind you, I think my wife would kill me if I used the blender and microwave. Thanks for the video, I had to subscribe to see what you are going to do next.

[@grits3d]

Yes, I have my own blender. The microwave... Well, we might not mention that.

[@scopex2749]

OMG THE STATION HAD A ROCK FALL 😧 I used to work at a scientific lab where we built medical machines then we had to make packing for them. It was BULK CONTAINERS of fill and fix foam! Superb stuff. One guy left his rubber boots by the machine and went on vacation.....needless to say his boots got FOAMED! great video thanks for sharing! Hey dont put your goo next to your lunch pot snack 👍🏻

[@crockett11000]

Thank You forv the inspiration!

[@baconsoda]

I really enjoyed this. I don't have a model railway and I'm scared of starting one because I have other expensive pastimes but I marvel at the realism you guys achieve. I have watched many, many, videos and you are up there with the very best. The commentary was great, I loved your dry sense of humour.

[@grits3d]

Thanks bacon. Scenery is actually pretty inexpensive. The trains, however, can be pricey.

[@austinyingst5902]

I liked your approach. I hope to see more as the layout develops. Thanks.

[@cumberlandshops9644]

Thanks Austin, I have other videos that show the layout in later stages. This video shows more the backside. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnmXpXevZrGpgrc

[@danielread7642]

Good vedio very informative I'm going to try the expanding foam method for my limestone cliffs and tunnel

[@mightysqueak]

wow what a great idea for leaves to use thank you

[@mrius2000]

Very nice work beautiful

[@terryrunyon2793]

Very cool video.

[@harleynut1961]

some great ideas

[@CarmineRC]

I'm getting BACK into On30... (!!!) I really enjoyed your techniques for easy scenery. What you said to the last guy - the trains in On30 CAN be expensive! I'm converting some of my HO Diesels to On30. That can be done fairly cheap. Remember just 10-15 years ago, when the B'Mann stuff was CHEAP! Nearly all of it.

[@CarmineRC]

I've already made a variant of your "Goop". It works quite well!! Omly difference was, I used liquid Lysol. Maybe overkill... but I've had NO trace of mold, or any smelly things.

[@grits3d]

I remember those days of cheap trains. There are still some closeouts that have good deals, like this one at Trainworld. www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/model-train-specials/specials-on30-scale/ Or the Favorite Spot.

[@CarmineRC]

+grits3d - Yeah, I was looking at some of those.... A 2-6-6-2 for $99.99!!!! WOW! I want at least TWO, so I could have one for kitbashing.

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

GREAT JOB AND AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF STORE BOUGHT STUFF!

[@FutureChannell]

Lovely. Good work.Thank you.

[@jamescarryl9690]

Your layout looks great. I do like what you're doing behind the sky backdrop. I model in Ho. Because of my age and not being able to work with the Ho any more I have decided to convert over to On30. I have done the blender leaf thingy. Ruind one blender ( didn't know rocks were in the mixture ) needless to say caught hell for that. I can say your cabooses would look a bit better with a dim light. As if there was a kerosene oil lamp inside. And maybe a figure in the cupola keepin a sharp eye out, for hot boxes. Where did you get your track and switches? My layout began as a 4x6 then grew a 5 ft leg then an 8 ft leg. I want to develop a layout set in mid 50's of a brick, block and tile company. Using Engines and hoppers hopefully not much else Thanks for sharing. I will be keeping an eye out for your continuing episodes.

[@grits3d]

Thanks James, I've really enjoyed On30. I had started a few layouts in N and HO, and plywood and plaster. But the first On30 layout was all foam and glue, and it's the first one I finished.

[@sharpguy46]

Suddenly I'm in the mood for a smoothie. What is the goop made of? Really nice! I have made terrarium backgrounds with Great Stuff.

[@grits3d]

Yes, the big yogurt containers are great. And the yogurt is much cheaper than in the small containers. Haven't really thought about link and pin... Seems like a lot of really small parts. I do like the larger knuckle couplers from San Juan. If someone would make a larger knuckle coupler that would fit into a standard Kadee #5 pocket, I would consider switching everything. Thanks guys.

[@CarmineRC]

+grits3d I definitely would! I had converted a few pieces to the San Juan couplers...just to test. Too much work, and some frames just can't be enlarged enough for the coupler box to look good... Have you ever seen Sergent Couplers? They're for HO Scale, but look and act like EXACT couplers. I think that they would be great for On30. Narrow Gauge couplers are smaller anyway.... They couple just like the real ones, hold tighter than Kadees, and uncouple with a magnetic wand waved over them. No more "0-5-0 switching"! I think, well worth looking into.

[@WPandP]

KZbin thought I might like to see this, based on my own videos about scenery techniques. Turns out, we're doing things very similarly, although I think your goop mix is different from mine. I use roughly equal parts Cell-U-Clay and Joint Compound (a.k.a. drywall mud), and then I start tossing in color and texture agents. I also use scoopable kitty litter as an admixture, esp. for areas where I want to sculpt in some rocks. I do most of my rock faces in sculpted goop, but occasionally I implant real rocks as well, much as you are setting rock castings. Check out my video titled "Mountaineering" for more info!

[@justinsciarappa8500]

What do you use to make the goop?

[@littleevan99]

Wow that's a great scene! Also, have you ever considered link & pin couplers?

[@cumberlandshops9644]

Actually, I'm too clumsy for link & pin.

[@DuesyJ29]

13:27 I laughed so hard at that. Good video and learned a lot. Thank you.

[@koyconnors8479]

I like your design!!! It looks awesome! What is the goop made of? and what did you use for grass in the very beginning?

[@TheDrummerman1951]

Would a hot knife work on this stuff?

[@cumberlandshops9644]

I think so. Don't have one to try, though. I guess I could stick an old soldering gun in a mass of foam and see what happens.

[@IGaveUpSecondsAgo]

What brand is your 18?

[@cumberlandshops9644]

#18 is a Bachmann 2-8-0, that I bought on Ebay in bad condition. I changed the tender to one from a BLI 2-8-0, which works really well, and has nice mass. It's a great runner, even if it is plain DC.

[@pauleldridge2313]

What is the goop made up of?

[@justinsciarappa8500]

Paul Eldridge did you ever find out how to make the goop?

[@cumberlandshops9644]

Hey guys, I'm going to try to find the recipe this week.

[@terryrunyon2793]

What was the purpose of Lysol?

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

YOU GOTTA HAVE A DRINK ONCE IN A WHILE!!

[@grits3d]

We are using stuff from outdoors, which could contains bugs and bacteria. The Lysol kills the cooties. Over five years later, and no problems. Don't know if it really helps, but hey, "Can't hurt!"

[@patrickh6579]

I'm sure the advice here was great, but I couldn't watch because of the bouncing camera. It was visually disturbing to the point of nausea.

[@grits3d]

Sorry about that. I must have been in a hurry to make the video, and I figured it would be seen by 10 or 20 people. Now approaching 27,000. Wow. I'll do another video if I find time to build a new layout.

[@STEAMBOLTANNIE]

OH FOR GODS SAKE...TAKE A PILL

[@MM-wp6tw]

Is it suppose to be a secret what the goop is made of?? I've seen a couple others ask on here, and the OP has made comments since someone originally posted the question, but didn't bother to answer it. And unless I just missed it in the video, it's like the OP has gone out of his way to hide that information. Thumbs down for me

[@cumberlandshops9644]

Sorry about that, but I don't check these old videos that often. This was over 6 years ago [!], but I'll see if I can find the recipe.