Building a New 4x8 HO Train Layout Part 3 - Model Railroad Construction & More!

Back in March I started construction on a new HO scale train layout for someone and have slowly been making progress on it.
The goal this week was to add expanding foam to help secure the mountains, cover everything in a paper-glue mix and finally add ground cover.
I also ended up adding facia to the sides of the layout although that's gonna require some extra adjusting. I'm hoping to have the layout completed by mid December.

[@dannagy546]

The kid youre building this for is going to have such a cool layout to get into the hobby! Incredible job!

[@SMTMainline]

I hope to have it done by the holidays so his parents can gift it to him.

[@gabrielquinones3343]

But then again I started this with ho scale starter sets not a whole layout. It would take time with expansions of that set It’s much easier and the kid would still be happy nonetheless

[@SMTMainline]

@@gabrielquinones3343 So did I but these days when the competitor is a PlayStation, a basic starter set is gonna struggle.

[@elephantfootrisers]

It's been 55 years since I built my N Gauge 4x8 layout. It's been a blast watching you do the same. Using blue painter tape on the tracks prior to adding paper mache scenery will save much cleanup time. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@Xg4531YT]

It’s called N scale 🤓🤓🤓 no offence

[@elephantfootrisers]

@@Xg4531YT "offense" not taken.

[@mikeilkenhons8896]

You have captured a really good point in these first three videos. Once the track is down, terrain is roughed in, a new modeler can start running trains. The landscaping and structures can be added over time. Good job Harrison.

[@markeilo5065]

your process is oneof the easiest to follow as a beginner i will definitely by using some of your techniques great job customer will love this

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, I try to keep it simple.

[@StillPlaysWithModelTrains1956]

Very fond memories of building my first serious model railroad layout when I was in High School back in the 70s. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!

[@ivorythomas8486]

I just started watching your videos, it’s cool to see how you build a layout from start to finish. Keep up the good work 😎🤘🏾🔥🔥🔥

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks, will do!

[@RolandForest]

I love your normal Contant. When you do the repairs of trains be on boxings, as well as when you do the live shows. But this one has been extra special. I love the fact that you’re doing it for a family friend to get someone else into trains. It’s nice to see your technique and thought process, live on a new project. I look forward to the next installation of this video tapes. Best of luck to you.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. This project has been fun in the sense that it breaks away from the norm. I'm not as knowledgeable on layout construction as repairs but I've still enjoyed the process.

[@konechno1]

I recently got into the hobby myself, and your content has helped me learn a lot!♥️

[@SMTMainline]

That's great to hear

[@thunderturbine8860]

The layout with ground cover looks very very nice and so do the mountains 👍 That gives me an idea for what I'll do on both my Bachmann and Marklin layouts

[@Mo11y666]

Ahhhaaaa YES! I caught on to the last episode of this build. Learning a ton about building a layout for my son thanks to you and how youre breaking this down. You got me pretty invested in this build and thanks for explaining your process* the way you are. New to train modeling especially layouts.

[@SMTMainline]

It means a lot to hear something like that. It's great to know people find these videos helpful in the creation of their own projects.

[@radarthefox508]

this looks like its gonna be an awesome layout! this series is really cool

[@David-yo5re]

Hey Harrison, it's really coming together. I like it. Can't wait to see your next update on it.

[@averageguy7136]

Excellent work! I appreciate your simple technique. So many work so hard and put so many hours to do overkill on their terrain and you made it simple and easy and it looks awesome.

[@sonofsega816]

Very inspiring to watch! Its cool to see it start to take shape.

[@Zebrahpandacow]

Loving the layout and its process. Great work cant wait to see your favorite locomotive run on its finished product

[@mrrailfan95]

I have been wanting to build a layout and when I do get a chance I will definitely watch this video

[@Wapitimodels]

This is a great how too. I really enjoyed it. We at Wapiti Rail Shops will be looking forward to your next how to.

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Great update. Someone is going to be really happy to get that masterpiece. Looks awesome.

[@michaelsmodelrailroading7665]

I've binge-watched your first three videos on this layout construction. I'm impressed by your overall approach - keep moving forward, and don't let Perfect be the enemy of either Good or Better. It all seems to work out in the end. Thanks for producing and sharing these very informative "how-to" videos.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. That's the idea, a bit of planning and a bit of just winging it.

[@jimshafer3101]

I learned a lot on landscaping i like how you painted a section then sprinkled grass on it while wet thats the smart way of putting it on

[@YourLocalRailfan]

Good to see the next part Harrison!

[@tonycano3203]

I like this model much more than the one you had. This is more landscaped and full of more nature, with its mountains, tunnels, bridges and river. They are like the ones I like. Very good work! Greetings.

[@firestar9360]

All of the ways to make scenery cheap has been great information. Next time I would recommend covering the rails with masking tape to avoid any risk of getting paint on them. Thank you so much this video is truly invaluable as a teen who is just starting.

[@SMTMainline]

That's not a bad idea. In this case the track will be ballasted and I will probably end up getting glue on the rails meaning I'll have to clean the track anyway.

[@041919501]

Great job love watching I have picked up some good scenery ideas thanks. Looking forward to seeing it completed

[@ginaklein8964]

Loved your mountain making video! Very, very relaxing and informative too!!!

[@carminecupani2315]

You are very talented. Good to see this. I grew up with trains. I was never able to do what you do.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Great technique 😊

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Great work SMT, very impressive, you make it look easy

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks James. The next one should really give it a completed look.

[@MMRails]

And the legend keeps on legending. Looks great. I used to call it paper faché because it made me frustrated. But genius idea.

[@SMTMainline]

Haha, thanks Mark. I might use the term you've coined in the future since it's relatable.

[@MattKonsol]

Wow Harrison the layout you did looks amazing!

[@summerfield858]

Thank you for the tips and skills you teach all of us! I am finally getting ready to start my first layout I'm 50 years old and wanted to create one all of my life and decided what am I waiting for? The paper Mache' technic I learned from you is a life saver, I was going to carve foam and make a huge mess, your way is so much cheaper and easier. I am going to model a nuclear industrial district with cooling towers and oil pipelines and have toxic waste spilling out of culverts into a polluted lake complete with dead fish and floating barrels and tires on the shores hehe. I am a 3D Modeler, so I am going to 3d model all of the buildings and pipelines, going to finally buy a resin 3d printer I have been drooling over for years, and I couldn't find any good models of this stuff out there, so I am doing it myself. I already finished the design of the cooling tower with its support's underneath. I will upload a video of the models when they are printed in the near future, and if you like any of them, I will email you the STL files if you want to 3d print them, or maybe even print them for you and mail them to you. Thank you for inspiring me to get back into this most pleasurable hobby!

[@mlalbaitero]

Good luck

[@viakion2125]

have u started this project ?

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice video mate. The scenery is always the fun part of building a layout. Also one bit of advice is to add a layer of PVA glue/water mix over the scatter so that way it's all stuck down permanently. Looking forward to the next one.

[@Petemonster62]

Nicholass - what kind of tool should SMT use to add the final layer of glue/water mix to the "grass"? Should he use a spray bottle, turkey baster, or some other kind of dispenser?

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

@@Petemonster62 Spray bottle, plastic syringe just to name a few. I personally use a tomato sauce bottle and add the glue mix to the scenery that way.

[@irenecraggs6123]

nice work you really show how easy and cheap you can do a layout

[@mercuryoak2]

I got to say after you got the ground covering the mountains finished this is going to be one beautiful looking layout. Great job 👍

[@MIKEWA81]

Awesome setup can't wait for the next video I will be incorporating allot of ideas from these videos into my build with my 3yr old son

[@1234mallard]

Loving this. You really are demonstrating that layout building be really simple. I need to get going on my layout now. Will be using some of your techniques now

[@TonyBellina-k8v]

Great idea looks great it gives me good ideas. Thank you. keep up the good work.

[@w.rustylane5650]

Serenity, we almost have a new layout. Cheers from eastern TN

[@Redstagwsmnp]

Great idea for me. Starting mine in 2024

[@jeffreybunch3959]

Love the banjo music. 🪕🎶

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. I picked the music to mimic the songs used in railroad tycoon.

[@Mike__B]

Not too shabby, it really highlights the idea of "it will look worse before it looks better" but from cardboard and expanding foam, to paper mache layer, to the paint/grass it really cleans up. And watching you screw those boards to the side by yourself one thing was screaming in my mind "get some clamps!!" 🤣 But overall good job.

[@SMTMainline]

I agree, the cardboard and expanding are not pretty materials. I thought about using clamps for the side frames but I wasn't sure what I could clamp them to.

[@engineerpat5290]

Well done Harrison. I am impressed with your talent. The scenery work has had me in disbelief! This will make a wonderful gift for anyone. A couple of things I can suggest. When building a layout I would suggest you do the framework before your track and scenic work. Reason I say this is because you can build a layout from the frame up. I build a 3 ft.² N scale layout this past spring. The way I did it was build the frame out of two by fours and the top was quarter inch plywood. From there I was able to paint the board and dress up the layout. Another trip as well whatever you do scenery work make sure your tracks are covered with a dropcloth or some cardboard. But other than that I am very very impressed! Can’t wait to see the next episode. !

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the advice. I think your method is wiser but in this case the future owner wanted their grandfather to build the table the layout will sit over, he has something special in mind for it apparently so the whole thing is being built backwards. Thanks, Harrison.

[@engineerpat5290]

Oh this is awesome! and you are very welcome on the advice. Glad to be of some help! Pat @@SMTMainline

[@springartist3454]

If I had to give any suggestions, I'd add some Grey's and/or maybe some rocks on the more Vertical parts of the Larger mountain and along the walls of the Cuttings to give some color breakup Other than that everything looks fantastic!

[@SlapthePissouttayew]

Yep. And some different shades of ground cover over all.

[@SMTMainline]

That's the plan. I might add some brick sheets over the vertical parts to add detail as well 🙂

[@garysprandel1817]

Coming right along Harrison. If I might throw out a few tips I learned over the years. I used to keep several earth tones in paint and would freely mix those randomly over an area I was working as a base color. That way as you're putting down the turf cover you can go thicker in areas and thinner in others and can leave random patches of bare earth showing. I would also keep several shades of turf with a dominant shade overall but randomly mixed and blended here and there to avoid the suburban lawn effect and additionally some of the slightly coarser turf to add some visual break up and texture as well as providing some random vegetation in the bare earth areas. Don't know if this will be included in the trees and bushes but they used to have this fake fur for lack of a better term in various shades of grass that you'd fluff up and apply with spray adhesive that was amazing at replicating areas of tall grass and overgrown areas. Also remember bare earth,gravel, etc along river and stream banks to give that extra " feels right " to the overall scene.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it on mind for the next video where the next level of scenery gets applied.

[@michaelpruitt6828]

You're doing a great job and it looks fantastic!

[@malcolmcastle6381]

Love your videos all the way from south africa! Have rewatched many of your live sessions. If you do have any zar/sar engines please run them next time, its a pitty we dont have a huge model rail road community here, makes alot of goodies hard to get hold of, helps to activate the imagination.

[@shananhale985]

Thanks for sharing your story

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for listening

[@HotRodRodney25]

white glue and water 50/50 and add isopropyl alcohol for hills downgraded areas to keep glue water mix from running away. or hair spray might be enough. I'm just trying to help you Harrison. use a spray bottle Rodney

[@SMTMainline]

It'll try both, thanks for the advice Rodney 👍

[@lotsatrains]

Great progress today and it’s looking awesome 👌

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@alpetterson9452]

It looks fantastic.

[@Redstagwsmnp]

My retirement plans lol

[@Zzrdemon6633]

Don't wait, it might never happen! Out of 50 or so I was friends with in high school there's about 20 left and out of my post high school friends of 50 or so there's only 12 left and i'm only 58

[@Seth-ov6ww]

@@Zzrdemon6633what

[@rakesharamaiah2737]

Start now, read HO train specifications, Buy second hand locomotive, make one single circle, it will definitely bring smile on your face, If you don't have space make it vertical wall, disadvantage is station and other things not able to put (some folding type building set might happen cost and time high) Don't worry about cost, tomorrow you resell half money,

[@oskarvalance3041]

Looking good so far. 👍

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks 👍

[@dannyhilarious]

Looks really good!

[@blcdad]

Great track plan!

[@tomc6229]

Pro tip on using spray foam. I saw this over at StiltBeastStudios. Let the foam skin over (5-10 minutes) then you can use your hands to sculpt it. You can also spray it with water which causes it to cure quicker (it cures by moisture in the air). You could probably avoid doing all that trimming on the foam by just sculpting it with your hand.

[@SMTMainline]

I wasn't aware it was moisture that cured it. Thanks for sharing that.

[@Dr_Joe]

Inspiring! Love your channel.

[@smithgroove945]

I need to watch this a couple times

[@cooperludwig3842]

awesome SMT video as always!

[@kristiangunderson]

Looking forward to seeing how this comes together. I just found your channel while looking for ideas on my first layout. I'm going to be buildings ng it with my kids, so easy is good, and also most of what you're doing looks fairly affordable to build too. I've got room i could go 5x8 or 5x9, and just picked up a bunch of old HO scale stuff for cheap, now to clean out the basement enough to build a table.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks. There should be a final video out soon on its construction where I share more tips and tricks.

[@PapaMav]

Been doing great work on this !

[@MegaWildweasel]

great stuff, I think I am going to ditch my plans to go N scale and go HO. I want to do a layout as a winter retirement project this winter. thanks for the motivation.

[@SMTMainline]

Nothing wrong with N scale but if you have the space HO is a good choice since its easier to work with.

[@danielroberthousecorporation]

Looks awesome man! Great job!

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear SMT, to prevent the spray foam nozzle from clogging up it’s recommended to use the can upwards with the nozzle and straw facing downwards!

[@SMTMainline]

I tried to do that but only air would come out.

[@PeggyDez]

Suggestions... Put some tape or cardboard over the track when you do work. To avoid getting glue and paint on them. The hill faces would look better in a grey rocky face. Woodland Scenics so silicone moulds for us to make rock faces out of PoP. You can also make moulds using foil. Scrunch them up and then unravel them.

[@andydeveaux8763]

Someone is a legit Halloween fan :)

[@SMTMainline]

It's taken quite seriously here

[@Stussmeister]

Very nice. I have plans to model an HO scale layout with mountains and tunnels, and will take your ideas and techniques into consideration when constructing it.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks

[@70rrsteve51]

I like the glue and water idea rather than plaster and water. Looks way less messy.

[@SMTMainline]

It seems to work quite well and it's also very economical.

[@888trains]

looking great 💯

[@tapcon9]

Surprised at how much coverage you got from one bottle of ground cover. I'm three months in and did my first mountain today,took three hours.I of course did it the hard way(plaster cloth) and now I see the next mtn needs to be taller. I'll just call the first one a large hill from now on.Your channel gave me some good ideas for the layout I designed. Looking forward to the completion of this series.

[@SMTMainline]

I was amazed as well. I had a second bottle since I thought I'd need 1.5 to finish it.

[@terrytraina6080]

Looks great good job !

[@avlisk]

I'm a plaster cloth guy. I never thought of your method. Maybe I'll try it.

[@jasonwoerl]

This series of videos has been really helpful. When are you going to post the 4th video? Wanting to see what you end up doing with the added switch in the wiring and if you ended up putting a fuse or something in.

[@SMTMainline]

The 4th video is in production, it should be out within about a week. I decided to remove the switch for the time being.

[@andrewferguson5653]

Great work on the scenery, SMT, and I lkke using Blended Turf too. But I would cover the track with painter's tape to protect it, and I like the idea of framing the layout too.

[@SMTMainline]

Painters tape is a good idea but I decided not to bother since I usually get glue on the rails when the track gets ballasted, meaning I'll have to clean the rails anyway.

[@sparky107107]

excellent work

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

Buen avance en la maqueta escala HO. Ya no puedo esperar para ver el siguiente video de balastar las vías en la maqueta escala HO. La mía ya bien avanzada.

[@raymondleggs5508]

I can now see that my plan for a double track mainline 4x8 layout with a "15" radius trolley line loop in the middle will work!

[@Trains-stuff]

I like the way u put the grass down it looks way easier that how I do it I put a coat of brown paint down let it dry then grass and to keep the grass down I use isalpropal alcohol and diluted modpodge

[@SMTMainline]

This method is pretty strait forward, I might add some hairspray over the top to make sure it's fully secure.

[@sergioarroyoguerrero5434]

The new layout in decoration stage. Good job my friend. Coming soon the trains running in the layout. Where is you 🐱 ?. Scooby Doo bited the tail to you 🐱. Scooby Doo barked to you 🐱. You 😼 with my dog Scooby Doo, bited the tail.

[@cjdavis2684]

It's looking really good Harrison.. my one concern would be trying to get it out of your basement. Or loaded into a truck might crush that larger mountain. So I wish you luck on that. Otherwise it looks good.really coming along. On a side note when putting the paper and glue down you might want to cover the top of the tracks with thin width masking tape. Also your Turfing That way you can just pull the tape up when finished and have clean track. Also you cloud a thin strip of poster board and cover your river to keep the turfing flock out of the river. To save your excess turf flock. Place an old pantyhose foot over the end of your shop vac hose and collect the excess flock and just empty the pantyhose foot back into the bottle...

[@SMTMainline]

My main concern with moving it is making sure whatever I glue down stays attached. Getting it out of the basement and shipped shouldn't be too difficult. (I think)

[@Kentuckymoonvineyard]

Love the videos of this build. Please post the track plan when you can because this is something that I want to build and I am scratching my head to figure out the track that I will need to do this.

[@SMTMainline]

I’ve put one together, I’ll include it in the next video.

[@Kentuckymoonvineyard]

Thanks, Looking forward to the next video and track plan.@@SMTMainline

[@davidballoid2118]

If weight is a concern I'd consider using 1"X 4" for the outside framing and 1"X 2" up-on-end and evenly spaced in the middle.

[@paulmontgomery303]

Have not seen the next video in this series I guess maybe you haven't posted it but I subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing it I'm not very computer intelligent hopefully I'll find it someday awesome work I'm very impressed with your work.. Have a great night or day whatever.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for joining on. The last video has been completed if you haven't seen it.

[@DuCo_Loco]

Hey SMT great job. Just wanted to let you know after watching your videos, I was able to fix a friend of mine’s Bachman locomotive that the engine was turning, but would not move. Just getting back into the Hobby after a 30 year break. Keep up the great work. Don’t worry I’m not gonna take your job. LOL

[@SMTMainline]

That's great to hear. There's nothing like the feeling of getting something working for the first time.

[@fatfelixthecat]

You truly are a craftsman. You always do excellent work. I enjoy every video. Thanks.

[@SMTMainline]

Thank you!

[@ialexshmelev]

Очень круто! Минимальные траты - максимум результат! Хочу так же попробывать....

[@randomrazr]

who knew SMT was a master carpenter

[@SMTMainline]

I wouldn't consider myself one but I did take carpentry in school for around a year.

[@donclay3511]

You could add a waterfall on the large mountain with the tunnel in it.

[@MrGrumpyToast]

I dont want it to seem like im telling you what to do and i dont know whats already done but i feel like the large mountain could benefit from a support pillar of some kind on the back corner, just as a little extra insurance

[@SMTMainline]

You're spot on. There will be a blacking support added later on 🙂

[@Kansas_terminal]

You should put trusses on the bridge on the elevated track

[@SMTMainline]

That's not a bad idea.

[@datonk4042]

nice layout

[@c44-9w9]

You should put a water tower in yard and signals on layout

[@corinsol1]

I wish i had track like that

[@randomrazr]

so. w ill this set, connect your main set when completeed?

[@bryanwhat2268]

That was fun to watch

[@yehoshuarail]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 great!! Bravissimo!!

[@RipRoaringGarage]

Should the mountain be more...mountainy? lol. As in less green, more gray or red. Great work so far.

[@SMTMainline]

It's really more of a hill but I always end up calling them mountains for some reason.

[@nathankeske5697]

You should put a church on the top of the little hill in the town

[@randydobson1863]

hello smt mainline it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks smt mainline friends randy

[@northamericanrailfilms3025]

amazing!

[@josueosorio2009]

You should add signal lights and railroad crossing lights to make it look better to be honest, it looks good already.