Help with making realistic looking trackways (1 Viewer)

[Cornwallis]

Hi

I am a complete novice when it comes to model scenery and would really appreciate some advice on how to make a realistic looking trackway, in particular I am really impressed by Gus Psillis's track in these images:

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/album/Gus Psillis/slides/Gus Psillis 23.html

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/album/Gus Psillis/slides/Gus Psillis 1.html

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/album/Gus Psillis/slides/Gus Psillis 85.html

Can anyone advise what materials appear to have been used?

Kind regards

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Hi Cornwallis,
I will ask Gus for you. Also, if you take a look at the current image on the main page of the Treefrog website you will see that one of Gus's American Revolution pics was chosen as the showcase picture for this month.

I encourage people to send in pics of their set-ups to the Treefrog Photo Gallery. Any picture sent in will be considered to be showcased on the Treefrog Treasures main page although there are size and shape requirements (rectangular, not square).

Regards,

 

[Cornwallis]

Hello Shannon

Thank you that would be great if you could.

I am just waiting for a few figures to arrive from Bill Sager and then I will add some up to date pictures of my diorama.

Cheers

 

[kilted vampire]

That really shows a lot of attention to detail! Wagon ruts! It should be fairly simple. If you have a foam base one would shave out the ruts with a hot wire knife. If you have a wagon or limber you can use that for a guide to place the center of the tracks. Then you want to cover the area with some sort of scenery base ie plaster or drywall mud. Brushing the material carefully over the path in the direction of the ruts not against it. Staining or paint once it is dry. Then various ground cover.

BTW welcome to the forum!

 

[theBaron]

And if you're using soft or wet material for the groundwork, like plaster or Celluclay, you can use the wheels/tires/tracks/feet of your models to make imprints.

Prost!
Brad

 

[kilted vampire]

And if you're using soft or wet material for the groundwork, like plaster or Celluclay, you can use the wheels/tires/tracks/feet of your models to make imprints.

Prost!
Brad

Celluclay! I could not remember that one . Thanks. I would use plastic feet and wheels for the imprints.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

I talked with Gus about the trackways he made and KV had it right. He used a 1-2" piece of styrofoam and made the indentations with a rasp. He scraped along with the rasp keeping the middle of the road higher and then covered it all in sand, dirt and JG Miniatures static grass to achieve the look you see in the picture.

Regards,

 

[Wraith]

Cornwallis,
For the blue / pink styrofoam in the UK, I'd recommend these:

http://www.yellowcatshop.co.uk

If you look in their products under Raw material - foam, you'll see the pink and blue foam towards the bottom of the page invarious sizes and thicknesses.

 

[Cornwallis]

Thanks all!