Some closeup photos of various scenes on my N Scale Model Railroads featuring some of my scenery techniques.
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Layout photos can be a great resource when you are trying to make your Model Railroad as realistic as possible, or just give you some ideas and inspiration for your own layout. We’ve added some brief descriptions or highlights to some, showcasing certain elements of interest. Click on the images to view full size.
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THE GENERAL MILLS FACTORY ON MY MODEL RAILROAD WAS KITBASHED FROM A WALTHERS KIT, AN OLD MODEL POWER KIT, AND SOME SCRATCH BUILT ITEMS. THE SIZE JUSTIFIES THE TRACK CAPACITY OF FIVE COVERED HOPPERS AND ALSO SERVES AS A VIEW BLOCK FOR THE STAGING TRACKS BEHIND IT.
THIS VIEW ON MY MODEL RAILROAD SHOWS THE DIESEL SERVICE AREA THAT IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NOTE HOW THE TRACKS ARE COMPLETELY BURIED IN THE DIRT AND COMPLETELY LACKING BALLAST. THERE IS ALSO A SMALL CULVERT AND DRAINAGE DITCH ALONG THE MAINLINE. IN THE BACKGROUND YOU CAN SEE THE MOCKUP FOR THE CEMENT PLANT BASED ON A PROTOTYPE IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.
THIS SMALL SUPER DETAILED MINI SCENE ON MY MODEL RAILROAD WAS MADE USING BITS AND PIECES FROM LEFTOVER PROJECTS, RANDOM ITEMS I HAD LAYING AROUND, AND AN OLD BACHMANN TRUCK CAB.
THIS CLOSEUP VIEW OF SOME TRACKWORK SHOWS THE VARIATION IN TRACK BALLAST PROFILES BETWEEN THE FOREGROUND MAINLINE TRACKS AND THE YARD LEAD BEYOND. NOTE HOW THE TIES ON THE YARD LEAD HAVE VERY LITTLE BALLAST AND BLEND INTO THE SOIL A BIT.
THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE VARIATION OF SOIL AND BALLAST ON THE YARD TRACKS. IN THE FOREGROUND YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE ARRIVAL TRACK, WITH A SLIGHTLY HIGHER BALLAST PROFILE. THE CHAIN LINK FENCE ON TOP OF THE RETAINING WALL HAS YET TO BE BLENDED IN. ALSO NOTE THE UNDULATING TRACK IN THE BACKGROUND OF THIS PHOTO.
STUDY THE TRACK IN THIS SCENE. IT IS NOT AN EFFECT OF THE CAMERA, BUT RATHER A FAITHFUL RE-CREATION OF THE UNDULATING TRACK OFTEN SEEN ON OLDER LESSER MAINTAINED TRACK IN UNDUSTRIAL AREAS OR ON BRANCHLINES. ALSO NOTE THE FILL THAT THE TRACKWORK SITS ON.
SCENES LIKE THIS REALLY MAKE YOUR MODEL RAILROAD STAND OUT. THE VARIATION IN SIZE AND COLOR OF THE TREES IN THE BACKGROUND ARE ESSENTIAL TO CONVEYING THE LOOK OF REALISM AND SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
THE SCENERY IN THIS SCENE WAS CREATED USING DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE THE GRASSY EFFECT ON THE BANKS OF THIS SMALL STREAM. NOTE THE DEAD TREE LEANING OVER THE STREAM, THE HANDMADE TREES, AND THE GULLY CARVED INTO THE HILLSIDE BY THE STREAM IN THE BACKGROUND.
THERE IS A LOT TO SEE IN THIS SCENE DEPICTING A SMALL TRUCK TO RAIL AGGREGATE TRANSFER FACILITY. FROM THE OLD BOX CAR SIDES THAT MAKE UP THE RETAINING WALLS FOR THE PLANT, TO THE HAND CARVED ROCKS AND SCENERY IN THE BACKGROUND.
THIS UNDER CONSTRUCTION PHOTO FEATURES SOME MORE HAND CARVED ROCKWORK. NOTE HOW THE STRATA IS TILTED IN THIS ROCK FACE, AND ALSO THE ADDITION OF RIP RAP AND RUBBLE AT THE BASE. THE FIRST LAYER OF VEGETATION IS ALSO APPLIED PRIOR TO THE PLACEMENT OF TREES AND SHRUBS. THE BALLAST WILL BE THE LAST ELEMENT ADDED IN THIS AREA.
THIS CLOSEUP VIEW OF SOME CARVED EXTRUDED FOAM ROCK WORK REPRESENTS AN IGNEOUS OR METAMORPHIC ROCK FACE. THE DEAD TREE ADDS TO THE REALISM OF THIS SMALL SCENE.
IN THIS PICTURE WE HAVE A VARIETY OF CALIFORNIA NATIVE OAK TREES MADE FROM NATURAL MATERIALS, CUSTOM GROUND FOAM, AND POLYFIBRE. IN THE MIDDLE IS A HAND CARVED ROCK FACE MADE FROM EXTRUDED FOAM BOARD.
THIS CLOSEUP PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS THE VARIETY OF MATERIALS THAT MAKE UP THE WHOLE IN REALISTIC SCENERY. NOTE THE DIFFERENT TEXTURES AND COLORS THAT COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER, THE HAND MADE TREES, AND EMBANKMENT FILL FOR THE TRACK BEYOND.
A CLOSEUP OF A TWISTED WIRE TREE REPRESENTING A DIGGER PINE. NOTE THE SEE THROUGH QUALITY OF THIS TREE THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE BRANCH STRUCTURE. THE ADDITIONAL TREES AROUND AND IN THE BACKGROUND ARE ALSO ALL HAND MADE USING NATURAL MATERIALS EASILY FOUND.
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