Clever Ideas For Making Ponds, Streams and Canals For Model Railway Layouts
Constructing scenery for your model railway layout does not need to break the bank.
There are many clever ideas using low cost items, many of which are found around the home.
Here are some simple ideas for making a pond, stream or canal to get you started.
You can use styrofoam as your base for making a pond.
It is inexpensive to buy.
You may even be able to get some for free, as it is used for packaging electrical appliances etc.
Ask some local retailers if they have any you could have.
Cutting Styrofoam is a messy job, so you might want to have the vacuum cleaner handy.
Draw the shape you want on the foam and then use a firm wire brush to rub away the foam to a depth of about 1/4".
You can use white PVA glue to seal the foam.
It you are painting the Styrofoam, remember to use acrylic paints as they will not eat into it.
Paint on some white glue around the pond edge and sprinkle on some simulated grass.
Make sure you remove any grass that falls into the pond as this might give the appearance of a swamp (unless that is the effect you want).
If you want the pond to appear to be deepest in the middle, simply paint on some darker color towards the center.
Try diluting the color to avoid any sharp lines between the colors.
Darker colors will give the appearance of deeper water.
Now you can add the water effect.
There are several options.
Some in the hobby prefer to use epoxy resin as it dries crystal clear.
Alternatively you could use a sheet of clear acetate to simulate the water effect.
You simply sandwich the acetate sheeting between the landscape material layers.
There is also a product called Gallery Glass which is used for simulating stain glass in craft projects.
This comes in a range of colors and can be used to give a water effect.
Ask for Gallery Glass at your local hobby shop or craft store.
If you want to save some money, use undiluted PVA glue.
You can simply pour it over the painted pond base.
PVA glue is inexpensive to buy and, unlike some other adhesives, will not react with the foam.
Although PVA does not dry as crystal clear as epoxy resin, it gives a good result.
PVA glue may dry a cloudy color in colder climates, but it will dry clear in warm temperatures.
Another idea is to add a stream, or drainage canal, alongside your railway lines.
Four inch wide Acrylic Perspex is ideal for this purpose.
Simply mix some dirty gray, black and green paint and apply it to the underside of the Perspex.
The banks of the canal can be built up using Styrofoam.
This can then be covered with a combination of newspaper, PVA and wall filler.
There are many other ways to make a pond, stream or canal for your model railway layout.
Use your imagination and you may be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with.
The important thing is to enjoy working on your model railway layout.
Treat it as a fun hobby with lots of interesting challenges, rather than a work that must be done.
Have fun!
There are many clever ideas using low cost items, many of which are found around the home.
Here are some simple ideas for making a pond, stream or canal to get you started.
You can use styrofoam as your base for making a pond.
It is inexpensive to buy.
You may even be able to get some for free, as it is used for packaging electrical appliances etc.
Ask some local retailers if they have any you could have.
Cutting Styrofoam is a messy job, so you might want to have the vacuum cleaner handy.
Draw the shape you want on the foam and then use a firm wire brush to rub away the foam to a depth of about 1/4".
You can use white PVA glue to seal the foam.
It you are painting the Styrofoam, remember to use acrylic paints as they will not eat into it.
Paint on some white glue around the pond edge and sprinkle on some simulated grass.
Make sure you remove any grass that falls into the pond as this might give the appearance of a swamp (unless that is the effect you want).
If you want the pond to appear to be deepest in the middle, simply paint on some darker color towards the center.
Try diluting the color to avoid any sharp lines between the colors.
Darker colors will give the appearance of deeper water.
Now you can add the water effect.
There are several options.
Some in the hobby prefer to use epoxy resin as it dries crystal clear.
Alternatively you could use a sheet of clear acetate to simulate the water effect.
You simply sandwich the acetate sheeting between the landscape material layers.
There is also a product called Gallery Glass which is used for simulating stain glass in craft projects.
This comes in a range of colors and can be used to give a water effect.
Ask for Gallery Glass at your local hobby shop or craft store.
If you want to save some money, use undiluted PVA glue.
You can simply pour it over the painted pond base.
PVA glue is inexpensive to buy and, unlike some other adhesives, will not react with the foam.
Although PVA does not dry as crystal clear as epoxy resin, it gives a good result.
PVA glue may dry a cloudy color in colder climates, but it will dry clear in warm temperatures.
Another idea is to add a stream, or drainage canal, alongside your railway lines.
Four inch wide Acrylic Perspex is ideal for this purpose.
Simply mix some dirty gray, black and green paint and apply it to the underside of the Perspex.
The banks of the canal can be built up using Styrofoam.
This can then be covered with a combination of newspaper, PVA and wall filler.
There are many other ways to make a pond, stream or canal for your model railway layout.
Use your imagination and you may be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with.
The important thing is to enjoy working on your model railway layout.
Treat it as a fun hobby with lots of interesting challenges, rather than a work that must be done.
Have fun!
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