You can read part one by clicking this title: How to Build a Grade Crossing on an HO Scale Model Railroad.

I mixed some acrylic paint to get the pavement color I wanted. It was a little bit too dark when it dried, so I added another coat with a lighter mixture.

I also wasn’t happy with the dark color of the pavement tape I purchased at the hobby shop. I added some of the paint I used on the crossings to lighten the streets.

I allowed the plaster between the rails to dry completely before cutting it away from the inside to allow space for the wheel flanges.

I have been working on more detailed scenery around the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad. I had a thought last night while I was looking at pictures of another railroad. “Every square inch of the railroad should tell a story.” The story is in the details. If there is a broken window, how did it happen? If there is a rusty wheel in the weeds, how did it get there?

I love the scene in the photo at the side of the grade crossing with the railroad trucks in the weeds. To me, it’s just about perfect. I’ll be planting some more grass around the trucks soon.

Shrubs and weeds have proven to be a challenge. I have used lichen for many years and finally realized the clumps are way too big. I’ve tried pulling them apart but they’re still too big. I’m going to rework them again, reducing their size until I’m satisfied.

Another detail I have to work on is at the edge of buildings that have a plastic base surrounding them. Blending the edge of the plastic into the ground cover is sometimes overlooked.

I just painted the street in Newtown, where all the people standing near it are confused because the buildings behind them have disappeared. No worries, they’ll be back soon. The train station in the distance is where tourists buy tickets to ride The Old General into Maple Valley.

The three vehicles parked along the track are on sand. I wasn’t really sure I liked it, but the more I use the sand at different places on the layout, the happier I am with it. I may darken it just a little with some fine brown turf.

I have to keep reminding myself that scenery work is never done. I also have to remember to look at my railroad in small sections so the task is not overwhelming. Every square inch should tell a story. What is it saying?