Railroad scene with Woodland Scenics static grass, tree, rocks, and track

Fellow Model Railroaders in FB Groups Taught Me How to Plant Great Looking Weeds on my HO Scale Layout

Creating beautiful scenes on an HO scale model railroad is a learning process. No one is perfect from the start. Everyone can learn to do things in a better, more convincing and efficient way. YouTube videos and Facebook groups offer an incredible opportunity to look at the work of fellow model railroaders and see the …

Continue reading Fellow Model Railroaders in FB Groups Taught Me How to Plant Great Looking Weeds on my HO Scale Layout

Railroad scene with Woodland Scenics static grass, tree, rocks, and track

Tips for Adding Realistic Weeds to Model Railroads

Creating beautiful scenes on an HO scale model railroad is a learning process. No one is perfect from the start. Everyone can learn to do things in a better, more convincing and efficient way. YouTube videos and Facebook groups offer an incredible opportunity to look at the work of fellow model railroaders and see the …

Continue reading Tips for Adding Realistic Weeds to Model Railroads

Small shed, green ground cover, blue pickup truck, building, water tower

Hand-Planted Weeds: Adding Fine Details to the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad

I have to admit, I haven't been thrilled with the results of the static grass applicator I made. Even though I've gotten some powerful zaps from it myself, I wonder if the static field it creates isn't strong enough. My scenes look pretty good, I just thought the grass would stand up better. If you …

Continue reading Hand-Planted Weeds: Adding Fine Details to the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad

New grade crossing, pickup truck, two tracks, ground cover

Part Two: How to Build a Grade Crossing on an HO Scale Model Railroad – Project Completed!

In Part One, I gave the details about cutting balsa pieces to make forms for a grade crossing using plaster. The photo shows foam two-faced tape in place on both sides of the track. I pressed the balsa form onto the tape against the roadbed and track. You can read part one by clicking this …

Continue reading Part Two: How to Build a Grade Crossing on an HO Scale Model Railroad – Project Completed!

New grade crossing, pickup truck, two tracks, ground cover

Crafting Realistic Grade Crossings for HO Model Railroads

In Part One, I gave the details about cutting balsa pieces to make forms for a grade crossing using plaster. The photo shows foam two-faced tape in place on both sides of the track. I pressed the balsa form onto the tape against the roadbed and track. You can read part one by clicking this …

Continue reading Crafting Realistic Grade Crossings for HO Model Railroads

Train track, crossing two cars, buildings

Beginner’s Guide to HO Scale Grade Crossing Techniques

Building a convincing grade crossing on my HO scale model railroad was something I really wasn't looking forward to. I debated whether to buy a crossing kit at the hobby shop and be done with it, but I decided they were too expensive. I turned to YouTube, the model railroader's best friend. Who am I …

Continue reading Beginner’s Guide to HO Scale Grade Crossing Techniques