how a module created a layout

great inspiring article, makes me want to get busy on mine and gives me options on how to achieve my layout without feeling unable to finish my ideas.as I've always been told "one step at a time".  thanks for the article

Thanks mrboney...

Glad the article has inspired you, the module approach is a great way to start, and practice a lot of the skills required.  It can also become a part of a layout as an individual piece and/or just keep adding to become a larger layout.

Jas...

Terrific article: Running Extra just paid for itself

Someone could take this article and build a layout starting this weekend.

Joe Fugate’s method of using cardboard strips and painter’s tape

Jason Miller references Joe’s approach for “Terraforming the Ground” in his “How a module grew into a layout” in the 2019 June Running Extra. 

Could Joe or Jason provide some details on this approach to “terraforming” our layouts?

Thanks.

Could Joe or Jason provide

Sure Charles,

It’s a method of using 1” strips of cardboard, masking tape (painters type), and a hot glue gun to build up terrain quickly.

Joe used the method on his Siskiyou Line Layout, I adopted it too as was a quick, cheap and effective way to get terrain built quickly (terraforming).

The photo below shows the cardboard strips in place (glued down) and covered in the masking tape to form a basic terrain.

The masking tape is then covered in a textured substance called “ground goop” which is a mixture of Portland cement, fine vermiculite, and patching plaster.  This forms the terrain for tour module/layout.

Cheers, Jas.

Terraforming

Thanks, I was trying to find the Joe article describing this. You just use plain old masking tape to make a smooth transition from the cardboard strip to the base ground level? That's much better than my idea of building up ground goop into half inch piles - that would take days to dry!

Clarence