This is my Design that I am building now. Two Issues I need help on, one is how do I ballast a yard? Do I cover the entire yard with even gravel or do I make like on the mains?

and second, How do you model dirt and grass, I know you can make/buy a static grass machine, but other that that what can you use??

Well, I was going to show you my plan, but I can't upload a PDF to show up....

Thanks.

At last, the bedroom becomes the train room.  (The last "room" I had for trains was a 6'x10' space in the corner of my folks garage 50 years ago).  So, I'm going to document bits and pieces of my progress in constructing layout #7, in a nice, comfortable conditioned 10' x 12' room.  More entries follow this intro.

I've noticed that many people are running their rolling stock on the floor.  I think most of us have done this when we got a train set for Christmas, etc. but after watching a number of youtube videos it seems that the trend is growing. Many of the "floor runners" (I just coined a phrase - he he he ) use the ballasted track made by KATO, etc. and have an instant layout.

I'm looking for a 4' x 2' N scale track plan that I can fit into a coffee table frame with glass top and sides. I have a plan of john Allens Gorre & Daphetid HO railroad (4' x 8') but am not sure if it will convert neatly into N scale. I like the basic plan because you can make the scenery as dramatic as you like. Any suggestions or tips?