Making Mountains step by step

From time to time a really excellent article surfaces in the world of model trains. This part one in a series of How To articles with pictures I'll be posting over the next little while.

Model mountains can be built in numerous ways -- from the old-fashioned newspaper method to casting them in molds. Unfortunately, using the newspaper method can create a fire hazard. Here's a great way to do it! Enjoy, Albert.

For all the pictures click here

Making a Mountain

Model railroader Jay Caplan explains how simple it is to build a mountain.

Materials:

2' x 4' piece of StyrofoamB. insulation board
Two 3" pieces of scrap foam board, purchased or found in packing material
Styrofoam packing "peanuts"
Two HO-scale portals
Low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks
One package plaster cloth
1" paintbrush
Scissors
Hobby saw
Shoe-box-size or larger container that will hold water
Water
Light earth-toned spray paint
Dirt-colored spray paint
Grass-colored spray paint
Black marker

1. Locate the entrance to and exit from the mountain on the layout. These spots mark the location of portals for the tunnel (figure A). The portals indicate where the tunnel begins and ends as the mountain is built around them. You won't glue the portals in place until the mountain is complete.


2. Use scraps of insulation board to build a support for the portals. The scraps can be any size or shape, as long as they fit the space designated for the mountain and don't interfere with the train's operation. Using a low-temperature glue gun, glue the pieces of insulation in place to begin building the mountain. Stagger the pieces to create a realistic, rugged-looking shape. Use a portal as a guide to gauge the space that must be left open for the train to clear the sides of the mountain. Use a hobby saw to cut blocks of insulation foam to fit the space allotted to the mountain (figure B). The mountain must be at least as tall as the top of the portal for the train to clear. Continue to glue and build up the front of the mountain until the front is complete.

3. Build the back of the mountain from 3" pieces of scrap Styrofoam packing material. Use a hobby knife to cut the pieces to fit the layout board and fit around the portals. Secure the pieces with a glue gun (figure C).

4. Put the top on the mountain to enclose the tunnel and create a base from which to build up the mountain. Clear the track of obstructions that might interfere with the movement of the train through the tunnel. Place a piece of Styrofoam insulation large enough to cover the entire mountain on top of the mountain's base. Use a hobby saw to remove unnecessary parts of the board until you get close to the outline of the mountain. Hold the top of the mountain in place, and use a black marker to trace the contour of the mountain's base up under the piece forming the top of the mountain (figure D). After marking the curve, turn the top over and cut along the marked line with a hobby saw, creating a perfect match with the base of the mountain. Glue the mountaintop in place.

5. Now build up the top of the mountain by gluing scraps of Styrofoam insulation as desired (figure E). Use pieces of various sizes to create contours, and use a hobby saw to cut contours into the mountain (figure F). Glue on packing peanuts to create boulders and rugged contours. Complete the mountaintop as desired.

6. Fill the shoebox-size container half full of water. Using scissors, cut a piece of plaster cloth about 4" long. Let it soak in the water for about 5 seconds (figure G). Drag the cloth strip along the side of the container to eliminate excess water. Place the wet plaster cloth over the Styrofoam sides of the mountain, molding the cloth to the mountain with your fingers. Dip a 1" paintbrush into the water, and brush the wet plaster cloth to eliminate bumps and air bubbles. Repeat the process until the entire mountain is covered. Let the mountain dry overnight.

7. Finish the mountain by spray-painting it with earth-toned paints. If the room is not well ventilated, wear a mask. Use a light earth tone for the base, applying the paint in light, sweeping motions. Use a darker color to create and color darker patches of rock and soil. Use green paint to simulate grass growing on flat surfaces. Later you'll add trees and shrubs to give the mountain a more believable look (figure H).