MODELLING FARM TRACKS

I want to model rugged farm tracks on my rural branch line layout. The problem is, I’m having difficulty creating realistic-looking tracks. Josh Elliott, by e-mail

Peter says: Farm tracks are formed by the wheels of heavy machinery, so the perfect tool to gauge their width is a suitably scaled tractor. They are often bumpy, so plaster cloth layered atop foam sheet provides a suitably uneven former. I then recommend brushing Woodland Scenics Foam Putty along the entire track to produce a smooth surface. Once cured, paint the track an earthy brown or green and leave to dry. Now sprinkle sand onto the road surface. Alternatively, I recommend using Woodland Scenics Earth Fine Turf or Treemendus Earth Powder. Use poly fibre to build up the far edge of each track, followed by a sprinkle of suitably coloured scatter (fixed with hairspray). I used golden/brown static grass fibres to cover each track, pushing the fibres into white glue with my finger – to represent areas that have been consistently flattened under tyres. The edges and middle strip of grass can be covered in green static grass fibres and applied with a static grass tool. Alternatively, you could use adhesive grass tufts. It’s also worth considering the density of your farm track. If you’re depicting a particularly uneven or rocky area, fine ballast chippings can be mixed into your scatter materials to surprising effect.