STEP BY STEP

1

The starting point: the track was ballasted with Woodland Scenics’ Buff Ballast, while foam under the plaster bandage formed the embankment on the right. The platform is formed with thin card on Peco’s plastic platform edging.

4

Poly fibre is the quickest way to add bulk to your landscape. Peter used a blend of Woodlands Scenics’ Poly Fiber and a similar material from US firm Micro-mark. Tease it with your fingers until it’s gossamer-thin.

2

I pushed DAS clay into the ballast shoulders to blend it into the surroundings. I also used clay to create the lorry loading area, painting it, when dry, in an off-white emulsion. The track was sprayed with Railmatch Sleeper Grime.

5

Dribble Woodland Scenics Static-tac onto the area you want to cover and then spread it about with an old paintbrush. Ensure that the whole area is covered with a thickish layer of this easy-to-spread adhesive.

3

Peter’s first job was to get rid of the whiteness. He painted all the non-track and platform areas with Woodland Scenics’ Hunter Green and Olive Drab Earth colours. It went on well with a 2in paintbrush and quickly dried.

6

Press the Poly Fiber into the adhesive until the whole area is covered. ‘Knife’ your hand along it, as in a karate chop motion, to ensure that all the fibre sticks to the baseboard. Don’t worry about any excess glue.

7

Peter keeps his scatters in small, plastic containers, mixing different colours and thicknesses. Take a big pinch and sprinkle it onto the poly fibre. You’ll need a surprisingly large amount to ensure good coverage.

10

Turn the device over and, from a height of about 2in, shake it over the glue. When you’re finished, tip the layout on its end (if possible) over a large sheet of card to allow excess material to fall off; keep it for another time.

13

I was amazed at how quickly you can develop really good-looking scenery! Give the fibre a good spray with some extra-hold hairspray – you’ll be able see the droplets on the fibre, which will tell you that you’ve used enough.

14

Woodland Scenics’ Accent Shaker is perfect for sprinkling on different coloured scatters to add some tonal variety to the landscape – just sprinkle them over wet hairspray. Then, spray again and add a different colour.

8

My first time using static grass was easier than expected, although you do need to work quite quickly here. Squeeze on a few dollops of Static-tac and spread it about with your paintbrush.

11

For detailing areas, put some static grass fibres into a puffer bottle (Gaugemaster’s, for example). Dot a dollop of glue in areas you want to detail, then spread it around with your trusty old paintbrush.

9

Having already filled your applicator (here, a Woodland Scenics Static King) with scatter grass in a blend of colours before applying the glue, attach the lead (the ‘foot’ of the Static King goes in the glue) and switch it on.

12

Shake the Gaugemaster Puffer Bottle to give the fibres ‘charge’. Remove the cap and, from about 2in above the layout, squeeze the bottle to force the fibres out. Remove excess fibres (by shaking off or vacuuming) and allow to dry.