How to Build a Mountain for Model Trains

• 1

  Ball up several sheets of paper. The balls should be tight enough to retain their shape when released, but not so tight that they become hard.

• 2

  Pile the balls on top of one another, forming a mountainous shape. Secure the pile with masking tape as you work. Make the shape as natural as possible; it does not have to be symmetrical, because mountains are naturally uneven.

• 3

  Place a few more strips of tape over the top of the mountain, covering any loose pieces.

• 4

  Dip the plaster cloth sheets in water, one at a time and begin placing them over the mountain. Cover the entire mountain, overlapping the edges slightly. Do not overlap pieces excessively, or the mountain will begin to collapse. Shape the cloth with your hands to provide a realistic shape. Allow to dry overnight.

Add Color and Texture

• 5

  Decide which areas will consist of grass, trees or rocks. Paint each section with a base color that corresponds to the desired terrain. Work quickly, use a dry brush to blend the edges of each base color into the next for a more realistic look. Let the paint dry overnight.

• 6

  Glue the trees and rocks onto the mountain and around the base.

• 7

  Add terrain material by smearing white glue to the area then quickly sprinkling the material liberally onto the glue until it is covered completely. Allow the glue to fully dry.

• 8

  Check for any loose terrain materials or unwanted bare spots. Brush loose terrain away gently and add a bit more glue. Cover any sparse areas.