How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery

Build mountains and tunnels. Rigid foam insulation is lightweight, stable, cuts easily with a serrated knife, and is a good choice for making hills, mountains and tunnels. Cut the rigid foam to fit the allotted space, adding layers until you reach the desired height. Glue the layers together using a water-soluble adhesive and allow the mountain structure to dry. Once the glue cures, finish shaping the mountains and tunnels.

Test fit buildings, bridges and other major scenic elements. Temporarily set the buildings in place or use cardboard mockups to simulate the positioning of buildings to ensure proper spacing and visual appeal. The National Model Railroad Association recommends using a clearance gauge or template to ensure that the trains will pass by all of the structures without interference. Height and width clearance is especially important when constructing tunnels or placing trackside platforms.

Build the scenery in layers. Finished scenery may look difficult and complicated, however breaking down the process into smaller steps simplifies the journey. Cover the plywood with earth-colored latex paint in light browns and tans to represent soil. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle in the first layer of ground foam, dirt and sand over the natural scenic areas. As described by the World's Greatest Hobby website, ground foam is small bits of ground foam dyed in different colors to represent foliage including grass, weeds, leaves and bushes. Combining three or more shades of ground foam creates more realistic looking scenery than using just a single color.

After the paint dries, use diluted white glue or matte medium to adhere the next layer of foam. Add scale-sized rocks, twigs and larger pieces of ground foam representing shrubs and bushes to increase the natural appearance of the ground cover. Add different types and sizes of trees to rural and wilderness areas. Variety in color, size and shape creates a natural appearance.

Spread scale-size ballast alongside the railroad tracks, securing it in place with diluted glue. Railroad companies focus their maintenance efforts on the mainline tracks while smaller branch lines and sidings are often neglected, weedy and have less ballast. Painting the sides of the rails further improves the realistic appearance of the track.

Add details to create vignettes. Use vehicles, people, mailboxes, streetlights and other small details to add life to an urban or residential scene. Paint the roadways and sidewalks, and add signs and awnings to commercial buildings. Create industries with workers and equipment. Use window shades for privacy inside apartments and homes. Place cows, horses and pigs in a farmland, dogs and cats to a backyard scene, or add a few deer to the woods and fields. Realistic model railroad scenery is never complete; there is always another detail to add.