An extension

There is a new module being built to extend the operational aspect of the first module. These modules are not built to any standard but will be purpose built so they can be linked up to form a larger layout as they are built.

The second module will be a little longer and is limited in length as to what will fit in my car. I intend to display this layout at exhibitions so transportability must be factored into design. This module will join the original at its left hand end so that the fiddle yard is still functional on the original module. A river bed will be built into the boards as a scenic feature allowing a bridge scene to be modelled. 

A castle will be included on a hilltop to provide an iconic feature for a Japanese scene. The castle is a smaller scale and I am hoping that this will work visually. My hope is that by 

placing it on a hilltop rather than adjacent to the track a forced perspective will result. I hope to give the illusion of being off in the distance thereby creating depth in a very narrow scene.

The mountains are styrofoam sheets (ex parcel packaging) glued down, attacked with a wire brush and then covered with coloured tilling grout. The rock faces are ROCKs gathered from railway ballast, river beds and general bush areas. They are pushed into the grout before it sets. The only problem I have encountered using grout is that it is impossible to drill holes in once set so trees can't be "planted" as such. Holes could be pushed in while setting if you wanted to but my way of foresting is "hot-gluing" lichen once the gout has set.

With the basic forms completed, track laid and wired the next part is ground cover and ballasting.