Which is first?

[WIMorrison]

I have now got to the stage where I am satisfied with my track layout and also the performance of it and the time is rapidly approaching when I start making it look pretty by adding scenery.

 

I have seen advice on ballasting the track, then weathering also weathering then ballasting plus some say Donte scenery the ballast and weather (or weather then ballast).

 

I can see advantages in all the different approaches but nothing that makes one order much more sensible and similarly I can see some disadvantages to each order.

 

What would you suggest is the best order to undertake the work?

[doilum]

Follow nature. Unless most of the model is track, complete all the basic landscaping before track laying. This can be given a first paint and texture.

Now lay track and lineside features including fencing. Test track.

Having cleaned off any debris from hole drilling etc, paint fences and touch up the scenery. Now ballast, paint rails and weather the trackbed. The final step is to introduce the vegetation on the edge of the track bed. This presumes you have a clear plan of what you wish to achieve.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Complete all work on and and proof testing of the track for the desirted standard of reliability before even looking at scenery. If the layout doesn''t operate satisfactorily then it will never be a model railway, even with the highest grade scenic treatment. The track is very easy to mask off before commencing scenic work. It becomes a depressing slog if significant work on scenery has to be removed, damaged or destroyed to enable access to correct unsatisfactory running due to track defects.

 

That's my 'safe' formula. There are always very skilled people who can make a marvellous job by any procedure they may choose, but such people know what they can do and what advice can safely be ignored.

[WIMorrison]

Complete all work on and and proof testing of the track for the desirted standard of reliability before even looking at scenery. If the layout doesn''t operate satisfactorily then it will never be a model railway, even with the highest grade scenic treatment. The track is very easy to mask off before commencing scenic work. It becomes a depressing slog if significant work on scenery has to be removed, damaged or destroyed to enable access to correct unsatisfactory running due to track defects.

 

That's my 'safe' formula. There are always very skilled people who can make a marvellous job by any procedure they may choose, but such people know what they can do and what advice can safely be ignored.

 

This is the route I have been following and m now at the reliable trackwork with a plan that I am not going to change (again ).

 

I was wondering about what order the next stages should be as there are different ways to tackle it - ballast, weathering, scenery or weathering, ballast, scenery or scenery, weathering, ballast, …

 

Any ideas on the best order?

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

'By 'complete all work on the track' I meant everything you intend doing to it, so that includes scenic treatment as well, ballast, painting, the lot. Test for reliability and don't touch it again, in principle. (Obviously that is a counsel of perfection, sometimes some unplanned work will be necessary, but the basic principle is sound.)

[sulzer27jd]

This is the route I have been following and m now at the reliable trackwork with a plan that I am not going to change (again ).

 

I was wondering about what order the next stages should be as there are different ways to tackle it - ballast, weathering, scenery or weathering, ballast, scenery or scenery, weathering, ballast, …

 

Any ideas on the best order?

 

There is probably no "right" answer to this and it may be that you have to do different areas in a different order, because of how they are placed in relation to other scenery.  In simple terms though, I would separate out the work on your track. Paint the sleepers and track (this is not weathering, this is painting them some basic colours). Ballast and then as has been suggested a thorough testing. I would then go back in and weather the completed trackwork. Other scenery around the layout can be done around your trackwork, but it may be worth covering it up to prevent spills. I tend to try and work from the rear of the scene, forwards, as this avoids damage caused by leaning over.

 

John

[newbryford]

After thorough testing (as mentioned above, otherwise known as play trains) . Paint rail sides. Put stuff next to track that will get in the way of ballast. (Concrete bases for signals, cable trunking etc). Paint said "stuff"  Ballast, Weather track (rails and ballast). Retest track. (Play trains)

 

Basic scenery shaping can be done at any time, but not the bits that will get in the way of the above

 

Rest of scenery - weather scenery.

 

Play trains.

 

Enjoy.

 

Sorted.

 

Cheers,

Mick