Model Railway Forum

I was taking a look at videos on building scenery using mod rock ( plaster bandage) and found a couple of videos where lightweight insulation blanket was used.

The videos were American based using “batting” and the closest U.K. material I found is polyester 2 oz quilt (aka wrapping).

Web searching the railroad sites, the use of this material seems popular as it avoids the weight, wet plaster slurry using plaster. Painting the quilt, provides a textured finish which can be used as a basis of further work.

Has anyone tried this idea, or any thoughts about its use ?

https://youtu.be/9C6aHEoUWYg Describes the method.

Rgds

Sorry, never used either. I use polystyrene stuck together with no nails type adhesive then add kitchen roll dipped in thin plaster. A few layers seems to give a strong but light surface. I only use scatter, static grass and trees on top so it doesn’t have to be too strong.its also a cheap method which suits my tightness and desire to use some recycled materials.

Mod roc is expensive but buy it as plaster of Paris bandage from either eBay or Hobbycraft and it is as cheap as chips. The quilt/slurry you describe sounds very messy by comparison.
Create a support from either strips of card or insulation board first and paint the whole thing with brown emulsion before adding scatter or static grass.
Works every time.

For an even cheaper method; I used corrugated cardboard as contour formers, forming a latticework, then filled each 'cell' with crumpled paper. Strips of paper were then criss-crossed across and then wetted with thinned pva.

I use anything to form the contours but plaster of paris bandages (very cheap) for the surface.

Thanks for your replies.

Going back to the quilt idea, it sort of gives a base that can be personal choice of finish and colouring. The alternative solution is to use something like Jarvis model grass which comes in rolls.

For a more structured look with cliffs, rocks and trying to make a scenic to resemble the beauty of Dartmoor landscape , a harder plaster finish is the the place to start.

Just exploring my options, I yet to lay any track.

Rgds