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| Cork sanded. Foam installed. |
In some ways, I actually like to build layouts a bit out of order - instead of laying track first, my preference is to complete the landforms and then go back and add the track. For this layout, I am starting with the module on the right hand side of the layout - which will eventually feature a maintenance of way area. I finished adding the cork roadbed last week and this week, I added a few pieces of foam to make a small hill as well as some additional cork where a dirt driveway will be placed. All of these were shaped with a keyhole saw and Surform tool to their final contour. I also took some time to add a few rocks and retaining walls on the hillsides for some visual interest.
After finishing sanding the surfaces smooth, the next step was to prepare the module for spackle. I like to add a thin coat to smooth out the topography before painting and adding ground foam. Since these portable layouts go through large amounts of expansion and contraction, in order to ensure that cracks don't develop along the outside edge of the module - where the foam and the plywood frame connect - I place drywall mesh before adding the spackle.
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| Drywall mesh installed around the edges of the module. |
The final step was to add a coat of spackling over all of the module. This is placed in thin coats as it is simply used to smooth out the landforms - the foam provides the shape. Once dry, the spackle will be sanded smooth and then painted with a brown color paint. This will seal everything and provide a base for the scenery.
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| Adding spackling to finish the landforms. |
