How do you represent roads?
 

Hi,

Just a quick question. As the title suggests, how do you represent roads on your layout?

At the moment I simply paint my roads a dark grey. I know you can get self adhesive roads and also a very fine tarmac scatter. I even tried to use a very fine wet and dry, but it didn't work out too well.

Any comments?

Alex

I have used a number of methods in the past.
One is using fine black sand paper which gives a good effect but is fiddly to lay and the seams show. You might do better though.
Hronby do road sections in their skaledale range but as the sections are made of resin you are limited to the number of angles you can have at corners but a good effect is still given.

Why don't you try different shades of grey and what sort of paint do you use?

You already appear to have tried all the usual methods Alex. In N Gauge I find that a matt painted surface works well enough especially after it has gathered some dust :) Do as SFE suggests and try various shades of grey with the odd darker patch thrown in the represent repairs. These can be added with the aid of masking tape to get nice straight edges. Much of the realism is obtained by adding kerbs/pavements in towns and grass verges out in the country.
For the white lines I use one of those fine white marker pens available from most arts and craft shops.

Tried black board paint it dries mat.

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies. At the moment I simply use a mix of black/white poster paint. Dust, I have plenty off:D I may find some inspiration at the Glasgow show in February.

Attached piccy shows my paths and drives. Each 3ft x 2ft slab has been cut out and stuck down individually.

Alex

Looks good to me Alex.
I bet your back was aching after laying that lot.:D

Hi John,

Hmmm, I cheated slightly;). I cut out appropriate lengths/sizes of plasticard for the paths and drives and sitting in front of the telly I stuck down the slabs to the pieces I had cut out. Then after a paint and black wash went out to the shed and stuck them down.

Sneaky or what.

How's your layout coming along?

Alex

Very slow...... I spend too much time on this forum.:D

Hi John,

I'm supposed to be researching a new book but I can't be bothered right now. That's why I've so much time to spend on my layout.:):)

Alex

My layout has been underneath the snow which now having melted has been replaced with assorted weeds.
John (G)

Hi Gandalf,

Maybe you could adapt one of your wagons to spray the weeds.

Nice pics of your layout by the way.

Alex

I am moving my layout now.
It is being moved into a large shed outdoors to make living easier.
I have orderd furniture fom argos now so no going back.
When I did my roads I cut out the section of the baseboard lining showing a strip of wood and painted that black. Gives it more texture. The sides where the lining begins again acts as a good kerb. Cheapest way but be careful with the craft knife!
There is always plenty of blasphemy when I work on it.

Alex,
The only wagon with a suitable container fitted is destined to carry beer (home brew of course) however I am contemplating adapting a small strimmer and hair drier motor so they can be fitted to a heavy chassis and connecting the whole thing to the mains electric. It will either fry the weeds or grill the worms but one way or another I need to clear the track of 6 months weed growth. Cannot use weed killer since there will be a considerable amount of run off and that will go into the three fish ponds. Sadly dead goldfish are not 7/8 scale kippers.
John (G)

........:):):)