layout mat

[full maxx]

what would be a good layout mat (green) there are numerous choices and I don't want low quality

[Tylerf]

Well yoou can really only get so much quality out of a grass mat, they are just to perfect looking for me. But I once used the woodland scenics version and it seemed pretty good. Seeing as they are the most common brand of grass they are I'm assuming the best color and texture. I can only assume the others might be worse in color. Also I'm not sure if the others do but the woodland scenics one has grass that can be scraped off and it'll form to hills with a heat gun.

[ABC]

Why don't you use ground cover, it's looks more realistic.

[full maxx]

isn't that more expensive?

[ebtbob]

In my mind,  the easiest way to put down scenery on a train board is to simply paint an area with a brown earth tone color paint and while the paint is still wet,  sprinkle on fine ground cover.    Woodland Scenics has a shaker bottle that will help or you can take any cardboard container that dry mix beverages come in such as Crystal Lite or the drink mixes that you can buy at Walmart.   Just take out the seperate mix containers and drill holes to the size of your choosing in the lid.

[Chris350]

  Woodland Scenics has a shaker bottle that will help or you can take any cardboard container that dry mix beverages come in such as Crystal Lite or the drink mixes that you can buy at Walmart.   Just take out the seperate mix containers and drill holes to the size of your choosing in the lid.

I like the drink container idea.  Also those Woodland scenics shakers are used for bulk dry herbs and spices.  If you have any friends in food service they can get these by the box full... Free.  You can probably get them from any market that has a prepared food section as well.

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

For temporary layouts, I use an old green flannel sheet.

[Joe323]

For temporary layouts, I use an old green flannel sheet.

Actually because I know I'm going to have to disassmble my layout next year I am using green felt.  Once the rennovations are complete I will paint the under lying foam earth color and sprinkle gound cover.

[uncbob]

In my mind,  the easiest way to put down scenery on a train board is to simply paint an area with a brown earth tone color paint and while the paint is still wet,  sprinkle on fine ground cover.    Woodland Scenics has a shaker bottle that will help or you can take any cardboard container that dry mix beverages come in such as Crystal Lite or the drink mixes that you can buy at Walmart.   Just take out the seperate mix containers and drill holes to the size of your choosing in the lid.

My experience in painting is that indoor flats dry very fast
What type do you use

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

Actually because I know I'm going to have to disassmble my layout next year I am using green felt.  Once the rennovations are complete I will paint the under lying foam earth color and sprinkle gound cover.

I've used green felt, too. Schleicher recommends it, also. I switched to the green flannel sheet when I found it because not only does the sheet cover the table top, it also hangs down and hides all the stuff stored under the table. 

[Joe323]

I will be putting curtains around the table to hide the storage but first we have to clean out the stuff underneath.