Paul, i've been following your (adventures and misadventures) of layout building for several months now and will keep my mouth shut (and fingers off the keyboard) for the most part, but your issues with plaster are unnecessary. To achieve what i think you're trying to do - that is create a natural earth look alongside the ballasted track - is quite simple and inexpensive. First paint the ply with some cheap flat latex paint - preferably a dark grey tinted with very little brown and green, but grey overall. Then using plain old cheap joint compound that has had water added to it to make it nice and sloppy, dunk some wadded up heavy paper towels (Bounty or the blue mechanic's type you can buy at any NAPA store) into the mix and lay down along your right of way. Smooth out any unnatural wrinkles, but leaving the natural rises and curves. Let dry for 24 - 48 hours. Paint with the same grey-ish paint. Then cover with your choice of ground cover held down with the age old mix of white glue and water. I used a base of washed sand interspersed with patches of coarse ground foam and occasional bits of cinders. It's lasted over 25 years. Sorry i don't have any better pics.
Attachments
Images (2)
