Sheet "grass"

1525 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Gary, Oct 4, 2006

dunc

Discussion Starter · Sep 25, 2006

Hi, I have been a lurker on this forum for quite a while and have found it very informative, this is the first question that I,ve had;
i have a largish layout 3metres x 10metres which until now hasn't had any scenery apart from the odd building, I want to make a start on the scenery by covering the boards with that flat grass mat stuff,
does anyone know the best/cheapest place to buy it.
I need about 30 square metres.
thanks dunc

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

Gwent rail

· #2 · Sep 25, 2006

Hi dunc,
Two suggestions :-
1) try International Models to see what they have available (internationalmodels.co.uk)
2) look at Woodland Scenics, who I know do a roll of grass in sheet form. (ecsenics.co.uk)
A good feature of this product is that after you have laid it on to your former, you can heat it with a hair drier and it wraps itself around the contours of your land, thereby making a very effective looking slope. Further instructions are available by scrolling down on the E C Scenics home page to the tutorial section on line.
Any problems, ask again. Best of luck.

See less See more

Save

Makemineadouble

· #3 · Sep 25, 2006

With that much coverage (30m2), you'd need to very rich, it's more expencive than carpet. Why not tackel a little at a time !

See less See more

Save

dwb

· #4 · Sep 25, 2006

I have to admire dunc's strength of character. 30 square metres with a model railway round the edge and he's going to cover it in grass not track. Such an example to the rest of us who try to squeeze quarts into pint pots!

David

See less See more

Save

neil_s_wood

· #5 · Sep 25, 2006

If your in the UK then check the adds in Railway Modeller. The big stores are usually cheapest. If your in the USA then Model Railroader is usually good for that. With that sort of area it might be worth looking at alternatives. I have seen people in Australia using woolen fleeces dyed green which does a good job of long grass.

Save

Gary

· #6 · Sep 26, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

Only the modeller knows the sort of effect they are looking for.

With grass its horses for courses. If you are buying proprietory the more you pay the better it looks. My personal favourite is Busch. The only issue with sheet grass is where you have to butt edges and this really has to be masked with a stone wall or trees or something, else the effect is lost. I suppose also its not that good when you have contours.

I would look at the alternatives and pick 3 that appear suitable. Give each a try and see which is best for you.

Then negotiate a deal for a largish quantity.

The traditional and cheap sawdust method is the answer for those short on brass.

Happy modelling
Gary

See less See more

Save

dwb

· #7 · Sep 26, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

I found this german website - Silflor - this evening. They appear to specialise in trees. They also have a grass sheet. It's probably a bit too expensive for what you want but it looks rather convincing in the photos, so I've added this reply partly as a marker for future searchers.

The site is german only.

David

Save

dwb

· #8 · Sep 26, 2006

And here's a French company (Sylvia) that makes trees and grass sheet. At 10 euro for 20cm square, I don't think you will be going for this one. You can always console yourself with the thought that HO scale grass is a bit on the short side for OO in any case

.

This company also makes some rather good looking trees.

David

See less See more

Save

Brian Considine

· #9 · Sep 28, 2006

It may pay you to look at the Noch electrostatic method - could work out very cost effective to cover a larger area - and no join marks !

Have a look on the Noch website www.noch.com

best regards
Brian

Save

Gary

· #10 · Oct 4, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

By complete coincidence there is a big 2 page article on "static" grass in November's Model Rail. It does look very effective and the conclusion is that Noch static grass users would find it very hard indeed to go back to alternative methods of grass modelling.

They suggest you keep the tools away from the kids. I can see some hair raising experiences if the kids do get their hands on these tools. Think of The Munsters!

Happy modelling
Gary

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month