I am starting to build a small realistic train diorama using foam for mountains... any suggestions?

Answer 1

There are a lot of cheaper ways to cut and shape polystyrene foams, but I think the best and the coolest is a "hot knife" that has a variety of "tips"... a wire, a knife, saws, engraver, hole makers, router, etc.

Here are a few links at the Hot Wire Foam Factory website that will show you some of the stuff they can do:
ttp://hotwirefoamfactory.com/products/customer/video/video.htm
http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/products/customer/home.php?cat=108

There are some other links, plus more info on ideas for shaping foam, gluing it, etc, on this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/covering.htm
(click on under "Cutting, Shaping, Gluing" under Plastics subcategory)

There should be lots more online too about making train dioramas... here are some to get started with:
http://tinyurl.com/yxv7pk


Diane B.

Answer 2

first, buy the train with the train tracks.
gently carve the foam with a metal spoon to get an easy curved mountain look. use a sponge and some brown and green paint to color the mountains. you can buy plastic plants and rocks at a craft store (or use real rocks). gently carve a tunnel in the foam the will allow the train to pass through. i also recommend those little plastic animals as decorations. certain craft stores also carry sheets of plastic grass, similar to that of a golf coarse. highly recommended!once you get this far, ideas tend to flow naturally. good luck creating a cool diorama!

Answer 3

Hmmm.... the guys at Model Railroader Magazine are pretty cool when it comes to asking questions if you want more detail-- (Google 'em...if you email someone there with a question, they will reply mostly the same day..and usually have some good ideas....better 'n mine anyhow)....BUT (and I'm assuming you're talking about styrofoam), one technique that I saw used styrofoam in layers...offsetting each layer as you go higher---it creates a "stairstep" effect at first, but then you can shape it as you go along......... You probably already know this, but just in case you didn't: styrofoam comes in several different thicknesses, so you won't be stuck with one type thickness and have to make a big mess digging it out to the shape you want, or take a long time to put together a bunch of small pieces to make a big piece.......a good hobby/craft shop will have what you need....Ummm....I'm not too sure about the kind of paint you'll want to use....I'm going to guess and say acrylic paint.....and depending on how sophistcated you want to be---use an airbrush to apply the paint....Testors makes a pretty decent and INEXPENSIVE one.....I think it even comes with canned propellant air....

Hope this helps!