I have to make a miniature rollercoaster for a media project - what should I make it out of?

Question

For a media project I have to make a mini replica rollercoaster, but i have to make it custom to certain turns, etc. What should I make it out of? I was thinking clay or something.. let me know what you think!

Answer 1

This is a Kit:
http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/s7.cgi?cat_s=UGC&age=&mfg_s=fal&str=roller+coaster&sort_i=0&show_i=0&flag=&also_s=&I1.x=18&I1.y=11

It's listed for $228 plus shipping and handling. Otherwise, I'd suggest popsicle sticks and a lot of hard work.

Answer 2

You don't say how big it needs to be, and that would make a LOT of difference. You also don't say how realistic it needs to look, how much detail is needed, how well it has to stand or to actually work (with the cars), etc.

The simplest one would probably be made with a bunch of wood skewers cut to lengths that would allow the different heights under the track, with a cardstock track of some kind on top and cross-rigging of the skewers for more stability. (The skewers could be stuck into something as a base like polystyrene foam or clays of various types or plaster, etc.) Simple cars could also be made from cardstock.

You could get fancier and make it from wood (or balsa), perhaps armatures of wire mesh or other things, along with various kinds of hardening clays, paints, etc., and in those cases you could make it as large and complex as you wanted (but it would take lots of time).

Diane B.