| Here is a 'How to . . ' guide on making Scenic modules like the one on the right. We think it looks good and can function as a corner you could build into your temporary or semi-permanent track, or it could easily be a Diorama for some of your cars. |
 A scenic module |
| We began with a sheet of MDF 4' x 2' and of a suitable thickness. (6mm is slightly too thin and 9mm is slightly too thick). Having cut it into 2 pieces each 2' square we laid one on top of the other and placed the track in position. We then drew round it and with a jig saw cut out the shape of the track. We then fitted it all back together with the track replacing the missing wood and glued and screwed the 2 sheets together. |
 Fitting the track. |
| At this stage we gave it all a couple of coats of earth brown emulsion and, once it was dry, sprayed the area where the track was going a matt black so the brown didn't show through any little gaps or holes. By going over edges of where the track was be you could widen the track if you wished. After painting we experimented with where we wanted tyres and armco and began to mark where the clips were to go. For the armco we used some of our clips for plastic track (CfP) but sank them into the wood a bit with a chisel. (The photo is taken before we did that.) |
 Painting and beginning the clips |
| Having decided where we wanted some tyres we used some wood of about the right height to make a concrete wall, bevelled some angles on the ends and clamped it in place while we screwed it in position from underneath. (We had the tyres in position while we decided on the length and angles of the 'wall' so that they would look right up against it.) |
 Laying out concrete wall and tyres |
| Taking one section of tyre wall at a time we then marked and drilled for the Clips for wood (CfW). These are really simple to use. Just get a drill bit the right size or a very little smaller. Drill the hole and just push the clip in, or enlarge the top rim a tiny bit and tap the clip in. Two for each section of tyre wall makes a very secure fixing. |
 Fitting the clips |
| Having painted the wall with a kind of concrete colour, we repeated the clips fitting process behind the tyre wall at each point where we needed a stanchion. Obviously you need one at each place where the fence needs to change direction. On straights you can use gaps of up to 175 mm but curves probably benefit from the stanchions being closer together. (Each Fence Kit [FK1] contains 1.75 m of mesh and 10 stanchions but we can supply extra stacnhions without fence mesh. [AS10].) We also cut some thin strips of plastic for the white line along the edges of the track. |
 Placing Fence stanchions |
| We were now ready to 'grass' the area. Using loose flock we painted some PVA glue on to part of the area and then scattered lots of flock on. Pressing it down we got a good covering and were able to gently brush off the excess soon after before going on to the next patch. We covered the area here in about 4 patches to give you an idea of patch size. |
 Adding the grass effect |
| Next was the 'gravel'. Again PVA glue - perhaps more generously than for the flock - was painted on and the cork granules scattered on. Again use plenty but be ready to collect the excess for the next scattering. Press it down well. The cork seems to be diffcult to cover in one coat so be prepared to do another when the first one is set. |
 Cork makes the gravel trap. |
| We have leaped forward a bit here. The fencing has been glued in position on the stanchions and 'stringers' added with a needle and cotton. A balsa wood kerb has been put on the inside of the corner. The tyres are all in position and with a length of our TC-PWL white rubber tyre cover stretched round it and held in place with a little hot glue. Red self-adhesive blocks have also been stuck on at intervals along it. A corner Direction marker (DM1) and an advert board (AB3) add to the realism. We can supply all these materials. |
 Finishing touches |
With some spectators and a few cars it really comes to life. If you have any particular questions or we have left out something vital for you please e-mail us.
Something similar could be done for dioramas for showing your cars, or you could make several modules like this one and connect them together with track and make a circuit which would be changeable according to your wish and would allow you to race around a corner like this.
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 Another view of the finished article |
