Grass, rocks and other stuff!

Once the framework and the basic ground cover was complete, it was time to dress it all up! Meifford is in central Wales, with slate much in evidence both as part of the landscape and a big part of the local economy.

Lush green grass was never really going to be a feature of the land around Meifford!

The landscape was painted a grey-brown, using acrylic paints, over the already dark grey of the grout landscape colour.No chance of an unnatural white showing through any place where the covering was a little 'thin.

The Groundcover...

I finally decided, after some trial pieces, on a mixture of the following -

• Fine 'Turf' - a Woodland Scenics product
• Slate powder
• Finely crushed slate

This would form the base covering which everything would build on.

On top of this was various layers comprising coarse and fine foliage (light green / burnt green), larger pieces of broken / crushed slate and around some areas such as sidings etc. then areas of static grass. I used both 4mm and 10mm 'burned grass' or 'autumn grass' varieties.

In fact quite a lot of slate was used, as can be seen in the photographs, although no more I think than you would expect.

Clumps of 'coarse foliage' foam in various shades was also glued in place, as befits a rugged terrain. Trees and bushes were to come later!

Grass etc. can also be found growing in between the rails and between the track in various places, although care is needed to ensure it doesn't foul any of the locos, or get stuck where it shouldn't around any of the points.

I think that the overall effect is about right.