Landscape a slot car track | FerrariChat

Landscape a slot car track

Discussion in 'Collectables, Literature, & Models' started by tifosi12, Dec 10, 2003.

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  1. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 3, 2002
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    Andreas
    I'd like to build a nice slot car track, kinda like a diorama or model train.

    What is the best/easiest way to get the terrain (grass, sand) to be level with the slot car track?

    My Scalextric tracks are about 1/4 inch (5 mm) above the ground, which makes the scenery look a bit toyish. Any recommendations?
     
  2. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2003
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    There certainly are a lot of websites that could help. One of the best sources I have seen is RC Model magazine (at Barnes and Noble). They had an article this month on a rally track landscape that looked great.

    Also, if there is a local hobby shop that sells trains, they should have some landscaping books and materials.
     
  3. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Actually I went to a couple of hobby shops, even got a model train landscaping book. Also bought a slot car book that talks about building your own track. However I seem to fall here into a black hole: None of these books discuss this particular problem. It seems, that slot car folks just slam the track onto a table and put a grandstand next to it and call it a day. Also model train folks don't have that issue as railroad tracks are elevated in real life.
    :(
     
  4. Michael RPM

    Michael RPM Formula Junior

    Apr 10, 2002
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    Michael Wogronic
    Andreas: It would be somewhat time consuming, but try laying out the track on plywood, and then trace it with a pencil. Then use a router to remove the wood inside the pencil marks. That would leave you with a nice groove to insert the track.
     
  5. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Mike, thanks. I thought about that. Time consuming is the right word...
     
  6. Dave

    Dave F1 Rookie

    Apr 15, 2001
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    At one point in my life I was a world class scale model builder.
    We would use celluclay to construct ground areas and then use random sand patterns adhered to the dry celluclay airbrushed appropriately.
     
  7. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 30, 2001
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    Easier than the router, trace your track on a 1/4 sheet of board, cut it out, mount it near the outside edges of your track.
     

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