Starting the groundwork
Today I put down my first batch of groundwork. I’m using a mixture mentioned in one of Joe Fugate’s railroad videos. It’s a simple mixture of:
- 4 parts fine vermiculite
- 3 parks patching plaster
- 1 part portland cement
and then enough water to make it a smooth, spreadable mixture. Here’s how the first attempt looks:
I’ll let this setup for a day or two and then go back to patch up the cracks and any spots needing a little more coverage. While the mixture looks good once dried, it does shrink a little while setting up. But it’s nothing a quick little patching can’t fix.
I ended up making a much larger batch than I was expecting so I had to sorta hurry through this first section. Next time I know to go with a much smaller batch and just do small 1-2 foot sections at a time.
Looks good–is that the actual color or did you color the vermiculite/plaster mix? It looks darker than what I remember from Joe F’s videos. I’ll be using the same mix so good to see it in use on your layout as well. Jamie
The mixture was still a little wet when I took the photos. The following morning it had more white-ish grey color once it dried.