Years ago I was impressed by Mike Palmiter’s city buildings that were featured in model railroading magazines a number of years ago. He used Plexiglass as a core material. I’ve been thinking of doing the same, so I began to mock up a larger building in Foam Core with digital pictures applied to the outside to give me the look and feel of what I am looking for.

I cut strips of a material called “Fun Foam” sold by Michael’s Craft Stores. Incidentally I used the same material for roads in my urban area. While this building was originally created “for position only” (an old printer’s term), I may make it and others like it a permanent fixture- the city needs to grow. I would also be interested in comments either here of on the “buildings and structures” thread on Yahoo:

I have begun to use a different material for asphalt. I realize that Walthers makes a great street material, but I wanted to try something different and happened to be in a craft store when the “lights went on” for me.

There is a great material that is a foam productcalled “Creatology Fun Foam” that is sold in sheets and rolls. There are plenty of creative craft ideas that you can use this product for, but I needed a nice smooth surface that started out with a color that was close- and that I could modify if I wanted.

This stuff is really easy to work with and cuts easily with a scissors or a sharp blade. I am gluing it down with Walther’s Goo- I did not want an absorbent liquid bleeding through and possibly discoloring the foam. It is very easily weathered with chalk- rubbed in with my fingertips.

Here is a parking lot that I made:

To get the effect of a patched area along with asphalt between rail heads, here is another image:

This is an area that I have not weathered yet. If gives you an idea of what it looks like prior to using chalk for weathering:

With the seams between the sheets, I have dabbed a little diluted white glue onto the seams, and sprinkled on N-Scale cinders from Highball Products- but this is what it looks like prior to the hiding of the seams.

I would be interested to hear from anyone else using this product.