HOME PAGE MRC NEWS POST OFFICE TIPS 'n TRICKS PHOTO GALLERY LAYOUTS & PROJECTS CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS CLUB NEWS EVENTS & SHOWS RETAILERS & HOBBY SHOPS MANUFACTURERS PUBLICATIONS CLASSIFIED ADS RAILFANNING GLOSSARY EMAIL US CONTACT US BOOKMARK US LIST WITH US ADVERTISE WITH US SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE THE LEGAL STUFF ModelRailroadCanada.com LAYOUTS & PROJECTS EASY FOUNDATIONS AND WALLS By David Bateman Boreal Models Here is an easy method for creating foundations for structures, culverts, retaining walls and almost anything else that you can imagine, that utilizes bricks or blocks. STEP #1 Start with a 12" x 12" x 1/8" Linoleum floor tile that is available at most Home Depots, Lowes, Rona, etc. Measure the tile and mark it with a line in the center. (See figure 1) STEP #2 Using a sharp utility knife and a square, score the tile on your line. (See figure 2) STEP #3 Lay the tile on the edge of a table or work bench with your line right at the ledge and gently press down on one side while holding the other side securely on the table. You should end up with two 6 " x 12" pieces. (See figure 3) STEP # 4 Using a carpenters square, score the tile across the width every ¼" (See figures 4 & 5) STEP #5 Score the tile every ½" length wise. When you are finished, place the tile in a vice at the scored lines as shown (See figure 6) and gently snap the tile at each line. STEP #6 When you are finished you will have a nice pile of ¼" x ½" x 1/8" blocks. (See figure7) Part 2, CLEANING & LAYING BLOCKS STEP #7 Now that you have cut all those blocks you will want to clean them up so as to remove any dust or small chips that would cause problems when gluing. Pour all the blocks into a colander that is placed over a trash barrel, and gently shake or mix them all up. You only need to do this for about 2 - 3 min. (See figure 8) STEP #8 I recommend laying the structure that you will be making the foundation for on a piece of paper and tracing the outline of its footprint (base). I used this as my template for laying the blocks so that they are straight. (See figure 9) STEP #9 Just like laying a real block or brick wall you will want to start in the corners. (See figure 10). I used the yellow carpenters glue, but Tacky glue, CA, or just about any type of glue will do. Just like real bricks you will need ½ bricks or bats. This can be easily accomplished by scoring a block down the center and simply snapping it in half with your fingers. (See figures 11 & 12). Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm). STEP #10 The rest is just a simple matter of following straight lines, or whatever your template calls for. Build up to whatever height or length you want. These blocks can be cut to almost any size you want so as to be realistic for the scale you are modeling. They can be sanded, painted, and if you are real patient, I know one modeller who used grey silicone to create mortar joints between courses of blocks! I hope this has been useful to you, and I have included a few sample pictures of what I built. David Bateman Boreal Models