I took the moss different colors put them in the blender chewed it up fine like the shakers like from woodlen Scenics and get great color combinations after blending them and use them for ground cover
Thanks for the suggestion. Looks really good and may save some $$ versus likes of Woodland Scenics. Hobby Lobby can be another useful cost effective solution.
You’re welcome! It’s good if you like scratch building. I think the most valuable items and the soft foam and the foam core boards. Endless possibilities!
Thank you so much! I have walked through Michael's before, but you have opened up a lot of possibilities that I hadn't considered! Your layout looks great as well!
Dollar Store baby! Reindeer moss for a dollar and green kitchen scrubbies for grass. I usually get my enamel paints from Michaels and sometimes I find some other good stuff to use. Enjoyed the video. Is that Duquesne Incline operational?
Very cool I have night some things from the dollar store before for the trains too! Unfortunately I have not made my incline operational. It’s been something I talk about doing all the time but I’m. It sure how to do it in a good way to be honest. Any suggestions?
Howdy! Man... what a perfect video on finding some affordable alternatives! We have a Hobby Lobby coming in this spring... looking forward to combing through there as well. This gives me some excellent suggestions on what to look for. Well done and thanks for sharing 🤠
Great video, I go to Michaels all the time, and i never thought of half of these things. I've been using foam board for streets, but it curls up, the foam by the felt looks way better.
Thank you for filming this, "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening thru a cosmic vapor of invention". I really need to find my local store!
I use spray foam for hopper coal loads. If you use spray foam in a strip, let it grow, then mount it to a piece of black cardboard to fit your hopper, it will provide a natural looking load once painted black and the fake coal is glued in place. I'd also add that Dollar General and Dollar Tree have some very useful things: wooden cubes, etc., that can be used for scenery. In Joann fabrics, I've used sewing machine bobbins, to replicate steel/wire coils in gondola cars. I've explored Michaels's before, but this opened my eyes and mind to new possibilities. Thank You.
Great video Nick and a lot of creative suggestions, many I had never thought of. Thanks for taking the time to bring us along on this video and sharing many, many great ideas.
Thanks for the video, Nick. Certainly a lot of good products that could be used for our hobby. Your clouds with the LEDs look awesome! So what’s next…..a tour of Home Depot to explore train box opening tools? You know…chain saws, pick axes, machetes, etc. 🤣
Lots of good ideas Nick. I'll have to keep this stuff in mind if I need some scenic supplies. I used the rolled up cork for some of my roads. Painted it gray. The texture of the cork comes through and looks like a paved road. I also used the casting resin for my lake and streams.
Fantastic job at using ingenuity for model dioramas! I haven't been in Michael's much after they essentially abandoned what few kits, tools, and paints that they carried, but as I have found in other craft stores, sometimes staring at the product shelves can be very inspiring!
I had no idea that Michaels carried so much variety on useful items for MRR use. Definitely going to check our local Michaels store! Outstanding video, subscribed.
AWESOME, EXCELLENT and PERFECT!!!!! I have used several of these items myself. I have used green felt for grass, sand paper for gravel roads and even colored pencils for road stripes. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
You forgot the needlepoint plastic canvases can be cut into strips to simulate iron fencing - black for RR or industrial fencing, light blue or light green for highway guard rail, grey for commercial business, etc...
Man, great ideas with those faux grass and moss that looks like static grass. I would have never thought about that. I didn't even really know they had some of this stuff there. I've bought wooden dowel rods, wood strips and beads to make G scale code line poles. I used fishing line but I'll look into the elastic wire. Your layout looks great, btw. Thanks.
Fantastic Coverage and Ideas from "Michaels crafts" I have visited my local store , but have not found many of the items you show here in your video . Perhaps I need to make another visit ,Soon ! Thanks for posting this Video ! Very Helpful Indeed : )
Wow thankyou so so much I went to this store in my Area of Ga,and brought the baseball case.and Am.going to put some of my Ho Engines. And some lights with some Road bed.thankyou for this had no idea.about this
i also look at jewelry section for chain necklaces to be used as chains for tie downs for train loads and other uses also the bags of sand in the kids bottle sand art section i get the black and gray
Been meaning to go to Michaels for yrs now always wondering what they would have i could use..now i know..thanks...your ceiling in layout room is really cool too..never seen anything like it
The clear Stretch Magic beading cord works extremely well as a fiber optic light conductor, at a fraction of the price. Several diameters are available.
Wow, that place has everything! If I could add something: Pastels! I've recently begun to weather my trains using pastel powders. You can sprinkle your cars with the powders and rub them in with paint brushes to give your locomotives or rolling stock a more used look without permanently changing the appearance of your trains. If you don't like something and want to change it, you can! If you do like something, you can buy krylon and seal it so it won't come off. Really fun and easy!
Great ideas, thanks for sharing just came across your channel. I do slot cars, HO and 132 scale thinking of adding trains, not sure what size train would be equivalent to HO 164 scale may be N scale trains? and 132 scale slack cars might be close to Ho trains? not sure and scenery. Just subscribed.👍😁🏎️
Nice video. It’s good to see that there’s some good stuff still available at Michael’s for layout building. I actually went with all hobby lobby S C E N E R Y on the new 2x6 portable switching layout. Overall though I’m glad these stores are putting out quality stuff so we’re not 100% reliant on Woodland Scenics.
We have used a lot of plastic flower pieces. Use modge podge to dull down the shine or use extra fine turf (sparingly). We have removed the fine flowers and place in window boxes, pots and yard decor. Always keep your eyes open for possible uses and share with other modelers.
Use this store to get lots of items and make them work..grass is the best example,besides the trees..thanks for sharing,,I also use different types of aquarium plants, get the sale price only..😊
I get the tubes of paint in different colours to paint rocks etc this is waterbased matt paint at $2.00 per tube I used the 2mm cork sheet cut up to make track base for my N Sclae the one I used had a self-adhesive on one side we have a $2.00 shop in NZ so all these things are available for no more that $2.00 per item.
Almost all the craft stores can be useful. I must make one comment. It's O scale! O gauge is Lionel. ? Not everyone agrees though. As for most of what you showed though, is mostly O scale. The stuff looks to be too large for HO. And certainly not for N or TT or smaller. But yes, by all means, visit those stores for ideas.
Go anywhere but Michael's unless you have no other option as they are grossly overpriced! Hobbie Lobby is cheaper and Joann fabric and crafts is even better or Amazon. I was looking for chalk to do weathering and found them at Joanns for half the price Michael's wanted for the exact same set.
"These would be good for O Gauge". There is a difference between O Gauge and O Scale. And innocently interchanging the terms only perpetuates the misuse and confusion. O Scale is correct while O Gauge is not. Can you definitively tell someone what O Gauge means? There is 2 Foot Gauge and 3 Foot Gauge all within O Scale 1:48. Someone new to the Hobby needs to know facts, not misinformation. Nice video, but let's be more informative, please. Your Layout looks very nice with what you did with the Poly-Fil and lighting.
I took the moss different colors put them in the blender chewed it up fine like the shakers like from woodlen Scenics and get great color combinations after blending them and use them for ground cover
That’s an interesting idea! I may try that some day
Great video alot of creative ideas
Thanks! Glad you like them!
Hmmm, Interesting ideas to find and use on layouts and such 🤔🤔🤔
Some really great ideas!
Great post. Thank you. I never knew Michael's had some much stuff.
Thanks for the suggestion. Looks really good and may save some $$ versus likes of Woodland Scenics. Hobby Lobby can be another useful cost effective solution.
You’re welcome! It’s good if you like scratch building. I think the most valuable items and the soft foam and the foam core boards. Endless possibilities!
Thank you so much! I have walked through Michael's before, but you have opened up a lot of possibilities that I hadn't considered! Your layout looks great as well!
I appreciate the nice compliments! Glad this video gave you a few ideas 😊
Dollar Store baby! Reindeer moss for a dollar and green kitchen scrubbies for grass. I usually get my enamel paints from Michaels and sometimes I find some other good stuff to use. Enjoyed the video. Is that Duquesne Incline operational?
Very cool I have night some things from the dollar store before for the trains too! Unfortunately I have not made my incline operational. It’s been something I talk about doing all the time but I’m. It sure how to do it in a good way to be honest. Any suggestions?
Very well done, thank you for sharing these ideas!
Howdy! Man... what a perfect video on finding some affordable alternatives! We have a Hobby Lobby coming in this spring... looking forward to combing through there as well. This gives me some excellent suggestions on what to look for. Well done and thanks for sharing 🤠
Lots of good products at Michaels and the prices are great!!!
Great video, I go to Michaels all the time, and i never thought of half of these things. I've been using foam board for streets, but it curls up, the foam by the felt looks way better.
As always Nick, another great video. I love Michael's for train supplies. You covered a lot of great items to use, thanks and Let's Go Pens...
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Pens. Ugh. Not so hot this year. Like a roller coaster ride lol
Thank you for filming this, "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening thru a cosmic vapor of invention". I really need to find my local store!
Hahaha thanks! Go invent and create James! 😂
I use spray foam for hopper coal loads. If you use spray foam in a strip, let it grow, then mount it to a piece of black cardboard to fit your hopper, it will provide a natural looking load once painted black and the fake coal is glued in place. I'd also add that Dollar General and Dollar Tree have some very useful things: wooden cubes, etc., that can be used for scenery. In Joann fabrics, I've used sewing machine bobbins, to replicate steel/wire coils in gondola cars. I've explored Michaels's before, but this opened my eyes and mind to new possibilities.
Thank You.
Fantastic video. I go to Michaels for some stuff but you've opened my eyes to so much more. Excellent job. Thank you.
Great video Nick and a lot of creative suggestions, many I had never thought of. Thanks for taking the time to bring us along on this video and sharing many, many great ideas.
Thanks for the video, Nick. Certainly a lot of good products that could be used for our hobby. Your clouds with the LEDs look awesome!
So what’s next…..a tour of Home Depot to explore train box opening tools? You know…chain saws, pick axes, machetes, etc. 🤣
Awesome ideas and tips, thanks!
Those are some great tips for making your own model railroad accessories.
Very helpful, thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Lots of good ideas Nick. I'll have to keep this stuff in mind if I need some scenic supplies. I used the rolled up cork for some of my roads. Painted it gray. The texture of the cork comes through and looks like a paved road. I also used the casting resin for my lake and streams.
Awesome John! I thought of trying that actually with the cork as well. I’m sure it’s nice also. Thanks and glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you nick for this video in fact i learned alot from you on this video thanks for showing this 👍👍
Thanks Nick, there's a Michael's two blocks from my house. Bought my glue guns from there.
That’s convenient for you! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Fantastic job at using ingenuity for model dioramas! I haven't been in Michael's much after they essentially abandoned what few kits, tools, and paints that they carried, but as I have found in other craft stores, sometimes staring at the product shelves can be very inspiring!
I had no idea that Michaels carried so much variety on useful items for MRR use. Definitely going to check our local Michaels store! Outstanding video, subscribed.
Yes they do! Awesome… thanks for the sub!
Great ideas, Thank you
AWESOME, EXCELLENT and PERFECT!!!!! I have used several of these items myself. I have used green felt for grass, sand paper for gravel roads and even colored pencils for road stripes. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Ideas like this ADD to my fun in building my S gauge layout!
Thank you! 👍
lots of good ideas! you could actually fit an n-gauge switching layout in the baseball display case. hmmm
You forgot the needlepoint plastic canvases can be cut into strips to simulate iron fencing - black for RR or industrial fencing, light blue or light green for highway guard rail, grey for commercial business, etc...
Great informative video. Your display is beautiful. I love how you put the 89 Batmobile in the middle of town. Your sky ceiling is absolutely perfect.
I have over 10 carts for under my layout and 6 in my office holding DVD's.Perfect for keeping things in order and when you what to find something.
That’s allot lol! They are great tho!
Man, great ideas with those faux grass and moss that looks like static grass. I would have never thought about that. I didn't even really know they had some of this stuff there. I've bought wooden dowel rods, wood strips and beads to make G scale code line poles. I used fishing line but I'll look into the elastic wire. Your layout looks great, btw. Thanks.
Fantastic Coverage and Ideas from "Michaels crafts" I have visited my local store , but have not found many of the items you show here in your video . Perhaps I need to make another visit ,Soon !
Thanks for posting this Video ! Very Helpful Indeed : )
Wow thankyou so so much I went to this store in my Area of Ga,and brought the baseball case.and Am.going to put some of my Ho Engines. And some lights with some Road bed.thankyou for this had no idea.about this
I have been going to Michael's for model rr supplies. I even got a part time then turned into a full time job there.
This can be the fun oart of the hobby, I used to do this for my Ho layout with dad 😁
Love the video. That's my go to place now that most hobby stores have closed around me
Good ideas 💡
i also look at jewelry section for chain necklaces to be used as chains for tie downs for train loads and other uses also the bags of sand in the kids bottle sand art section i get the black and gray
Thanks dude. Great possibilities and all in one place.
Been meaning to go to Michaels for yrs now always wondering what they would have i could use..now i know..thanks...your ceiling in layout room is really cool too..never seen anything like it
Now I need to go to Michael's 🤠
LOL I wish they paid me for this advertisement 😂
Great ideas. I'll need to visit mine again. I used those foam mats for my roads and parking lots.
Thank you for the info
You’re welcome!
Lot of possibilities
The clear Stretch Magic beading cord works extremely well as a fiber optic light conductor, at a fraction of the price. Several diameters are available.
Wow, that place has everything!
If I could add something: Pastels! I've recently begun to weather my trains using pastel powders. You can sprinkle your cars with the powders and rub them in with paint brushes to give your locomotives or rolling stock a more used look without permanently changing the appearance of your trains. If you don't like something and want to change it, you can! If you do like something, you can buy krylon and seal it so it won't come off. Really fun and easy!
Great ideas, thanks for sharing just came across your channel. I do slot cars, HO and 132 scale thinking of adding trains, not sure what size train would be equivalent to HO 164 scale may be N scale trains? and 132 scale slack cars might be close to Ho trains? not sure and scenery. Just subscribed.👍😁🏎️
OK! Looks like someone has the creative juices flowing. Nice job. See you in August in Monroeville!
I have a ton of lichen growing out back of my house on a hill. Enough to last a lifetime. Cheers from eastern TN
Nice video. It’s good to see that there’s some good stuff still available at Michael’s for layout building. I actually went with all hobby lobby S C E N E R Y on the new 2x6 portable switching layout. Overall though I’m glad these stores are putting out quality stuff so we’re not 100% reliant on Woodland Scenics.
Hobby lobby is pretty good too. Good store for finding stuff if you scratch build for sure!
@@PghTrainFanatic that it is. I’m just happy we have a ton of options unlike 15 years ago. Lol
We have used a lot of plastic flower pieces. Use modge podge to dull down the shine or use extra fine turf (sparingly). We have removed the fine flowers and place in window boxes, pots and yard decor. Always keep your eyes open for possible uses and share with other modelers.
Some really good ideas!! But my wife would get really suspicious if I asked her if I could go with her.
Dried tea from tea bags are good for scenery on a industrial layout
I LOVE THE INFORMATION SHARED
Use this store to get lots of items and make them work..grass is the best example,besides the trees..thanks for sharing,,I also use different types of aquarium plants, get the sale price only..😊
I've never been in a Michael's with as much stuff as you showed. What is the location of this store?
Pittsburgh area
thanks
Nice video. Everything you mentioned in it is also very useful for miniature wargaming, suck as WWII Bolt Action scenery.
Don't forget E6000 glue. Ideal for fixing glazing in rolling stock and fast assembly of card kits too.
That’s exactly where I got my cork from. It works well. Foam board from Dollar Tree but Michaels looks better.
How do you keep the clouds clean?
I have started a 5 x 8 O guage layout and this is of great help. What paint do you recommend for the pink form board that you buy at Home Depot
I use the foam sheets for roads. But I started using just black poster board for roads. Bigger sheet and it’s 99 cents.
Already been there, done that.😅
I get the tubes of paint in different colours to paint rocks etc this is waterbased matt paint at $2.00 per tube I used the 2mm cork sheet cut up to make track base for my N Sclae the one I used had a self-adhesive on one side we have a $2.00 shop in NZ so all these things are available for no more that $2.00 per item.
Sounds terrific!
temu has those grass mats for just a few dollars...
I buy stuff there and Hobby Lobby they have trees farm stuff and fake trees
Most of that stuff you can get at the dollar store even cheaper.
Almost all the craft stores can be useful. I must make one comment. It's O scale! O gauge is Lionel. ? Not everyone agrees though. As for most of what you showed though, is mostly O scale. The stuff looks to be too large for HO. And certainly not for N or TT or smaller. But yes, by all means, visit those stores for ideas.
Go anywhere but Michael's unless you have no other option as they are grossly overpriced! Hobbie Lobby is cheaper and Joann fabric and crafts is even better or Amazon. I was looking for chalk to do weathering and found them at Joanns for half the price Michael's wanted for the exact same set.
DANG HOW ABOUT THEM NY RANGERS !
From your video I can deduct that Michael’s in Canada sucks !
"These would be good for O Gauge". There is a difference between O Gauge and O Scale. And innocently interchanging the terms only perpetuates the misuse and confusion. O Scale is correct while O Gauge is not. Can you definitively tell someone what O Gauge means? There is 2 Foot Gauge and 3 Foot Gauge all within O Scale 1:48. Someone new to the Hobby needs to know facts, not misinformation. Nice video, but let's be more informative, please. Your Layout looks very nice with what you did with the Poly-Fil and lighting.