The simple stuff...

Use those saved parts from structures and extra parts from kits to spice up the detail around the railroad. For example, use various small parts to throw around in industrial areas. Add signs to the streets. Toss litter around the city sidewalks.

Another way to add detail is by adding telephone poles. Use either kits or make your own from wooden dowels, and string wires of thread or kite string. Be sure to use a dark color.

You can buy people, and animals as well. Matchbox cars work well for cars in HO scale. It also helps to put up a lot of signs and things that seem to "clutter" a scene. Although it is hard to go overboard, it can happen.

Roads and streets and a mini US-1

For roads, I like to use duct tape (NOT the shinny kind) for cement streets, and deep brown masking tape for dirt roads. Place extra dirt on the masking tape to add realism. You can paint lines and crosswalks with paint and a fine brush, or paint pens. If your layout is more permanent, try using joint compound to make roads. Slap some down, and use a damp sponge to smooth it over when it's nearly dry. Stain, not paint, the road with washes of dark artist's inks (talk to the clerk for a recommendation), or use shoe polish or clothes dye.

Lights

Another thing that spices up night scenes is adding lights- street lamps, stop lights, crossing signals and billboards. Wire these all to a common bus, and then to the AC terminals on your powerpack. If this confuses you, see the instructions on the package for wiring in series.
 Lighting basics

Weathering

Weathering is the sloppy art of turning something new into looking like something old- simulating years of use and abuse. You can mimic: bare metal (so much contact keeps those areas clean), dust, grime (lube and oil), rust, and soot.

Grind up some pastel chalks for dust, rust, grime and soot. Use a stiff brush to apply it, and keep it there permanently with a coat of Testor's Dullcote.

Dry brushing: dip a brush in paint, wipe it off on a paper towel, and then use the nearly dry brush to simulate rust and grime.

Remember not to go overboard. Less is better until you get the hang of it. It also helps to look at photographs in magazines and books.

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