Greengrocer's mat

Author Message
Old Tom
  • Total Posts : 366
  • Reward points : 2275
  • Joined: 10/Apr/2010
  • Location: West Sussex
Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 08:45 PM
0
I have been given a bit of greengrocer's mat to see if it's any use on my railway.  I laid an area today and this is the result:
 

 
It looks fine on the photos of other railways on this forum but I'm not too sure it's right for my layout.
 
Can anyone tell me if the colour will tone down a bit as the weather gets at it?  Any nifty ideas to make it look more realistic?
 
I do like the idea of a manicured lawn area next to the station (which has been built but is not quite ready for it's first public appearance!   ) but only if it looks a bit less artificial.
 
All constructive comments gratefully received! Real Big Smile
Attached Image(s)
I was beaten by a computer at chess recently - but it was no match for me at kick-boxing.

Philbahn
  • Total Posts : 3845
  • Reward points : 3564
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: Swinton Manchester
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 08:50 PM
0
God Tom its only a toy railway. Grass is green. Thats green, doesn't need cutting, didn't cost anything. What more do you wantThumbs Up

No offence
Landquart Grusch Bahn
Running RHB on Massoth
I'm the boss in our house. SWMBO gave me permission to say so!
 
Openday 23rd June

steven large
  • Total Posts : 1934
  • Reward points : 3249
  • Joined: 15/Dec/2009
  • Location: nottinghamshire....EAST MIDLAND
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 09:07 PM
0
hey..it look superb.....nice fresh grass.....it yr railroading....it suit u.....i like it when locos pass it...

p.s.u can get g scale garden benches near the tree...for sit down figures to look at the locos pass by....

KeithT
  • Total Posts : 3207
  • Reward points : 3464
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: Nr Manchester
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 09:42 PM
0
Old Tom


I have been given a bit of greengrocer's mat to see if it's any use on my railway.  I laid an area today and this is the result:
 

 
It looks fine on the photos of other railways on this forum but I'm not too sure it's right for my layout.
 
Can anyone tell me if the colour will tone down a bit as the weather gets at it?  Any nifty ideas to make it look more realistic?
 
I do like the idea of a manicured lawn area next to the station (which has been built but is not quite ready for it's first public appearance!   ) but only if it looks a bit less artificial.
 
All constructive comments gratefully received! Real Big Smile


You could bleach it and then it would look khaki   . . . like my lawn!
It's being so cheerful that keeps me going 

beavercreek
  • Total Posts : 2614
  • Reward points : 3409
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: East Anglia
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 09:52 PM
0
Spray it lightly and carefully with dark green, beige and brown matt paint sprays. This makes it pretty realistic and it also weathers into the colours.

 
Mike on the BCRR Railroad - A little bit of the Rio Grande in north Essex
Videos are shown by courtesy of Tony, who took them whilst visiting.......
http://www.youtube.com/wa...b8&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...r0&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...gE&feature=channel 

pugwash
  • Total Posts : 1973
  • Reward points : 2847
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 10:44 PM
0
I had astro-turf down on the terrace out back, where it was in shade and damp moss grew, everywhere else it looked okay (except for the cigarette burns from the cretins)
Real Big Smile
If the world is round how come I always fall flat on my face?

Ferrysteam
  • Total Posts : 1846
  • Reward points : 3586
  • Joined: 25/Oct/2009
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 27/07/10 11:21 PM
0
I'd leave it as it is Tom,I think it looks good.Nice railway....Thumbs Up
Allan & Helen, of the Frog and Ferret Railway.



If you only learn by your mistakes,don't join bomb disposal.



Bob P
  • Total Posts : 161
  • Reward points : 1798
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: Oakville Ontario
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 28/07/10 12:03 AM
0
I agree with Beavercreek, hit it with some Krylon dark flat green and a bit of brown.
I'm really easy to get along with, once people learn to see it my way.

eye-kay
  • Total Posts : 89
  • Reward points : 2969
  • Joined: 26/Oct/2009
  • Location: Warwickshire
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 28/07/10 12:43 PM
0
Hi Tom
 
I'd just wait and see. After 6 months in the sun and rain I'm sure it will look very different. This sun is a very powerful bleaching agent.
 
Can you post a picture in 6 months to show how it has weathered?
 
Ian

Rob s
  • Total Posts : 477
  • Reward points : 3508
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: West Midlands
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 28/07/10 07:29 PM
0
Old Tom


I have been given a bit of greengrocer's mat to see if it's any use on my railway.  I laid an area today and this is the result:
 

 
Can anyone tell me if the colour will tone down a bit as the weather gets at it?  Any nifty ideas to make it look more realistic?
 
 
All constructive comments gratefully received! Real Big Smile


Hi Tom
I had a piece of green grocers mat that i left out side for about 3months,
it very quickly went, a dull manky greeny/black sort of colour and eventually
went mouldy. Sick (bin time as it started to smell as well)

The chap that gave it to me pointed out (too late) that it is not quite the
same as Astro-Turf and wasn't really designed to sit on a damp surface for
any lenght of time. 

Apparently it needs to be able to drain and dry out easily, i later tried another
piece which was raised slightly and laid on a layer of gravel. this also discoloured
quite quickly but did not go mouldy. Thumbs Up

Its use wasn't train related, more for 1/18th R/C models and the colouring was
less noticable  but if memory serves, it should mellow down and look a lot better
in a few months.

It did seem to be something of a target for Birds and cats though.

I can only say that it was still OK at about 6months as it disapeared over
one week end, Confused
Some months later it was found lining the local Squirrels nest Roll On Floor Laughing

P.S. I like the look of the trees especially the one in the back ground,
i assume they have survived the cement base OK,
how much bed did you have to give them

Rob s

Old Tom
  • Total Posts : 366
  • Reward points : 2275
  • Joined: 10/Apr/2010
  • Location: West Sussex
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 31/07/10 12:12 PM
0
Hi everyone - I've only just seen all the replies!  (I think I must have my settings wrong because the highlighted heading meaning that there are 'new posts' just doesn't work and I seldom get an e-mail saying that there's a new post on a thread - even though I've checked the box. I'll start a new thread asking for help, I think )

I've taken note of everything you've said and suggested about the green stuff  - thanks!

Rob s: It's sitting on very fibrous and well draining compost which should stop the rot and the bonsai trees are all still in their pots and seem to be coping well.

 Cheers
I was beaten by a computer at chess recently - but it was no match for me at kick-boxing.

Rob s
  • Total Posts : 477
  • Reward points : 3508
  • Joined: 24/Oct/2009
  • Location: West Midlands
Re:Greengrocer's mat - 31/07/10 08:50 PM
0
Old Tom


Rob s: It's sitting on very fibrous and well draining compost which should stop the rot and the bonsai trees are all still in their pots and seem to be coping well.

 Cheers


Hi Tom

Thanks for the info, our local garden centre is having a clear out of Bonsai's at the moment
i looked at them a couple of times yesterday, think i will go back tommorow and see if there
are any left.Rolls Eyes
Rob s