I have now completed the undulations on the layout. Below is the sequence of the making, cardboard frame, filling with newspaper and top coat of Poly Filler, other methods are available, but I needed to keep costs are low as possible for this project. I have also now carefully ballasted all the delicate point areas.

The next job will be a massive clean up of all track and paint the undulations dark brown.

Another day and more work on the layout, this time I have filled all non track areas with cheap dyed sawdust. This will be the basis of various scenic methods from sanding down to make smooth areas to making puddles. I have also started to form some small undulations by using cardboard formers.

A long boring job, but it has to be done. Most of the ballasting is done and slowly drying, using three different grades of N gauge ballast and added sand. I have not done around the point blades yet – I always do them separately and very carefully. After that is done, ballast picking all little bits that have got where they should not be and finally a good vacuum overall.