The model railway adds an element of realism like no other model railway feature. The hills, lakes, streams and trees offer a way to transport you to a different place and time. Using some of the tips below will allow any beginning hobbyist to add a unique touch to any railroad layout. Many materials for creating the scenery of a miniature railway layout are commercially available and this makes the work of designing the layout very simple. Everything from pine trees to larger deciduous trees are available on the model railway scenery market. You can also find pre-made hills and lakes. All in all, it can be very simple to put together your own model railway scenery if money is no object. If you are a hobbyist on a budget, then it is quite simple to create your own scenario from scratch. An example of this can be seen in a method that quickly provides a solid mountain shape on a layout. To create a mountain for your layout, simply crumple up a few rolls of aluminum foil and glue them to the top of your layout where you want a mountain. You can then cover the film by painting it with a thin layer of plaster of Paris and then paint the mountain with a little green and brown paint. Once this is done, you can spray it with a thin layer of diluted glue and sprinkle chopped floral foam on top to simulate grass. The overall look will simulate a decent sized mountain on any N scale or HO scale layout. While mountains can be made easily, rivers and lakes can be made just as quickly. You can make a simple river or lake by laying out strips of wax paper cut into the shape of the river or lake. Then you can paint it over with a mixture of dark blue and white paint that has been assembled in such a way that the two colors do not completely blend together. As you paint it onto the wax paper, paint in such a way that you pour the mixture on more than you paint it onto the paper. This method of creating model railroad scenery will create a look that gives the layout a realistic river or lake. In addition to creating rivers and mountains, the way you place your buildings can help improve the look of your landscapes..