If you’ve ever looked at your layout and thought, “It just needs something…”, you’re not alone. Realistic scenery doesn’t have to mean a full rebuild or a weekend lost to glue fumes. With a handful of ready-to-place materials from The Model Tree Shop - and a couple of TrainTrax finishing touches - you can transform the look and feel of your layout in under an hour.
Think of this as a fast, creative tune-up: a few static grass patches, a row of hedgerow, a couple of well-placed trees, and suddenly the whole scene comes alive. Whether you model N gauge, OO/HO, or you’re just getting started, these small improvements make a huge difference.
What You’ll Use
Most of these upgrades rely on a simple toolkit: a selection of trees, bushes, tufts, static grass, hedging, and a bit of scatter.
In N Gauge, shrubs start around 55mm while mature trees reach 130mm and beyond. For OO/HO, 50-55mm strengthens hedgerows, 70/80mm fills the mid-ground, and 120-150mm trees anchor the foreground with drama. Don't be afraid to go bigger if you have the room. The Model Tree Shop carries everything from autumn and copper beech trees to Heki sets and twisted wire trunks, so you can build exactly the look you want.
To ground the scene, you might add a mix of 1-6mm static grass, quick hedging strips, earth-toned scatters, and small tufts that instantly break up uniform textures. Their guides on foliage colours and static grass techniques are worth bookmarking-they take the guesswork out of choosing the right lengths and tones.
And if you run Kato Unitrack, TrainTrax has the track, figures, animals and extra scenic bits that help tie everything together.
Fix 1: Patch in Static Grass Realism (15-30 minutes)
Most layouts start off with a “flat green” base layer. Adding patches of static grass softens those flat areas and blends the track shoulders beautifully. Start by brushing away dust and painting small patches of PVA where you want more texture. In OO/HO a 2mm grass makes an ideal foundation for mown areas and verges; 4-6mm fibres add wildness around embankments and fences. For N gauge go with half length.
Once the fibres have set, tuck a few small tufts here and there-just ten or so is enough. Suddenly the scene feels rooted in the real world, not sitting on top of it. Following the Static Grass instructions helps avoid the dreaded “carpet” effect.
Fix 2: Build a Layered Tree Line (20-30 minutes)
One of the quickest ways to add depth to a layout is by building a tree line with varied sizes. Start with the tallest trees at the back, medium height in the middle, and small shrubs up front. It’s a simple trick, but the effect is dramatic.
In N gauge, you might use 130mm trees to frame the background, 100mm for the mid-ground, and 55-80mm up front. OO/HO modellers can use the same approach with 50-150mm heights. Angle a few trunks-nature rarely grows in a straight line-and once you’re happy with the arrangement, secure them with glue and blend the bases with scatter or tufts.
Try including an autumn tree or a copper beech for a pop of colour that breaks up the green.
Fix 3: Add Hedgerows and Weeds Along the Right-of-Way (10-20 minutes)
Track edges are often where a layout reveals its “toy-like” side. A quick hedgerow can hide that instantly. Tear, rather than cut, lengths of hedge material so the edges stay natural and irregular. Run a low hedge parallel to the track and vary the height every few centimetres. Drop a few weed clumps near posts, yard edges or drains to finish it off. It’s a small detail that makes a surprisingly large impact.
Fix 4: Blend Unitrack Into the Scene (10-15 minutes)
If you love the convenience of Kato Unitrack but want a more realistic look, blending the shoulders only takes a few minutes. Mask the railheads, mist diluted PVA along the edges, and sprinkle scatter that matches your soil or ballast. A light dusting of 2mm fibres and a handful of tufts softens transitions instantly. The track keeps its clean, reliable profile-but visually, it now belongs in the landscape.
Fix 5: Add Quick Seasonal Colour Pops (10-15 minutes)
A single tree in the right shade can transform a photograph. Place one or two autumn or copper beech trees near structures or junctions to act as focal points. Add a few tiny flower clusters around fences or garden edges, or use a seasonal static grass mix to create pockets of interest near scenic features. These are quick touches, but they help the scene tell a story.
Before & After Inspiration
Imagine a bare mat, plain Unitrack shoulder, and a couple of scattered shrubs. Now add three sizes of trees layered in perspective, a hedgerow, blended grass patches, a few tufts for texture, and a splash of seasonal colour. Drop in two or three figures or animals from TrainTrax, and the scene suddenly looks lived-in-something worth photographing.
Ready to Upgrade Your Layout?
Learn More: Explore trees, ground cover, and static grass bundles at The Model Tree Shop
Shop Now: For track, scenery accessories and figures, visit TrainTrax.
