Here's an idea -Eliminate that front fascia

my secret is to chisel at it. 

build in phases, 

phase 1 = frame out

phase 2 = foam structure

phase 3 - cover with joint compound and paper towels

phase 4 - paint and seal

phase 5 - glue on the scenery

phase 6 - rock castings

phase 7 - trees...

I am deep in step 5... 

From what I saw on HO layouts, the builder built the scenery in the back, then did the front mountain slopes, whether foam, plaster, etc. last.  One has to make sure he isn't going to be leaning over onto finished scenery.  While I've never done it before, when my 20 something daughters move out, and I get room, I plan to have an area of below track level scenery.  This will be in a mountain area with no turnouts or accessories, so there won't be much wiring to worry about maintaining.

J, you are doing a great job!

Would it be too much to ask to see a track plan?  That layout looks monstrous!  I've got an L shaped area to work with, 8'x19' on one side with a 6'x11' extension on the second wall, and that 6' is only because of a door on the third wall, I'm going to bump out a little past that so I can fit in a 072 curve.  Anyhow, I'm working on track plans and am looking for ideas.

Terrific groundwork and scenery, awe inspiring.

That is such a creative and unique way to handle things, what a great project and it looks amazing!  Thanks for sharing it with us...

Thanks for the compliments. I don't have a track plan written down. Its double decker layout. the lower portion is a folded dog bone. The upper is under construction with just dual tracks and a staging yard. Next project is to create a whole new layout for the upper deck.

Here are some better pictures. The total layout is 32 foot by 32 foot around the walls.

Not that big, but large enough to run some 30 car trains. Other nooks in the basement are used for staging.

Here is a picture of the "service" side. Don't have the curtain up yet, but the idea here is to have my freight and passenger cars stored here in Tupperware bins to bring them on and off the layout.

Looks great, J Daddy.

A trick I used to keep the ground cover off the floor on a similar section of my layout:

Cut pieces of black cloth to cover the area.  Then glue the ground cover/clump foliage onto the cloth while it is flat on the workbench. 

When the glue is totally set, attach the whole piece to the steep cliff with hot glue.

Jim

J Daddy - I am very impressed!  It will create a stunning visual effect for the whole layout when you look at it.  I personally prefer using draping below standard fasciae that "showcases" the layout, but I really love yours too.

Art  

Thanks again for the great compliments. I wanted do something different. Like the black cloth idea. 

What was funny is the other night my son came down to play on the layout and a portion of the "cliff" was still wet. You guessed it, he was head to toe in green grass.

Looks awesome!  Thank you for sharing it with us.  Be prepared for others to copy.  ;-)

Love it!