Suggestions Please.......

Ken,
Just do it like in real life. The asphalt there would be a foot thick on the sides so just use some plaster or sculptamold and bevel it .A little flat black paint and your done.
Won't have to worry about vacuuming those gravels either.

David

This is using HO (medium) ballast. I think I built the contour with plaster first. (It was a long time ago).

 

 

Vulcan, was that picture taken outside? If not, that is some of the best lighting and scenery on a model scene I have ever seen. Looks just like sunlight.

I cheated, Rich, it was taken outside. It's actually a 40" x 18" module.

 

you could also use foam pieces, sanded ans sculpted plus painted- then add the ballast to build upto the road.

I did a double take on it as well.  Regardless of where it was taken, it's a great scene with excellent modeling detail!

Agreed.  Very impressive scene.

 

George

Very nice scene indeed. Someone better close the lid on the ice chest though. I also like how there appears to be oil stains on the road  just to the right of the tracks. You can envision cars sitting there idling dripping oil over the years. So many other details as well.

To the original question at hand, I think either method mentioned above would be good. Your pictures look good, maybe some smaller stone to help blend in the grade a little more?

Matt