What to use for Ground Cover for Container Yards

There's a lot of good information in this recent thread about creating realistic looking concrete on a layout, that you may find helpful:

What do you use to put in between rails to make it look like the tracks are in concrete?

I used grey paint, then while still wet, sprinkled on grey N-scale ballast to give a gritty surface for the Mi-jack to more easily navigate without slipping. I then used a few different colours of spray paint to add some additional "variation" in asphalt tone. With this method, you can create concrete of any colour that suits your eye.

The example above uses hardboard instead of foamboard.

@Joe K posted:

I used grey paint, then while still wet, sprinkled on grey N-scale ballast to give a gritty surface for the Mi-jack to more easily navigate without slipping. I then used a few different colours of spray paint to add some additional "variation" in asphalt tone. With this method, you can create concrete of any colour that suits your eye.

The example above uses hardboard instead of foamboard.

You know I have a replacement for the Lionel Intermodal Crane bottom lift component that picks up containers from the top (40ft or larger) that's almost complete.  Doesn't work to well picking the lower container out of the twin stacks though...just yet...

@cubalz posted:

Ok, I have had my container yard completed for about 3 years and everything in on 2" foam painted with a light sand color. What I am confused about or rather unsure about is what to use to cover the painted foam to simulate a concrete tarmac. I do not really want to leave it "as is" but want to apply something to make it more realistic before adding weeds and the like to complete the scene. Honestly, I have spent hours staring at it trying to come up with something and still have no clue. Can someone give me some ideas?

Thanks!

John

John - This doesn't apply to concrete and, as mentioned, there have been other conversations about making nice concrete.  I thought I'd mention, that for road beds, I use Rust-Oleum Multicolored Textured Spray Paint (Aged Iron).  It has a little bit more white specks than I'd like but the texture makes the road pop.

Anthony

If the foam can be textured with a knife you could add lines and with paint make it into slabs. There is a fellow in town who does this in N scale and creates entire retaining walls. The time spent "carving" and the painting makes things work. The photos below show a parking lot area made with Smooth-It by WS. Poured smooth then attacked with a straight edge for the slab lines and then detailed a bit more with a dental tool. Then the concrete colored paint with a wash of alcohol and india ink was put on. Took awhile but it worked for me.

Jim K