Time to Model: Building Toward a National T-TRAK Record - Featuring Brand Marketer Bryson Sleppy
Month 2: A Christmas Tree Farm
The road to the 2026 National Train Show in Chattanooga continues, and this month we shift the spotlight to another ScaleTrains team member preparing modules for the record-setting National T-TRAK Layout.
As a reminder, modelers from across the country will come together August 1–2, 2026, to assemble what is expected to be the largest T-TRAK layout ever constructed. Several ScaleTrains employees are participating, and through Time to Model, we’re following their progress month by month as their modules take shape.
For December’s installment, the focus turns to Bryson Sleppy.
Finding the Theme: A Christmas Tree Farm
Like many T-TRAK projects, Bryson’s module began with a handful of ideas before one finally stuck.
“I threw around some ideas, but finally landed on a Christmas tree farm as I was trying to set a definite theme by the end of November.”
While this isn’t Bryson’s first experience building T-TRAK, the approach this time around is intentionally relaxed. As a former Associate Editor of Model Railroader magazine, Bryson previously built a four-wide T-TRAK module set for the Colorado Plains project layout, featured in the January-March 2025 issues of the magazine.
“It would have been great to add on to those four modules, but the paint and scenery materials that would allow the modules to match perfectly are hundreds of miles away.”
Rather than chase an exact match, Bryson chose something closer to home - both creatively and seasonally.
“Christmas is my favorite holiday, and trains in the snow are my favorite trains, so it just makes sense to make a Christmas scene.”
Material Gathering: Starting with the Basics
With the theme set, material gathering began in mid-December - perfect timing, as many local craft stores were running holiday sales.
“I found multiple packs of small trees at Hobby Lobby that would look decent height-wise. This was the start of material gathering.”
Additional materials rounded out the supply list:
- Sculptamold
- Woodland Scenics Scenic Cement
- Snow shaker material
- Fine gray gravel
- Woodland Scenics Steel Rail Track Painter
- Kato ballast for enhancing the Unitrack roadbed
First Step: Painting the Rails
The first hands-on step was one that often gets overlooked - but pays dividends later.
“The very first step that I took was to paint the rails.”
Bryson used Woodland Scenics’ Steel Rail Track Painter, part of the Tidy Track line, a familiar choice to readers of Model Railroader.
“It’s the color that David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and I all used on our T-TRAK modules for Model Railroader, and it’s the color I’ll most likely use on modern N scale rails moving forward.”
Beyond toning down the shine of Unitrack rails, the darker rail color plays an important role in this scene.
“Since a lot of this module is going to be white with snow, the rail color really allows me to bring out the realism and balance out the pureness of the white.”
One pen was enough to paint both sides of all four rails, with plenty left for future modules. And while paint on ties or ballast isn’t a concern, one surface must stay clean.
“What you don’t want dirty is the top of the rails—wipe them off with a paper towel or Bright Boy. You’ll thank me later.”
Terrain Work: Sculptamold
Next came terrain - and Sculptamold.
“I have a love-hate relationship with Sculptamold.”
Like many modelers, Bryson stresses the importance of the right water-to-material ratio and mixing small batches.
“I like to make it the consistency of really thick cottage cheese.”
Too much water leads to longer drying times and poor adhesion, while Sculptamold’s short working time means it’s best applied in small amounts. Before any terrain was added, the track was protected with masking tape.
The terrain itself reflects Bryson’s roots.
“I wanted to keep it fairly flat. I’m from the Midwest, after all.”
A broad, flat tree farm was formed with a small berm along the aisle side of the track and drainage ditches on both sides of the mainline.
“Snow melts and needs a place to go.”
Once applied, the Sculptamold was left to dry thoroughly - typically a week - before future sanding.
Looking Ahead: Snow, Trees, and Details
With the base terrain in place, the next steps will bring the scene to life:
- Painting the Sculptamold white
- Planting rows of Christmas trees at different growth stages
- Adding snow over terrain and trees to represent fresh snowfall
- Installing lights strung between poles
- Adding a small cashier’s shack
- Creating a gravel lot and snowbanks
- And, of course, a little red pickup truck hauling home a Christmas tree
Where the Build Stands
“That’s where my module is at.”
As the holiday season winds down, construction will continue into the new year - bringing this winter scene closer to completion.
Be sure to follow the Time to Model: Building Toward a National T-TRAK Record series right here on ScaleTrains.com, and check back next month as another ScaleTrains team member takes their turn in the spotlight.
