davbopsv Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 I was in Lidl's yesterday and saw they had rolls of "grass-mat" for £5.99. It's intended for outdoor use and could be useful for scenic effect. Quite a decent sized roll too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Do you have a link to an image? Not that I would purchase any since shipping is a beast, but curious what you mean by grass mat. Is it like the plastic astroturf stuff? A while back I came across filter material that looks really good; it is often used for pine trees in indoor layouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davbopsv Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Hi, How to describe? Imagine a carpet designed for outside with a rubber base and a pile that is weatherproof and made to replicate very finely cut green grass. It's mainly intended for kids' play-areas I think, but also excellent for "grass" areas near your track where you wont have to cut or weed. Grass-mat is available from scenic-material suppliers for indoor model-railways, but only in rather small-area sheets. The offering from Lidl's was quite a huge roll, standing at least a yard high (probably more) and goodness how many yards long. £5.99 - a real bargain! This stuff is starting to appear now on crazy-golf pitches at sea-sides. (Well, Paignton anyway!) I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 SOunds promising. I will google around the web a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I'm on the look out for this kind of stuff. While in London last week Sarah and I popped out to visit Bekonscot and serval things they had done were copyable, including their use of grass matts. While down pub last night, my mate John told me he'd finally purchased an airbrush for weathering. He bought it during his weekly shop at Lidl, of all places I think I should pay a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I've been to Lidl. Air-brush and compressor, grass-mat and LED rope light, I've been meaning to pick up a cheap one of the latter for ages, just so I can have a play with it. The grass mat is much better than I was expecting, it will be interesting to see how it weathers. Thanks for the tip off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I find lots of stuff out there, but the prices... This is organic but maybe with some sort of sealant: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/preservedgrass.html Not sure if this one is paper backed or not: http://www.sierratoysoldier.com/ourstore/pc/Brama190-Grass-Mat-24-x12-High-Green-Grass-p6183.htm Then again at a pound each, maybe someone can do some outdoor testing to see how it holds up: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grass-mat-and-asphalt-mat-for-model-railway-Not-perfect-/331172323148?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4d1b689f4c The dog potty mats have nice color but the pile is too deep for sure: http://coloradosprings.olx.com/dog-potty-mats-of-synthetic-grass-all-standard-sizes-and-custom-sizes-available-iid-114553635 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 This looks like the right thing! http://www.save-on-crafts.com/mosssheet2.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davbopsv Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 Looks good, but 7 dollars for 14 square inches is a bit steep! I don't think the foam backing will last long in the garden either. Shame, it looks ok for what it is. Glad that Chris has ventured forth and gained a prize. How long is the roll Chris? Divide by £5.99 and we'll know the cost per foot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traingeekboy Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Yeah, the size of somethings. Another thing I have considered is a properly colored old towel cut up into pieces and affixed with lots of clear sealant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 The roll is 1m by 2m, so £3 per square metre. I guess that's 5 shillings (or may be 12) per square foot, but I gave up on understanding imperial measure a long time ago........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 chris said: I've been to Lidl. Air-brush and compressor, grass-mat and LED rope light, I've been meaning to pick up a cheap one of the latter for ages, just so I can have a play with it. The grass mat is much better than I was expecting, it will be interesting to see how it weathers. Thanks for the tip off. Two year later and I've used some of that grass mat on Amblethorpe. It looks great. And to repeat myself. It will be interesting to see how it weathers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davbopsv Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 Was it really two years ago Chris? My goodness. I'm glad it looks ok - keep us informed about the weathering please. I think it'll be alright as it is designed for outside use and, as you know, Lidl's stuff is usually pretty good. Now, anybody please, what has happened to the marvellous video postings by "Fungus" (Ian)? His railway is truly inspiring and I was wondering how he got on with closed-cell foam under the tracks. Has it lasted well or disintegrated, and how has progress been? David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davbopsv Posted May 8, 2016 Author Share Posted May 8, 2016 Chris, it looks really good. Might I suggest a Fordson Major pulling a gang-mower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQ Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Nice to see the Lidl mat in situ, I've got a roll stashed away ready for when I get to that stage. Are you going to try painting any of it, to blend it into other areas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 No plans to paint the grass mat. It really looks the part. Some cows, a feed trough and may be a visiting tractor should compete the scene. I have painted my roofing felt in a couple of areas to good effect. Humbrol enamel paints work well. The next area to be grass matted will be the base of my viaduct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I noticed that these grass matts are available from Lidl and Aldi this week. The one I've used had held up very after 2 years of constant exposure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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