Dave Holt's Blog

Did the LNWR use setts right up to the rails? I know the LYR had old sleepers next to the rails, but most of the railway companies that interest me just used dirt, as it was all they could afford.

Hi Dave,

its good to see you are getting stuck into your layout project, out of interest re Stone setts, have you had a look at the REDUTEX Texture sheets, they are certainly worth a look at.

If you have a large expanse to cover it may be a quicker option without too much visual compromise and they are slightly uneven in appearance, not too uniform, certainly have some possibilities and can be coloured, Jason on The Bacup branch has used them and look pretty good.

cheers

Peter

Simon, there was a mixture at Delph. There was a double row of sleepers alongside the cross-over point in the loop (presumably to make track maintenance easier) but everywhere else, the setts went right up to the rail.

 

Peter, I have considered using ready embossed setts and the Redutex sheets certainly look good. The problem is that the main roadway is curved and the setts would follow this whereas the p-made sheets are just rectangular. Someone sent me a sample of a rubber embossed sheet but I didn't think it was flexible enough to follow the curve I need, so hand embossing appears the only practical solution. Drawing the sets by hand using a fine black ball point pen both embosses the card and represents the tar infill. I've done a small test area and was pleased with the results, although i must admit that the area I need is going to be a bit tedious!

 

Dave.