Sixties Snapshots - 00 scale

Fully endorse this method - there's nothing like the real thing when it comes to scatter/ballast. I've used real crushed coal in my bunkers on Cheslyn - can't get a better effect than that.

 

Regards

 

Mike

Fully endorse this method - there's nothing like the real thing when it comes to scatter/ballast. I've used real crushed coal in my bunkers on Cheslyn - can't get a better effect than that.

 

Regards

 

Mike

Hello Mike

 

I have a long way to go to catch with Cheslyn - it looks very good. Yes the coal dust - to differentiate between stations I will experiment and make up a darker scatter material for the main junction. I am also thinking about some coarser gravel to form a rather over-steep embankment.

 

Regards Ray

 

PS Eire must be nearly as quiet as round here!

I agree with this method too. I always use natural materials whenever I can and am still even a user of the dyed tea leaves, I think it is good to recycle whatever you can rather than buy new.

 

Regards

 

Jim

Hi Ray

 

My hat's off to anyone who has planned a full layout then committed themselves to building it. I haven't the patience and get easily bored with projects. Probably why I stick to small layouts like Cheslyn. Your project looks superb and you are obviously getting a lot of fun out of building it. You're going to achieve some brilliant scenery and detail with your steadfast approach. Great work - keep posting - could you do an overall shot of the layout so far? I see from your website that it has some lovely, generous curves. The carpentry work is absolutely superb by the way.

 

Regards

 

Mike

I agree with this method too. I always use natural materials whenever I can and am still even a user of the dyed tea leaves, I think it is good to recycle whatever you can rather than buy new.

 

Regards

 

Jim

 

Thanks Jim, I like recycling. I have used tea leaves but not dyed (yet). We have a stock of dried tea leaves and also a large jar of spent mate.

 

Ray

Hi Ray

 

........... Great work - keep posting - could you do an overall shot of the layout so far? I see from your website that it has some lovely, generous curves. The carpentry work is absolutely superb by the way.

 

Regards

 

Mike

Mike

 

I thank you for those kind words. Yes there is plenty of space for scenery - just not always the 'will power'. I don't think I have any overall views - possibly a subject for an Blog entry. From your comments on carpentry I am thinking that you have been onto Flickr - there is a 'set' with some layout diagrams and more general views.

 

Speak again Ray

Hi Ray

 

Had another look at your site - those electrical boards are seriously neat - probably the neatest DIY electrics I've ever seen. What patience!

 

By the way - where is the quiet place you live? I live by a little village called Gneeveguilla, County Kerry and the silence can be deafening sometimes. I grew up in Birmingham and it took me an awful long time to adjust to how quiet it is around here.

 

Regards

 

Mike

Mike, Making the control panels is very satisfying. They have to be planned and then built up in layers. Using single core wire which can be cut and shaped makes the task easier.

 

We stay in SW Scotland - just off the old 'Port Road'.

 

Ray

Hi Ray

Following from the flickr thread.

Recycling is superb and using natural elements in the layout is an excellent way to achieve a realistic look. I've smiled after reading about the spent mate leaves. Here in Argentina many modellers use it in their layouts. However, the colour isn't adequate and may need adjusting. About painting scatter, I used the following technique:

-As I have several kinds of scatter with different colours, I did several mixtures. Many times the resulting colour was extravagant, even if the texture was good.

-I prepared a watered greyish or brownish colour mix, and I applied it over the glued scatter.

-The different colours became harmonized.

By the way, I use to glue scatter in position placing a layer of PVA glue and the scatter material over it. I leave it to dry and then I vacuum any loose residue.

Cheers,

Jose

Thank you Jos

I use thinned ink washes to tint natural scatters to provide variety, GW do some ready made ones, or just use Windsor and Newton bottles, their peat colour is very useful. Agreed about commercial scatters often being too uniform or garish, but the good thing about ink washes instead of dyes is that dripping them from a pipette gives a variation and they allow the natural colour to show through.

Excellent explanation of your extraction technique, thank you.

I use thinned ink washes to tint natural scatters to provide variety........

Excellent - something to try. I think the natural textures are very important, and paint just like too much varnish on a plastic model, ruins the detail.

 

Thanks again Ray

Hi Ray

Using watered or diluted acrylic colours, or poster paint, or ink, as other member suggested, permits the original colours to show through the paintwork. It's very helpful with the commercial scatter materials I use. It also helps to keep it in place!

J