Wow, those pictures are superb and really show off the rural nature of the layout. I hope that you can get back to this at some point soon as I ws always impressed and inspired by your layouts. Although my layout is in France and yours in the UK, yours has captured that rural quietness that I want to portray. Good luck with what you are doing.

Stephen

Stunningly realistic Missy, colours, textures, atmosphere - and for me, quite inspirational.

As for '...trying to get motivated...': At the end of the day this is a hobby, it's about relaxation, enjoyment, there's no obligation ... so don't pressure yourself. Let motivation return in it's own good time

Missy it really is incredibly well balanced. Muted colours, well weathered stock that belies it's tiny size, lovely landscape (so far)... worth finishing but I can emphathise with your 'not worked on it for a year' feelings.

Well I guess that if the layout is on the table, you must be finding some motivation. I echo Kris's comment, and it is good to see images from the layout again.

I can only echo everyone else's comments. It's great to see some more pictures of it. I think about this layout most days when I take my children to school as I have to go past Highclere station to get to their school!

David

The layout is superb and the fine pictures would certainly give me the inspiration to get started again! The weathering of the stock is enough to make me envious - oops, gives me the motivation to do my own up to a similar standard. The standard you have reached would certainly act as a motivator to many, including myself.

The words on here certainly would give me the motivation to get started on the layout again.

Good luck!

Didn't you bring this to the Oxford Expo a couple of years back? Either way, looks amazing!

Graham

I can almost hear the crane creaking in the breeze in the second shot!

A very BIG thank you for the comments folks, that is certianly motivation indeed!

Very, VERY much appreciated...

M

Wow! Fab photos (and modelling of course!).

I'm really glad your enthusiasm for the layout is returning too.

Andy

Thank you once again guys. Your encouragement is helping loads.

Please forgive me if you've already covered this, but what technique have you used for your grass?

 

It looks fantastically convincing in the photos, I'm sure it's swaying in the wind!

Hello Argos.

The grass is that static stuff, the majority of it is the basic stuff from Woodland Scenics which is applied using a home made fly swat static device. Once stuck I give it a dry brush of straw colours to get rid of the uniformity and 'sheen' you normally get with the fibres.

Where's Elvis?   Be nice to have a picture of him on the layout.

 

Seriously though Missy-great stuff, brilliant photography and the layout oozes atmosphere.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Thanks Mark.

Elvis is actually on the layout right now and Im sure he will 'pop' up at some point.

I could remind you all about the point rodding - but I won't be so opportunist

Ahh yes, point rodding! This is the reason why the layout has remained untouched for so long. Inspired by the photos and comments I have made a start on the bits for the sidings today and so far so good. Thanks once again to your advice on this SM.

M

Me again!

Still love that crane! Have you reached a sticking point with the layout or is it stock building issues? I seem to remember point rodding and wheels.

Hello Skipepsi, The sticking point on the layout has been the point rodding and its meant the layout has been untouched for about a year. I have restarted it though so fingers crossed I dont get to disheartened by it again.

Didn't you bring this to the Oxford Expo a couple of years back? Either way, looks amazing!
Graham

Hi Graham. Yes I did, its been to both the Oxford 2mm Expos. The last one it was just the scenic boards and I had problems with the quality of the track. It forced me to rework most of the trackwork and so far its shown the extra effort was worth it.

I think everyone has covered most of it. For me Highclere was a big inspiration to return to 2mm. I rather think you enjoy doing bits and pieces and are a bit of a grasshopper. A very clever one but finishing a layout requires a bit of dedication and that requires the desire to get it completed. I hope you find that desire.

Don

Hello Don. I do find it hard to focus on things and my imagination does get the better of me lots of the time. I think thats one of the advantages of the hobby though, being able to focus on so many areas and skills. I didnt realise I was a grasshopper though!

M.

Hi Missy,

That is just stunning work - I look forward to seeing this at an exhibition one day soon!

We must discuss coach buffers at some point too...

All the best,

Castle

Thank you Castle.

Yes, buffers, well remembered!

....about the adorable lineside crane: yesterday I wandered along the banks of the local stretch of the Caledonian Canal and it has two relatives of your crane.  Both however bear large blocks of stone in cast-iron supports, to balance things when working. One lifts 3 tons, not sure about the other. Both painted gloss black with maker's names in white.

What balances yours? What would its lift limit be?

I already know mine has a problem - I'd intended to show it lifting a tanktainer but it seems most unlikely it could..... The gross weight would be c30,000kg whereas the crane capacity may only be 10,000kg.  

The crane is a GWR 6 ton crane. I used the works drawings produced in issue 0 of the Great Western Journal.

As for counterbalance weights, I am guessing its all in the base as the pivot point for the crane is towards the jib end of the base.

M

Julia,

Not much I can add to everyone else's comments.  Although seeing what you were doing with Highclere here on RMweb was (and still is) one of the drivers that brought me back to 2FS!!  Keep up the good work, and the trees (which are new since the last time I saw Highclere) really lift your model to a new level.

Regards,

Ian