For all of those who are fans of old measurements, let it be known that the metric system was standardised before Imperial measures!

Just a tidbit of information and a lesson in measuring...

Last night when I measuring the width for the strips of plasticard, I used a metric ruler upstairs but then flipped it over and used the imperial side on the reverse to make out the cutting line on the plasticard. So I measured 2.5 cm on one side and then translated that into 1"...

So it didn't quite fit... Doh! Anyway I fixed it and it's now glued down and all fine...

Where I grew up (at least the early years, and sometimes I'm not sure about the growing up bit), the whole measures system before metrification was a bit chaotic, you had Amsterdam Inches, Rotterdam Inches, all sorts... I guess it wasn't any better over here in ol' Blighty!

For a curious diversion see here on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_units_of_measurement

Anyway... This morning I found a little parcel at reception, it was a kit that can surely be considered a world traveller. It was made in what was then Western Germany back before the Wall came down and had somehow made its way to northern California. It has survived 25 years still wrapped in its original plastic only to be opened by me tonight after returning back to its home in Europe...

It is a model of Uderns station on the Zillertal Bahn and was manufactured by Pola (Search for: Pola 803), it is perfect for my main layout as it's meant to be a branch of the ZB across to Krimml on the Pinzgauer Bahn...

You can tell the plastic is getting on a bit and requires quite careful cutting with a fresh blade so as to not damage it. It's a bit tudory so has wood beams showing through yellow washed walls. Here are the four panels:

Some parts of the models are wood (like the goods shed, a part of the station)...

As my modelling skills have improved immeasruably over the last few years, it's barely possible to detect the glue. And I now have a secret weapon! It's called Humbrol Matt Varnish No. 49... That can be used to hide to leaky glue.... I hope to have more on this, with pictures soon...

Next will be fitting the windows, fitting black out paper to the inside (for the lighting) and some curtains.... This I hope to complete by next week...

After this is finished, I will need to build my engine shed, I have an Auhagen model that looks very nice and is built for HOe/HOm, but it's more German than Austrian. So it's brick built, with tudory timber. Here's a side view:

Ideally I'd like to make the walls look like the walls of the station, i.e. slightly yellow, but looking "yellow washed". The idea is that it will look a bit more like the Mayrhofen loco shed that I have posted earlier... What would be the best way of filling in the brickwork and painting the wall panels yellow?

Lastly, current progress... I put down the plasticard yesterday and it has stuck. So today I painted the card and as a complete random act decided to see if ballasting it would work. It appears it does, but I don't think I can recommend it... To ballast is a bit lumpy...

Oh well, I can fix that!