Jump to content
 
  • entries
    129
  • comments
    741
  • views
    181,777

Ropley - Getting to the point

TomE

Entry posted by TomE

2,342 views

 Share

blogentry-1467-0-01346100-1411584822_thumb.jpg

 

Hi All.

 

As a break from mass tree production for the embankment, the last couple of days have seen attention turn to point rodding.

 

The original intention was to use the 2mm Scale Association etch for the rodding, however having received a fret a while ago I felt it was a little too thin when compared with the appearance of the real thing. After seeing Julia's rodding for Highclere, I purchased some of the same .4mm square section from MSE and although intended for 4mm scale, I don't think it looks that far out for 2mm.

 

blogentry-1467-0-19708900-1411584826_thumb.jpg

 

The rodding was made by laying the 3 sections onto some double sided sticky tape fixed to a length of MDF. Small lengths of 0.2mm wire were then soldered at regular intervals. This was helped by using a card board jig Julia had made up and very kindly let me have to get the correct spacing (thanks Julia!) A few short lengths of wire were soldered at 90 degrees to make locating pins which fit into holes drilled into the baseboard for a secure fit.

 

After priming with Halfords grey primer (what would we do without this!), the rodding was painted with a rust mix made up using various shades of Humbrol enamel. Black weathering powder was then applied to the areas where the rollers would be to represent grease. I may yet add some representation of the rollers, if I can find a suitable method of doing so. Ballasting along this section up to the cable runs can now be completed.

 

blogentry-1467-0-33710800-1411584834_thumb.jpg

 

So, distraction over, back to trees!

 

Cheers all,

 

Tom.

Ropley is a N Gauge Model using 2mm Finescale Easitrac modelled after the real location on the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line.

  • Like 13
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
 Share

15 Comments

Recommended Comments

jonas

They are some of the most realistic photos I've seen in a while. The whole railway 'picture' looks complete. Cracking stuff.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
backofanenvelope

The third pic, it wasn't till I looked at static grass on banking that I realised it was the model and not a real pic! excellent work Tom, shame I couldn't make it to RMwebLive.

Link to comment
Ian Smith

Tom,

Fantastic !!!

It's only the little things (which you have to look really hard at) that give the game away and tell you that you are looking at a model!!  (I'm only talking about the check rail gap).  You have the colouring spot on, I love the subtle variations.  Your attention to detail can only be admired.

 

Ian

Link to comment
cornish trains jez

Tom,

 

Your trackwork,ballasting, and painting is most certainly amongst some of the best I have ever seen. I genuinely thought that that last photo was one you took of the prototype!
Truly superb and inspirational modelling!

 

Best regards,

 

Jeremy

Link to comment
Will J

After all the nice comments I was trying to pick up on something to be rude or flippant about, but it is next to impossible with such high quality modelling.

 

One request, something I noticed at rmweb live but didn't get chance to ask about. There was some lovely subtle weathering on your loco smoke boxes which elevated them to another level of realism beyond their humble 'straight out of the box' beginnings. Please can we have a blog update on your methods?

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
TomE
  • RMweb Gold

Thanks all for the very kind comments, all much appreciated!

 

Will - I shall add something about that in the next entry!

 

Cheers, 

 

Tom. 

Link to comment
Dr Al

This is truely stunning modelling - the very highest standards - you should definitely start entering some of those "how realistic is your model" photo competitions.... ;-)

 

Al

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

Wow!

 

Superb point rodding, it's clearly one of those things that makes a huge difference if it is done well (I'm taking notes as I haven't done any myself).

 

I see from a previous entry that the ballast is from Treemendous. But what about the ground material away from the track bed, is that from the same source? (I'm looking for something very fine for 4mm).

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
TomE
  • RMweb Gold

Thanks Al.

 

Mikkel - most of the ground work uses the Treemendus earth powder, with the exception of the yard which is DAS clay. Two types of Earth powder were used, the main running lines being Normandy Earth powder and the wheel drop/ash pit line using standard Earth powder and black weathering powder for a slightly finer appearance.

 

For 4mm it would certainly give the appearence of very fine, ash like ballast.

 

Tom.

Link to comment
Andy Y

Your latest pics sum up for me just how good this is Tom although it's even more impressive in the flesh; a superbly observed recreation of the yard and dare I say it, the best interpretation I've ever seen of a preserved railway. I think you're building a future classic.

Link to comment
D869

Hi Tom,

 

I think that the others have said it all already. Great stuff.

 

One unrelated question did pop into my mind - the ladder on the water tank seems remarkably undamaged. Our (MSE) signal ladders take quite a bashing from track cleaning and so on. What laddering have you used? Is it especially strong or are you just very careful?

 

Regards, Andy

Link to comment
  • RMweb Gold
TomE
  • RMweb Gold

Thanks Andy(Y)!

 

Andy (D869) - The ladder is from the Ratio etch, and so far I've just been very very careful! I'm still undecided whether to permanently fix the tower in place once the scenery at the rear of the board is complete, or leave it separate from the layout with its own storage. The latter would at least allow track cleaning to take place without risk of catching it. I'm sure one day the ladder will take a hit though!

 

Cheers all, 

 

Tom. 

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...