James,

Looks good. Have just started on one myself... only two tracks and about 1800mm long... enough for two deltics in line plus a bit. Yes, I also wanted something to plonk them on. So far, plan varnsihed and rubbed back down and one side given a coat of light grey emulsion . Have some code 100 track, but though that i'd get some bullhead from C&W or similar. I have access to a ballasting tool - Dad bought at Alexandra palace - just load it up and run it along tracks... wil try and borrow it when visiting next weekend. I loke the cosmetic track joiners. Did you make these?

Thought that it'd be good to practice on too!

Nice 33 .

Is that some sky background too ?

I'm thinking about doing something like this myself, perhaps with containers as a backdrop.

Paul - that sounds a cool idea. Containers could work out expensive though! Wagons at least can earn their keep on the real layout (or that's the plan anyway!)

Thanks Jon! I look forward to seeing your plank - I'd definitely recommend trying to get some bullhead from somewhere, especially for a 1970s/1980s diesel depot plank - although with careful ballasting and weathering Peco track can be made to look superb - I think I've done a reasonable job on Paxton Road!

The ballast on this was done the old fashioned way, gently shaken on from the bag and pushed around with a paint brush. This evening I sprayed over the whole lot with water with a dash of screen wash in, and then used Woodland Scenics scenic cement - first time I've tried this - so we'll see how it works.

The cosmetic fish plates are from Exactoscale (P4 Track Co), the ABS plastic ones - superglued on It's these little touches that lift a photo plank. I did wonder about cable troughing etc etc but thought they'd detract from the models a little if not executed well.

The 33 is a Heljan model - I love them! I've reworked the roof with wet and dry and done half a weathering job! The other side is still not finished but I love the result on the roof, I'm really proud of the faded grey. I keep looking at getting a 33/2 as a quicky project - but somehow manage to resist. The 58 and 66 are ahead in the queue as is a reworking of my 08s and 37s.

Yes the photos have been cropped in Photoshop and I added a faded sky in some of the shots to hide the crinkly paper I used behind the models I did declare this in the 'How realistic are your models thread' when I posted them there - but forgot to mention on here It's quite easy to do in Photoshop, let me know if you'd like some tips

James, thansk for the additional info. Will keep watching and post a thread as soon as I get somewhere with mine. I will get some of those fish plates though

Fish plates! I nearly bought some today when I sent an order off to Exactoscale...

The multi-track plank is a great idea, like Pete says above it makes for very realistic "spotter" shots. And it's always nice to see your locos + stock - more please!

I should add that the ballast looks super-tidy compared to my efforts, I wonder if I'm having the problem Chris Nevard wrote about where the stone chip ballasts don't settle and tamp properly compared to e.g. sand or the soft material (nutshell?) that WS use.

Pete - thanks, I'm hoping with a pretty generic sky back scene with a something greenish at the bottom (trees, grass whatever) it'll be pretty effective. The depth is good - the first photos I took of Caerphilly Castle at Christmas tested the idea with just track laid out on my shelves.

Will - the ballast isn't as neat now it's been glued down! Dimpled a little as it's so fine. I might try and patch some of it - the Woodland Scenics scenic cement does seem pretty good though - and the wet water (water with screen wash in) seemed to do a good job of helping it soak in without disturbing itself.

The length of this is just over 500mm - it took about two hours to ballast and tidy up, then glue in total. A long time but worth the investment I reckon.

Getting back to Pete's comment - something I've been wondering about - grass tuftsin the track. I need to check actual photos for this, but it will vary depending on the track's use. If they're storage sidings for stock in general, they'll probably grow well.... but if its for storage of diesels, which will drip oil everywhere, the vegitation will likely die off quickly and not survive. For mine, I though about some greenery at the track edges and maybe a very little between the tracks (in the 6'), but none inbetween (in the 4'). For my diesel depot... there will be no weeds in the diesel storage sidings - just dirtied to represent spilt oil and fuel etc.

That's my idea anyway... however, a little colour always helps. That's what artistic license is all about .

This is just going to be between the tracks and along the edges I think Jon, like you say it's to easy to go over the top with weeds. I'll use Woodland Scenics fine turf first, probably burnt grass. Then a few areas with medium turf as a base to apply the static grass. I'll use Mini-natur autumn short and winter long fibres applied with a Noch puffer bottle... Hoping to get a Grasmaster for my birthday!

I know it's not as cool, but you can make a good approximation from a flyswat and tea strainer. It really works

I've wondered about that Will, but I remember Chris Nevard mentioning it, that they're not a patch on a proper one!

I thought he was talking about puffer bottles? Maybe I read something else.

I must admit I've only used mine on Igelfeld, which means relatively short 2-3mm fibres since it's Z-gauge. I'll have to give it a try with something longer.

The area under the trees was done without the flyswat so the fibres would lay down like pine twigs and needles, but the bit of grass between the buildings was applied with static and stood up nicely.

Let me know if you do use it with longer fibres - mine are 4.5mm and 6mm

Just ordered some bull head track C+L and fishplates (Exactoscale). Now back to putting the brown coat onto my board ready for when the track arrives.

Thanks for posting this blog James.... Will follow with one of mine soon too.

BRs... Jon

No problem Jon - glad it's proved motivating I look forward to seeing more soon

great little plank.

they are very handy i find.