The St.Oval fights back - or why didn't I think first !!

St.Oval has 4 bridges, the tightly curved viadict ..... or is it a bridge with 3 spans, 2 over the stream, one for road the other the branch line, then a much higher road over bridge. These are never as easy as first thought.

First the Viaduct has not been a problem yet although putting the 3 arch linings in on a curved structure will no doubt cause me some difficulties. skinning with plastic card will be easy enough when I find which one I want to use.

The stream culvert would have been easy enough if I hadn't glued the MDF structure in place before adding the plastic skinning and in particular the key and arch stones. I found it impossible to work upside down on the inside arch, although the outer one was easy. In the end I stood the layout board on it's side, sitting on a bench, while I worked on my knees ..... went much easier than expected.

The outer face and wing walls were easy, looking better for an initial rough coat of paint.

After that I made certain the road bridge that'll sit alongside the railway was put together before being stuck in place.

I can't even begin the final road over bridge until I've fixed the cutting sides and the road leading to the bridge - it's the only way I'll get things to line up. As it is the hill will be nigh on 1 : 4, although that's not uncommon in Cornwall.

Still a long way to go, particularly when my back is giving so much trouble. I think doing the Edinburgh Tatoo by coach was the agravating factor for my back.

Geoff T.