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A click-on scenic extension


Mikkel

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I’ve made a detachable scenic extension for The Stables, using magnets. With this, the layout is more or less complete.

 

 

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The extension module was knocked up from 10 mm foamboard. The aim was to portray a tree-lined street at the back of the layout. It had to be detachable so as to facilitate storage in our small flat.

 

 

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The pavements were made in my usual way, flagstones lined out in pencil and later scribed with a round-nosed  awl.

 

 

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A black wash for weathering. Afterwards I stood the strips on the side to avoid unsightly puddles forming. 

 

 

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For the road itself I used a base of thin plasticard, curved to emulate the camber and with packing along the centerline (crown) for support. The top layer is painted sanding paper (grain 120), dusted with weathering pigments when dry.

 

 

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Vacuum formed retaining walls from Southeastern Finecast. I’ve used these on all four Farthing layouts, as a visual leitmotif. The brick detail is variable but you get quick results and for me they work OK at the back. 

 

 

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The trees were made using a combo of techniques, as described in an earlier post

 

 

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I made the trees a push fit, as I may want to replace them later. I find that masking tape works well as a way to adjust thickness on larger inserts. 

 

 

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GWR standard spear fencing from Ratio.

 

 

 

As as aside, this 8 second video shows the fence at the front of the layout fitted with magnets. It allows easy track cleaning, photography and storage.

 

 

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These are the little critters, with a toothpick for size. They can hold 130 grams each. Thanks to Dave for introducing me to the weird and wonderful world of magnets!

 

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Anyway, back to the scenic extension. I found some posters from the 1901-1903 period, and scaled them down. Houdini toured Britain in 1903.

 

 

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In retrospect, I wonder if the neat Edwardians stuck posters directly to walls. Or were they exclusively mounted on backboards and hoardings?

 

 

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So that was the scenic part of the job, a sort of "3D backscene". In principle, the same module could be used on different layouts. In order to attach it to the main layout, I experimented with magnets again. 

 

 

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I first tried these neodymium magnets, capable of holding 2 kgs each, but they were too powerful. I could hardly get them apart and was worried that they would mess with my loco- and point motors (or is that not an issue?). 

 

 

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Instead I opted for some less powerful S&W uncoupling magnets. Cheaper magnets of the same strength can no doubt be sourced, but I happened to have a surplus and knew that these were safe for my motors. 

 

 

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I also fitted alignment dowels in order to reduce the downward pull of the module.  

 

 

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After experiments, I found that a mix of  PVA and ultra-fine Polyfilla held the magnets and dowels surprisingly well in the foamboard that I use.

 

 

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The extension then simply clicks on to the layout.

 

 

 

 

Another short video clip, showing the extension being clicked on.

 

 

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The extension sits tight and “floats” with no supports. Obviosuly, that works because the module is narrow and light (650 grams) and is used at the rear of my desk where no one can lean on it. Actual layout modules would need supporting legs.

 

 

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Layout and two-level traverser on my desk. Further layout modules are being planned, and I'm thinking magnets can be a way to join them.

 

So "The Stables" is now more or less complete.  To celebrate, here's a selection of photos. A little slice of Farthing in a Copenhagen flat :)

 

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Edited by Mikkel

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Very impressive modelling,  Mikkel ( as usual). I would never have thought of using magnets, really good idea. 

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Many thanks both.

 

That's a useful video, carefully documenting the method. 

 

I find Dave's use of magnets equally inspiring. In fact I've been stalking his blog:

 

Fixing coach sides:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/25044-cr-grampian-corridor-stock-part-4-bodies/

 

Rooves on buildings:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/20647-walls-and-magnets/

 

Ground fittings: 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/19391-some-point-levers/

 

Columns:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blogs/entry/18957-knock-down-columns/

 

 

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7 hours ago, 1363 said:

 This video uses them to fix roofs to models

 

David has been doing this for a while but I think Dapol trumped him long before with their O Gauge loco cab roof magnets ! 

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I have seen it suggested as a tip, to rejuvenate old loco permanent magnets by applying one of the old big horseshoe permanent magnets across the magnet, so that it forms part of the flux circuit, always assuming you can lay your hands on such an object.

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Thanks, here's a more advanced version.

 

 

Not that I need one, my interest is to get a feel for how careful I have to be when experimenting with powerful magnets in layout areas that are near locos.

 

 

Edited by Mikkel
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Wonderfully atmospheric as ever Mikkel!

Your colour palette is spot on.

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Thanks Andrew. I try to stick to a limited number of colours, mostly variations of pale sand, light grey and burnt red. Vegetation is a new thing for me, in principle the foliage and grass should probably be darker but I find it jars with the other colours and so have gone for fairly light dusty shades of green.

 

It would be interesting to see if an entire layout could be built with just three colours, no variations allowed. If you choose the right ones I think it could work.

 

 

 

 

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4 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I try to stick to a limited number of colours

 

Hi matey,

 

I have recently been taking time to watch this chap and his modelling. 

It certainly makes for an interesting take on just how much / little can be used to create what you want to achieve and I for one like his commentary, worth a watch ( including some of his other videos showing the techniques he uses ) .

 

I will be trying something similar once I get started in ernest again.

 

 

 

Hope it provides some useful inspiration ! 

 

G

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Thanks for the video, Grahame.  I had caught on to the "thin it, then thin it some more!" principle when it comes to earth washes, but this chap operates on a whole other plane. His channel seems full of interesting videos, you'll be costing me some sleep now :D 

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/BoomerDioramasTheImmersiveModelRailroad/videos


Dana, I've just seen the latest on your 2721 Saddle Tank conversion, inspiring modelling. Here's a link in case others are interested:

 

 

Edited by Mikkel
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2 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Thanks for the video, Grahame.  I had caught on to the "thin it, then thin it some more!" principle when it comes to earth washes, but this chap operates on a whole other plane. His channel seems full of interesting videos, you'll be costing me some sleep now

 

One thing I specifically enjoy is his commentary and whole approach to his modelling techniques. In one video he shows his previous career in the film industry making film sets etc which he's carried on into his modelling.

 

Lots of food for thought and using "mistakes" to your advantage. It certainly has made me think again about certain techniques and like you my mind has been working overtime when laying my head down to sleep !!! :lol:

 

His comments on Vallejo etc are interesting, I may have to replenish my Isopropyl alcohol supply now and start thinning my Tamiya supplies ! 

 

A most entertaining channel .

 

G

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Interesting comment about thinning his paints.  I tend to use a roughly 50:50 mix of IPA and water because I find it flows much better, with the alcohol improving the 'wetting' of the surface.  I rarely use 'modelling' paints but tend to use artists pigments.  I like to apply a wash to the surfaces first and then add small amounts of pigment and build up the depth of colour slowly to achieve the effect that I want.

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Superb stuff Mikkel :good:

 

Those clip on scenic sections are a good way of increasing the layout without taking up to much real estate…

 

A smashing and clever extension to this layout and the photographs to finish are stunning :swoon:

 

 

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On 06/11/2021 at 06:45, Mikkel said:

It would be interesting to see if an entire layout could be built with just three colours, no variations allowed. If you choose the right ones I think it could work.

 

It would. I've frequently pondered the idea of a layout presented entirely in sepia or monochrome. It's no more likely to get very far than any of my other recent (last 20 years efforts).

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There was a thread about black and white layouts once, including a link to an example on Carl Arendt's site:

 

 

Edited by Mikkel
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Excellent modelling and realisation.  Very cleverly executed, and much to inspire from that one blog entry alone.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Best

 

Scott.

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On 08/11/2021 at 17:32, richbrummitt said:

 

It would. I've frequently pondered the idea of a layout presented entirely in sepia or monochrome. It's no more likely to get very far than any of my other recent (last 20 years efforts).

It's an interesting thought but, for me,  part of the joy of re-creating an earlier period is to see the colours that Victorians apparently enjoyed so much.

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22 hours ago, scottystitch said:

Excellent modelling and realisation.  Very cleverly executed, and much to inspire from that one blog entry alone.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

Best

 

Scott.

 

Many thanks Scott. The extension has already been fitted and re-fitted many times and seems to be holding up well, so I'm encouraged to experiment with a similar method for joining layout modules.

 

20 hours ago, MikeOxon said:

It's an interesting thought but, for me,  part of the joy of re-creating an earlier period is to see the colours that Victorians apparently enjoyed so much.

 

Enjoyed and desired, but not accessible to all of course. I've been looking at Frank Holl's paintings recently, sombre stuff...

 

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4176821700_a2d96afcf1_o.jpgFrank Holl - The Song Of The Shirt [1874] by Gandalf's Gallery, on Flickr

 

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Yes, whoever Gandalf is that gallery is very appealing.

 

As for your Amy Wilcote, I wonder if she is in the audience in this engraving from the London Society of Artists' exhibition at Skinner's Hall, London, in 1880. If I understand correctly, the North Leigh layout is late 19th century, meaning she would be a child in 1880. So is she perhaps the girl on the far right? Is this perhaps the moment where her original inspiration as a painter is born?

 

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If anyone passes by here and wonders what this is all about, some of Amy Wilcote's paintings can be found in Mike's blog here:

 

 

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I think the depiction of poor peoples hard lives is done well by the Dane, Michael Ancher.

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Yes, in some cases at least. This is from the Northern tip of Denmark - Skagen - in 1882:

 

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He and his wife Anna (who was also very good) did tend towards rose tinted spectacles sometimes though. But who am I to talk, it's not as if Farthing has much grot and grime! :)

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