BurscoughCurves

I love the first image Gilbert. I like sneaking images through buildings! Rather Colin Gifford like! For each a glimpse... All the best, Pete

Hi Brian, Like the video very much, the layout is great. I have a soft spot for type 2’s and also break tenders! All the best, Pete

I had noticed but wasn’t copying I promise! It makes a big difference; I had wanted to upgrade them before purchasing the loco! Also, the plastic deflectors were uneven when viewed from the front as supplied. If they are now, at least I know who’s responsible for it! I look forward to your updates as ever. Regards, Pete

Ah yes. Thanks for the link; I’ll be on that site all week! Not been on it in ages.

Yes but didn’t one never receive nameplates? Or am I mixing up my B1 research?

Yes but didn’t one never receive nameplates? Or am I mixing up my B1 research?

Thanks again Andy, really appreciate the support. Well I've stuck with detailing and weathering locos this week. I have given my J50 a light weathering, although the image below is unfinished. This is after an initial airbrush session, I finished it with some powders and oil staining. I also bought some Silver Tay models etched brass smoke deflectors for my Britannia, and have ordered some name-plates and numbers so she will become 70054 Dornoch Firth. She was going to be 70041 Sir John Moore but there was a change of plan after I realised 70041 didn't have a BR1a tender (until much later on if at all?). I made a bit of an error (I think) with the horizontal hand rail; on the single reference image I was working off (the clearest I had), the horizontal protruded the same distance from the deflector as the vertical. On most other images of LMR deflectors the horizontal protruded further, to act as a foot-hold I presume? I will have to live with it as I think it would look far worse to correct this now. The fact that there is a prototype image as per my model makes it bearable. Awaiting name and number: The next locos awaiting weathering; B1, std 4MT, K1 and my crab. I have changed the early emblem to late on 3 locos to balance up the mix as I've moved my preferred era to 1958 - 1962. I've also ordered a decent supply of decals from Model Master to re-number my '08, coaching stock and vans. Lots to do! Thanks for reading, taken care. Pete

Hi Richard, Thanks so much! On the N2 the rust around the coal rails and bunker is actually from the airbrush; masked by holding a business card up by hand. I had to check though because it looks like powder in the photo! I'm sure it would give a similar result. I tend to prefer powders for rust due to the texture it gives but was having a play around on this. Stay safe, Pete

Maq1988, Thank you so much for the high praise, all the positive comments mean so much. As I've mentioned before, I want to learn as much as I can on this layout and on the whole am happy with how things are turning out. There are plenty of shortcomings that get to me; particularly the track and signalling compromises and the proprietary point-work but I am looking forward to improving on these on my next layout. All the best, Pete

Hi 31A, On the N2 I have used a small amount of powder from an AK Interactive 'Engines and Metal Weathering Set' specifically the 'dark steel' pigment: I find the military modellers have some fantastic techniques and are well catered for. I have also had decent results with the Tamiya 'Silver' in small amounts, and very subtle polished edges from a 'solid' graphite pencil from an art shop. I have also read about people using these pencils to coat their track and act as a conductive layer. I haven't noticed any advantage to this method when I tested it on a siding. Thanks for all the position comments! Pete

Next up, I finally got my airbrush out and tested some techniques on a Hornby N2 that I intend to use to make an N1 at some point in the future. It was a guinea pig as I did my first emblem change as practice to convert a number of early emblem into late emblem locos. I then tested out some weathering techniques with the air brush, some powders and real coal. Before: After: The silver hand rails look very bright in the images. It has given me a bit more confidence to move onto the next few locos (the ones that don't need re-numbering). I will likely do these at the weekend whilst I have an extractor set up on my bench. More soon, stay safe everyone. Regards, Pete

Hi all, Hope everyone is keeping safe and well. Due to the current situation, I am working from home (or trying to at least). We also had a compulsory shut down last week so have managed to get plenty of modelling done. I'm so grateful for this fantastic hobby during times like these! Regarding the previous conversations of where to place the phone and letter box; I have removed the phone box completely and am going to plant the letter box near to the curb edge. I couldn't get the balance right with both items present. The letter box is waiting on a second coat of paint. First up is the scenic work linking the mill section to the off-scene main road behind the terrace. The whole upper level is removable so there are joins in certain areas, I will disguise these in time. Rear mill entrance (the white pillars are not brilliant white in reality!): I added some back scene disguising details between the factory buildings, which aren't easy to see to be honest. A girder and numerous pipes and fitting with a fenced area below: Next I made a yard lamp from copper tube, an LED and my usual grommet shade (painted glossy green with a hint of rust powder). The usual technique of using the tube as the +ve feed and a wire inside for the -ve provides a little illumination. A hidden from view second LED hints light from between the two buildings shown below. It is always difficult to get decent low light shots, they always look too intense and bright in my primitive shots: I'm glad I lit certain windows in the terraced houses; in the below view you can just see a bedroom and back door lit. Again, the gas lamps in the street look very bright in this image: Continued...

Thanks, and again- I have had similar thoughts! I definitely agree, but they will stay whilst I complete the area generally. I have some copper tube and parts from many years ago when I planned to make my own; I have dug these pieces out and will hopefully get around to making some soon. I kept the ‘glass’ pieces from some Modelscene kits for this. They are added to the to-do list!

Paul, I’ve been thinking along the same lines, don’t worry! I have placed it more centrally (before installing the lamp) and it just looked odd. Same story with the phone box. I tend to drive myself mad with small decisions and have noticed there is a prototype image for most options and this is a good example! I’ll continue to tinker before I mount them permanently. Pete

Shaun, It all looks fantastic, I'm always impressed by your work. Take care, Pete

Hi all, Hope everyone is keeping well in light of the current situation. After some scribing and imprinting cobbles in DAS, and a liberal coating of base colour I am almost ready to wire up the street lights and get some grass down. Please find a few test images below. Take care, Pete

Well if you had given me some of yours it would have saved a fair bit of time! Does Bacup have a permanent home these days Jason? Mine are based on images from a row in Huddersfield and Halifax. I think I've made a mistake though; I prefer the look of the out-houses with the roof sloping away from the garden but I think it is more typical sloping into the garden. I presume this is so rain off your roof flows into your own property, not your neighbours. I noticed this early on but prefer the shape the way I have them, and can live with it. Back yards have been detailed, and I am currently embossing numerous cobbles in DAS. Pete

Love it Richard. The Duchess looks like it really means business. Pete

Hi Chris, Love your work. I like the look of the corrugated roofing; did you pre-shade the lighter ‘vertical’ edges? Regards, Pete

Hi all, Well we're almost at my provisional deadline for major scenic work being completed... and I've failed! I spent most of my time over the Christmas break relaxing (non-modelling) and boarding out the loft (unfortunately also non-modelling but it could be a great space for a much larger layout...) so I'm predictably behind schedule! I have just finished the last of the major buildings; the full relief row of terraces. I'm quite pleased with them and my mind now turns to how I'm going to set them into the landscape. I also detailed and weathered a Halifax Joint Committee bus from Chester Model Centre which I will have just enough room to display, hopefully! Please find images below. I will upload some of the illuminated rooms shortly. Regards, Pete

Hi All, Not an update I’m afraid (although there will be soon), just a quick post to say seasons greetings! Hope you are all able to have a nice break and get plenty of modelling done! All the best, Pete

Alex, Mark, It was great to meet you both today. The layout looks even better in the flesh! Thanks for your time, Pete

Hi Aire, Thanks for the comment! I know what you mean; the contrast looks extreme in the photo but not as much in ‘reality’. It looks like the sun is the 2nd man! Thanks, Pete

Thanks Lez, Very kind of you to say. Regards, Pete