Rosedale

Models really come to life when all the various details get added and this engine is certainly no exception! It's looking really good and is showing us all the great potential of the new technologies and your innovative approach.

I am astounded, this is really clear and helpful. Stage by stage, really clear pictures, graphics and explanations. And building into a very nice engine. Brilliant!

That looks superb Stephen! I think card is a greatly underestimated material and I would like to read more about how you have built this model. I am faced with having to scratchbuild a rake of 6 wheel panelled coaches and am thinking of using photocopies glued to an inner frame and shelaced for strength. So any hints and tips you can give would be much appreciated. Happy New Year to you!

Great stuff Ian! The S Scale standards are really good and work well. I'll e-mail you the RCH instructions by the way. Regards, Paul

This is very impressive and I think that metal 3D printed centres that can be fitted into our tyres and mounted on a split axle is the holy grail for our scale. So, I take my hat off to you. I would be very interested in the running quality, trueness, concentricity etc. Please keep us posted either here or via email. Brilliant!

Another angle to this interesting debate is that perhaps MRJ could now do with a permanent Editor rather than the current approach of a rotating pool? Although it is now fashionable to believe in controversy and that even bad publicity is good publicity (look at the current POTUS and Michael O'Leary of Ryannair), perhaps a permanent Editor would have had the confidence to swish the blue pencil over Tim Watson's more controversial comments (but thanks for the apology Tim - takes a big man etc) and would not have published Mr Bennett's second paragraph which was too angry (he had clearly worked himself up into a lather before pressing send?). Just a thought. I have every MRJ since 0 and although it sometimes disappoints, and occasionally infuriates, it is full of so much inspiration across the scales and varied subject matters of this marvelous hobby. I also wish they would make it easier to buy and renew - online banking anyone - to have a more secure income and be a safer treasure for us all in the years to come.

Copenhagen Fields is superb but Tim Watson's general comments about other modellers layouts and modelling approach were a tad smug - never a good look - and detracted from an otherwise interesting, informative and useful article. Good modelling should always just speak for itself and there is no need to look down on others who are just trying to enjoy their hobby. Very few layouts achieve immortality; of those that get sold on following their builders demise, I do wonder if they'll last into a further generation. Of those that are 'immortal' there seems to be no constant factor and many are often a bit crude in modern terms, mainly because techniques move on in this wonderful hobby . The point is, they surely all gave immense pleasure to their builders, operators, readers and viewers. I'm so looking forward to the return of exhibitions in general and seeing CF again in particular.

Good idea Jim! Your gauge is great by the way, but you do often need more of the widening gauges so yes I'll explore the possibilities. Paul

Great progress Ian! I really like the TOU and may try this approach on a future layout - I'll be interested in how it turns out. All the best, Paul

Blimey Ian that's quick (and good) work - I only sent the parts on Friday! It looks a great project and shows what can be done in a small space. And there will be plenty of help here from S scalers and other modellers if you need it. All power to your arm, Paul.

Really good stuff Scott. Great advice, techniques and superb end results! Looking forward to seeing more, cheers, Paul

Lovely stuff Scott!

Barry's scenic and grass work has stood the test of time according to those photos. Unless it has faded since, I'm not sure it will need extensive 'static grassing'? Its great that you have taken on this seminal layout and that it will be back on display in shows around the country.

A lovely engine Paul! Which transfers do you use for the side and buffer beam? I'm asking because I'm about to paint my S Scale Y7. I'm going to use Fox transfers for the lining but need to use something for the letters. Thanks.

Sounds interesting Keith! How do I get hold of a copy - not that I'll be playing it at shows though!! John Taylor did suggest I needed a tape of sheep and grouse though.............

Ah, all high tech LED pelmet stuff now and a backscene to hide my workbench!

I'm not a great blogger so posts are in fits and starts. I took a few pictures before coming away on holiday and these are added in. The early NER Brakevan is now finished and painted apart from some lettering and weathering which I'm planning to do alongside a few other wagons. The scenery is virtually complete now and my friend Graeme added a few more bits of texture to increase the 'tussocky' verdant feel that Rosedale has in the summer; I'm really pleased with it, thanks Mate! And I'm well under way with 3 Salt Wagons which will be used to convey the output of the Farndale Potash Mines (which have not been written about in any of the area histories for some reason). These wagons are from laser cut card kits produced by Dave Provan of the S Scale Society and lovely they are too, or will be when I've finished adding the etched ironwork. And finally, on the loco front, I'm building another engine (an NER Class 59) and am awaiting with some excitement for the return of the NER Long Boiler Goods from the painter. It's all go and needs to all be done for the Leeds Show at the end of October. Phew!

The weather can sometimes turn up there in an instant, 4 seasons in one day etc. It must have been incredibly hard living up there on the tops and I am full of admiration for the railwaymen, their wives and children, plus the miners and their families. No central heating, no double glazing or cavity wall insulation. And long hours. I'm glad to hear that your accident hasn't put you off going there though!

The footboards are missing in the photo as they will be added from thin ply after painting. I also hope to add a suitable brakeman, a hardy soul for Rosedale - I was up there with my Dad and Brother on Thursday 15th August and it was blowing a gale. But we needed some fresh air after a few pints and another gargantuan meal in the Lion Inn!

The layout itself is largely complete - I just need to do a bit more scenic work, including more grass and heather, plus some vegetable gardens for the cottages. I am therefore, now getting back to building more stock, starting with this early NER brakevan. I got the drawing from the Ian Sadler book about NER Brakevans. The photo shows it before painting alongside my scratchbuilt V1 Brakevan. It will be painted in a highly worn and weathered early NER livery. I'm assuming it is being hired by the Farndale Iron Company to help move their wagons to Blakey Junction and then down the incline to Teeside. Construction is from plasticard with etched SSMRS w-irons and scratchbuilt brakegear. I have put SSMRS 3'6" Maunsell wheels on it as the original vans ran as part of passenger trains to provide braking and luggage space. Then it is back to loco construction - a Class 59 or small wheeled Long Boiler Goods, probably no 1129 for which I have the plates.

There were more sheep but the farmer said some of them have wandered across the valley to The Depots!