Robofleeds

I bought these a couple of years ago - they make great workbenches/modelling tables. Very lightweight but sturdy and easy to clean.

I’m new to this too & experimenting with my first scratch build using embossed plasticard. I first sprayed the sheet with Halford’s grey primer and then painted on a dark brown as I wanted to portray old bricks. The paint I used was Revell Matt 84. You can see how dark this first looks on the right. Once this had dried I painted over the entire area with a light grey emulsion from one of those test pots I had kicking around in the garage. This was immediately wiped off the surface of the bricks but remains in the mortar lines. It also has the effect of lightening the bricks themselves. I then use a range of fine-tipped water-based felt pens (red, orange, brown, black) to highlight individual bricks and provide some variety. These are immediately dabbed with kitchen roll to dull them down a bit. I’ve still got more work to do to finish this but thought I’d share it as I’m pleased with the effect so far.

This is a cracking layout! I love the balance you have struck between the buildings and their location on the layout - they look part of the landscape rather than being ‘planted’ on it as is often the case. Some of the camera angles also add a touch of realism. Nice job!

Greetings from a fellow Wakey based modeller. Just catching up with the last couple of month’s updates and this is a late response to the track cleaning plea for help. I use thick (1/8”) balsa wood, cut into credit-card sized pieces. Dip a cotton bud into methylated spirit and soak one edge along the grain. This can then be rubbed along both rails with the grain of the balsa across the track. This wears 2 grooves in the balsa which make it easier to locate the cleaner on the track. The balsa doesn’t leave particles behind like a track rubber does and one piece can be used several times by varying its position on the track. The methylated spirit should be re-applied every so often. I’ve found this method to work really well.

Shows what a difference re-spacing the sleepers makes - useful to see the ‘with’ and ‘without’ side by side for comparison. I wasn’t sure whether it was going to be worth the effort but you’ve convinced me it is now!

Not sure about the sealing properties of blackboard paint but I suppose you could use it on a small test area first and then once it has dried put a few drops of water on it and see whether it soaks through or not.

Cheers - I’ve got this stuff which sounds as though it might be ok on its own then?

I’m using 9mm exterior ply for my baseboards and will paint them with a grey undercoat before starting any tracklaying or scenic work so the bare wood doesn’t show through. However I’m thinking I will also need to seal them in some way to avoid any water used during ballasting soaking into the surface and causing the ply to swell. Is this right and if so, what product have others used to seal the ply?

Thanks for sharing your experiences of using alternative track underlay guys. I think I will give it a go, but probably follow the good advice to try a test sample first before doing the whole layout with it!!

As an alternative to the commonly-used cork sheet as track underlay has anyone used vinyl floor covering/cushionfloor type material? I had an off-cut having had some laid recently and found that the reverse is excellent for marking out the track plan as seen in the attached photo. It is also easily cut to give the chamfered edge once ballasted, and can be stuck to the baseboard in the same way as cork sheet. In all aspects it seems suitable and I’m sure off-cuts or roll-ends would be readily available from carpet shops, but has anyone actually tried and tested it and can confirm its suitability as a long-term solution?

Great observation of the contemporary railway scene, translated into some very realistic modelling. I don't doubt John's expertise in the photography department Nick, but the results depend on some excellent modelling in the first place so methinks you are doing yourself an injustice giving John the credit. A good photograph can't make a poor model look this good - if anything it will show up any hairy modelling and there's no sign of any of that here. Well done mate - I can only aspire to your standard!

Keep your chin up Shaun! Why not go for a compromise and build a layout that takes the best ideas from both! Regard the previous photos as a reminder of the excellent, detailed modeling you are capable of achieving and let them motivate you to exceed those standards rather than seeing them as a standard you feel you won't achieve again. It's all in the mind!

The photo's of the 14 are excellent - had to look twice before deciding whether they were the real thing or not (I take it they are?? )

I lived in the Knottingley area for many years and have friends that still live a stones throw from the depot (Womersley Road) so visits to them always include a slight detour to take a look at what's happening there (much to my wife's dismay, but I always claim driver's prerogative!), so it's great to see it being modelled so well David