MAP66

Thanks Steve I think once I start the bench will never look like that again, so the tidy issue will eventually be addressed. I will need to use the photo as a reference, so I know where everything should go back. I have some more figures to paint, so maybe I will see how that works out, pretty simple task to lay my hands on a brush and paints, not so simple to find a need to do so at the moment. Don't worry folks, I will bounce back in my own time as Tyteford Halte is my therapy and so I will endeavour to have a session this weekend. All the best Mark

Thanks Chris I'll leave the bottom drawer open tonight, maybe my mojo will find its way there by the morning failing that I'll give myself a good kick up the pants.

Evening folks, just posting to let you know that my allocated modelling area AKA the dining room table (my safe zone) has received a furniture upgrade and has transformed into a work bench/desk effort which has materalised in an entirely differerent room. Meals will soon be eaten at the table again, and this transformation, amongst other things happening at home, has meant that Tyteford Halte is currently at halt while I acclimatise to my new modelling environment. It has definitely had an effect on my keenness to return to the sport of modelling stuff as the Feng Shui is all out of kilter somehow. I DON’T LIKE CHANGE. Anyway, my new workbench/desk effort is probably going to be OK, I just need to get used to it, maybe I just need to build a kit or something simple to get me interested again. I've added a pic of my new modelling corner, the bottom desk drawer is empty and I am reserving it for my mojo after I have found it again.

Hi Keith I’m delighted to see you have made a start on Union Station again and I can see why this project gets the needle on your Wow factor meterr twitching again. To me there’s nothing better than a bit of kit construction to get the old modelling mojo back (as long as the instructions are clear). That station building is going to be worth the time and effort put in and will be an impressive model when completed – whenever that may be. Now for my thought-provoking thought for the day. We have established that dining tables make excellent model work stations, however, and after seeing your latest post, surely mantle pieces as fine as yours are to be also used as photo planks.

All of it is looking most excellent Steve. I particularly like the oily gunge and gunk in between and over the sleepers and the staining on the concrete which is very realistically represented - nice work

Well things have been gaining momentum since we last visited Tyteford Halte, Mrs. Jones who made her debut yesterday, and who’s not one for gossip, was warmly welcomed by the railway community. Anyway, she might have mentioned to one of her gentlemen admirers that some one keeps on taking photos of people on the platform. “I don’t think its your ordinary train spotter” she said while being served in the green grocers by Albert Plum. "Now then Mrs Jones", said Albert, as he shovelled 3lbs of king Edwards into her basket, “don’t you fret, its likely nothing untoward but just to reassure you I will come down to Tyteford Halte tomorrow to see what it’s all about”. What a nice chap. So, we join Albert Plum and Mrs Jones on the bench and guess what Albert hasn’t even spotted me taking photos, he’s more interested in the contents of Mrs Jones handbag. Apparently, she brought sandwiches and two bottles of beer – can’t say fairer than that. I did hear that the mysterious photographer may of had a few glasses of Merlot this evening which is another reaon why his photos are hardly ever in focus.

Even in 4mm scale the nights are closing in and there's a chill in the air. Time for a hot brew and a stint by the fire.

Thank you for the comments on the detailing, very kind of you to say so. I have to be in the right frame of mind for figure painting, I'm grateful for the quicker drying acrylic paints as I don't think I would have the patience to wait for enamels to dry properly - everthing would end up in a right old mess. Can still be a bit tedious though, I think that I've finished then you take a photo and enlarge it only to see a blob of paint glaring back at you that shouldn't be there. Mrs. Jones on the bench, being a casing point, needs a bit more attention.

Just completed constructing and painting the remaining 2 station benches, the jig I used to help assemble them got a bit squahed so there not quite as square as the first bench, but I will get away with it once there glued in place on the platform with a couple of passengers strategically placed on them. I painted over the oil lamps glass with a few coats of dilute yellow (apologies as this cannot be seen in the photos) which has helped reduce the glare of the lamps and the glow looks far more oil like. Also just finished first stages of painting the first female seated passenger, needs a bit of touchin.... tidying up with the paintwork. Sid was feeling a bit cold so he's wandered over to the brazier with his cup of tea to warm himself up.

Now Chris, I did hear your a bit good at the ole painting lark and I might make an exception in your case and offer you the job of painting the station shelter with overtime included. Fred and Arthur are taking the mick, I'm not offering them any more work. I just hope they don't take 'affence'.

Thanks again Keith Not sure why Fred and Arthur are still there at dusk, its not like I'm paying them overtime, very peculiar indeed.

Thanks marc No need to apologise, platform is always open at Tyteford Halte. Sometimes its a good thing to return to a thread after a while as then theres a lot of good content to catch up on. What can I say about Fred and Arthur, they did come recommended but they quoted me day rates for the job and so there definately hanging this one out.

Hi Alex Just been catching up with your thread, wonderful modelling. The way you have captured that frosty look with a chill in the air is quite remarkable, its inspirational stuff, so much so that the only way I could continue looking at the fantasic images was by drinking a steaming hot mug of tea and putting on another layer of clothing. Can't get more convincing than that. All the best Mark

I've finished the wiring beneath the layout, how much wiring can there be (I hear you ask) its only a single length of track! Well apart from 4 lots of droppers for the track, its all the wiring for the lighting which consists of the brazier, signal box, pagoda shelter, 2 x station lamps, lamp for the buffer stop and finally the signal. A couple of things I'm not happy with, the lighting on the station lamps although they are oil type are bright white and not yellowish, I am going to experiment with painting the lamp glass with very dilute yellow paint. Secondly the signal arm has brewers droop as it does not fully return to the home position and drroops downwards. It didn't use to do this and I'm thinking I may have accidently clonked it at some point as its easily done. It doesn't show in the photo as I gently raised the arm to the horizontal with my finger.

Kevin Once again, thank you for the kind comments which are always appreciated. Mark

Hi Fraser Thank you for the info on the pagoda shelter, I hadn't realised that there could be a visible gap which is acceptable in 4mm scale. So all good and one less job to do Mark

For once, I said what I was going to do and have returned to the platform area to finish some detailing. I have started with the pagoda shelter and the idea was to give Fred and Arthur plenty to be getting on with after they finish the fencing repairs. So the shelter is going to be a bit worse for wear and in need of their expert attention. I've included a shot of the pagoda how it used to look as a comparison. I need to address the floating effect which ready made buildings suffer from when planted onto a layout as you should not be able to see any visible gap (however minute) between the ground and the building. This is easily overcome when planting a building on an uneven surface as you can use all manner of ground cover and filler to conceal the gaps but not so easy on a dead level surface like a platform. Platform seating and passengers will be next, I just need to remember where I stashed that Metcalf bench kit (Other GWR benches are available).

Chiris i've taken a second look and think you'll find the risers are approx 43.5mm apart great work.

Hi Stu Good to see that modelling is progressing again and full marks for avoiding paint splashes on the D6xx after the Cider session. Mark

Finally finished with the tunnel section and now time to leave that bit alone and to stop adding more bits of scenery. Walk away Mark, walk away. I noticed that a lot of debri and residue had built up on the track rails as a result of my less than tidy scenery exploits, so it was time to get out the track rubber. After cleaning down the track to a satisfactory finish I powered it up and had a test run with the railcar and thankfully all was OK I will now be moving underside to attend to some wiring and then back to the platform to finish that area off. It will then be a case of finishing off the layout front facia with some brown paint and varnish and then deciding on how I can add a sector plate which wasn't part of the plan to start with but the idea is growing on me. Here's a few more shots of the railcar emerging from, which I have now named, Tyteford Tunnel.

Thanks Steve, Bit of an impulse buy, one too many bottles of Doombar and then surf the internet for railway stuff! Only this time it worked out well and definately no regrets Mark

Chris, I know you had some trepidation and anticipation about tackling this area of the layout but you needn’t have worried as just look at your handiwork. That’s a great solid start on which to build upon. Now you can start to look forward to the scenery stuff - Superb work. Mark

Thanks for the nice comments Kevin. Its turned out better than I had expected and works well as a photo plank and test track. Here's a couple more pics of the tunnel area. Mark

Hi Keith Rest assured, when I took the aerial shot my feet were firmly planted on terra firma, carpet to be exact. Hopefully the vertigo will subside soon Glad you approve of the Terrier purchase, I couldn't resist. Mark.

A new purchase, couldn’t resist this little LB&SCR Terrier ‘Merton’ from Hornby (R3283). It’s a bit too far South for Tyteford and the wrong era, so I have placed it on the only bit of track which doesn’t look too GWR’ish. One day, when space is available, I hope to model my interpretation of Merton Abbey station and goods facilities in pre-grouping days before it became part of the Southern network. Born and raised in Merton, SW London, I’ve always wanted to do this but still await the opportunity. This little purchase brings it that little bit closer to reality for a project some time in the future. I managed to perch the Terrier on the P4 track by slightly raising the off-side wheels with a thin strip of plas-strut. Looks OK for the photo