Mikkel

Yipeee, an update on Northall Dock. That always brightens up my day :-) I think the atmosphere is really building up now. It looks to me as if you've got the colour of the water just right. I like the uncluttered look of the place alread. Only a few items here and there to indicate and suggest, while it is the colours and careful composition that gives all the atmosphere. Very clearly "Job style"!

Superb. The livery has really turned out very well, just the right egg-shell look, very smooth to behold. I agree about the low-down shots, they not only help create an illusion that you're actually there, but also show off the quality of your build. I'm amazed at what you have done to this loco. Looking at the first post on this Hall I find it hard to believe that these are the same basic parts. If only all our past mistakes could be redressed like that ! :-)

Thanks for that Sylvian Tenant, will try it out.

Hi Will. It's amazing how many different views and impressions this scene offers. Even the modern stock looks in place. The first overview shot is my favourite though - I've said it before but the way you've composed the scene with the slope behind the bridge is just brilliant. Now we just need some more stock for that pre-grouping train! ;-)

Lovely stock, and thanks for the tip about kitchen foil - am experimenting a bit with materials for tarpaulins at the moment so this will be interesting to try out. Did you spray paint it?

Hi Lisa, I hope you solve the problems with uploading to RMweb. I enjoyed the video with the St Ouen run-round, that was an interesting way of presenting a layout plan. I look forward to seeing some more.

Thanks very much Al, I'm going to a store tomorrow and will have a look. Might even find a photo on the web and bring it!

Many thanks for that, Chris. That sounds interesting about the hair dryer! Railway modelling is such a strange but fun hobby :-) The Station Master from Mike Pett does look rather good, a shame if it is too big. I assume that means the head would also be too big if put on another figure. Sometimes I just use the head of a figure - a bit wasteful but a good head with realistic features is worth its weight in gold (what an odd sentence!). I wonder how Hubert Carr will do the suffragette. Ie what makes a suffragette look different from any other woman of the period?

Agree, agree, agree :-) Bendy MDF, I wonder what that's called in Danish. Must check it out next time I'm in a DIY store.

Hi Mike, that's a good point about things being square and straight as key to creating an illusion. I agree very much. It's as if the brain first checks to see if things are "right" in that respect, and if they are, then it relaxes and fills in the small details all by itself - even if they are not all there! The whole issue about whether details matter or not in creating an illusion is very interesting. I think some details do matter in adding to believability, but the trick is to identify which ones. Eg as mentioned before I think the electrical conduit for the overhead cranes that you have chosen to include adds a whole lot to the scene.

Hi Chris, as far as I remember I cut the arm partially through, tweaked it to position and glued. I also added some filler afterwards. I haven't tried heating but I can see the point, especially with the plastics in these figures which don't always glue so well. Would be interested to hear of your experiences. I agree about the size variation with the MRD figures. Can I ask where you got the Mike Pett figures?

Pure magic, Mike! The office looks great too. I'm impressed how fast you model, and yet the results look like something that has taken years to do.

Oh that is just brilliant. The first shot is so full of hidden stories - a whole road movie in fact :-)

What a nice story :-) George seems like a nice guy - although I do wonder: Are those really just bee-keepers clothing, or is George in fact posted on earth to prepare the way for the Xuiri warrior tribe from the planet Saturn?

Foyle and a fist full of Whiskey. This thread is now officially perfect.

Hi Job, it*s looking good. Those embossing pens are very nice!

Wow. What an achievement, Mike, that third shot from last is just fantastic. Can't wait to see it with lights! :-)

What a neat build this is, Pete. The primer looks a very clean job indeed. I look forward to seeing the figures painted. What range are they from?

Thanks Al for showing what can be done with the Wills setts and DCC concepts lamps, but especially for a layout which is so full of atmosphere and top-notch modelling. You have a real gift for composing layouts, I think.This shot in particular stopped me completely in my tracks. When the dock module ets is all done you'll have some fantastic photo opps across the layout like this.

Now that is one of those models that is as interesting to look at as a whole layout. The bouncy seat is brilliant, and the weathering is excellent I think. Much inspiration, thanks.

I like the approach of piecing together a station with structures from different sites. I'm doing something similar for my little "sidings" layout. The research and thinking required to make it all blend together and make sense is a nice and fun little challenge. And you come up with some interesting findings, like your chicken business! I promise I will not make any foul jokes ;-)

Nice railbus. Full of character, although aestethic wonders they were not! :-) I like the overview of your layout that these photos gives. It's all very nicely balanced and uncluttered, I think. We often spend a lot of time and effort on buildings and stock etc, but your layout shows how important grass and groundcover is in giving that "real look". Here it is done to perfection, I think.

Many thanks for that info, Eddie. I must admit I got a bit confused about the loco classes. There are a couple of exhibition rooms with photos and info by the entrance, but I couldn't quite make out the detail differences between the classes. I didn't know about the fire, it must be a really uphill struggle to maintain this collection under these difficult conditions.