Highlandman

Taking pictures of layouts can be very difficult at exhibitions taking in to account the layout lighting and the ambient lighting in the hall. Most modern cameras have some way of adjusting the colour balance to suit different light temperatures and these are usually better than using the auto setting which is usually no more than a best guess solution. The best way to do it, if you can, is to set the cameras white balance manually using the layout lighting and the background lighting. On your layout I presume the backscene has white in it and you could take the reading off of that and set white balance from that. Once that is done nearly all your photographs should come out as you see the layout by eye. It's amazing what the eye and brain cancels out to show you the colours you see. In the copy of your picture below I have adjusted the colour balance using the white steps on the wagon as a guide. I hope hope it improves it just a little bit. I did see this at Scaleforum but unfortunately did not get any pictures. It's a nice small layout. All the best.

Those last sets of photos are a fanstastic demonstration of architectural model making from a master modeller, and something for us apprentice modellers to aspire to. The speed at which you can turn out these masterpieces still amazes me. Can't wait to see what else we have coming from the 'Mind of Downes' and his nimble fingers. Absolutely stunning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NujDnsDlE8M&app Hope this helps.

The two layouts are coming along nicely Andy. I'm having the same problem as you at the moment in deciding what sort of panel/lever frame I want. I will need about 23 levers for my points and signals and that number puts some options into the economically unviable bracket. I had look at the DCC Concepts lever frame but the cheapest I have seen those is £165 for a pack of twelve. £320 for lever frames, I don't think so. I also looked at the the Scaleforum leverframe,but by the time you purchased enough frames and then switched to build in that worked out just as expensive. The Sprat & Winkle/MSE lever frame is showing its age now and the tolerences, compared to modern alternatives, leaves a lot to be desired. There is a lot of sloppiness between the levers and frames and is very difficult to sort out unless you can engineer a new top to the frame. A shame as the lever arms have a nice bulky feel to them. It looks like I am going to do the same as you and resort to toggle switches, either on a layout plan or in a bank of levers with corresponding coloured switch covers for points and signals. I look forward to seeing more work appearing here and I am always stunned at the amount modelling you can put out in such a short time. Where do you get the energy? Keep up the great work Andy.

Good to meet you at Scaleforum today Steve. Many thanks for taking the time to talk about signal construction and some of the methods you use. It was nice to see some of your work in the flesh, it's wonderfully done.

Some lovely signals Steve. The bracket looks great but in the video it looks as though it loses some of the bounce effect between one end of the torsion bar and the other. Is this a limitation of this type of mechanism or does it just need some tweeking?

I am amazed at the amount of superb models you can turn out Andy. This small "photo plank" is coming along nicely and really looks the part. I like the way you have modelled the puddles in the ballast, some looking quite deep. I just hope a certain Dr. Foster from Gloucester doesn't have to visit the depot for any reason.

That's all looking rather effective Andy. I like the way the trees hide the join on the half relief school building and the stone wall surround really suits it instead of railings on their own. I suppose, rathere later in years, they would have added railing to the top of the wall to make the school more secure. The chapel at the end of the lane sits very nicely and is ideally situated for end of term services for the school. A great bit of modelling.

The viaduct is coming along nicely and the stonework looks absolutely superb.

Great locos Andy and the layout looks superb. Very reminiscent of the Derbyshire Dales.

After a day's work on the scenery adding grass and a sky backscene AndyP said "That's it, now let's get the flock out of here" Oh! Great work by the way Andy. Particularly like the platform finish, it's very effective.

The bridge is looking great. It should look superb when painted and in situ. Excuse my ignorance, but is Days Road Bridge near Dr. Day's Junction?

Just caught up with the latest installments Andy and the scenery is starting to look great. It's interesting to see the type of foam you have used instead of polystyrene or the pink high density insulation foam. Can't wait to see how this progresses.

A great piece of modelling and most definitely a good likeness to a West Country terminus. I wait with eager anticipation for more news on the progress of Kingbridge Regis.

This looks like it will be an interesting layout to operate and with reasonable length trains as well. I look forward to watching more progress on this project. Keep up the great work Andy, and the videos.

Here is a useful link to a 1907 map of Cattewater and Turnchapel. http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.3659&lon=-4.1174&layers=171

A fantastic model of South Devon. The river under the viaduct is a wonderfully observed piece of modelling. I can't wait to see more progress on this layout..

The train shed is going to look great. Can't wait to see further progress. Hope you have a wonderful holiday and watch the Ouzo, it bites.

Once again, many thanks for those encouraging words. That is a very kind offer of yours to allow me to adapt your artwork for the pieces I need and I would really like to take you up on that. IT's something I really should have thought about when I had the windows and doors done by PPD but thought stock valancing would be easy to find. NOT!!!. If you don't mind I will PM my email address to you a bit later. All the best Andy

That signal in situ is looking great. A job well done. Onwards and upwards, as they say, to completing the others as I am looking forward to seeing the other builds.

Hi Iain Many thanks for your previous comments. Hi Iain Very kind words indeed and truly encouraging from a master modeller and much appreciated. I will post a few more pictures of the harbour master building when I have completed a bit more of it and put some colour on. I do have one question and hope you might be able to help me. I built a model based on Kingsbridge Station in 4mm and now need to find some valancing for the canopy. The valancing is peculiar to the Kingsbridge and Abbottbury branches as all the buildings were designed by William Clarke. I notice on your website that the Kingsford Station model had exactly the type of valancing needed before it was converted to an overall roof. Was this valancing made for you or by you, or was it purchased from some supplier am not aware of. I have exhausted my searches apart from having it etched or lasercut. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Like you, I have spent many a happy time on the west coast of Scotland and remember how the railway and road used the same bridge. The drive around the coast from Balachullish to Oban is stunning. The article in Hornby magazine showed wonderfully the grand scale of Connel Bridge. It's a wonderful piece of modelling. Now the Forth rail bridge. That would be a model.

If you're a Costa's or Starbucks man the free stirrer sticks make a great tool for holding peices together. If you sharpen the end you can use them to place flux paste and they'll even stir paint. A great little tool. Just hate to think what will happen when they realise how useful they are.