sparky

May 27, 2022

Well here we are again with the latest batch of photos..............

The bridge stonework is slowly being worked up whilst grass, weeds and other greenery is starting to grow, well it is the season for it after all.

A few changes have been made around the lime kilns which have been reduced in height so they are level with the top of the retaining wall. The next photo will explain my thinking behind that.................

The kilns should hopefully look something like this once I have carved the stonework and worked up the scenery. The hut roof might be corrugated iron or covered in slate, as for the door and window they will be rather weather beaten. Before I forget the track in front of the kilns has been buried in DAS, which I feel makes the area look more spacious.

Windows have now been fitted to the cottage and the roof is slowly being covered with strips of postcard slates.......

The perimeter wall around the cottage yard has since been built up to include some outhouses, and the whole lot is now covered in DAS........

Finally the 03 will soon become D2139 and is currently on test with a conical exhaust rather than the flower pot type.

Geoff

May 2, 2022

Oi get your facts right matey, I've got three Panniers! :-)

I admit to having considered a 'Teddy Bear' but my better half collects them and there are far too many in the house as it is😛

Geoff

May 2, 2022

On 30/04/2022 at 23:35, Donw said:

I have been dipping into your blog and hadn't seen it was also on here. Wonderful evocative modelling. Regarding the difference with scales as the scale gets smaller it is like moving further back from the item. So say it is a modelled tree at say 100ft away you would not see the shaps of leaves and the type of tree would be less clear move to 50ft away and it would be much clearer what sort of tree it was move even closer and it would be even more clear. This is why the mind expects to see more detail in 7mm than in 4mm.

The other thing that can be confusing is the backscene. Because the backscene is mostly far away the height of hills etc. is dependant on how far it is meant to be from the modelled area and independant of scale. Again at 100ft away a building will look smaller against the far hills than one only 50ft away. The closer you get to a building the taller it seems agains tht hills.

When living in Shropshire we spent a lot of time in the Welsh borders you are capturing the feel very well.

Don

I hope you enjoyed dipping into my blog, which covers the whole Lugg Valley saga in more detail.

Moving up a scale has been a step learning curve Don, I have lost count of the number of times when I have had to check and double check certain measurements. Trees and backscenes can be a problem depending on how we view our models. I favour low shots myself and operate the layout from eye level, both of which make the backscene look far more effective, well it is to my eye but others will no doubt disagree. Texture is another area where ideas vary, some folk are perfectly happy with foam clumping, being happy to let their imagination fill in the gaps, whereas others prefer more detail, we all see things differently and the same applies to colour. When I first started my 7mm journey I was advised to keep buildings on the small size, and to avoid large trees, following that advise has made the layout look far bigger than it actually is to date. We spend a lot of time in the Welsh Borders so it has always been a case of modelling what I see, it is good to know that you feel my efforts capture the look of the area, thank you.

On 01/05/2022 at 07:40, Hal Nail said:

Just a note to say thanks for putting all the photos back. A lot of threads rather spoiled now, sadly.

If it hadn't been for my son the thread would probably been left as it was, but he took it onto himself to restore all the photos. I doubt that I would have bothered because it would have taken up some valuable modelling time.

Thanks to you both for your comments,

Moving on, the Diag E147 coach is now nearing completion, in case you are wondering what I am doing with half a 'B' set read on.

Introduced in 1936 and last withdrawn in 1961 numbers 6207-10, 6822/23/27/37/38/50 had buffers at both ends and ran as individual coaches, rather than close coupled ‘B’ Sets. At a scale 57ft long, the E147 is ideal for small layouts, I also find them rather attractive to boot.

Just a few details to add now such as door hinges, steam and vacuum pipes, lamp irons, alarm gear and jumper cables. Screw couplings, door handles and grab rails will be fitted after painting the model.

These lovely castings were supplied by CPL Products, whose service is second to none..........

Meanwhile there is a new kid on the block............

Geoff

April 8, 2022

Whilst the old man has been busy relaxing in Wales I've took it upon myself to replace the photos that were lost during the forums near meltdown. I've also taken the liberty of uploading some of his latest snaps of Bleddfa Road for test purposes.😀..........

Well the old man has returned from Wales and will do his best to provide a few captions, not that the first two photos need any really. So scrolling down to the cottage I will attempt to explain what is going on.

The rear of the cottage is in a sorry state of repair, having been patched up with brick infills and rough cast render. The door lintel is being modelled to represent a piece of seasoned oak, as for the wall around the yard, for now it is just a simple mock up. But I see an outside loo, a wash house and perhaps a coal house being built into it. I found the inspiration for this idea from a beer garden which overlooks a similar property in Wales.

The front of the building is in better repair, the window frames will be painted in a weathered white, and the door will be a simple rustic planked affair.

This Westdale Diag. E147 coach kit has been gathering dust since September 2019, I started it whilst waiting for some bits and pieces for the cottage. It was always meant to be a long term project and once completed it will replace my Dapol autocoach. At the moment I am working on the bogies

Finally thanks to Mr. York for saving the forum and to my son Simon for uploading my photos again.

Geoff

February 25, 2022

23 hours ago, JustinDean said:

Fantastic - so much atmosphere you’ve created here Geoff!

Jay

Thank you Jay, I was worried that I might struggle to create a feeling of place and atmosphere in such a small area.

23 hours ago, MrWolf said:

Truly inspiring work.

Thank you too Mr Wolf for your kind words:-)

Moving on and returning to the question of G(WR) number plates this might prove to be of interest....

http://www.trainweb.org/rcn_uk/gwcabs.html

Geoff

February 24, 2022

1 hour ago, Regularity said:

Yes, but is the colour correct? Some of them weren’t brass, and might be white/pale grey or yellow.

I think it gets a mention in the “Pannier Papers” books.

Most '8750' Class Panniers are believed to have been fitted with cast iron plates. I requested brass plates with a black background so if they are wrong then it is my fault. The 74XX Class had a mix of cast iron and brass plates, so it is a bit of a minefield. It isn't something that worries me, for once the plates have been weathered down they will look different again:-)

Geoff

February 24, 2022

Morning,

Here's a selection of the latest photos to bring things up to date ...................

Hereford (85C) Pannier 4600 approaches Bleddfa Road with a short train of empties for the limestone quarry that lies beyond the road bridge. This Dapol model has been renumbered with the excellent 'Railtec' 3D transfers and is currently awaiting a late crest and weathering.

I think the days of etched plates are over for me now, for these plates are superb and ever so easy to apply.

Journeys end as 4660 pulls into Bledffa Road on a cold, bleak winters morning................

Work is also well underway on the former crossing keepers cottage, the stonework started life as a Slater's embossed sheet which was cut into random strips, sanded down and covered in plaster. The plaster was then sanded down to reveal the mortar courses, some of which are flush with the stones just like some buildings in these parts. I'll be letting some brickwork repairs into the walls, and covering other areas with a roughcast render, well that's the plan but whether my idea works remains to be seen?

Time for a spot of shunting, something that rarely interested me in my 4mm days when I used auto couplings. In those days 3 links weren't an option because I could hardly see the damn things, but working in the senior scale makes their use so much easier, and enjoyable. As for the hand in the sky, I don't give a hoot! 🙂

From time to time a Peckett from the quarry trundles down into the goods yard to top up her tanks, at other times she can be seen fussing around on the siding leading to the old lime kiln. Fresh from a recent overhaul she is still waiting for her cab window shields and works plates to be refitted.

Geoff

February 4, 2022

I'm sorry that I wasn't around to join in this discussion about scenery, alas I wasn't feeling too good at the time. Anyway now I'm well on the road to recovery I'll add my pennyworth............

On 28/12/2021 at 11:12, Captain Kernow said:

With the larger scale, there is the opportunity to incorporate more detail.

Does this mean that 'more convincing' scenery in scales smaller than 7mm is, necessarily, more 'impressionistic' in nature, thus leading the brain to 'fill in the gaps?'

.

There is certainly plenty of opportunity to include more detail in the larger scale Tim, in fact I think it is essential when it comes to the foreground scenery.

On 28/12/2021 at 13:45, Hal Nail said:

But there must be something in the suggestion above that you can get away with slightly more in 00 just because detail is harder to see.

Yep, you certainly can get away with more in the smaller scales, I used to find it relatively easy to make hedgerows from plain horsehair and teased foliage. Whereas in the larger scale I feel it necessary to model some of the hedgerows structure. In the above photo I have used a mix of methods, the structure of the saplings and bushes behind the platform fence being visible and more open than those nearer the backscene, which are more impressionistic.

On 28/12/2021 at 12:22, Regularity said:

One may be related to people using boulders to ballast their 4mm scale track: the pack says “00”, even if the same brand’s “N” gauge product is more suitable, I.e. the packaging determines the choice?

That is very true, I used ash ballast labelled for 4mm and 2mm scales on Bleddfa Road, and feel that I could have used something even finer in places.

Moving on I haven't really done any practical modelling apart from detailing and weathering a Dapol van, which can be seen here at the crossing behind 1455.

I have decided to move the cottage further forward toward the cart track, and in doing so I have removed the fence in front of it. To my eye the scene looks slightly better? Over the coming days I hope to start work on the cottage and the lime kiln, but I'm not setting myself any targets.

Before I sign off here's a few more photos...................

Geoff

December 24, 2021

22 hours ago, Argos said:

Lovely views. I've enjoyed following the developments via your blog so great to see the layout on RMweb also.

Thanks Angus, I am pleased that you have enjoyed the journey so far, and have often wondered who has been following my blog.

19 hours ago, sidmouth said:

Just WoW . Couple of images I had to do a double take on , so convincing are they

Thank you Martin :-)

18 hours ago, JustinDean said:

Absolutely lovely!

Merry Xmas Geoff.

Jay

Cheers Jay and all the best to you.

6 hours ago, Regularity said:

My emphasis.

Not sure we want to know about that…

Sorry wrong forum

Have a Merry Christmas everyone'

Geoff

December 23, 2021

A few more photos showing the area in and around the goods yard.

The water tower started life as a 'Palight' foamboard shell which was the covered in DAS modelling clay. Once the clay had dried the walls were tidied up and stones were scribed into the surface. I used castings from Invertrains for the water tank, and the ladder is Peco. A Ragstone models water crane was then assembled, painted and planted in place on an etched grid.

The layout is 22" inches wide at this point, unkempt hedgerows are slowly being added and follow Gordon Gravatts methods. The small building towards the end of the platform is a combined lamp room and gents.

Hedgerows are also being added between the water tower and backscene, groundcover is a mix of static grasses and homemade tufts. The lane serving the goods yard drops down and bears right to disappear off scene amongst the trees.

Finally a view of the goods shed from the opposite direction, and that concludes the journey from the level crossing down to the goods yard.

Merry Christmas,

Geoff

December 6, 2021

On 05/12/2021 at 17:20, Ray H said:

From what I can see from the pictures posted so far, I don't think you've made a bad job of it.

Thanks Ray, some areas are a little more advanced than others as I experiment with different materials and techniques

I've used a mix of homemade grass tufts and mating, with Silflor and Greenscenes static grasses.

I use a Warpainter Flockbox 'Fusion' static grass applicator, which is a very versatile piece of kit. You can make your own small grass mats and tufts which are built up on silicon paper, far right. Or apply the fibres directly through a tea strainer, taking care to insulate the handle unless you want a shock There are plenty of videos circulating, and an instructional DVD come with the kit.

Geoff

December 5, 2021

On 04/12/2021 at 11:38, Regularity said:

I knew that - you are continuing in the search for verisimilitude, but rarely is scenery in 7mm scale indistinguishable from that produced for 4mm scale, where (a few exceptions aside, e.g. Pempoul, Martin Welch’s work) 7mm scenery is often a touch coarse and unconvincing.

Once I have the basic ground cover down I hope to improve on it, Messer's Gravatt and Welch have really set the bar high. I always knew it would be a challenge to create decent scenery in 7mm scale, but I will be giving it my best shot.

December 5, 2021

Bleddfa Road’s station building was two years in the making, I liked the idea of model something cheap and cheerful, the sort of structure that might have been provided as a temporary measure. A corrugated iron structure like the one which once stood Llanrhaiadr Mochnant on the ‘Tanat Valley Railway’ appealed to me, but I was unsure if it would fit into the scene that I planned to model. The real building underwent many changes over the years, following the withdrawal of passenger services the ladies WC was replaced by an office. It is believed that an extra door was added to the main building at the same time. Liking a bit of artistic freedom I decided that my version of the building would feature the ladies WC, and the extra door. The ground frame was built from the MSE etch and set into a brick platform.

Rainwater goods are from the Modelu range, the poster boards are scratch built, with posters by Tiny Signs. The platform was also built from 'Palight', then covered in DAS modelling clay which was scribed to represent individual stone.

The shell of the building was made from 3mm 'Palight' foamboard, then clad in Slater's corrugated sheet.

Finally a couple of photos of the pick up goods arriving at Bleddfa Road...............

Geoff

December 4, 2021

14 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

The thing is, I don't actually remember doing that and I am no shining advert for taking up 7mm modelling myself, all my 7mm bits and pieces, such as they area, remain in their boxes!

Here you go Tim hardly surprising that you don't remember this exchange that we had over on Western Thunder, seeing as it took place over 5 years ago! I suppose it stuck in my mind due the amount I spent on 7mm goodies over the following weeks

Geoff said:

Certain people here on the forum have been trying to lead me down the 7mm path, and might yet succeed. So I thought it best if I got back to work on my current trainset, before the temptation proved too much.

"Why not try to do some 7mm in parallel with 4mm stuff, which is what I'm going to be trying to do, in due course".

Captain Kernow, 4 November 2016 ThreadmarkReportBookmark

#727Unlike+ QuoteReply

December 3, 2021

On 03/12/2021 at 10:34, Captain Kernow said:

Superb, Geoff, as ever and an utter joy to see.

Thank you Tim, I often wonder where my modelling would be now had you not suggested that I have a dabble in 7mm scale :rolleyes:

On 03/12/2021 at 11:00, Adrian Stevenson said:

Hi Geoff, really glad you have posted the layout here as I had missed it in the layouts forum.

This is looking great and I will be following your progress.

Cheers, Ade.

Cheers Ade.

On 03/12/2021 at 14:42, Regularity said:

The fact that 1455 “starred” on both the EM layouts and now this one will have only added to the confusion!

Only having a spot of fun, but seriously 1455 and 7416 were frequent visitors to the Kington Railways and I wanted to continue with the same feeling of time and place.

On 03/12/2021 at 14:25, Hal Nail said:

Funnily enough the first shots of this layout reminded me of something and then realised it was your previous stuff, which I've come across when searching for things from time to time.

Interesting that we obviously put our personal stamp on things!

It is indeed, what shall we call it 'house style' ?

On 03/12/2021 at 10:59, MrWolf said:

Marvelous job with the hut, now I feel lazy because all I did was make a new roof and ridge for the old Coopercraft kit!

Oh I don't think you have been lazy at all, your hut looks great.

On 03/12/2021 at 14:37, JustinDean said:

Great to see this here Geoff, I’ve been following your progress on your online blog over the last year or so already. Very inspirational to the point where I’m having a crack at my own Welsh end of steam era micro layout in 4mm scale.
I look forward to seeing more updates!

Jay

I wondered who else visited my blog from RMweb, hope you enjoy looking around. I'm pleased that you find the place inspirational and are building your own Welsh layout.

Anyway I will leave you with this view, I'll explain what is what next time

Thanks for taking an interest and for your kind comments.

Geoff

December 3, 2021

On 02/12/2021 at 21:09, MrWolf said:

I really like the finish on that hut, particularly the light coating of mildew on the roof. It also reminds me that my smaller scale version it needs some details around it.

Thank you, the hut is a scaled up model of my old Coopercraft kit that saw light of day on Penhydd and Llangunllo

The basic shell was constructed from 60 thou styrene sheet, Evergreen strip and Slater's embossed brick. The door and window shutter planking was created with an Olfa Scriber, and all the hinges are from styrene strip.

Being a glutton for punishment I made a batch of roof slates from a postcard, which had been pre painted in various shades of grey. The hut was painted with 'Lifecolor' weathered black, and weathered with washes of Lifecolor smoke and rail dust. Ridge tiles are from 20 thou sheet, and half round styrene section, they were painted in Railmatch brick and toned down with the same washes. The chimney was painted with Humbrol light earth enamel and dry brushed with weathered black to represent soot deposits, the whole model was then given a dusting of talc. Before I forget the chimney is a 3D print, as is the 45 gallon drum from 'Model Railway Scenes' .

A few more oil drums will litter the area in front of the hut, and then they, together with the sleepers will be almost hidden from view amongst tall unkempt grass. The two vans which are currently waiting to be weathered are stood on the siding leading to a small lime kiln, another larger kiln and sidings are supposedly situated, but not modelled beyond the overbridge

On 02/12/2021 at 21:28, Northroader said:

I’m really taken with this layout, and your philosophy of how to operate it. The projected scenic work looks very good.

Thank you, it is true to say that as I have grown older operating has become less important. Of course I still take pleasure from watching the trains and even more so in 7mm scale.

On 02/12/2021 at 22:06, westerner said:

Good to see you showing the layout on here Geoff. Excellent as always.

Thanks Alan, I made the mistake of adding my 7mm scale exploits onto my old Penhydd/Llangunllo thread. My posting here is an attempt to keep all of my friends and followers happy, some feel awkward about posting on my blog because they see that as a personal space. Others don't care for Western Thunder because they have to join up to see the photos, so hopefully everyone will be happy now 🙂

Geoff

December 2, 2021

I couldn't make my mind up as to where to start the journey along the branch, in the end I thought it best to start at the occupation crossing and work towards the end of the line. This photo shows the completed platelayers hut as viewed from the crossing, the area around the hut is far from complete. Imagine a push bike leaning against the end wall, a gate across the cart track leading to the hut and some typical GWR spear fencing around it all. More static grasses will also be applied around the base of the hut and the embankment on the right.

Geoff

December 2, 2021

I have decided to create a new thread for Bleddfa Road in the Scale Specific 7mm + modelling section

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/168720-bleddfa-road/

Hope to see you there,

Geoff

December 2, 2021

I originally tagged my first venture into the world of 7mm scale modelling onto my long running 'Change Here For Penhydd, Llangunllo and Bleddfa Road' thread. But at the suggestion of one of my friends here, I am moving the 7mm gauge content to this new thread. It will take me a while to move things across so please bear with me. I do of course have a blog, but not everyone feels comfortable asking questions or in joining the discussion there. So to kick this thread off I am going to upload the layout plan, and its planned development...........

The plan is inspired by Blodwell Junction and Llansilin Road on the Tanat Valley line, however the location is along, and within the Welsh Marches. Layout operation isn't high on my my list of priorities as I am happy to run trains much in the same way as the real thing. So it might be hours between trains, or sometimes days as I just wander into the layout room to run the next train in the sequence as it suits me. Sometimes I might shunt the pick up goods whilst I am waiting for adhesives to set or paint to dry, so you might well ask what is the purpose of the project, well I wanted to see if my 'less is more' ideas would work in 7mm scale, and if I could create a believable scene in a small space.

You might have seen this map elsewhere albeit with a few changes, the original was drawn by myself and enhanced by the Peco Studio for one of my articles in the Railway Modeller. Alas at least one person out there is claiming it as his own and is in breach of copyright.

The trackwork was constructed from Slater's ply sleepers and rail, with two bolt rail chairs from the C&L range. Each point had to be tailor made to suit its given location if the plan was to fit into the same footprint as Penhydd and Llangunllo. The open frame baseboards on which the layout is built are the same ones which once supported Penhydd and Llangunllo. but with new plywood tops, they are also slightly wider to suit the larger scale. The white rectangles beside the track are styrene bases for the Modelu point rodding stools, once the ballasting was completed they were no longer visible.

This is how the layout will eventually look, well I hope it does! The hedgerows along the station approach track and in front of the goods yard have been added using my simple photo editing software, but the remainder are either painted onto the backscene or modelled in 3D. Since this photo was taken the platelayers hut has been completed, but the ground around it is still in the process of being worked up. The water tower at the far end of the layout disguises the now lifted line to Llangunllo, the coal merchants office is another design of my own, and uses the shell of the proposed but never modelled signal box as featured in the second photo. I felt that an open lever frame would suit the scene much better and so it has proved. The other buildings are slightly modified prototypical examples from along the Tanat Valley.

So there we have a brief introduction, if there is enough interest I will take you on a journey along the line and update the thread as more progress is made.

Geoff

October 3, 2021

Just a brief update.........

More long grass has taken root down in the goods yard, and the station building is slowly taking shape.

Geoff

September 4, 2021

Evening,

Just a quick update, it was my intention to upload a photo of the scenic fiddle yard, but thanks to a Windows update the photo below was shunted into a different folder.

I decided to use a scenic fiddle yard again, I admit they aren't everyone's cup of tea but for my style of operation they work just fine.

The bridge is based on the one at Blodwell Junction on the Tanat Valley Railway, whether it is still standing I couldn't say as I've not visited the area lately. It was constructed from 'Palight' foamboard, overlaid with DAS modelling clay into which the stonework was scribed. The brickwork is Slater's embossed sheet and the centre span was scratch built from plain styrene sheet. The structure on the right will become a small limekiln, and once I have tweaked the final design it will be covered in DAS, then scribed to match the surrounding stonework. A piece of Silflor grass mat has been dropped in place for the photo, it will eventually be torn into clumps and blended into various static grasses. In time the area out of view on the right will be turned into the old crossing keepers cottage garden.

Finally, AEC Railcar W22W arrives from Leominster via Kington and Presteign on a typical overcast Welsh Marches morning. This scene is also far from complete, an unkempt hedgerow will slowly be planted along the side of the station approach road, to blend into the backscene for starters.

Geoff

August 23, 2021

1 hour ago, ullypug said:

Oh dear. I've two Terriers and a Manning Wardle, two ex Metropolitan Railway 4 wheel coaches, a number of private owner wagons. Also sleepers and rail. Just enough for a small WC&PR layout in 7mm. Heaven help me!!!

Sorry to say that there is no hope for you Andrew and no known medication to help, all I can say is go for it, you know you want to.

55 minutes ago, Tom F said:

Sorry to hear that Geoff.

I stepped away from modelling for a good few months as I struggled with my mental health. Cwm Prysor is still there, but I've not done much else on it.

I'm instead doing a realistic interpretation of the Rev Awdry's narrow gauge modelling 'The Skarloey Railway'. I've just about finished my first ever layout!

Feel free to have a look.

Sorry to hear that you have been struggling Tom, hopefully completing your first layout will give you a lift. You have certainly created something special, I think its a brilliant piece of modelling and love it. I've had a look at your thread and will study it in more detail over the coming days.

As for myself, well I am a third of the way through treatment for prostate cancer, which in my case is curable.

Take care,

Geoff

August 23, 2021

Thanks for the link to your thread Tom, I had missed that. What a superb piece of modelling, I love it!

Geoff

August 23, 2021

Hi Andrew, thanks for your kind comments which are much appreciated.

Colour matching can be a pain, I tend to use a very limited palette, mixing up various shades to suit my eye, whilst paying attention to world around me and the layout lighting.

I'm afraid resistance is futile when it comes to 7mm scale, I got the itch and just had to scratch it. Tim (CK) didn't help when he suggested I had a dabble, and now there is no going back :rolleyes: I wasn't sure if the larger scale would suit my railway in the countryside ideas, and I guess I saw it as a kind of challenge, something to take me out of my comfort zone. But I'm pleased to say that I'm finding the whole experience to be very rewarding, it is true what they say about not needing much. Best advice I can give if you are trying to resist is don't buy a wagon kit, that was my downfall!

Geoff

August 23, 2021

18 hours ago, bcnPete said:

Already looking stunning

Thanks Pete, there is a long way to go yet, but I'm now coming to terms with 7mm scale modelling.

18 hours ago, Tom F said:

Lovely to see your posts again Geoff. Hope you are well.

Cheers Tom, where have you been hiding? :-)

I'm not as well as I could be at the moment Tom, so I've been cheering myself up by running a few trains.

Hope you are keeping well yourself.

Geoff

The goods shed is loosely based on the one that once stood at Llansilin Rd. on the Tanat Valley ..........

Geoff

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