The Bridge at Remagen - N Gauge Rhine Crossing in 1944.

[Al.]

At 9 metres long Remagen is a big layout. And big layouts need big spaces to set them up and big vans to move them about, all of which equates to big operating costs. This will have impact on the number shows that the layout can be displayed at. With this thought in the back of my mind I've been slowly working on the design for a second smaller purpose built exhibition layout - as Remagen is more a portable permanent layout then a full blow exhibition one. As well as the planning, I've also started picking up a few scenic items that might give you a clue to the theme. They'll be a separate thread sometime in the new year for this one.

 

 

Don't worry. Work hasn't slackened on Remagen. The scenery is progressing at the usual snails pace and I'm looking to start full time on the electrics this weekend.

 

 

Edited September 16, 2016 by Al.

[Aces High]

Oh I'm looking forward to the new one already judging by the kits.

[Al.]

I did plan to crack on with the wiring today, but due to a schoolboy error in buying a couple wrong connectors, that's all gone on hold.

But not wanting to waste the day, I finally turned my hand to the river. I've been putting this off for a long time because it's a major feature of the layout, and it I get it wrong, it'll show.

After a long and I depth review of all the various methods and products available, I've opted for the cheapest, but not necessarily the easiest - the toilet paper method.

 

 

I had the idea of marking out the boat positions on the board before I started in thick black marker, thinking it would show though the toilet paper. But this was a waste of time as by the time the second layer went on it was Nearly visible. And after the third layer, invisible.

 

I used the same process as the YouTube video (can't find the link right now). I've a couple of additional tips. 1, on the top layer of paper, tear the edges of the sheets before laying them as this helps hide the edges. 2, keep all the top layer brush strokes in the same direction to give a consistent wave effect.

 

 

 

It's all done now and slowly drying. Painting is the next stage.

[Al.]

24 hours later and it's still wet. I only hope I didn't water down the glue too much....

[Al.]

Just spotted this on Warley's Facebook page.

 

https://www.facebook.com/Warley.MRC.Exhibition/videos/1418062051541342/

 

Que the 1982 Queen/Bowie collaboration....

[Nile_Griffith]

Just picked up this thread and enjoyed reading it immensely.

 

However........ Is it just me........ but does every one else read it humming the theme music from the film "A Bridge Too Far" in their head???

[Al.]

Back to the river - 48 hours later and it's still very wet and soft. I'm starting to get a little bit worried. However the shore line areas, where the toilet paper is only one layer thick, have gone off. So maybe it just needs more time.

Let's see what it looks like tomorrow.

 

[380John]

I over did the mix on my ballast once on a previous layout. I thought it would never dry but it did and even more surprisingly didn't cause any adverse effects. The fact it's tissue paper won't necessarily mean it will go off much quicker. The moisture is trapped right the way through. You could try a VERY VERY gentle heating ie central heating on for an hour etc to warm it through and take some moisture from the air. Whether you try that or not, personally I think you'll be ok.

 

John

[Al.]

Cheers John. Hoping it's just a matter of time. The river is several layers thick and each was well saturated.

 

I'm very pleased with the results so far. The wave texture looks pretty good (for a windy day) and getting the boat wakes were very easy to do. Of course the next bit is to get the river colour right.

[Al.]

I finished painting the guns and vehicles for the Erpler Ley anti aircraft battery this morning. They'll get fitted this evening after work.

 

[Al.]

72 hours and it's starting cure over the whole area. Some of the wave tops feel a bit fragile and hollow. But there's still three or four layers of paint and varnish to add, so I'm not too worried at this stage.

 

I'm going to leave it until Sunday before applying the paint to let it thoroughly dry out, then a couple days for the paint to dry before varnishing - which I estimate will that a week. And unless I can talk the wife into letting move the river board into the dinning room, all other work will have to stop in the workshop so the wet varnish doesn't get contaminated with dust....

[grahame]

Still very impressive and still very interesting to read and see the progress and development.

 

And still looking forward to seeing it at Warley.

 

G.

[Al.]

Thanks Grahame. Nice to know it's appreciated.

 

Back to the anti-aircraft battery. They go right up there on top of the Erpeler Ley.

 

 

And this is what's up there.

 

 

The Ley is what remains of an extinct volcano that towers over the Rhine. On the model I've have shorten it slightly as a true scale model would be around 7 foot height. As it is, the top of the Ley on the layout is just I've 5 foot.

 

 

 

For those who remember the film, these are the guns that Robert Vaughn is seen inspecting. The model has the basic details done. The battery still needs finishing. Tents, workshop, mess tent,plus a fair bit more still need adding. But that's all going to have to wait until after Warley.

[Al.]

96 hours later and I think we've a winner. All the glue has gone off and the surface is quite firm. I'm still going to give it another couple of days before painting, mainly so I area of plaster bandage done on one of the other boards before the dust embargo starts.

I'll post up more pics tomorrow night.

 

Al.

[Al.]

Some scenic work tonight, with more yellow turning white, soon to turn green....

 

[Al.]

Getting back to the river, it got its first coat of paint this morning. I'm now waiting for this to dry before touching up all the little spots I missed.

Another tip here. The paint dampens the paper and makes it soft again - probably because my pva/water mix was too much on the eatery side - and too vigorous brushing can impact the wave texture if your not careful.

 

Next step is to tone the green down a little and darken it off towards the banks.

 

 

[Aces High]

This is so impressive, I'm really looking forward to seeing it at Warley.

[Al.]

Update on progress with the river.

 

Over the weekend it got a cost of green paint, and the past two evenings I've been adding a second coat green/brown to give it more a mucky river look. It still looks too green to my eye and I'll be giving it another all over brown coat tomorrow to effort to one the green in a bit more.

At this rate, I won't be varnishing until the weekend.

 

[Al.]

For anyone who's interested, here's the YouTube tutorial on the toilet paper river method.

 

Edited September 28, 2016 by Al.

[Al.]

I toned down the river abit today. It's still too green for my liking, so still a bit more work to do.

 

[darren01]

Hi

Have you tried using this stuff http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiPwY24xLPPAhVnJcAKHWJQBQ0QFghKMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hobbycraft.co.uk%2Fmod-podge-gloss-236-ml%2F569311-1000&usg=AFQjCNFDcNOPxViZNO9ktLRq-C6dfKFRnA

seen it used on a number of layouts and looks very good.

Darren

[Al.]

Hi

Have you tried using this stuff http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiPwY24xLPPAhVnJcAKHWJQBQ0QFghKMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hobbycraft.co.uk%2Fmod-podge-gloss-236-ml%2F569311-1000&usg=AFQjCNFDcNOPxViZNO9ktLRq-C6dfKFRnA

seen it used on a number of layouts and looks very good.

Darren

Thanks, but I think I'm a little too far along to jump ship now.

[philiprporter]

Back to hideously slow progress again this weekend.

 

Slowly pushing forward with flocking of the West Bank. It's coming along nicely. It should be ready for trees by the end of the week.

 

image.jpeg

 

 

Wow!! Awesome stuff!

[Al.]

A long overdue river update.

 

After much tinkering about I've finally got the river to a colour I like. With that sorted, I've added the boat wakes. I'm giving it 48 hours to completely dry, then it'll be time to add half a dozen coats of varnish.

 

 

Al.

[380John]

Hi Al,

In my opinion that's the best method I've seen without using one of the bottled products. You've got a great colour now so it's going to look fabulous once the varnish starts building up. Nice job.

 

John