Heaton Lodge Junction

[Gallows Close]

On 05/12/2020 at 18:07, HeatonLodge40 said:

Been rather a stressful week I don’t mind admitting. 
It’s been at the back of my mind for some time - given the sheer size of HLJ, and the constant testing work the locos are undergoing, I needed to get a proper maintenance schedule sorted out.

 

This all came to a head on Wednesday when a (prearranged) film crew arrived to capture footage of HLJ. As well as putting up with multiple locos stuttering (despite the track being clean) they just missed kit built 56009 lose all its wheels from the front bogie before collapsing on its side like a dead pig.

 

So I've now stopped modelling temporarily so all locomotives can go through an 'A’ exam which by my definition is wheel clean, pickup clean & oiling gearbox & axles. 
Have to say I put a 46 (and my pet Colas 60) through it today and both now run perfectly.

 

With a couple dozen Heljan locos due to land next year I’m going to have to be much more disciplined with maintenance from now on.

Added to which I’m going to offload much of the kit built traction cos they seem to have between them a similar traffic availability of a real Clayton Class 17.  
 

Incidentally the camera crew were filming for another series next year celebrating Hornby’s centennial. Whilst HLJ has little to do with that subject they are devoting a whole episode to HLJ which is very flattering. They are due back after Christmas to film at the real location. Should be aired in March next year I believe. 

There’s even 5 minutes on static grass! 
 

 

 

If you cherish it - Pledge it. 
 

 

[princeofgonville]

Just wanted to add my voice to everyone else's saying "wow". I can't get enough of the detail. Very inspiring. Looking forward to more updates, and eventually to see this fabulous piece of art for real. 

Justin

[HeatonLodge40]

Well folks here is the first of the Modelling Masterclass series - this one dealing with that ubiquitous subject of creating the best static grass.

 

Apart from realising I need to lose a few pounds I quite enjoyed making it. Hopefully get a bit easier as the series progresses.

Thanks to Jonathan D for filming & editing it..

 

 

[suomen]

Absolutely great! Thanks for that video Simon. How much drying time do you allow between the layers of grass & varnish spraying?

[HeatonLodge40]

5 hours ago, suomen said:

Absolutely great! Thanks for that video Simon. How much drying time do you allow between the layers of grass & varnish spraying?

No drying time at all needed just bang on 2/3 layers and let it all dry 

[blueeighties]

Fantastic. As always with any trade, a master at work makes it look so easy.

[HeatonLodge40]

Not sure about master, more like nutter 

[ed1234]

On 15/12/2020 at 13:53, HeatonLodge40 said:

No drying time at all needed just bang on 2/3 layers and let it all dry 

 

Given the scale of this layout, I feel this advice is like the old joke about painting the Eiffel Tower, in that on Heaton Lodge by the time you've finished one layer, it's been a week since you started and of course it's dry!

 

Great stuff - enjoyed the video very much.

[HeatonLodge40]

No reason to post these pics it’s just my favourite location on HLJ.

I’ll update soon..

[jcarta]

Your favourite place ??????

 

I think you'll find this is a lot of peoples favourite place now and I can't think why LOL 

 

Merry Christmas Simon and I hope we will see all your hard work in the New Year

 

Jim

Edited December 18, 2020 by jcarta

[HeatonLodge40]

3 hours ago, jcarta said:

Your favourite place ??????

 

I think you'll find this is a lot of peoples favourite place now and I can't think why LOL 

 

Merry Christmas Simon and I hope we will see all your hard work in the New Year

 

Jim

Thank you you too and may I once again also thank all those who have frequently posted support on here and PM’d me.

Really made a huge difference, especially when it’s been a day of massive frustration and a sledgehammer looks tempting.

[HeatonLodge40]

First post of the year, hopefully a better year for us all. 

 

I’m cracking on during January finishing the triangular section of scenery. 
Basically I make a list of all the details to add (once I’ve completed the static grass) which is what I’ve been doing today. 

I’ve allowed two weeks to get all this done after which I’m going to start assembling all the lighting gantries, which provide light from the front and above. 
 

 

 

 

[jcarta]

2 minutes ago, HeatonLodge40 said:

First post of the year, hopefully a better year for us all. 

 

I’m cracking on during January finishing the triangular section of scenery. 
Basically I make a list of all the details to add (once I’ve completed the static grass) which is what I’ve been doing today. 

I’ve allowed two weeks to get all this done after which I’m going to start assembling all the lighting gantries, which provide light from the front and above. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year to yo Simon

 

Triangle is starting to take shape. That is a nice loco line up especially when seen from a passing train....

 

Jim

[Enterprisingwestern]

 

I don't reckon much to that tree in the first pic, I'm sure you could do better!

 

Mike.

[HeatonLodge40]

Back to the triangle today and although I’ve almost static grassed the whole area of about 60sq ft I’ve never been happy with the  visible joins between the sections mounted on the trolleys. 
So today I decided to use a spare box of 50ft of ‘stone’ walling to disguise these joins.

 

I’d asked ‘Ten Commandments’ about five years ago to run me off 300ft of their excellent plaster cast walling that runs almost the full length each side of the main lines on HLJ.

It’s the most realistic walling I’ve come across although it’s quite brittle but takes watercolours really well.

Having dug some more sections out I start by brushing on a thin wash of burnt umber and grey and let it soak in. I often spray the top in matt varnish and and sprinkle on Woodland Scenics burnt grass flock along the top to mimic moss. Might mist a bit of green over the whole section too before fixing it in place using a hot glue gun.

 

Once in I disguise the joins with the old dolls hair (postiche/canopy) then sprinkle on the crushed leaves material or more ‘burnt grass’ flock.

Finally the whole lot gets the frost treatment.

 

Anyway it’s disguised the gaps ok & with more slaters fencing added too I’m a bit happier.

 

[Robofleeds]

Greetings from a fellow Wakey based modeller. Just catching up with the last couple of month’s updates and this is a late response to the track cleaning plea for help. I use thick (1/8”) balsa wood, cut into credit-card sized pieces. Dip a cotton bud into methylated spirit and soak one edge along the grain. This can then be rubbed along both rails with the grain of the balsa across the track. This wears 2 grooves in the balsa which make it easier to locate the cleaner on the track. The balsa doesn’t leave particles behind like a track rubber does and one piece can be used several times by varying its position on the track. The methylated spirit should be re-applied every so often. I’ve found this method to work really well.

[T0ny]

 

I have joined this group due to this blog.

Can I just add to the praise for this project, it is a fantastic effort of blood, sweat, tears (no doubt) and perseverance. The skills and efforts are fantastic and I would like to congratulate Simon and all whose work has made it possible. Your continued efforts, sustained for so long, make me ashamed at my paltry efforts.

I hope you have a successful New Year and remain virus free.

 

Tony

Edited January 17, 2021 by T0ny
Spelling mistake

[HeatonLodge40]

As of today (20-1-21) the scenery on phase 1 of Heaton Lodge Junction i.e. the 200ft scenic side is finally complete. (I think the first static grass laying began in 2014)!

I can’t remember how many bin liners of grass the scenery swallowed but it’s into double figures. The last smaller shipment from Mini Natur in Germany landed yesterday..

 

All that remains to do scenery wise now is another epoxy resin pour, as too much matt varnish in the air has dulled the shine of the river a bit too much.

I’ve constructed the first of the two river weir barriers to hide the frame joins too. These will look far better once the epoxy covers the bottom of the barrels.

 

So going forward there’s still a bit of non scenic work to do on this side which comprises:

 

1. Fitting the black Perspex sheets which will completely cover all the curves (which join the fiddle yard/Healey Mills to the scenic side.) I don’t want the trains seen here can’t work out why!

2. More black banners to hang down from underneath and cover the trestles in both the fiddle yard and connecting curves.

3. All the lighting gantries are awaiting assembly- these cast light onto the model from the front and over the heads of visitors

4. The backscenes to be printed onto the existing white aluminium boards and fitted (I’ve had made some special brackets for this).

5. 40 odd front information boards at the front to show pics of the real place & info. 

6. The automation is still work in progress (cos of lockdown unfortunately) 

7. crowd friendly barriers around the whole model - that’s nice ones you can lean on with a footrest so kids can get a better view (all being constructed)

 

I reckon the above will take a couple of months before I turn my attention to the fiddle yard & Healey Mills.

Both of these areas will also get backscenes too.

HM will get its 100ft lighting towers first before I’ll get to work on the maintenance building & myriad of siding.

 

On another note the steam fans amongst you are in for a treat soon. The 9F is currently being fitted with no less than 4 smoke units that will blast steam from the chimney, safety valves as well as the pistons and under the cab. In fact there should be so much you might not actually see the loco. Watch this space..The very last area to be static grassed..I always mix the grass together in a cheap blenderStraight from Germany the last bags from Mini Natur

 

 

[HeatonLodge40]

a view through the tunnel mouth looking towards the junction along the above ground Huddersfield lines. Ironically the retaining wall and most of what you can see can’t be seen from the viewing area!A view of the completed huge triangular scenic section with backscenes still to be completed and fitted 

[HeatonLodge40]

Last shot of this triangular section. I’m glad I included it, it wasn’t in the original plan but the vast area makes a huge difference.

You can just see the tunnel mouth of the overground Huddersfield lines in the distance..

[d winpenny]

Cracking update well done on completing the main scenic section, as ever looking forward to all the process but particularly the Healey Mills section spent many an hour sat by the water tanks watching the trains 

 

dave

[HeatonLodge40]

7 hours ago, d winpenny said:

Cracking update well done on completing the main scenic section, as ever looking forward to all the process but particularly the Healey Mills section spent many an hour sat by the water tanks watching the trains 

 

dave

Me too Dave I used to sit on the embankment near the signal gantry.

I remember seeing a 37/0 pulling in a set of brand new Class 314 emu’s, still don’t know why to this day. They were new in ‘79 so must have been around then.

Good days eh

[Crepello]

I have to say that the adverts at the foot of the screen on this excellent thread are highly annoying. It would be nice to know how I can get rid of them. Does Gold membership enable this?

[Tony Teague]

28 minutes ago, Crepello said:

I have to say that the adverts at the foot of the screen on this excellent thread are highly annoying. It would be nice to know how I can get rid of them. Does Gold membership enable this?

 

I think so - I don't see any.

(but you should check!).

Tony

[deltic9014]

3 hours ago, Crepello said:

I have to say that the adverts at the foot of the screen on this excellent thread are highly annoying. It would be nice to know how I can get rid of them. Does Gold membership enable this?

I don't know about memberships, but if you install an adblocker in your browser it will get rid of all the adverts