Guide Dog Bridge

[birdbath]

Evening everyone.

 

Here's a few more photos.

 

First up, my Buxton 108 unit.  One job I've done recently is to wire the vehicles together with two-pin micro connectors, supplied by LaisDCC vias eBay.  You might just be able to make them out in this shot.  They aren't too intrusive and the real thing has plenty of cables and pipes between vehicles.  This is one of Bachmann's earlier DMU efforts and suffers from having to put decoders in every vehicle.  All the connectors do is make the track pickups common across all three cars.  This has improved running significantly and eliminated the annoying lighting flicker.

 

 

Next, the Realtrack 156 SuperSprinter.  This is a lovely model and has really set the bar high.  All I've done is fit the detailing parts, carefully weather it and fit a folded card gangway connection.  I'll probably add some punters at some stage.  They'll have to be modelled looking annoyed at being stuck on a unit all the way from Liverpool-Norwich, when this duty was previously covered by my 31 and some mk1s!

 

 

Passing the depot headshunt (containing the inspection saloon) is this 47-hauled fuel tank trip working.

 

 

Finally for now, a metals sector 37 hauls ballast hoppers past the fuelling point, where a 31/4 runs forward having been topped up.

 

[Signaller69]

Looking good! Always nice to see photos of this layout and the stock.

 

Martyn. 

[birdbath]

Hello everyone.

 

There's been a few changes on the layout lately.  I can't say it's been a lightning rate of progress during the lockdown restrictions, but then it never is anyway!

 

For a while now, I've been a bit dissatisfied with the section where the brick arches just ran out into a low cutting.  It just didn't really work that well.  Having been very pleased with the improvement that the backscene made on the opposite side of the layout, I decided to modify this area and hopefully make it a little more convincing.

 

The main part has been to install a lattice footbridge over the line at the end of the arches.  This then gives a break for the shallow cutting on the small curved baseboard which goes over the entrance to the room.  A backscene was also fitted behind the arches, using an overcast sky printout from I.D. backscenes.   The intention has been to create a visual frame between the two bridges, as I hope you can see from the overall picture below.

 

Being an afterthought, the footbridge goes across at an angle, partly to try and make best use of the space available and also to accommodate the signal on the main line.  I imagine therefore it's rather un-prototypical in that respect, but I can live with it.  It was built from about 4 different types of Plastruct section, overlaid on a template produced using a free download vector graphics package.  There were a few false starts whilst trying to not melt it with too much poly cement, but we got there in the end.  The brickwork is from the Wills modular kits and the path surface is wet/dry paper, weathered with the airbrush.

 

 

There's also been a bit of a re-jig of the backscene behind the long bridge on the opposite side of the layout by the depot, but I've bust my upload limit for today so that'll have to wait!

 

Regards,

 

Roge.

 

Edited July 6, 2020 by birdbath

[rob D2]

Bridge looks very good indeed 

[birdbath]

Evening folks.

 

To carry on from yesterday, here's a shot of the revised arrangements with the backscene on the opposite side of the layout.  The section behind the bridge has been rebuilt to match the height of the newer backscene rulling along that side.  Due to the angle of the bridge, this does lead to a sharp corner, but overall I think it improves the appearance.  As luck would have it, I had kept the remainder of the I.D. sheet from before, so this was used to extend the scene round the corner.  Less lucky was my first attempt, where I rushed in and made a total mess of applying it to the plywood sheet!  This explains why the two parts of the scene don't quite match up!  At least the hillside level is correct!

The bridge surface was also reworked using wet/dry paper and the sides reattached where they'd warped a bit.

 

 

That brings layout developments (such as they are!) up to date.  I'll try and post some more stock pics in due course.

 

Roge.

[birdbath]

Here's a few more pics to show recent little projects.

 

First is 37422.  This turned into a bit of a saga after I decided to revisit my original attempt at this loco.  I had used a ScotRail 37427 (limited edition from Rails?) as a basis to rebrand and renumber.  There were a few other detail differences in the livery application, which I was happy to overlook when I did it about 12 years ago.  Recently I thought I'd have another look at it as my skill level has improved since then.  So I did a bit of repainting where required and replaced the numbers and branding again now that I'm a bit more competent at those tasks!

This is where it started to go wrong... I'd satin varnished all this in place and left it a few weeks to harden.  Next job was to weather it.  For whatever reason, possibly combinations of different brands of thinners, paint, etc, the weathering brought the varnish off and left it in a right mess.  I guess it could have been salvaged, but I'd had enough by then and resorted to buying a new bodyshell!  This was obviously the recent release from Bachmann, so didn't need renumbering.  I cleaned off the crap factory weathering with thinners and then re applied using a variation on the techniques used by James Makin on his amazing stock.  Thanks for your advice James!

The bogies were weathered using DCC concepts powders, applied on top of a matt varnish coat, then sealed in with satin.  I'm experimenting with this as an alternative to airbrushing, as it gives a nice texture which doesn't seem to last with the airbrush.  We'll see how it lasts.

 

First, here it is with a few of the fantastic Dapol turbots.  These have been weathered using a mix of powders, washes of enamels and airbrushed underframes.  The only modification is to remount the tension lock couplers, which are rather comical as supplied.

 

 

And now passing under the 'new' footbridge passing a pair of 20s going the other way with seacows.

 

 

Finally for now, a depot scene featuring some classic EE traction.  The 20s pass on the mainline with their seacows, while ETH 37s and a 31 occupy the shed roads and the 09 pilot waits to shunt some fuel oil tanks.

 

 

That's it for now.  More pics to follow soon.

 

Roge.

[birdbath]

Afternoon everyone.

 

I've been experimenting with a bit of filming for the first time.  This clip was taken with my DSLR, then edited slightly with the basic tool that comes with Windows 10.  I've noticed that it compresses the file dramatically.  The original was approx 170mb whilst the slightly trimmed version you see here (hopefully) is only about 10mb.

 

So the question is, does it work?  Is the quality acceptable?  Any experience people may have of this sort of thing, I'd be grateful if you'd comment.  

 

Regards,

 

Roge.

 

 

 

[37114]

I hadn't noticed this layout before, it is really lovely and agree with the previous comments about how effective you have made it look in a relatively small space. As has been said before not cramming a station in really helps. Great effort.

[Melangoose]

The Video is great, can we have some more please !!!!

[birdbath]

On 10/11/2020 at 12:34, 37114 said:

I hadn't noticed this layout before, it is really lovely and agree with the previous comments about how effective you have made it look in a relatively small space. As has been said before not cramming a station in really helps. Great effort.

 

Thanks for your kind words.  I saw Peafore Yard at an exhibition once I think and was really impressed.  Maybe I'll make my own track next time, it does make such a difference.  One day...

 

Cheers,

 

Roger.

[birdbath]

On 10/11/2020 at 13:08, Melangoose said:

The Video is great, can we have some more please !!!!

 

Glad you like it.

 

More videos coming soon....

 

 

[MarshLane]

Hi Roge,

Nice clip on the video - a couple of thoughts for you, depending on the software they usually give you different formats to run video out in (MP4, Prores etc) if you can select H-264, which maintains the quality but reduces the file size.  The quality that you have got there works fine as far as I can see and is good, both audio and visual.

 

While I like to see clips, personally I think a 3-4 minute selection of clips edited together works better, but that is personal preference of course, and others may disagree.

 

Rich

[birdbath]

Evening all.

 

A couple more videos for you.  I'm concluding that videos on DSLRs are very much an add-on feature!  There's a few limitations in terms of what it wants to focus on, etc.  It's also a juggling act to try and start filming, drive the trains and try and get them to go past about the right time and make the noises I want them to make.  Might have to take the wife on as an assistant!  Descriptions should be visible via YouTube.

 

Roge.

 

 

 

[birdbath]

23 hours ago, MarshLane said:

Hi Roge,

Nice clip on the video - a couple of thoughts for you, depending on the software they usually give you different formats to run video out in (MP4, Prores etc) if you can select H-264, which maintains the quality but reduces the file size.  The quality that you have got there works fine as far as I can see and is good, both audio and visual.

 

While I like to see clips, personally I think a 3-4 minute selection of clips edited together works better, but that is personal preference of course, and others may disagree.

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,

 

Thanks for the tip.  So far I've just used the editor that comes with Windows 10.  You right click on the video file, open with 'photos' and then there's an option to edit.  I'm not aware that it offers any choice on what format to export.  I'll have another look.

I don't think I'll be heading too far down the filming road to be honest.  The camera isn't really suited to video clips, hence it struggling to focus on anything other than one specified point.  No depth of field.  I could go and buy a camcorder I suppose.  But it seems a lot of money for filming a few toy trains now and then!

 

Roge.

[MarshLane]

16 hours ago, birdbath said:

 

Hi Rich,

 

Thanks for the tip.  So far I've just used the editor that comes with Windows 10.  You right click on the video file, open with 'photos' and then there's an option to edit.  I'm not aware that it offers any choice on what format to export.  I'll have another look.

I don't think I'll be heading too far down the filming road to be honest.  The camera isn't really suited to video clips, hence it struggling to focus on anything other than one specified point.  No depth of field.  I could go and buy a camcorder I suppose.  But it seems a lot of money for filming a few toy trains now and then!

 

Roge.

 

Hi Roge,

Yes would agree with the last point.  If you can, try setting your camera into Manual Or Aperture (A) mode, and setting the f Stop as high as possible, usually around f22 ... that should help your depth of field.

 

Rich

[birdbath]

2 hours ago, MarshLane said:

 

Hi Roge,

Yes would agree with the last point.  If you can, try setting your camera into Manual Or Aperture (A) mode, and setting the f Stop as high as possible, usually around f22 ... that should help your depth of field.

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,

 

That's the trouble.  As soon as you select the filming setting on the camera, none of the manual settings are available.  Messing around with it, if anything it seems to set itself to F5.6 and then vary the ISO depending on light.  Which of course is exactly the opposite of the aperture I'd like it to use!  I've tried setting it to F22 in normal camera mode, then going to movie mode, but it just reverts to 5.6.

 

Thanks for your advice, all the same.

 

Roge.

[RPNaylor0301]

On 29/05/2019 at 11:21, birdbath said:

Now time for some trains.

 

In another moment of EBay weakness, some Dapol NR box wagons were acquired.  Totally out of period, but they give the 68 something to pull until the Mk5a coaches arrive.  It's just like the real thing!

 

Back to the 1990s.  Two ETH 47s on the depot.  Parcels 47474 has been fuelled and is waiting to depart to the yard.  Large logo 47535 has just arrived and is dropping the secondman off at the mess room.  

I love that the setting for the layout doesn’t really restrict you to a particular period. That 68 shot has a very ‘Heaton Lodge Junction’ feel to it. 
 

Excellent work, half wishing I could extend Long Ashton into an ‘around the room’ setup now but I’d definitely never get any work done... 

[MarshLane]

On 13/11/2020 at 09:03, birdbath said:

 

Hi Rich,

 

That's the trouble.  As soon as you select the filming setting on the camera, none of the manual settings are available.  Messing around with it, if anything it seems to set itself to F5.6 and then vary the ISO depending on light.  Which of course is exactly the opposite of the aperture I'd like it to use!  I've tried setting it to F22 in normal camera mode, then going to movie mode, but it just reverts to 5.6.

 

Thanks for your advice, all the same.

 

Roge.

 

Hi Roge,

Thats odd.  Can I ask what make and model camera you have?  Having said that, despite the problems of trying to juggle a camera, recorder and DCC sound you've done well

Rich

[saxokid]

More top modelling here 

cheers neil

[birdbath]

6 hours ago, MarshLane said:

 

Hi Roge,

Thats odd.  Can I ask what make and model camera you have?  Having said that, despite the problems of trying to juggle a camera, recorder and DCC sound you've done well

Rich

 

It's a Canon EOS 700D.  Probably about 5 or 6 years old now.  No doubt things have moved on a bit!

 

There were a few false starts on that clip where 3 train moves occur...

 

Can't take it too seriously!

 

Roge.

[birdbath]

13 hours ago, RPNaylor0301 said:

I love that the setting for the layout doesn’t really restrict you to a particular period. That 68 shot has a very ‘Heaton Lodge Junction’ feel to it. 
 

Excellent work, half wishing I could extend Long Ashton into an ‘around the room’ setup now but I’d definitely never get any work done... 

 

Thanks for your comments.  Yes, it's reasonably generic.  I guess colour light signalling and a standard design BR 'box mean it doesn't pin itself to a region as such.  Wasn't intentional!

 

I know what you mean about a roundy-roundy.  I like setting the trains going and then doing a few loco moves round the yard.  But I'd also love to be able to have a terminus where a bit more prototypical operation could take place.  It's always a compromise, unless you have a mill cellar and unlimited time and funds! (You did mention Heaton Lodge, of which we're all amazed by and just a little bit envious!)

 

Roge.

[birdbath]

3 hours ago, saxokid said:

More top modelling here 

cheers neil

 

Thanks for you kind words Neil.

 

 

[saxokid]

3 minutes ago, birdbath said:

 

Thanks for you kind words Neil.

 

 

Very welcome looking forward to more pictures

[MarshLane]

Hi Roge,

Hope you get time to have a run with the layout over the festive period. I keep coming back to GBD every time I am looking for some inspiration - almost enough to bring a modeller back to OO!

 

Keep us updated with the progress. Happy Christmas.

 

Rich

[birdbath]

4 hours ago, MarshLane said:

Hi Roge,

Hope you get time to have a run with the layout over the festive period. I keep coming back to GBD every time I am looking for some inspiration - almost enough to bring a modeller back to OO!

 

Keep us updated with the progress. Happy Christmas.

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich,

 

Thanks for your comments.  I'm glad my little trainset provides a bit of inspiration!  

 

There might be a slight chance for a running session over Christmas.  We'll see.  A friend is currently building a H0/H0m East German layout and I'm desperately trying to resist temptation to launch a GDB splitter group!  Those maroon hydraulics and dark green coaches are very appealing.

 

All the best for a reasonable Christmas and a much improved 2021.

 

Regards,

 

Roge.