JZ Posted July 7, 2020 Author Share Posted July 7, 2020 Just for the sake of.................Well just for the sake of it really. Here is the hillside from the semi desert. The tunnel will be drawn out slightly and rubble put behind the woodwork. Some cribbing alongside the track on the far side, then more loose stuff behind that. On the other side, the mountain will follow the same contour, but against the backscene, it will run up to pretty much the full height, as I want to create the impression of running along a ledge, then drop about 9" to 1' below the line with a river in the bottom. Something like this. Or maybe this, on the Kaslo & Slocan RR Well, maybe not this extreme. 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockershovel Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 One thing I do notice, although it’s difficult to see in some of the photos, is that you have included tyre marks and other signs of wear on the road sections. Could you tell us more about this? It’s usually overlooked so I’m interested in your thoughts Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockershovel Posted July 8, 2020 Share Posted July 8, 2020 18 hours ago, JZ said: Just for the sake of.................Well just for the sake of it really. Here is the hillside from the semi desert. The tunnel will be drawn out slightly and rubble put behind the woodwork. Some cribbing alongside the track on the far side, then more loose stuff behind that. On the other side, the mountain will follow the same contour, but against the backscene, it will run up to pretty much the full height, as I want to create the impression of running along a ledge, then drop about 9" to 1' below the line with a river in the bottom. Something like this. Or maybe this, on the Kaslo & Slocan RR Well, maybe not this extreme. How unlike the home life of our own dear Queen! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 4 hours ago, rockershovel said: One thing I do notice, although it’s difficult to see in some of the photos, is that you have included tyre marks and other signs of wear on the road sections. Could you tell us more about this? It’s usually overlooked so I’m interested in your thoughts The idea came from observing tyre marks on concrete forecourts at US gas stations, the sharper the turn into it, the more pronounced they are and tyres, sorry tires, were more susceptible to wear than those of today. They are made using Tamiya weathering packs, with the rubber end of the applicator. Cracks in the road in the US are filled with bitumen to stop water ingress and I used a black Sharpie for this. Repairs are just different shades of grey. As for the marking themselves, these are cheap tyre marking pens. Probably the same as Woodland Scenics road markers, but ¼ of the cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 8, 2020 Author Share Posted July 8, 2020 4 hours ago, rockershovel said: One thing I do notice, although it’s difficult to see in some of the photos, is that you have included tyre marks and other signs of wear on the road sections. Could you tell us more about this? It’s usually overlooked so I’m interested in your thoughts And further to my last answer. I think that too many layouts are spoiled by people not paying attention the the road infrastructure, jet black roads, too wide road markings, long narrow lanes to stations with no turning point at the end, but there is a bus there ready to drive away. You need to look at the whole picture and there are so many car at very reasonable prices from Oxford and others, that they need to be shown off in a realistic environment. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Painted some of the critters from miniprints.ca. 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 (edited) Three stages of "The Hill". This morning, lunchtime and this afternoon. Dulux 'Copper Blush' emulsion, then while it's still wet, i brushed on a couple of other reds in bands and a bit of grey. Also while it was wet, I dusted it over with red builders sand. Once dry, I sprinkled Woodland Scenics turf from the top, so it landed on ledges, then sprayed it with their scenic cement. Still to add some tufts and bushes and some work around the tunnel portal. Edited July 14, 2020 by JZ added info 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 16, 2020 Author Share Posted July 16, 2020 More work done on "The Hill". 8 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 After picking up the paint in Cardiff the other day, I finished the feed Mill. But for some reason, I forgot to get a photo.. Painted a few more animals as well. ^6 Mountain Goats done and 4 Bighorn Sheep. Not so happy with the Jackalopes, so they have since been repainted. Maybe a photo tomorrow with the feed mill. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 2 hours ago, JZ said: Not so happy with the Jackalopes ... So what colour should jackalopes be? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 (edited) 16 hours ago, pH said: So what colour should jackalopes be? Something like this I guess. Edited July 20, 2020 by JZ 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 Feed Mill. I will add some signage, as and when I decide on a name. If I decide to place it up against the spur, I will make up a loading platform to match the small one in the first and third photos. It will go against the long wall in the first . 9 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 Also been making some bushes. I wanted something like those seen in the area and could find nothing similar. Then someone in the Colorado Narrow gauge Facebook group posted a tutorial, which will be in the next post. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 The originator said feel free to share, as similar ones can be found on YouTube. Dip end in superglue, but it can wick up fairly quickly. I dried mine on greaseproof paper. Tease them out when dry. I bashed mine against the palm of my hand. Stick them in cheap floral foam. Lightly spray over. Dip in dilute PVA, although I sprayed mine over with Woodland Scenics Scenic Cement. Scatter of your choice. And there you have them. My first batch were made using all strands of the string together, my next batch will be using separate ones, there is usually three wound together. 2 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Needing signage for the feed mill, I ruminated on my empty stock move to Taunton this morning. I came up with this. Downloaded a picture of distressed paint on wood, copied, turned and pasted the image. Then downloaded a suitable distressed typeface, GUSSO, it's free. Will probably touch up a couple of the 'E's to make them look different. 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Keith Addenbrooke Posted August 2, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 2, 2020 (edited) Just come across this wonderful layout via the photo in Andy York’s Realistic modelling thread: love it! I’ve had an enjoyable read through and look forwards to seeing more. Thank you for sharing the journey with us! It’s not an area where I can claim any real expertise - my interest in US railroads has focused more on the standard gauge lines of the East Coast states, but there is something special about the Narrow Gauge lines I think you’re really capturing very well. Glad to have seen this at last, Keith. Edited August 2, 2020 by Keith Addenbrooke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, Keith Addenbrooke said: Just come across this wonderful layout via the photo in Andy York’s Realistic modelling thread: love it! I’ve had an enjoyable read through and look forwards to seeing more. Thank you for sharing the journey with us! It’s not an area where I can claim any real expertise - my interest in US railroads has focused more on the standard gauge lines of the East Coast states, but there is something special about the Narrow Gauge lines I think you’re really capturing very well. Glad to have seen this at last, Keith. Thank you very much for the compliments. Work has stalled for a bit. Good weather means a number of jobs around the garden and house need attending to. Normal service will be resumed in the near future. Edited August 3, 2020 by JZ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 Having a trial with a NWSL Chopper at 04:30 tomorrow morning. Yes, that early. Colleague of mine has one I can try and we are both on cover turns in the morning. If I am happy with it, I have one in my Amazon basket and just have to press purchase. Already have at least three kits that will need it's attention. Picked up a Campbell Scale Models 'Flop' house for a bargain £36, ($47) in the US it retails for $131. A mine kit from the same maker was purchased today and a Quincey & Torch Lake water tank kit from Durango Press. Then of course, there is the loading platform for the feed mill, for which I will be cutting some parts in the morning. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 4, 2020 Author Share Posted August 4, 2020 Well, the NWSL Chopper has been trialled and one ordered. Don't know how long it will take, but hopefully by the end of the month, but I know just how slow all the delivery services can be in the US unless you pay through the nose for Express Service. Even then it can take ages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 5, 2020 Author Share Posted August 5, 2020 Sitting in a pub in Salisbury at lunchtime and my phone pings. An email from eBay saying new H0n3 things had been listed. Had a quick look and a Blackstone K-27 was for sale in the UK with a BiN of £250. Not sound fitted, though they are fitted with a speaker. Mmmmmmmm. I'll stick it in the watch list and have a look when I get home. Then it occurs that this is half the going rate for an unfitted one and I have a Tsunami2 waiting for a K-36 already. It was a different number from those I already have, so I bought it. Now the owner of 4 K-27s, a C-19, all Blackstone, plus one each K-36 & K-37 and two Galloping Geese. Still want a K-28 to finish the fleet, but that will have to wait. PS. If anyone is looking for a Westside K-27 in brass. The same seller has one at £250. These are going for prices north of £600 now. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 Sometimes things happen which leave you stunned. My NSWL Chopper was ordered at about 5am on Tuesday morning, from a shop in Arizona, via Amazon. I had an email on Tuesday evening saying that it had been collected and was on it's way with DHL Global, expected delivery between 19th and 27th August. Yeah, yeah. Last thing from the States with the same courier took over one month. Two weeks from Texas to depot in Chicago, where it sat there for 16 days. Then a week from there to me. At 10:45 this morning, there was a knock on the door, just about to go out. It was Yodel. Little bit surprised by that as I had nothing due with them. Opened the box and there was my Chopper. 45 hours from time of email to delivery. Average speed of 113mph. I wont be knocking DHL Global again. Well, maybe, when the next parcel goes AWOL. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Keith Addenbrooke Posted August 6, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 6, 2020 1 hour ago, JZ said: Sometimes things happen which leave you stunned. My NSWL Chopper was ordered at about 5am on Tuesday morning, from a shop in Arizona, via Amazon. I had an email on Tuesday evening saying that it had been collected and was on it's way with DHL Global, expected delivery between 19th and 27th August. Yeah, yeah. Last thing from the States with the same courier took over one month. Two weeks from Texas to depot in Chicago, where it sat there for 16 days. Then a week from there to me. At 10:45 this morning, there was a knock on the door, just about to go out. It was Yodel. Little bit surprised by that as I had nothing due with them. Opened the box and there was my Chopper. 45 hours from time of email to delivery. Average speed of 113mph. I wont be knocking DHL Global again. Well, maybe, when the next parcel goes AWOL. It's perhaps a reflection of the world we live in that it's a surprise worthy of note when something actually goes well for us these days! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted August 7, 2020 Author Share Posted August 7, 2020 Here she is. In pre 1941 livery, but I will leave her like that, though heavily weathered. But then again, she was an early recipient of speed lettering, being overhauled early 1941. I have a photo dated September 20 1940 in the old, and July 5 1941 in the new. She was sold to the National Railways of Mexico on December 10 1941 and converted to standard gauge. Finally scrapped in 1963. NdeM 2250 (ex-D&RGW 459, converted to standard gauge) in La Junta, Mexico, on 17-Mar-1962. Harold F Stewart photo 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Nearly a month since last update. Still pottering away with buildings. Still need to get to the recycling centre to dispose of the unusable bits of Gurney Slade. But one thing that has particularly chuffed me, is the use of my picture in the above post as the HOn3 Group's header picture. Anyway, I would love to get some pictures up, but until I can get rid of stuff, I haven't really got a decent place to photograph them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZ Posted September 10, 2020 Author Share Posted September 10, 2020 Just purchased some pipe gondolas fro a shop in Norway. The owner contacted me to ask if I would be interested in any Blackstone rolling stock, as he has some that isn't on the website. I am now, or at least when it arrives, the owner of three more passenger cars at an extremely reasonable price. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now