marc smith Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 Just been reading the excellent article in BRM......Laptops are all well and good but you can't take them everywhere Yes indeed, also, sometimes you just can't beat having a feature in print.... Don't know why that is, but I do like to keep a scrapbook of my fave layouts and features... Old fashioned, but can be an inspiring read on a cold winters evening 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted November 7, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 7, 2012 Marc, great news regarding the publication - I must try to find a copy Yes indeed, also, sometimes you just can't beat having a feature in print.... Don't know why that is, but I do like to keep a scrapbook of my fave layouts and features... Old fashioned, but can be an inspiring read on a cold winters evening Agreed - there's something more tactile & relaxing about a book or magazine than browsing on laptop or PC, and a boxfile of cuttings keeps the inspirations all together! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exmoordave Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Congratulations on that Marc - looks really good. Also I do agree about having all your inspirational articles grouped together for permanent reference. There's something reassuring about being able to open the pages. I now have 3 bulging files and going for a 4th, featuring favourite layouts and prototype articles - I never get tired of going back over them time and again.......!! Well done again Marc and all the best exmoordave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 Congratulations on that Marc - looks really good. Also I do agree about having all your inspirational articles grouped together for permanent reference. There's something reassuring about being able to open the pages. I now have 3 bulging files and going for a 4th, featuring favourite layouts and prototype articles - I never get tired of going back over them time and again.......!! Well done again Marc and all the best exmoordave Yes indeed, and when you have a sort through your modelling mags, cut out the inspiring and useful articles - you end up saving a lot of space I myself have two files bursting at the seams.....and a small pile of mags to sort out! She has started to notice the pile building up! Better get cutting Cheers all, and thinks for the kind comments 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) Yes indeed, and when you have a sort through your modelling mags, cut out the inspiring and useful articles - you end up saving a lot of space I myself have two files bursting at the seams.....and a small pile of mags to sort out! She has started to notice the pile building up! Better get cutting Cheers all, and thinks for the kind comments Hi, I have just been reading the BRM article too - congratulations - I must admit that there is something very therapeutic and, for me nostalgic, about reading of model railways in a magazine - especially as they're now in colour The downside is knowing which mags to keep - so many great modellers and inspiration - and which to pass on, SWMBO, has noticed my collection too, with comments that we could start a Newsagents - personally I dont think it's that bad anyways my princess uses up 2/3rds of the wardrobe.. Keep up the great work, I shall now follow your Thread with great interest. Kind regards, CME Edited November 9, 2012 by CME and Bottlewasher 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Belatedly I know but I did enjoy reading the article whilst I was away this week. Good job all round and thought provoking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave.C Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Good job all round and thought provoking. Agreed, I just couldn't resist, so I downloaded the mag, another top draw production Marc, I look forward to your next layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted November 10, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 10, 2012 As always very nice Marc. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Thanks again Andy, it it wasn't for rmweb, I would never have written any of my articles.... Thanks to everyone else for your kind words I'm just glad you enjoyed reading the article, and the thread ....The downside is knowing which mags to keep - so many great modellers and inspiration - and which to pass on, SWMBO, has noticed my collection too, with comments that we could start a Newsagents - personally I dont think it's that bad anyways my princess uses up 2/3rds of the wardrobe.. 2/3rds of the wardrobe? Lucky you, my own SWMBO has 2 wardrobes to my 1 ... occupies some of my wardrobe, cupboards on the landing, cupboards and units in the spare room .... and don't get me started on the shoe cupboard! Cheers 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Great article Marc, it will be one for my scrapbook at the end of the year when I sort out all my mags, 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thanks again to everyone who has made positive comments re this little layout Something I hadn't made too much mention of previously, was that I experimented using salt to weather my overbridge... As some of you might have guessed, I had a few pieces of the Wills Vari-Girder OO bridge panels, which were left over from building Hendre (ages back!) I built up the size of the panels, using offcuts of plasticard, and styrene strip, to make the height more suitable for O - it's still a tad small, maybe, but I didn't want the bridge to dominate the scene Anyhow, I painted some rusty colours onto the finished bridge sides, dusted with rusty weathering powders, and once dry, I sprinkled salt on and then sprayed with some grey paint Once this was dry, I simply washed the sides with water, and hey presto - the salt came away leaving me with some nice peeling paint However, I then continued to add weathering and grime, and wished I hadn't gone so far, as some of the peeling paint effect had been lost..... .... it it aint broke - don't fix it Anyhow, it's a method I will explore further in future On a slightly different topic, I have mentioned to some that I continued the ballasting and overall weathering and scenery into the sector plate, beyond the bridge... I think this is one factor that helps this layout look a bit bigger than it is, and helps to trick the observer into thinking there's more of the layout beyond the bridge, as hopefully this view shows..... As many folk know, I use mirrors as a similar visual trick - there is a small piece of mirror on the front road of the sector plate.... I'm really pleased with how well this has worked, and I'll post some pics of that in action later..... Cheers all 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr2 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 One thing maybe you should mention Marc, is that this technique only really works with acrylic paint. I use it quite a bit on aircraft & military models, but when a friend who exclusively uses enamels tried it, the topcoat adamantly refused to come off & he was just left with lumpy paint!! I love that piccie in your latest post!! K 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 (edited) Thanks again to everyone who has made positive comments re this little layout Something I hadn't made too much mention of previously, was that I experimented using salt to weather my overbridge... As some of you might have guessed, I had a few pieces of the Wills Vari-Girder OO bridge panels, which were left over from building Hendre (ages back!) I built up the size of the panels, using offcuts of plasticard, and styrene strip, to make the height more suitable for O - it's still a tad small, maybe, but I didn't want the bridge to dominate the scene Anyhow, I painted some rusty colours onto the finished bridge sides, dusted with rusty weathering powders, and once dry, I sprinkled salt on and then sprayed with some grey paint Once this was dry, I simply washed the sides with water, and hey presto - the salt came away leaving me with some nice peeling paint However, I then continued to add weathering and grime, and wished I hadn't gone so far, as some of the peeling paint effect had been lost..... .... it it aint broke - don't fix it Anyhow, it's a method I will explore further in future On a slightly different topic, I have mentioned to some that I continued the ballasting and overall weathering and scenery into the sector plate, beyond the bridge... I think this is one factor that helps this layout look a bit bigger than it is, and helps to trick the observer into thinking there's more of the layout beyond the bridge, as hopefully this view shows..... As many folk know, I use mirrors as a similar visual trick - there is a small piece of mirror on the front road of the sector plate.... I'm really pleased with how well this has worked, and I'll post some pics of that in action later..... Cheers all Hi Marc, Really great work, I was going to ask how you constructed the girder-bridge - I have an old CCW (made by Heljan for them?) 7mm/1ft girder-bridge kit to use at some time, yet it is on the large side and it's sometimes nice to see locos squeezing under/through bridges as t adds greatly to the atmos. Nice weathering too, I have found, when using enamels (good point Keefr2) , that an old sponge, with it's irregular shapes (or those carved/fettled in) etc., when dipped in Maskol/Copydex et al, and dabbed on, also produces effects very akin to salt masks and can be very subtle if a fine sponge is used - Marmite can also be used (yet some modellers love it and some hate it - LOL - see what I did there....I will get me coat!!). ATVB CME Edited November 16, 2012 by CME and Bottlewasher 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 One thing maybe you should mention Marc, is that this technique only really works with acrylic paint. I use it quite a bit on aircraft & military models, but when a friend who exclusively uses enamels tried it, the topcoat adamantly refused to come off & he was just left with lumpy paint!! I love that piccie in your latest post!! K Thanks Keefr, I haven't tried this effect using enamels... In fact, since discovering acrylics - courtesy of the games workshop I haven't used enamel paints much at all - just to use some of them up really..... I find acrylics speed up the rate at which I can paint a building, or item of stock A military modelling pal of mine used to try to convince me to use them many years back Oh how I wish I had listened...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warspite Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Marc I've read about the 'salt technique' before but never tried it. In fact, I raided the store cupboard but could only find the stuff you put in a grinder ....... I've now discovered some sea salt in the cook's cupboard (SWMBO) so will try that. I also now only use acrylics as I find faster drying time and paint mixing much easier. Read the December issue of BRM (digital version) last night. Congratulations on the Poynton Sneer article - a really good read and very interesting. The layout looks terrific. Stephen 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Hi Marc, I too use the Games Workshop paints, yet sometimes find that only enamel will do, of course drying times with acrylics is quicker and one can always speed up the process with an old hair-dryer. The Salt Mask technique works best with an airbrush, Maskol/Copydex et al. can be brush painted on - or sponged etc. - and then brush painted over with the secondary colour. In great haste, ATVB CME Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted November 17, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 17, 2012 Hi all, Just thought I'd mention Poynton Sneer is in the latest issue of British Railway Modelling December issue Cheers Marc A good article Marc, enjoyed the read. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcf Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Also just enjoyed reading the article Marc. It reminded me that I still have a copy of your Hendre article tucked away somewhere amongst items kept for future reference! Rob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Thanks again for all the positive comments folks..... If it weren't for rmweb, I'd never be publishing these articles, and I think we all draw so much inspiration from each other on this forum It may be a little bit of detailing, it may just be the start of experimenting with a new technique, it may be an idea or a partial idea borrowed from someone else's layout, but there's something on here for everyone, there's plenty of answers to plenty of questions...... Anyhow, more pics of the fiddle yard which BRM didn't use..... I continued a bit of the scenery underneath and beyond the bridge (as in last pic posted) and was really pleased with this effect..... At shows, some have spotted the piece of poly-mirror under the bridge.... The fiddle / sector plate has 2 roads, and is aligned in 2 positions When slid to the front position, the roads are aligned with the front and middle roads on the layout When the fiddle is set to the rear position, the roads align with the middle road and rear road of the layout - nice & simple.... well, it is to me anyway When in this rear position, an offcut of poly-mirror slides into position, to "hide" a small storage shelf attached to the sector-plate..... The effect of this being that it creates a reflection of the track on the front road.... Again, it's just an illusion, and it only really tricks the eye for a few seconds.... but some folk take time to see it.... so it can be quite effective Cheers again Marc 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted November 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 19, 2012 Hi Marc, I enjoyed the article in BRM. I've enjoyed viewing the layout at exhibitions (shame we can't get you to ours ....) The 'scenic' fiddle yard does work well and certainly helps to 'loose' the scenic side to fiddle yard harsh joint. I've not tried the salt technique myself, but have read a few articles in Narrow Gauge Shortline Gazzette (an American magazine - who have been streaks ahead scenically) and Narrow Gauge and Industrial Railway Modelling Review - issue 90 recently is worth seeking out. I also like Games Workshop paints for weathering and painting figures (well I suppose that's what they are designed for). They do spray quite well and are easily mixed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted November 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 19, 2012 Marc, I think the basic idea of "de-emphasising" the off stage tracks in the way you have is very worthwhile & you've done a convincing job. In my mind, making the off stage area less of a contrast to the on stage area means that people will take less notice of it - the eye isn't drawn to the area because it's not seeing something unexpected. Using the mirror as a further trick is just icing the cake! .....it's just an illusion..... I now have the 1982 song by Imagination going through my mind.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 (edited) Marc, I think the basic idea of "de-emphasising" the off stage tracks in the way you have is very worthwhile & you've done a convincing job. In my mind, making the off stage area less of a contrast to the on stage area means that people will take less notice of it - the eye isn't drawn to the area because it's not seeing something unexpected. Using the mirror as a further trick is just icing the cake! I now have the 1982 song by Imagination going through my mind.... Yes Ramblin Rich, I had hoped the idea would work well I know there seems to be a mirror on every layout I build One day I'll surprise you all and build one without a mirror.... (Edit: When I've used up my supply) I had completely forgotten about 1980's band Imagination..... ... but now you mention it, I'm thinking about the Human Leagues' "Here comes the mirror man" Edited November 19, 2012 by marc smith 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted November 19, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 19, 2012 As long as it doesn't become "I love the sound of breaking glass!" 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 As long as it doesn't become "I love the sound of breaking glass!" Nah, that's why I always use plastic mirrors 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
valleymodeller Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Yes Ramblin Rich, I had hoped the idea would work well I know there seems to be a mirror on every layout I build One day I'll surprise you all and build one without a mirror.... (Edit: When I've used up my supply) I had completely forgotten about 1980's band Imagination..... ... but now you mention it, I'm thinking about the Human Leagues' "Here comes the mirror man" Marc, didn't the band Imagination sing the Russian Aircraft Song.......Just and Iluyshun!! 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