MarkNewZealand Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hi Mark, Liking the puddles! I read the same article and have thought about doing something similar myself on a little box-file layout that I'm working on (slow progress though) Certainly given me a push to get mine done! Enjoy your BBQ Christmas - a bit wet here (and chilly) for anything like that! You should give it a go even if its just a test piece. It's a nice easy process and only a couple of hours work. Cheers Mark Great puddles. I read that too but have not really thought much about doing it, may give it a try though. Your depot shed looks great. Thanks for the comments on the shed. Once it was placed on the hard standing all of the hours putting it together were justified. Mind you there's still a few more hours work left putting the finishing touches to it. Give the puddles a go, it's a real easy process. The only additional tip I would give is to have a little water on hand to moisten the milliput as it can be a little sticky as you work it. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Merry Christmas fellow RMwebbers. It's Christmas morning in NZ and after a quick check i can confirm that Santa has been and unloaded his sacks under our tree, so it's time for the festivities to begin. Santa is on his way to you now, here's hoping all your modelling related wishes come true!! Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi All I hope all of your Christmas wishes came true and you had a fun time with family. I've managed to get a bit of time to do some work in the garage. Mostly doing small jobs, such as relay boxes, dummy point motors and manual throw switch assembly and painting. A new camera has been purchased (present to myself) so i've been doing a bit of practice and learning with that. It's a Cannon digital SLR so i'm no longer playing in the point and shoot world. I've been going composition crazy! The following pictures are a mix of practicing with the new camera and showing off the small bits of progress over the last few days. I've also started on soldering the connections for the fiddle yard and the main board. I'm using a combination of brass tube, rods and strips to make slide bolts which will run power across to the fiddle yard tracks. Not really sure if that paints a clear picture, so i'll post some pics shortly. One thing i did forget was how well Brass is a conductor of heat and how it retains it. Even after a few minutes it still burns, oh well live and learn! Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HealeyMills Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi Mark, I really like the puddles, they are very effective. Your layout is really starting to develop and come to life now that you're on with the scenics. Cheers Lee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 Hi Mark, I really like the puddles, they are very effective. Your layout is really starting to develop and come to life now that you're on with the scenics. Cheers Lee Hi Lee Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. The puddles are the first thing i've ever done following one of the magazines step by step guides. It really does add some interest to the layout and once the ballast goes down it will blend in nicely. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Relay cabnets look great mounted,thats how ive done few of mine.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 Relay cabnets look great mounted,thats how ive done few of mine.... Yes i believe it's the best way and makes them look part of the scenery. I forgot to download these other shots last night so i thought i'd throw them on. I now have to go through the fun task of cleaning off the sleeper tops and picking the stray ballast off the inside of the rails. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Great work Mark, your depot is looking superb. Love the puddles! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukasz Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Stroke of genius on the puddles. The reflections you get are great. regards, Lukasz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share Posted December 28, 2012 Great work Mark, your depot is looking superb. Love the puddles! Cheers Grimley, thanks for your feedback. Talking about superb depots, how is yours coming along? Haven't seen any updates for a while. Stroke of genius on the puddles. The reflections you get are great. regards, Lukasz Cheers Lukasz, it certainly will add another dimension to the layout once the scenery is completed. You can find the step by step how to guide in the September edition of the British Railway Modelling magazine. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimleygrid Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Hi Mark, I have been conducting research and planning ready for the next job on the depot. I will try and update later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Hi All I'm back from my weeks camping holiday at the beach and the exile from the RM site due to the lack of coverage. I've managed to get a few little bits and pieces done today so i'll update with a few pics shortly. It's good to see that everyone has been busy and some good progress on everyones layouts. Sure is good to be back. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
artizen Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Just in time! I fly into AKL tomorrow! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Following on from yesterday i've managed to get a few little things done since getting back of holiday. First up i laid a section of ballast on the mainline which runs through the layout. Each little bit that goes down starts to bring the layout to life. While shopping for christmas presents i discovered a great painting medium (which has probably been out for years!). It's a matt acrylic product with a granular sand mixed in it. It can also be mixed with standard acrylic paint. With that in mind i have been working on basing for areas where static grass will be applied. This will give more depth to the terrain and where the static grass doesn't fully cover the ground it will look more realistic than just flat paint. After two base coats, i dry brushed with standard acrylic raw sienna to highlight the ridges and create more depth. A parcel from 'War World Scenics' arrived yesterday containing static grass and applicator, it was like Christmas Day all over again!! I can't wait to start having a play around practicing with the different shades and lengths. I've got to get tough on myself and stop procrastinating on finishing the brass connectors for the fiddle yard to the main board. I want to get it done but the scenery fun is getting in the way!!! Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Wow looking really good Mark, I can just see this layout being really realistic and certainly becoming very popular. You should be proud of your work - truly superb! Oli Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Realy taking shape now!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Wow looking really good Mark, I can just see this layout being really realistic and certainly becoming very popular. You should be proud of your work - truly superb! Oli Cheers for your support Oli, I just hope I can live up to your predictions!! lol How's Meadow Lane coming along? Haven't seen any updates for a while. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Realy taking shape now!! Cheers, it's really great getting back after a week away and having itchy feet to keep the progress going. Just have to keep working slowly and not rush it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 Following up on the last post I've downloaded a few more pics which shows the first section of the mainlines ballasted. The pics were taken just after the glue mix was applied. The next pic is a puddle reflection update now the ballast is down on the mainline. The new ballast is still looking a bit 'virginal' so once some grime washes are applied it will settle into the surroundings. Latest work in progress are drain grates for various positions and a boardwalk which will allow pedestrian access from the end of the depot path (Pics to follow). Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Cheers, it's really great getting back after a week away and having itchy feet to keep the progress going. Just have to keep working slowly and not rush it Haven week away!! you should be full of fresh new idears!!! always works for me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Looking good keep it up David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 I managed to get a couple of hours of work in the garage today and completed the drain grates and boardwalks. The grates are photo-etched and from a company called 'wizard models' and have a selection of different styles in the kit. I constructed a styrene base and fitted the grate. The grate structure was then fixed into position and the ballast applied. There will be other grates of different styles placed around the layout. The boardwalks have also been constructed with strip styrene, primed and coated with Floquil 'Railroad Brown'. I've used cork strip for the walkway between the tracks, which will be covered with the fine cinders as per the depot area. Once the boards are weathered and grimed up static grass will be applied around the pathway to add more atmosphere. More Ballast has also gone down, so a few pics to follow once downloaded. Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold McC Posted January 10, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 10, 2013 Absolutely stunning looking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNewZealand Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share Posted January 10, 2013 Following up from last nights post i've downloaded a bit more of the progress. I'm finding doing ballasting of small sections more manageable and if the worst case scenario occurs it doesn't cause too much hassle. Here's the results of the latest section just after the glue had been applied. I then had a play around with a couple of different views using one of my TTA wagons. I also got around to another job which had been on the list but not executed. After masking up the visual hazard area in the depot shed area airbrushed a border of yellow to define the high risk area. And to finish up the post here's the non-religious reflection of the day..... Cheers Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Ballast is perfected buddy!! youve layed it like pro!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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