wiggoforgold Posted September 15, 2018 Author Share Posted September 15, 2018 There has been some progress at Upwell Drove. I’ve decided to lower the proscenium, and have marked it out, but haven’t cut it yet. I’ve also had some ideas on improving the backdrop. More on this later, suffice to say I’ve decided on a solid backdrop, rather than a roll up cloth one. The downside of the new arrangement is that there will be a vertical join in the sky at the middle of the layout, which I was trying to avoid. Unfortunately I can’t think of any way round this one. I’ve developed the scenic work at the end of the layout. I’ve built a cattle dock, which currently awaits railings and gates, and lots more grass and weeds, as it is supposed to be out of use and overgrown. I’m also considering a small water tower by the loco head shunt for the trams. I modelled the tower at Wisbech East, but this seemed much too big for the layout, so I cut it in half. So far I’ve done the framing, and placed it on the layout so I can decide whether I like it there or not. I’m going to make the rest of the station buildings (yard office and old tramway waiting room) next, and see how they look together before making a final decision. The diesel tram D2201 has had some refurbishment. I’ve done a blog entry with more details for those interested, but in the meantime, here’s a picture. Alex 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted September 23, 2018 Author Share Posted September 23, 2018 Work has started on the buildings. First up is the tramway office, based on Outwell. Next jobs are the slates on the roof, and the plinth at the bottom of the building. The finished building will be set in to the surrounding yard, hence the white line at the bottom of the sides. Alex 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted September 23, 2018 Author Share Posted September 23, 2018 I was just shutting down for the evening, when a rather better shot presented itself, so here it is. An overall view of the yard end of the layout showing progress to date. Alex 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted September 23, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 23, 2018 Looking great Alex, and I really like the office building. How is the brickwork done? Many thanks, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted September 24, 2018 Author Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) Dave, It's Scalescenes, printed on matt photographic paper and sprayed with matt acrylic varnish before cutting out. Alex Edited September 24, 2018 by wiggoforgold Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 46444 Posted September 24, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 24, 2018 Cracking work Alex... Like Dave has mentioned the brickwork effect on the tramway office is very effective Cheers, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickBrad Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 I'm curious as to what windows you used..... I struggled to find anything suitable when I attempted to build one of these depots a couple of years back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Nick, they are home made. I used what I think is called the Pendon method, and a more detailed description appears in Chris Pilton's book "Cottage Modelling for Pendon". A pice of thin card, or paper, is held behind the window aperture, and the frame is then marked out with pencil, and cut out. The glazing bars are thin strips of paper, glued to the back of the frame with PVA. The vertical and horizontal bars overlap, rather than have butt joints, but this is hardly noticeable when painted. Once the bars are installed they are painted, weathered to taste, glazed (I used clear plastic sheet) and installed behind the apertures. I'm now on to cutting strips of slates from paper. Hopefullŷ I'll be done by Sunday. Alex. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickBrad Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 I'll have to try that method....last time I went for plastic square section and ended up getting very sticky although part of the issue was that I was rushing, trying to reach a monthly modelling deadline. I believe i still have the part built model here somewhere, will have to dig it out as all it needed was glazing and the tile strips adding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 1, 2018 Author Share Posted October 1, 2018 I've made a bit more progress on the tramway office. The plinth is done, and I've covered the roof in slates. I've belatedly discovered downloadable free graph paper on the web, which has speeded up the production of slates. Alex 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PMP Posted October 2, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 2, 2018 (edited) What material are you using for the backdrop and is it permanent/semi permanent? Edited October 2, 2018 by PMP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 2, 2018 Author Share Posted October 2, 2018 What material are you using for the backdrop and is it permanent/semi permanent?It's Buckram, dress stiffening material. In the pictures it's as it comes, but I have lightly sprayed the one at Elm Lane matt white. I would be inclined to spray a very pale blue or grey along the top edge as well.It is removable. It is held to the lighting support at the rear of the layout with drawing pins. The idea is it can be rolled up for transportation, and it does away with a vertical joint in the sky on a two part base board. The down side is it is difficult to get to hang well, and takes a bit of time to set up. You have to be careful where any profiles are placed that would interfere with the way it hangs. I originally used profiles in front of and behind the bottom of the backdrop, but have now done away with the ones at the back, with the result it hangs better. The jury is still out on whether I keep it though, and have a semi-permanent one instead, and accept a joint in the sky. Alex 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DavidLong Posted October 3, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 3, 2018 Alex, I lived in Cambridgeshire for a few years at the end of the '80s/early '90s and really got to appreciate the 'big sky' landscape. Strangely enough it was very similar to the hinterland of my home town of Southport which is equally flat and featureless with huge fields broken up drainage ditches. Appealing though this landscape is, it can also be a nightmare for modellers of such an area who can easily wish they were modelling somewhere with impressive hills and mountains or rolling downland which would add some 'interest' to the backdrop. One of the best East Anglian backscenes that I have come across was that on Jas Milham's Three Mills layout and the 3mm Society helpfully has some photos here: https://sites.google.com/site/3mmpublic/members-layouts/three-mills I am aware that this doesn't necessarily solve your conundrum concerning the one piece foldable backscene or one that may require joints. I admit to being a little sceptical of folding backscenes and, on balance, would probably go for the 'solid backscene with joint' solution. Even an East Anglian scene may be able to support a strategically placed tree! Really enjoying the layout build. The W & U is a railway for which I have a great deal of affection, especially for the diesel trams. David 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 3, 2018 Author Share Posted October 3, 2018 David, Thanks for the link. There's some inspiring pics there. I must admit I'm wavering towards the solid backscene with a joint in it. Idon,t really want to use a tree, but I might have to. I'm taking inspiration from boatbuilders who built sectional racing boats with near invisible joints (on the outside). I'm thinking of trying something similar. Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil S Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 (edited) That's a very nice looking layout taking shape. Sorry to dig up an old one but I too have been scratching my head on 04 black/green debate for some time. I've enclosed a link. Slightly later loco - D2212. http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/y/yarmouth_south_town/index35.shtml - May 1970, Yarmouth South Town http://www.flickriver.com/photos/blue-diesels/3794762588/ - August 1970, Norwich Thorpe The first shot looks clearly green to me but was taken 3 months before the second, which I think looks black. Could this be a film issue? I've also just found this one which proves it beyond doubt - apologies if this is already common knowledge to you! https://rcts.zenfolio.com/diesel/br/shunters/04/hA0FDD47F#ha0fdd47f Doncaster 1964 Edited October 7, 2018 by Neil S 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 8, 2018 Author Share Posted October 8, 2018 Hi Neil You probably saw the discussion a few pages back about the colour of the WIsbech trams. We came up with this one: https://transportsofdelight.smugmug.com/RAILWAYS/WISBECH-UPWELL-TRAMWAY/WISBECH-UPWELL-TRAMWAY/i-vxmpxpR Still not sure if it's green or black. Having discussed the matter, and considered the evidence, I have gone for green. There doesn't seem to be conclusive evidence one way or the other. It appears the trams did end up in green with wasp stripes, but whether this was before or after the end of the W&U is less clear. I've seen the first two pics you linked to before, but the last one is new to me. D2212 isn't a Wisbech engine though; those were D2201/2, which had a slightly earlier cab with square front windows. D2212 has the later, angular design. A useful link though, and I'm wondering if D2212 might just appear on my version of the tramway Alex 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert17649 Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 hi Alex I think I have sent you a PM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil S Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Hi Alex. Yes, I've spotted that one at Elm Bridge and studied it carefully. The bonnet door vents always seem most green on the whole loco to me to me. Unusual front coupling too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 13, 2018 Author Share Posted October 13, 2018 I've finished the first building, the standard W&U goods office. Next I'm going to do the one I've been looking forward to - the tramway waiting room from Upwell. I've learned a bit from the goods office, so those ideas will be incorporated in the next build. Alex 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mikkel Posted October 13, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 13, 2018 Very nice Alex. I'm taking notes on the colouring and shades you achieve on the layout, looks just right to me. I look forward to seeing that water tower finished, I really like the simple timber built ones - wish the GWR had more of those 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 14, 2018 Author Share Posted October 14, 2018 I started work on construction of the Tramway waiting room at Upwell today, Construction will be card, with Scalescenes paper overlays. I've printed off some graph paper, produced a general arrangement drawing using the plan in Peter Paye's book, a couple of good photographs of the building, and a calculator. I've printed off some Scalescenes sheets on matte photographic paper, and sprayed them with matt varnish. No photos of work to date, hopefully there will be something worth a picture in the next few days. In the meantime, here's a pic of Diddington set up in the redecorated railway room. (Upwell Drove is just out of shot at the RH end.) Alex 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted October 15, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) That looks superb, Alex. What a great enviroment to be modelling in........says he who has just finished weathering a loco in the downstairs loo.......no, really. Rob. Edited October 15, 2018 by NHY 581 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiggoforgold Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share Posted October 22, 2018 Construction of the Tramway waiting room is under way. The model is being made from card, overlaid with Scalescenes brick paper. I produced a drawing using the plan for the waiitng shed for Upwell in the original proposal for the line as a starting point. I suspect that the plan originally put forward reflected the attitude of the Victorian railway developers to prospective customers, a complete lack of toilet facilities, which was addressed by the time the line was built. The plan was scaled up by working out the diffence between the plan as drwan and 4mm scale, using this as a ratio, and applying this to the plan. The plan was drwan on graph paper produced from the internet. I then scanned my drawing, printed it off several times, and stuck the drawais to a piece of card. These were then cut uot to produce the parts of the model. Next I'm going to finish the roof, which will be removable, and start work on the windows and decorative brickwork. Alex 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted October 22, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 22, 2018 Lovely work Alex, thanks for sharing it. Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold NHY 581 Posted October 23, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Construction of the Tramway waiting room is under way. The model is being made from card, overlaid with Scalescenes brick paper. I produced a drawing using the plan for the waiitng shed for Upwell in the original proposal for the line as a starting point. I suspect that the plan originally put forward reflected the attitude of the Victorian railway developers to prospective customers, a complete lack of toilet facilities, which was addressed by the time the line was built. The plan was scaled up by working out the diffence between the plan as drwan and 4mm scale, using this as a ratio, and applying this to the plan. The plan was drwan on graph paper produced from the internet. I then scanned my drawing, printed it off several times, and stuck the drawais to a piece of card. These were then cut uot to produce the parts of the model. Next I'm going to finish the roof, which will be removable, and start work on the windows and decorative brickwork. Waiting shed #2 21.10.18.jpg Upwell Drove Depot 21.10.18.jpg Alex This looks lovely, Alex. One very minor observation though. Does the grounded van body have to be at the front? If it wasn't there it would give a clear and unobstructed view to the front of the layout and add ( by way of omission)to the minimal look/feel of it all.......just a thought.... Rob. Edited October 23, 2018 by NHY 581 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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