Hailstone Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 A standard of modelling not often seen outside of Pendon - Simply beautiful Regards, Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium nick_bastable Posted April 28, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 28, 2017 how have I missed this excellent modelling for interest how do the finer N Farish wheels run on easitrac ? Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted April 29, 2017 Author Share Posted April 29, 2017 excellent modelling for interest how do the finer N Farish wheels run on easitrac ? Nick Hi Nick Yes modern N gauge stuff seems to run nicely on easitrac. I did read before I started the layout, that that was the case. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted April 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 29, 2017 Stunning work Andy I did wonder how you would follow on from the superb Oldshaw...and this is indeed outstanding Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium acg5324 Posted April 29, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 29, 2017 Excellent work, I always enjoy the updates. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwales Posted June 2, 2017 Share Posted June 2, 2017 Hi Andy Just watched the video, what couplings do you use to get the coaches close coupled please? Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) Hi Andy Just watched the video, what couplings do you use to get the coaches close coupled please? Ian hi Ian. The couplings are just a very crude 'hook and bar' made from 0.5 brass rod. Most of the stock on my layout is so fitted and trains remain semi-permanently coupled. Each vehicle has a hook at one end and a bar at the other. A 'hook' is just a 'U' shape and a 'bar' is simply a straight piece of 0.5 which stcks out and then bends downwards at 90 degrees. The distance of this bend from the bufferbeam will determine how close the vehicles are coupled. My layout only has shallow curves, otherwise that would be an issue. Some of my stock does have Spratt and Wrinkles which will interact. with the aforementioned hooks. I think what helps with the coaching stock is the corridor connections. They are made from black paper and are available from mbmodelrailwayproducts.co.uk. HTH cheers Andy Edited June 2, 2017 by andy stroud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share Posted June 27, 2017 There are no trains today due to a house on the line! This picture shows the house about to be planted in the empty space in front of the viaduct. The house is inspired by and very loosely based on the one pictured below. Mine has been considerably simplified and made smaller in order to fit the space available. The real house is at Dartmouth and I have a feeling somebody famous once lived in it as I seem to recall a plaque on the wall outside when I walked past the gate. Somebody to do with radio development, I think. Good old plasticard! This picture is looking through an arch of the viaduct and shows some steps under construction. A view of the house after being planted. Another view of the newly installed building. I had intended to do much more ornate balcony railings, made from various sizes of microstrip but after my initial trial failed, impatience got the better of me and I used some brass etchings which I had spare. Where the ruler is, will be a river. Many thanks, Andy 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Stunning structure modelling. And great for it being on a number of levels that adds interest - so much more satisfying than the flat earth baseboard type of layout often seen. G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornish trains jez Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Hi Andy, Simply stunning work mate! There's a real atmosphere being created here and all the buildings that have inspired you all fit into the scene so perfectly well! Excellent work chap! Looking forward to seeing more! Best regards, Jeremy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Smith Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 As to be expected from you, another simply stunning piece of architectural modelling. That's not to say that your non-arcitectural modelling isn't stunning too!! I love the way that the buildings sit within rather than on the landscape. Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Metr0Land Posted June 27, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 27, 2017 IMG_2920.jpg There are no trains today due to a house on the line! This picture shows the house about to be planted in the empty space in front of the viaduct. The house is inspired by and very loosely based on the one pictured below. Mine has been considerably simplified and made smaller in order to fit the space available. The real house is at Dartmouth and I have a feeling somebody famous once lived in it as I seem to recall a plaque on the wall outside when I walked past the gate. Somebody to do with radio development, I think. Many thanks, Andy Possibly this guy: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/6948073/Col-Michael-Kelsey.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen 28 Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Outstanding modelling, this layout just keeps getting better and better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Mike B Posted June 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 29, 2017 I can't remember if I've already asked you Andy? What have you used for the ballast? Cheers Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I can't remember if I've already asked you Andy? What have you used for the ballast? Cheers Mike Hi Mike, the ballast is a brand of fine sand that is sold for fish tanks. There is a fairly good discription of the product on post 147. I think I have mentioned before somewhere that I am not that happy with the colour of the the ballast and need to sort it sometime. It's very light so hopefully should be able to apply some weathering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 I have now more or less finished the scenery underneath the viaduct, with newly completed buildings, trees and river. I am now coming round to the idea that a backscene is needed. This is something I have never done before and something I was fearing, but I do think some depth is needed behind the viaduct. The picture above shows the river flowing past some buildings. The water is made up from about seven coats of gloss varnish brushed on. Very small stones from a stream. Washed and glued with pva. The following two pictures show the newly installed house that was featured in my previous post. This next picture shows the river passing under the small stone bridge towards the back of the layout. I'm not too convinced about my attempt at a telegraph pole. Might have to try a bit harder on that one. Also, I think lack of backscene here is very evident. Another view under the viaduct: Finally, the picture below shows what I think will be the last building for the layout. A farm out building with a partially collapsed roof. Simple construction using plain plasticard, with small 'stones' stuck on the outside. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Very nice indeed. As for the backscene just blue sky would probably not look right? As we are looking up the valley would there be more trees into the distance so use a wooded backscene? cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I am now coming round to the idea that a backscene is needed. This is something I have never done before and something I was fearing, but I do think some depth is needed behind the viaduct. I agree that you probably need something in the valley at least Andy and maybe the hint of a horizon above the higher parts (and maybe something to allude to more housing at the left hand end). I've done a few photo backscenes which could be a possibility but for the majority of the valley I think something in the style of Jerry Clifford's wooded backdrops would work well as though you're looking up a wooded valley, from a slightly raised perspective. I know it's Devon but you may have some spots closer to home worth looking at (as you have some useful valley shapes). If you go to this cemetery and look east up the valley it's got right sort of horizon line - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7409209,-2.1995999,179m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1- but it would need some more trees in the mid-ground to make it work. Do you know anyone nearby with a 4K drone that could get you a slightly elevated viewpoint? A quick lash-up with one of your pics and a background from Google Earth from above that cemetery: 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahame Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Exemplary modelling. As with regards to a backscene, I agree that an appropriate one will help improve the overall depth but great care needs to be taken to ensure that it does not crowd out the scene, particularly under the viaduct by making it dark and oppressive. I'd suggest making sure the horizon is kept relatively low, with just sufficient to transition from 3D to 2D and give an impression of depth. The remainder can be a skyscape against which the modelled buildings, trees, viaduct and importantly the trains, will stand out and be viewable rather than lost against and distracted from by a busy back scene behind. G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanStock Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 May I offer some thoughts and observations? Beautiful work Andy. https://trainsandtrad.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/home-made-photographic-back-scenes/ Ian S. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted August 19, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 19, 2017 Lightening the colours and softening the focus may help with the illusion of distance. Cracking modelling, the overall scene is brilliant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted August 19, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 19, 2017 Hi. I would like to say a big thankyou for all the comments and suggestions regarding backscenes. I have been out all day on the Mid Hants inhaling fumes from 50 027 and just got back in. A very big thankyou to Andy Y for his mock up. This has absolutely convinced me that something needs to be done. I am planning more trees along the back of the layout behing the mill where there is just a plain white background at the moment so I think 'wooded hillside' is good for a back scene. I would like to try and paint something but I'm not sure that I can! I am slightly colour blind and it's natural colours that I struggle at. Rail Blue, BR Bauxite etc and even weathering is easy as you can just buy the colours and play around but fields and trees fading away into the distance is something I might struggle with. However I will do some research and have a go. I'm not ruling out photo based images but again, it's an area where I would need to educate myself. The picture below shows where I am planning to add more trees behind the railway and maybe backsceen here as well. Thankyou all for your help and ideas so far. 23 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
knottyAl Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Outstanding Andy! What a beautiful example of the possibilities of N gauge. Love the convincing juxtaposition of your buildings, river and viaduct. Keep us updated with the backscene....I'm sure it will be a success. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted October 3, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) I have been working on improving the background of the layout by planting about twenty new trees along the back and also by painting a very basic backscene. Peviously, the background had been plain white. The trees are made from twisted single core electrial wire overwhich a coating of plaster is dabbed. The foliage is Woodland scenics. A long freight is seen crossing the viaduct. This view near the station shows a bit of the newly applied backscene. It really is very crude but I think it is an improvement on the previous plain white. The backscene is painted in oil colours, whilst the sky is car spray can. A short freight is seen passing behind the mill building. I havent done any work on any rolling stock for a year now. When I next do, the first job i think will be to weather down this rake of mark 1s. Finally, a close up of the back scene under the viaduct, showing just how crude it really is, although it is not generally view so close. many thanks, Andy Edited October 3, 2017 by andy stroud 29 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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