BG John Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 It's supposed to be small and quick, so make one of each. Then you only have to decide which to do first! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted January 12, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12, 2016 Make one layout with interchangeable scenic bits where necessary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
south_tyne Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Make one layout with interchangeable scenic bits where necessary. I think that is a cracking idea... although double the work ;-) Given that the whole layout is lightweight construction I suppose is there any possibility of interchangeable inserts, say mounted on foamboard/foamcore templates, which could fit a pre-determined space/gap on the main board? Some kind of jigsaw micro layout...!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted January 12, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 12, 2016 For adaptability, I like my layouts to have a detachable scenic back, which is just painted cartridge paper clipped to a hardboard support, which bolts to the rear of the b/board. (Curving of which I was rabbiting on about earlier) This means you can alter the "setting" of the place from Dowlais to Wentloog, frinstance, in two minutes. Then removable plug in buildings or bridges can round off the changes, generally in my case for different pregroup companies. My impression of your models is that you work in a great amount of terrific detail which isn't so quickly swapped, so going from scrap yard to coal merchant is more difficult. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CourthsVeil Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Marc, I think you should stick to the idea of a COAL yard, they are rarer than scrap yards. And sooo dirty too… "… I'm fancying building a low-relief small overhead crane on that end of the layout" Would it not be possible to incorporate one in a coal yard? "Room for a mirror too, maybe?" YES ! ! ! please. I'll be following along to see the progress you make. Keep us posted, please. Regards Armin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 And making a 7mm scrapyard, I can picture using my very rusty, weather-beaten mineral wagons, loaded with dummy scrap loads... Oh, which should it be folks? ... I vote for Coal Yard then you don't need your "beaten-up minerals" and can sell them to me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks for your kind words & suggestions folks.I'm still pondering this one. Yes, coal yards can be nice & filthy, but so can scrap yardsWhen building & exhibiting my 4mm scrap yard layout, and researching Cashmores in NewportI heard and read tales of a couple of WW11 tanks, underneath the massive pile of scrap metalThey had been there so long, and had so much scrap dumped on top of them, they had sunk deep into the groundI'm sure I have odds and ends of 1:35 scale military models somewhere - I've seen a few bits & pieces for sale cheaply tooAnother thought re making it into a scrap yard, on the right hand end of the board,I can make a second cassette, leading off from the rear road too - to I can have wagons "disappearing" off sceneAs in the superb S7 layout "Braunstone gate".Anyhow, not much progress to report, other than chopping the board roughly to shapeI will put in some low foreground, as I mentioned before - it makes the scene appear deeper, with added foreground detail & reliefIt also makes photography a bit easier, as there's more room for your cameraWhether it ends up as a coal or scrap yard, I've decided to include some nice big puddles, as I did on my Cashmores based layout.So I've drawn the track, puddles & structures in....And sprayed my clear plastic card ready - to make puddles 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) If you haven't seen what I mean by a low foreground, on my other 7mm layout, here's a pic that shows the idea.Sorry, it's not a great photo (mobile phone) - but I think it shows what I mean, by adding relief, vertical interest, by adding levels etcThe foreground is curved outwards, and is only a few inches deep, at it's widest pointBut the addition of another level, and all sorts of rubbish etc make the layout appear deeper than it is,and give a sense of place and context to the setting Edited January 18, 2016 by marc smith 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 An example of the puddles on my 4mm scrapyard layoutIf I had a pound for every time I was asked how I made them.... I'd have at least 3 pounds now 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted January 18, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2016 To make it even more interesting, how about some ducks in the puddles? Even better if they move Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
railwayrod Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Or a little dog having a drink! Rod Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northroader Posted January 18, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 18, 2016 With the depressed foreground, you certainly see a lot more of the layout, very good when there's not much of it anyway. Sort out your puddles before putting the track down, that's a new one! But damn good idea... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 With the depressed foreground, you certainly see a lot more of the layout, very good when there's not much of it anyway. Sort out your puddles before putting the track down, that's a new one! But damn good idea... Yes, I'm a great believer of introducing different "levels" within a scene. It adds interest, and opportunity for the eye to wander... This keeps the viewer occupied, while they peruse different details. It adds apparent depth, and opportunity to include little scenarios and cameos Sometimes, it's a good idea to partly "hide" such details - for the onlooker to "discover". And I've photographed quite a number of layouts, where there's no opportunity to get the camera in tight to the layout, and down at trackside... A low foreground can help - as you're less likely to bash the camera into a fence or wall in the foreground Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 To make it even more interesting, how about some ducks in the puddles? Even better if they move 4mm scale moving ducks? Please post your designs for the motor that will drive them lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted January 19, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 19, 2016 4mm scale moving ducks? Please post your designs for the motor that will drive them lol Some Christmas decorations have moving figures, eg skating on ice. You could try usng the mechanism from one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKR Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Ah figure skating ducks on ice... and underneath a veritable orrery of gears, magnets and rotating beams. Who needs trains? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) Not much to update. But I have cut my puddles to shape, and fixed them in place, and laid the rear sidingI was waiting to buy some uncoupling magnets at the Bristol O gauge showNo S&W magnets for sale there, unfortunately - but I picked up an alternativeWill post piccies when I've laid the other siding (such a lot of trackwork! lol) Edited February 9, 2016 by marc smith 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 An example of the puddles on my 4mm scrapyard layout If I had a pound for every time I was asked how I made them.... I'd have at least 3 pounds now Such a shame that Bachmann fluffed the cab profile so badly on its Class 24 and 25 models. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne 37901 Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Such a shame that Bachmann fluffed the cab profile so badly on its Class 24 and 25 models. Whilst 24s and 25s are outside my time frame, I have seen Bachmann ones corrected by others with modelling! Sounds like progress is being made nicely Marc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Go on, release an RTR one that looks like a 24 or 25, I dare you Already done by someone else. Have a look at post #3 here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/105551-rail-exclusive-class-24/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne 37901 Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Gents, Whilst it's good to compare/express opinions on models, let's not forget that this is Marc's thread. Normal service please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Barry Ten Posted February 11, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 11, 2016 The puddles are the wrong shape, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The puddles are the wrong shape, though. No, the shape's okay, - but they're not deep enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted February 17, 2016 Author Share Posted February 17, 2016 Just a quick update. Not loads of progress (as modelling time is so scarce)As I was putting puddles in position, I moved them about a bit, to judge where they'd look best, and changed my mind a few timesI like puddles on a layout - but I didn't want to overdo itAnyhow, the puddles and both sidings are now glued in position. Obviously, the protective film is still on the puddles.Excuse the nails you can see on the foreground siding - that's how I keep track in position while the PVA driesWhen using foamboard as a base, I find this technique very useful and simple, especially when you're laying curved track - it just wants to straighten out (cue Stranglers song!) The holes left by the nails are easily filled afterwards....As a bit ground cover, I've sprinkled some Treemendous earth scatter material (with some other material thrown in for good measure)I do this just to make use of the fact that there's PVA around the rails. Remember, there won't be much actual ballast visibleIn some spots, ballast is going to be scarce, but most areas are going to be ankle deep in coal, dust and general cr@p ! 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY NORWOOD Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Looking good Marc. Keep up the work on this one mate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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