CME and Bottlewasher Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Lovely work OB. Mother Nature always finds a way into even the most industrial of scenes.... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted March 26, 2019 Author Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) Far too much Mother nature for my liking CME but i've to try and keep to what real areas it's based on. My rest away from it lasted only a day as this weekend swmbo started getting 'Her' hanging baskets ready, and i saw the Coconut fibered looking lining materials she was using and so i grabbed an handful whilst it was still dry and i still could, It's turned out ideal for the Bramble creeping effect i was looking for, and for using all along the rear and end brick wall bases. Once cut to 4 cm. lengths and scrunched up it was all glued on with un-diluted pva, some areas had a light waft of Humbrol mid' Brown paint over it, then the dark green scatter materials were stuck on by spraying it with matt varnish. After drying i had a quick snip and trim around with some small scissors borrowed from 'Her' sewing box. I'll need a lot more tree's and some Rose Bay Willow herb making up now! A rare trip to gather up the materials i'll need from the model shop is on order this afternoon! Edited March 26, 2019 by Owd Bob 9 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoking gun Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Very nice vegitation, looks overgrown and neglected. Martin 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 Got the forty out to remove far too much and over done weatherin' filth off it this morn' Posing on shed as usual. Made a visit to 'The Range' and bought four sheets of thick picture mounting/framing card for a tenner, so hoping to make a good start on the low relief back scene buildings soon. 10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) That hanging basket liner looks great Bob. I've used it myself in the past (when I can pinch some from Mrs Smith! lol). But the material you have used looks even better, I think. The colour looks spot on for brambles, and adds a nice variety of texture and tone - which is something I've always believed you need to replicate nature. I think you're going about this whole thing the right way matey. You're adding a little at a time, in selected areas. This practice is the best way (IMHO) as you can leave an area be for some time - and it lets you get used to an area or feature. It allows you to gradually add a little here and there, and not be so tempted to overdo some features. Whereas, we often are tempted to blitz an area of scenery, and this can lead to an overdone look. But adding slight variations of colour, tone and texture definitely gives you a more natural look. I would advocate the practice of adding these little scenic details just a little at a time, but all over the layout - so that you get an overall consistency to the appearance. Nice work again Bob. Wish I could see this layout at a show EDIT: I forgot to add - I really like the weathering on that forty too.... that's Forty... too - not 42! ha ha Edited April 2, 2019 by marc smith 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 Many thanks Marc, i totally agree with your thoughts, i thought some areas were starting to get a bit too much last week and over the top, so i removed a lot and then stopped the gardening for a bit, i always find it best just to walk away from it when i start to get fed up or start loosing interest in doing anything on it. I've some more tree's and some Rose Bay willow herb stuff to add to the Greenery yet but not a lot. A cl.42 would be no good on this layouts set area or era, not to say i would really like one or several, and Westerns, and Deltics, etc. etc. For now i must keep to the theme and the same boring stuff i saw local to me and memories of around here in the 1970's....not to say with a cash windfall i would'nt do a preserved version of it and even buy steam loco's I have just bought another class '40' which i will alter with split head code boxes and then number it as 40 129 (See pic at York in 1982) ....'cos that loco' seemed to be everywhere i went back then, i even had a haulage to York and back behind it twice and a few years apart at that! I have hopes to get a class 47 and at least one more later version 08 when they are released. My garden rail stuff is nearly all sold off now and i'm investing its funds back into this layout before swmbo can even see or get a sniff of it! Sorry for these bad pics' but the Sun can be a pain in my pics' as well as doing me some favours. Hope they give you the building ideas i have in mind, i cut the card to the rough sizes i want like the real buildings they are based on, it's good job i had four sheets I can't say they'll be exact copies of the real thing. I also marked out the position of the windows.....now i just need to find three dozen window frames I recently got asked by a 7mm model supplier to show them some full length pics' as they wanted to know its full size when it's set up, if i pass their test then i might just get invited to a show, something which i'll have to think about, but it won't be ready or finished anyway for at least another year....as i'm really in no rush. Its mainly a diorama for a small loco' collection and i never had any plans to show it. 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Owd Bob said: ......i would really like one or several, and Westerns, and Deltics, etc. etc. For now i must keep to the theme and the same boring stuff i saw local to me and memories of around here in the 1970's..... ......Its mainly a diorama for a small loco' collection and i never had any plans to show it. Yes, it's an odd thing, but back in the 70's, everyone's favourites (including mine) were Westerns, Warships etc, and some of the stuff we didn't see much in my neck of the woods, eg. Class 20's But what was once "everyday" or back then considered "boring" are the sort of things I now miss - more so than the less usual stuff. Back in the 70's and early 80's, there were Class 37's seen around here all the time. If you heard a train coming, chances were it was a 37.... and most of us looked away, unless we'd heard of an unusual visitor to the area (such as a split headcode 37) So although I still like the other stuff, the everyday (back then) 37's and 08's, the rusty disused sidings, the old overgrown crossing gates, even the DMU's etc etc are what evokes the greatest memories for me. I think you've captured something special here Bob. It looks such a plausible scene to me - and I think that's because you have focused on some of the background details, and the "mundane" bits & bobs that help make a layout look that bit more complete. Shame you don't intend to exhibit it good sir - of course that's entirely up to you - Exhibiting can be time consuming and sometimes a tad stressful, or at least get in the way of life's other duties.... I think a lot of folk would really like to see this layout in the flesh. But I'm just glad you shared it and its' progress with us all here on rmweb EDIT: I meant to add - the inclusion of a scratch building or two, even if it's a couple of small sheds and tanks, help to give a layout an individual feel, and a sense that it's based on a real place (as long as said structures look plausible). Edited April 2, 2019 by marc smith 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Like I have said - some excellent stuff going on here as per usual from someone who was "there". We must've been on the same excursion Bob - we were regulars to York and over the tops to Sheffield - was 40129 SP or LO? - I have record somewhere of haulage to Toton Open Day in June '79 front parcel van and window of course Guide Bridge - Sheffield then a Peak to Nottingham. Ian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 @Crisis Rail - yes, I think we can all see that Bob is definitely someone who was "there" Ah "Guide Bridge" - now that's a name that rings a bell, and takes me back to the late 70's Here in South Wales, we eagerly awaited the "Guide Bridge Parcels" which was a Monday night, if I recall? But sometimes it was a 40, which were rarely seen in the area. Sometimes a split headcode 37.... I can feel the anticipation now, as we stood on the bridge, binoculars in hand... waiting, patiently waiting.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 4 minutes ago, marc smith said: @Crisis Rail - yes, I think we can all see that Bob is definitely someone who was "there" Ah "Guide Bridge" - now that's a name that rings a bell, and takes me back to the late 70's Here in South Wales, we eagerly awaited the "Guide Bridge Parcels" which was a Monday night, if I recall? But sometimes it was a 40, which were rarely seen in the area. Sometimes a split headcode 37.... I can feel the anticipation now, as we stood on the bridge, binoculars in hand... waiting, patiently waiting.... Yes - good times before the advent of RTT to see what "turned up" in our regions sat on Brute Cages and Mailbags at the Platform ends or just on the WCML embankments Marc. 37 were like hens teeth in the North West Region 45 46 rare - mainly only seen on Summer excursions to the Coast at Blackpool and Footy Specials. 31 non existent 24 Skinheads had a spell on the Cumbrian late 70's 50's (D400's as I like to call) Doublehead powering up to Shap before Electrification. Just 25 40 47 - and I'd like a time machine to go back please. I'm sure Bob can relate...! Ian 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltic17 Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 (edited) Just come across this layout - where have I been - fantastic atmosphere - great locos - will follow with interest Edited April 2, 2019 by deltic17 tidy up 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Cracking work OB, I can only eco Marc's comments. One of my first railway memories was my nose pressed through the chainlink fence at Shrivenham and seeing early HSTs/HSDT et al., circa 1975 & 1976. Also trips to Salisbury and Bournemouth stations and filthy, noisey Class 33s. Happy times! ATVB, CME 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 (edited) Marc' Ian & CME, we can deffo' very much all relate to one another, nice that it seems we all obviously had the same kind of railway interest and fun chasing the loco's around in the '70's & 80's Well for me it was only up to about 1988 then other 'beings' took over my life and my pay packet I've not really seen or kept up to date with the railways as much as i did since back then, only getting the chance and the excuse to see anything when working away or whilst on a family holiday mainly down south CME, i'm only just catching up a bit now with these awful looking designs they call locos' All the classes we had around here was exactly has Ian said, just 08's, 25's, 40's and 47's, with the odd peak on Sunday diversions going across Ince Moss, the odd double header 37 in the weekday evenings on some very Black oily tanks which would turn up from the North to refuel on SP then return North. I only ever saw one class 20 in the 1970's going South on the WCML double headed with a class 40..it was 20 140 coupled with 40 140 for some reason on a mixed freight. So if i ever get a model 20 you know what number it'll be Saw the last few 24's and would'nt mind a model of one either one day. I was very lucky to be working in Wigan in the early '80's and often called into SP depot on my way in and then on my way home again, so it was always very early or late hence most of my pics' are quite dark and misty and miserable looking. Later i was lucky enough to work all around the Manchester area and i always popped into the nearest station or depot for a quick gander around I drove up to Woodhead Tunnel car park in my dinner hour more than once to see the class 76's last days whilst i was working in Mottram for a month, not easy trying to get there and back to the job within an hour in a battered ex' Police 1970 mk1 Escort van Once i had passed my driving test i did a regular trip on Sunday mornings to Guide Bridge Station to see all the lines of class 76's. at least i saw them all, and my last was 76016 parked up there just before they all went for scrap. I just love the nostalgia of it all now...i never thought i would or that i'd be drooling over any of my old pics' of a 25 or 47. Hope you don't mind me posting my old pics along with the modeling, as most of my ideas come from them what with the old memory acting up nowadays. Here's that 40 129. Again! Seen scrapped at Doncaster Wks. 22-7-84. with 40 169, and stored 55 016. The class 20 that ended up preserved at the NRM is right at the back of the Deltic....think it was 20 050? Edited April 3, 2019 by Owd Bob photo added. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Nice photo's Bob, I like the way you're keeping to your theme, I find that difficult and it's stopped me building layouts in the past and getting in the way now! I think the layout is looking great, I like the plan and find it all very inspirational, great stuff! It's giving me ideas, to go with many others! of a similar depot but on the outskirts of east London. Steve. 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 (edited) 16 minutes ago, sb67 said: Nice photo's Bob, I like the way you're keeping to your theme, I find that difficult and it's stopped me building layouts in the past and getting in the way now! I think the layout is looking great, I like the plan and find it all very inspirational, great stuff! It's giving me ideas, to go with many others! of a similar depot but on the outskirts of east London. Ah yes Bob "other beings" did take over from trains - I well recall their mysterious "draw" and attraction! But of course, we all now know, that trains win in the end! lol Indeed, there are several RM web members who I've met, and who I've only ever spoken to on this forum, who I know share similar interests, and who are nostalgic for very similar reasons. It's also great to know that something you do helps inspire someone else, or at least gives them a spark of an idea. It's also great to come across people who are interested in the same era, locos, stock, buildings etc, even the rust, dirt & grime! - that's why we're members of this fine group, and long may it continue Steve / sb67, a lot of modellers find it difficult to design a layout, and what Bob has done here, is to keep focus very well - and I think that's important. Way back when Bob started this fab layout, I was interested straight away (even though I wasn't doing any modelling myself) and when he announced that he had expanded the area - I thought that may spoil a nice scheme. I'm glad to say I was wrong though..... And I think that it's Bob's vision to stick to the basic premise of the design that has helped. Very often, when people decide to expand on their original idea - they end up adding just a bit too much, or cramming in just another siding or group of buildings - sometimes (but not always) this can spoil the original design, or the composition, or lead to a too-cramped appearance. To some modellers, sticking to a theme is not enough - they want to add a couple more sidings, or turntable, or an additional platform etc etc. But starting with a clear picture in your mind of a focussed, well composed, cohesive theme is the best approach.... and sticking to it, or at least the basic concept is key. It's not always easy to do this last point, of course as we are all tempted to want more.... Edited April 3, 2019 by marc smith 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 (edited) Some good posts and memories going on. I mentioned wanting a time machine to go back to the Blue 70's- what Bob is doing with his cameos is just that from a Northern perspective too. The spark was reignited passing Bescot yard on a slow and choked M6 Jct 10 on the usual yearly family holiday trip to Cornwall Seeing a Maroon Class 37 with "EWS"- whats all that about? - I had to find out. Then a visit to the ELR - thanks for still being able for us the experience Sulzer - English Electric sounds and smells - Compartments - Fishplates and Rusty rail. Beer Cars and Women came and went but "trains" never left - its in your blood. Heres to the next update on those buildings. Ian Edited April 3, 2019 by Crisis Rail 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Sounds like a good plan Steve, i hope it comes to fruition for you, i loved all those Stratford locos' and the white painted roofs, i spent many a weekend around London on 'Lancs' loco' club' coach trips & depot visits just to see the sort of stuff we never saw up here at that time like the 09's, 33's and the 73's. The best thing is i'm happy that i've got away with having 'O' gauge in a small area and up to now it seems to be working out ok, as long as i don't go clutter it up too much. I have my old 1977-78 Locoshed book which gives me the allocations of locos' around here back then, which i use as a guide, with all the locos i'd seen local to me underlined i pick the loco' number to match the model, even better if i have my own pic' of it for the small differences. As 'Crises rail' Ian asked about the 40's allocations i had a look in the old shed book and there was a quite few 40's allocated to SP depot back then including 40 126 the train robbery loco' but the split head code batch versions always seemed to change allocation year after year between SP, LO and KD depots. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc smith Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 18 minutes ago, Crisis Rail said: Some good posts and memories going on. I mentioned wanting a time machine to go back to the Blue 70's- what Bob is doing with his cameos is just that from a Northern perspective too..... Ah yes, a time machine.... yes please. The "sad" thing is, there are a few of us on here, who on owning a time machine would not have the first thought of getting next weeks lottery numbers, or the result of the 3:30 at Cheltenham, nor indeed would we go back in time to "correct" a wrong choice made in our past, as our first venture in the machine........ we would go back to look at trains! lol Sad, and all too true in my case at least 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Nice words Marc many thanks! I think posting the old pics' along with the model stuff adds to the topic and might bring in interest from a few more folks and get them into to doing something themselves, i don't think i'll ever get into double figures with my loco' collection, i might just make ten by the look of it at the mo' i can't afford more to be honest and with all sat on shed at once it will look too cluttered. Beer and sex and chips and gravy...now they all make me skint and ill 40 129 yet again on SP. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 1 hour ago, marc smith said: Steve / sb67, a lot of modellers find it difficult to design a layout, and what Bob has done here, is to keep focus very well - and I think that's important. Way back when Bob started this fab layout, I was interested straight away (even though I wasn't doing any modelling myself) and when he announced that he had expanded the area - I thought that may spoil a nice scheme. I'm glad to say I was wrong though..... And I think that it's Bob's vision to stick to the basic premise of the design that has helped. Very often, when people decide to expand on their original idea - they end up adding just a bit too much, or cramming in just another siding or group of buildings - sometimes (but not always) this can spoil the original design, or the composition, or lead to a too-cramped appearance. To some modellers, sticking to a theme is not enough - they want to add a couple more sidings, or turntable, or an additional platform etc etc. But starting with a clear picture in your mind of a focussed, well composed, cohesive theme is the best approach.... and sticking to it, or at least the basic concept is key. It's not always easy to do this last point, of course as we are all tempted to want more.... That ability to keep focus is something I find very difficult, the irony is, and I'm sure this happens a lot, is rather than have something complete and working, I've often ended up with nothing at all by wanting too much! I really admire the small compact layouts that I see on here. There's a photo I keep looking at and I'd love to build a layout based on it but as soon as I start any planning I think, now what if I add a siding here or another set of points here, easily done. Bob - I'm really enjoying this thread and keep posting the photos, I never saw many class 40 and can remember always being amazed by the sheer size of them! Steve. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 17 minutes ago, sb67 said: I'm sure this happens a lot, is rather than have something complete and working, I've often ended up with nothing at all by wanting too much! I thought it was just me - so many failed attempts stored stripped or wheelybinned. 17 minutes ago, sb67 said: I never saw many class 40 and can remember always being amazed by the sheer size of them! Can I remind you (like everyone else) that I drove one? Recommended Ian 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Some Big D's on the Branch, November 1968 This was the last time I bunked Springs Branch !! Brit15 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owd Bob Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Very-very nice pics' Apollo and 'Aquitania' my fave 40. The 25 with the small warning panel looks a bit evil Like the steam shed code plate. Wish i'd have took pics' of the steam crane now! Good or bad memories of driving a forty Ian? I remember i saw a lot parked up with wooden chocks under the wheels, were they bad brakes? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisis Rail Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Owd Bob said: Good or bad memories of driving a forty Ian? I remember i saw a lot parked up with wooden chocks under the wheels, were they bad brakes? I wish...! It was on the ELR Driver Exp for my 40th - 16 years back.....! and they got paid for it back then. Worked briefly for Travellers Fare on Preston in 1984 nearest I got to BR *lol* - could've worked my way up as was possible then but I had to move away and got a job in the Lake District. Not sure about brakes but chocs applied as precaution? a mates Father (driver) who had the honour of not doing just that to a runaway 40 on Preston Ladywell Stabling Point in 1983. A common fault with the 40 was cracked bogie frames. Ian Edited April 3, 2019 by Crisis Rail 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Some more around 8F around 1970 These ware as rare as rocking horse poo, sugar beet special to Preston Docks one Sunday, they returned light engines a couple of hours later Some old stock in Brewery Sidings (site of the new EMU / DMU sidings currently being built). Peak passing How will this poor old thing get home ? Off to another derailment !! Perhaps I was wrong earlier re my last visit to the Branch !! -- Time and memory -------- Brit15 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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