pwr Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Glad to assist Daz. I beleive the old road signs font is actually Gill Sans whcih has other uses! all the best and Happy New Year. I have a load of new photos of Black Notley that I will post as soon as the problems are resolved. Work has been going on apace - which is unusual for me! Having nearly 2 weeks off over Christmas has certanly helped. Santa brought me a Heljan Deltic which I have yet to try out. As far as I know Deltics never ventured much on to the GE section but my modellers licence has it that the Dunmow section is still open as a through route and some of the class had unclassified repairs at Stratford and were given a run round the Braintree line as a test. Well thats my story anyhow! Paul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Sounds like a good story to me! I've got a photo of a Hymek at Shenfield Station.... Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Right - file upload seems to be working - thanks Andy. Progress has been made with platforms and lights. These are what I am using - Heljan - designed for 4mm but Cressing had low height lamps. I will be fitting them with Peco signal ladders and BR totems. I think these lamps are probably too large for 4mm but are slightly small for 7mm. We will have to see once the platform is finished. The lights are in two parts and have a base which carries a small circuit board which sits in the platform and the lamp which is push fit into the platform socket. A hole has to be drilled into the platform and in my case then through the baseboard as the wires will come through. I am not planning to wire them up at this time but this may happen later. There are no instruction in the box but I am told that they work of 12 volts DC and 20 volts AC so I might wire them into teh points bus. This photo shows the bottom of the lamp. These will not be glued in as the hole has been drilled to accept it as an interferance fit. This next photo shows the lamp in place. The plastic drawing pin at the bottom of the photo is designed to be fitted if the lamp is removed for any reason. Next we move to the platform tops. I am using emery cloth. I have used wet and dry before but this was as bit thin and it lifted from the platform face on a previous layout. Emery cloth has a cloth background so will accept PVA better. I am using medium grade available in packs of three sheets from my local DIY store. Other brands are available! The advantage of this stuff is that it provides a much better representation of tarmac than anything else and still has the ability to reflect light - much as the real thing - but having said that it looks a bit clean. The following photos will show what I mean. The MDF I used for the tops needs to be scored as per this photo. Then emery cloth is cut to shape and glued on. You will need a stanley knife and plenty of blades as one cut will blunt the knife - its only doing what its supposed to! Keep the blade low down and it will last longer. The photos I am afraid are not that good but they show the general idea Be careful when you cut the cloth that it does not fray. If it does you may need a new blade. You also need to go round the edge with a black permanent marker or else the edges will show up.If you have curved platforms - make a paper template first and cut round that. You may need to weight it down! I may go over this with a mist of grey weathering once I have seen it down fully. It just looks too clean. Other progress consists of a post box and trees on the station approach. The postbox is a Langley models post mounted version. I sourced a copy of the box data panel on the web and reduced it to fit. Its illegible I am afraid but at least I know its accurate! Now on to some signs. These are made from ther Scalescenes downloads. I have had to cheat a bit and alter them in photoshop since the supplied sheet does not have everything I need. I have also used the Gill Sans typeface which is not as heavy as that recomended. The running in boards are made from some platicard to which I have stuck the card and some Evergreen square tube to which I have added some fashioned tops. This photo shows the improvided stand used to hold them to dry. There are some old time bus stops here as well that will be planted on the layout soon. I now have to make the station building and the bus shelter. The plan is to use foamboard covered in air drying clay as per Gordon Gravett. Then scribe the brick courses on! Never down that before so it may be trial and error! All for now Paul R 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Sounds like a good story to me! I've got a photo of a Hymek at Shenfield Station.... Best, Pete. And the Irwell book of the Warships has a class 42/43 at Copper Mill Junction on a van train - what it was doing there I don't know but that provides a further excuse. Paul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Does anyone know the exact dimensions of a BR totem station sign. I have fitted one to one of my lamps and it just looks far too large. Its scaled down to about 3 feet which in my mind is too large Paul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 Still making slow progress but a shot or two of my Christmas present won't go amiss I decided to get out one of the Corgi commericals I have waiting for more progress on the layout. All for now Paul R 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSE DAZ Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi Paul, Wow you must have been good last year to receive those pressies Heljan done a fantastic job with the 55 and if you go down the weathering road it really transforms the beast, I saw a weathered one at the Reading O gauge trade fair last year it looked stunning Good update, look forward to more. All the best Darren NSE DAZ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi Daz. Yes this is straight out of the box and needs finishing and weathering. I have a 37 to do also. I have a number of other projects to get on and finish but as always time is never available in large enough quantities! All the best Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 A little update. I have now finished the platform surfaces and I am very pleased with how these have turned out. The pictures show the completed position. Ther has been an accident however as the wide lent over the platofm to open a window and snapped the gas lamp! Not impressed. However I may have to go back to square one on these since although the prototype was small, the 4mm version just does not look right. I may have toi invest in some Langley models alternatives. Fairly soon I am going to have to start work on the station building! The flash does not show these in a good light I regret since it picks up all the reflections in the emery cloth. If the weather is OK this weekend I will try and get some straight daylight shots. The texture of the emery cloth really does the surface justice although it is too clean. So it will be out with the trusty airbrush to trail a sheet I have left over and tone it down. The van you can see is a Freightman example that I have just completed - the first I have made from a small stock bought some years ago. The added weight of the metal chassis is certanly an advantage. It has had a coat of matt varnish but no weathering as yet. All for now Paul R 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markeg Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Hi Paul, Good work here and good to see the aussie wine comes in good use too. Mark in OZ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Thanks Mark. I really ought to open that bottle Paul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 (edited) Thought I had better provide a bit of an update. Not much really happening on the layout front - lack of time plus I have been making headway on my LNER B2 which after nearly 10 years of on off construction is nearly finished. I have got to the point where I am now fixing bits on that are not in the kit which I am either making for myself or buying from specialist manufacturers. I made up some cylinder drain cocks from rod, 14BA nuts and some bar. Much better than the somewhat simplified flat etch. I just need to find some injectors and finish off some pipework and I am ready to paint. The loco will be finished as Ford Castle and I have made up the extra conduit and connectros for the tender. On the layout front, I bought a new tree at the London Festival of Model Railways from The Model Tree Shop which places some height into the scene. I have this thing about underscale height trees but have now appreciated exactly how much space the proper things need. I show some shots that I took of the tree on the layout but not where it will finally end up.I don't like the root arrangement so I will probably bury those. As you can see the Deltic has not moved much! These trees are made of a plastic trunk but that wasn't evident until I picked it up - it's so light. I have still not toned down the platform tops nor planted the nameboards and I am having second thoughts about the gas lamps. Not helped by the fact that the wife broke one whilst leaning over the layout to open the window. I did also buy a Langley gas lamp at Ally Pally so I will experiment with that. Finally I have been experimenting with Fotosketcher a free programme you can download from the web. Turns your photos into any type of painting or drawing with parameters you can set. I know you can do this in Photoshop but its quicker in this utility. See what you think. All for now Paul R Edited April 9, 2012 by pwr 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSE DAZ Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Hi Paul, Good to see an update from you That tree looks fantastic, as you say really puts the whole scale into perspective Cracking pictures as well All the best Darren NSE DAZ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 Thanks Daz and good to hear from you. I am watching closely the progress on your new layout. The web site for The Model Tree shop is www.themodeltreeshop.co.uk Apparently some of their trees are modelled on prototypes in Edinburgh! Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Sorry about the lack of posts recently - I have had very little modelling time as I have been away on business a lot. One thing that I have done however is get tyhe first paint on the B2 after a build lasting in excess of 5 years. The photos show where we are at and I hope to get some black on her this weekend. I have used Halfords acrylic primers and green coat. I am not sure about the precise shade but as it will have some weathering I am happy that once lined and the black is on it it will be more or less correct. In the meantime I have lost the fall plate assembly and I am worried it has gone up the hoover so I have a job this afternoon! Other than that there has been little progress on hte layout and I still have to spray the platform surfaces to take the shine out of them. The photos make them appear unrealistic. All for now Paul R 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Paul, Take your time. For me the "build" is the best part of any project, so, enjoy! I've enjoyed following you since first discovering it on here (quite apart from the fact that it is ex. GER....) All the best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boeing757 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Great to see a further update on this layout. My withdrawal symptoms were reaching critical levels. B2/B17 locos are amongst my favourites though I can't justify one on my Felsted project. However I do have a B1 which is about to transform into 61156 which I did witness passing through in 196? with a Roadrailer test train. Can I ask what shade of green you are painting your B2 as to my eye it doesn't look like either LNER or BR greens. That said, I am colour blind!!! ATB Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Great to see a further update on this layout. My withdrawal symptoms were reaching critical levels. B2/B17 locos are amongst my favourites though I can't justify one on my Felsted project. However I do have a B1 which is about to transform into 61156 which I did witness passing through in 196? with a Roadrailer test train. Can I ask what shade of green you are painting your B2 as to my eye it doesn't look like either LNER or BR greens. That said, I am colour blind!!! ATB Bob Bob The colour is Rover Brooklands Green. I agree in some lights it does not look quite right and I certainly thought that when I started spraying it. However after many coats later it seems OK and I love the way is has dried with a lovely sheen that will mean I don't have to gloss varnish it before the transfers and lining go on! I keep the pictures coming so you can see. BTW I have the same photo of the B1. I have a kit in stock and had intended to model the same loco.However I want to do a J15 and N7 before I start that. DId you realise that WD 2-8-0's worked the line to Felstead on the beet trains? I have a Frank Church photo of one at Braintree. All the best Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
boeing757 Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Bob The colour is Rover Brooklands Green. I agree in some lights it does not look quite right and I certainly thought that when I started spraying it. However after many coats later it seems OK and I love the way is has dried with a lovely sheen that will mean I don't have to gloss varnish it before the transfers and lining go on! I keep the pictures coming so you can see. BTW I have the same photo of the B1. I have a kit in stock and had intended to model the same loco.However I want to do a J15 and N7 before I start that. DId you realise that WD 2-8-0's worked the line to Felstead on the beet trains? I have a Frank Church photo of one at Braintree. All the best Paul Hi Paul,Certainly Rover Brooklands Gren is regarded as a good match for BR green, as you say, must be the light. Yes I was aware that at least one WD worked up to Felsted, there is a picture in P Paye's book about the branch showing it heading for Witham tender first with a pulp train, never saw one myself. Paye also states that K1's worked through but I never saw one and have never seen a photo. Look forward to seeing more of the B2. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Donw Posted May 9, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 9, 2012 Some nice work there. The photo of the loco body does show strong light from the window lots of reflection and is probably affecting the colour. Sometimes the colour of the primer/undercoat affects the result. I like the emery paper platform surface. I wonder if rubbing the surface first to just take the edges off would work better rather easier than hundreds of model feet tramping up and down. The tops of the lamps look good perhaps you could marry them with a longer bit of tube? Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 Some nice work there. The photo of the loco body does show strong light from the window lots of reflection and is probably affecting the colour. Sometimes the colour of the primer/undercoat affects the result. I like the emery paper platform surface. I wonder if rubbing the surface first to just take the edges off would work better rather easier than hundreds of model feet tramping up and down. The tops of the lamps look good perhaps you could marry them with a longer bit of tube? Don Don I think the problem with rubbing the surface down would be that it will look like a piece of worn sandpaper. My thoughts are that a light coat of a dirt type colour would take the shine off it whilst preserving the texture which is what I was after when I decided to go down this route. I have used wet and dry sheets on an earlier layout and whilst I did not have the shine to the surface thay marked very easily. The papers also lifted but I put that down to the plasticard under surface of the platform despite it being scored heavily. On the lamps yes that might be a good idea. The prototypes at Cressing were relatively short and I did consider using a square tube that would beef them up. I have an open mind on that presently but thanks for the tip Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted May 19, 2012 Author Share Posted May 19, 2012 HI All Just finishing off another tree and would welcome comments. I used a trunk that was bought at a show and I have coated it with Woodland Scenics clumped foliage and then sprayed with cheap hairspray and covered in Nock Laub (leaves). The photo looks better than in real life but I am not 100% convinced its realistic enough. I need to weather down the trunk. Any thoughts Paul R 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Paul, Just to let you know I'm toying with an idea for my first 7mm layout. Sometime around 1960 -1965 - Southminster, Essex - with early nuclear flask transfers - about the same size as your Black Notley, which I consider doable. Ta for the inspiration!!! Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 Fantastic news Pete. That should make a great layout and it was an interesting track plan Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwr Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Another update. I have been on holiday so I have had a little time to progrtess things and started work on the pavement leading up to the crossing. I have used with Wills Sheets which are a tad large for OO but slightly small for O. However they look about right. The kerb is an Evergreen strip cut to 20mm lengths. The reason the kerb does not extend to the end of the pavements is that I have to turn the corner into the goods yard and I need to bend the curve round the corner. I had thought that the orientation of the slabs would need to change but a careful study of the prototype in our high street suggests not for the short length of paving. The photo above shows the paving approaching the level crossing. I will grass some of this up using the new Noch 12mm static grass and possibly some laser cut minis flowers. More posters are needed on the fence. I particulalry like the last shot as the tall tree really adds depth to the scene. The tree is sitting in what wll become the back garden of a pub or post office. I have my eye on a prototype for the latter in a village not far from me. I know its in Sussex not Essex but the style is similar and I may change the roof from tile to slate. The van in the photo is standing where the signal box will eventually be. The wife is out at a swimming gala most of the weekend and I have sought and had agreed permission to have more boards up in the conservatory to have a bit of a run. There is evena rumour of a video if I can work out how to post in You Tube. I managed to create an account so we are on our way. Keep watching for updates over the weekend All for now Paul R 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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