Bisley - 1990s EM Gauge

[dj_crisp]

47 minutes ago, lyneux said:

Hi Will,

 

Just seen your pics of the weathered station buildings on Flickr. They look amazing! Really nice work.

 

Guy

 

Thanks Guy - They've been keeping me busy for a while! I'm now on the lookout for a 4ft battern style lights to go under the canopies and then plan on doing the impression of an interior for the waiting room.

[dj_crisp]

Just in case anyones interested.... here's a link to the nearly finished waiting room. 

 

 

 

[Melangoose]

That looks amazing, you must be well pleased.  I would if I could model like that.

[dj_crisp]

I've fancied a seperate office building for my fertiliser depot and for a break from DMUs I thought I'd construct a laser cut kit from Ebay. I have to admit I bought it thinking I could build it quickly..... famous last words;

 

 

From the original kit there's just the shell remaining. On opening the brickwork was way overscale for bricks so i can only think it was for a breeze blocks (?) Anyhow I quickly decided to clad it in brickwork which was rather tricky as the stuff is so fragile. Eventually this was done and the edges filled with good old filler.... and then scribed to try and hide the plastikard edge (not all bricks line up - doh!)

 

 

After priming in white (and then sanding as my halfords primer is rough) I then looked at the windows - The orginals were super thick and desinged for fitting inside the shell - Nicely cut but frankly horrible. So I've had an experiment and made my own using offcuts from a kit and plaini old plastikard strip. Also added the sills so hopefully this'll look ok painted - otherwise I'll have a rethink. Similarly I added a door frame and door.

 

 

I've used 600 grit sandpaper for the roof - I'll weather it using an airbrush and while it looks ok now I wonder if being sandpaper will cause long term dust grief - time will tell. I'm no expert on buidings but from looking at a few online they seem to encourage rain run off so i've added plastikard to three sides with one end being for rain run off.

 

 

 

And for a bit of fun I've added some drainpipes and guttering quickly soldered up in the 30c + in my garage.  Painting next to see if this looks ok.

 

I think next time I'll buy some ready done windows and build the building from them! Might be a bit more straightforward!

 

Will

[dj_crisp]

I've had a bash at painting some platforms.

 

 

Hopefully it looks a bit like a platform now and tbh I'm still not sure if it needs some more weathered black on the surface. 

 

 

 

You'll probably not believe this but I've done loads of washes and mixed up many colours to try and make it look less flat... but at the same time uniform (ish). Today I've decided to  put a brake on things and have just sprayed some matt varnish (which looks a bit shiny!)

 

The view no one will see;

 

I almost had a disaster using too much water in one coat which caused the platform surfaces to peel and bloat... however got away with it back putting on loads of flat weights overnight so got away with that one.

 

Didn't get away with dropping the board....

 

Never mind... I'll get the soldering iron out when it's a bit cooler.

 

I quite this view which I've taken to see if after all I got the platform height ok!

 

It'll be getting some fencing and a bracket signal one day!!

 

Next up is the rest of the platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

[Graham T]

Personally, I wouldn't weather them any further until you've done some more of the groundwork around them.  Then you'll see better how the whole scene blends together, and if the platforms actually need to be any darker.

[dj_crisp]

10 hours ago, Graham T said:

Personally, I wouldn't weather them any further until you've done some more of the groundwork around them.  Then you'll see better how the whole scene blends together, and if the platforms actually need to be any darker.

 

That sounds a sensible approach. I wasn't sure if I needed a bit extra to better define the slabs... but I'll paint my other platform sections first.

 

[Rhysb]

On 30/05/2020 at 17:51, dj_crisp said:

A little update on signal box progress.

 

 

Nothing is quite sqaure as the roof hasn't been glued on yet. Added some tiles today which I'm sure to the trained eye looks awful!

 

 

 

I'm happy enough with them though. Question is should an late 80s/early 90s box have a chimney and fire?

 

Guttering is my next challenge - the supplied versions are too short so think i need to find some alternatives, The large piece of work was embedding the window arches in rather than my first effort which looked like eyebrows. I'm much happier with the result now. Of course it wouldn't be me if i didnt break something so have repaired a set of windows with plastikard scraps when the knife slipped! 

 

 

A few test shots to see obvious problems etc.

 

cheers

Will

Will, Like the signal box, Is this a kit or scratch built?

 

Thanks

 

Rhys

[dj_crisp]

On 17/08/2022 at 15:45, Rhysb said:

Will, Like the signal box, Is this a kit or scratch built?

 

Thanks

 

Rhys

 

Hi Rhys

Thanks...It's timbertracks with some enhancements. I spent quite a long time scribing bricks and added quite a few details like guttering etc. Also a few interior bits

 

 

 

I'm debating on weathering it as well but will see how it sits in the layout

 

 

Also made the roof removable 

 

Cheers

Will 

[dj_crisp]

I've spashed some paint onto the small office block which will be near the the front of the layout;

 

 

Glazing this was surprisingly difficult and I tried using glue n glaze to stick the perspex  which didn't dry that clear. Hopefully it looks ok.

 

I'm sure I sprayed the door Anglia Green... I know i did it at the same time as doing some Bachmann DMUs so maybe I just messed up as that looks a nice shade of early BR Blue !

 

 

The hole is for an outside light as soon as I work out what it'll be. I'm thinking of a SMD LED stuck on with the sides painted.

 

One thing I haven't decided on is whether the windows should have lintils or be lazy and go with internal ones. I suspect being a small building simple internal ones would probably have been fitted.

 

 

I'm quite pleased with the roof. I ended up sraying it matt black and before glazing the whole building had a coat of matt varnish which nicely dulled the bright white guttering and evened everything out.

 

 

 

 

Taking these photos has highlighted quite a few touch ups that are needed and I'm quite looking forward to doing an interior of sorts. Overall quite pleased with how this has come out - it might have been easier scratch building it but at least the "quick" kit inspired me to get on with the building.

 

I'm also debating on changing the name of the layout to sound a bit more like its from the south west. Although I'm quite fluid with the stock and buildings that have gone on the layout it might just be a token effort!

 

[Graham T]

Which colours did you use for the brickwork?  I always struggle with painting bricks!

[GRUNFOS]

Office block looks really good, I read it came from Ebay, would you have the sellers name by chance?

Regards

paul.

[dj_crisp]

12 minutes ago, GRUNFOS said:

Office block looks really good, I read it came from Ebay, would you have the sellers name by chance?

Regards

paul.

 

Sorry I can't remember exactly and it's not in my history but I think it was scenic route models. There's quite a few options on eBay and for this one I did end up only using it as the shell in the end.

 

 

[dj_crisp]

9 hours ago, Graham T said:

Which colours did you use for the brickwork?  I always struggle with painting bricks!

 

There's loads of techniques and mine is no way the best but it's simple to do but takes some time from start to finish. I've primed with halfords white as it evens everything out and i can spot some of my mistakes and bring out some filler. Although as you might guess I've been struggling with getting an even finish so this building had a gentle sand afterwards which adds a bit of texture too.

 

I'm doing mortar first these days. This time I wanted a "new" bricks look so choose a light mortor colour (Humbrol 121). For my platforms I used up some Halfords spray camoflage paint as there's so much to do i just wanted to do it quickly - turned out a bit darker which i quite like.

 

Painting the bricks is just dry brushing using a cheap and flat nylon brush. I try to use it on its side to prevent the mortar being painted over - although any mistakes can be made into interesting features or weathered. The first coat is my base colour and i don't go for full coverage just an overall light covering. I do vary my base colours which i think for this one was humbrol 100. This i let dry for a few days and it all looks horrific! The next step is the final dry brush using a range of colours... these being  humbrol 70,62, 100 and railmatch dark brick/frame dirt. TBH the actual colours doesn't really matter they're just shades of red/browns. I don't let anything really dry in the final dry brush so the paints all slightly mix hopefully making them not that uniform. This stage is quite nice as it seems like bricks appear!

 

Final step is to pick out a few bricks in which ever colour you fancy! I try not to do this that much as red bricks don't appear to me to be that uniform in colour. Then you can do some weathering if you wish. So far I've haven't done anything extra other than adding a saltly white colour here and there like on my platforms - truth be told it's where I've made a mistake, cracked some bricks or is too dark. I like to try trick my eye to not look at my errors! 

 

Then everything is spray matt varnished with a rattle can

 

Hope this helps - It's quite nice painting bricks after a rotten day at work!

 

Will 

[Graham T]

6 minutes ago, dj_crisp said:

 

There's loads of techniques and mine is no way the best but it's simple to do but takes some time from start to finish. I've primed with halfords white as it evens everything out and i can spot some of my mistakes and bring out some filler. Although as you might guess I've been struggling with getting an even finish so this building had a gentle sand afterwards which adds a bit of texture too.

 

I'm doing mortar first these days. This time I wanted a "new" bricks look so choose a light mortor colour (Humbrol 121). For my platforms I used up some Halfords spray camoflage paint as there's so much to do i just wanted to do it quickly - turned out a bit darker which i quite like.

 

Painting the bricks is just dry brushing using a cheap and flat nylon brush. I try to use it on its side to prevent the mortar being painted over - although any mistakes can be made into interesting features or weathered. The first coat is my base colour and i don't go for full coverage just an overall light covering. I do vary my base colours which i think for this one was humbrol 100. This i let dry for a few days and it all looks horrific! The next step is the final dry brush using a range of colours... these being  humbrol 70,62, 100 and railmatch dark brick/frame dirt. TBH the actual colours doesn't really matter they're just shades of red/browns. I don't let anything really dry in the final dry brush so the paints all slightly mix hopefully making them not that uniform. This stage is quite nice as it seems like bricks appear!

 

Final step is to pick out a few bricks in which ever colour you fancy! I try not to do this that much as red bricks don't appear to me to be that uniform in colour. Then you can do some weathering if you wish. So far I've haven't done anything extra other than adding a saltly white colour here and there like on my platforms - truth be told it's where I've made a mistake, cracked some bricks or is too dark. I like to try trick my eye to not look at my errors! 

 

Then everything is spray matt varnished with a rattle can

 

Hope this helps - It's quite nice painting bricks after a rotten day at work!

 

Will 

 

Thanks very much Will, I'll try those techniques next time I tackle some brickwork.

[dj_crisp]

Not an aspect I particularly enjoy but I've spent some time sorting baseboards and changing the layout supports.

 

The final board has been slotted into place;

 

 

I couldn't resist a few test shots of the station buildings to see how the overall layout will look;

 

 

 

The above view is missing the fertilser depot but I don't plan on much more at the front of the layout with the aim to give an impression of space. I haven't worked out the back of the layout yet.... maybe an ugly 60s style buiding (or former milk depot). The back of the main biilding needs a raised station forecout so need to work out how that'll flow with the sidings etc. I'm going to leave some yard space around the back siding to allow different traffic flows to potentially exist depending on the mood i'm in!

 

As it's a through station I'll need to hide the exit so have plans for a footbridge... and maybe some trees.

 

 

The far board isn't connected but will hopefully give an impression of the full length of the layout

 

 

I've "temporarily" plonked an old ratio signal in place for the bay starter until I build the MSE signal kit so it may be in place for a while! If successful I plan of scratch building a bracket signal for the main/branch starter which I might mock up from left over ratio bits. I suspect the background will involve some trees to try and hide the back!

 

Other than changing the layout name I've been contemplating on simplifying the plan a bit and replacing the double slip with a simple FB right hand into the bay which is probably more prototypical. This has benefits as it'll reduce point motors needed, as well as simplify point rodding if i ever get round to it. I'll probably leave spur siding in place as an abandoned relic. Although I need inspiration to build it so the double slip will stay a while.

 

Hopefully these photos show a bit of whats been in my head over the last few years! Any ideas are always appreciated!

 

Will

[dj_crisp]

I've started building some track for the station extension.... as its all straight it'll hopefully be just a case of lining stuff up and trying to make the track looks straight!

 

Anyhow the most complex bit is doing my last Colin Craig adjustment switch. As photos on this thread for my last build have gone I thought I'd add some new ones...

 

 

First job is to file the lengths of rail so they slide between each other. I then solder these together as a continuous piece of rail as this makes building easier. The supplied sleepers then have etch rail supports soldered to keep the rail inclined. To match I only used half the etch to align better with the concrete sleepers and then the rails are soldered to the sleepers.

 

Fun bit is adding the detail;

 

I ended up soldering the support rails as this is easier and stronger than glue. The white metal chairs are simply superglued in place. I also scrape the copper clad sleepers to give an impression of wood... im not sure that is really noticeable but allows me to hide some of my soldering!

 

Finally the flatbottom wooden sleepers are added and a coat of primer sprayed on... it's now ready for laying on the layout.

 

 

A fun mini project which I hope adds some variety. Something I rarely see modelled but as Colins kit is so good I can't resist. Hopefully it's continued to be produced under a new owner.

 

Will

 

[dj_crisp]

I'm managed a bit of progress with track laying the station board and fixing my broken FB point.

 

 

It's now ready for some chairs and airbrush treatment. I've been using my 158 for platform clearance tests and height checking and it manages to negotiate the curve into the platform.

 

 

I'll be siting the platforms so they line up better shortly! All was well till I tried my cargowaggon and have found it has an annoying step....

 

Which meant some fairly drastic action was needed on my curved platform! Anyhow thats been sorted now and platform edge painted so hopefully isn't that noticeable.

 

The station board is now all wired up so I'm hoping to have some moving trains soon!

 

 

A near overall shot of the layout... thoughts are turning with what to place at the back of the layout but my next sizable project is wiring up my traverser.

[Southwich]

Looking excellent Will! Love the cutaway warehouse. Looking forward to seeing the traverser wiring and further updates!

 

Kind regards,

 

Will

[dj_crisp]

I've built some small baseboards...

 

 

I've decided to add a bit of depth to the back of the baseboards.

 

They've been glued and bolted on and surprisingly all seems OK!

 

[Chris56057]

Looks good to me Will (not that I'm an expert) - I'm guessing you'll be able to build up the scenery on these sections now?

[dj_crisp]

1 hour ago, Chris56057 said:

Looks good to me Will (not that I'm an expert) - I'm guessing you'll be able to build up the scenery on these sections now?

 

That's the plan :)

 

Certainly the bridge end will have a bit of an embankment. I haven't really planned the rest yet!

[dj_crisp]

Not much has happened on the layout for quite a while but as the garage is getting a bit warmer I've been pondering next steps.

 

I'm thinking I should swap out the double slip for a straightforward flatbottom right hand. 

 

 

Several reasons for me thinking I should attempt to build a new point;

     - It's probably more prototypical

     - I'll be able to straighten the transition from the main line to the branch.

     - I can bin the DCC concepts (failed) point motor currently used on the catch point

     - It does simplify things (especially point rodding if i get round to doing it) and releases a tortoise point motor to replace the last DCC concepts motor used elsewhere.

     - While I don't get many derailments the double does worry me that it could cause issues

 

 

And I always think I'm a bit guilty of putting too much track down so the next idea is unlikely but I was just seeing what a short siding off the back siding would look like

 

 

I think this configuration is unlikely in the real world so I'm not too sure that it's a good idea. The cork is an alternative plan having a kickback siding in the back ground for an offscene "ponts mill" branch under an embankment and so keeping the branch traverser sidings clear. But tbh this is probably overly complex so will probably be abandoned.

 

As you can tell I'm not being very decisive at the moment so any opinion is appreciated!

 

 

 

 

At the station end there is a temporary arrival of a footbridge, It's too tall and should be floor mounted but until I build an etched version it's allowing me to see what i need to do to hide the station exit. I'm tempted to hack it down but as I don't plan on keeping it there that long (famous last words) thats probably a bad idea. I think I'll add some trees at the front and so need to realign the curb stones. Thats for another day!

 

Thanks for reading

Will

 

[dj_crisp]

This is going to take some time....

 

 

And I've cheated and filled a few gaps with solder which is probably too soft. First attempt building my own V... lots of filing.

 

Maybe I should use a bullhead point.

[Bogusman]

Is this the etched footbridge you're going to build?

 

Regards

Pete