Pattyndenne (Formerly Peasmarsh Road) - SECR / Light Railway Micro Layout

[Willl]

Some more progress from last weekend (and a bit from this weekend)

 

First, I made a fence out of matchsticks and coffee stirrers. This is meant to represent the style of fences with two horizontal 'rungs' made of logs (with the ends narrowed) which slot into the vertical posts - if anyone knows what this style is called please let me know! 

It's quite common around the weald and also helps backdate the layout to the early grouping/pre-grouping era in my eyes. There's something beautifully rustic about this type of fence, and ill definitely be making more of it in due time.

 

Then, I added some hedges around the layout. These are made of rubberised horsehair and noch leaves. I wanted the footpath at the front of the layout to be quite overgrown, almost like a tunnel through the undergrowth. This also frames the trains nicely in person, although the camera doesn't really do it justice due to the shallow depth of field. 

I also made a rudimentary platform for what will become Pattyndenne Halt. I actually really liked the ratio/wills halt, but 1) I didn't want to use such a common/generic structure and 2) I wanted to have a go at making a sleeper-built platform. This was made using balsa, coffee stirrers, and matchsticks. I made it slightly under-height, as I felt a full height platform would look a bit too imposing. 

I somehow managed to forget that platforms normally have sloped ends, so I have since used DAS clay (and a lot of it!) To build the ground up around one end of the platform, and give a bit more character to the yard area. 

 

Alongside all this, I have installed sound in the E4. I used a Zimo ms490 and sugarcube7 speaker, both from youchoos, along with a lais stay alive. I was very pleased to be able to fit it all in the boiler, as previous installs I've seen have either placed the speaker in the cab or lacked a stat alive. To be honest the sound profile isn't quite as good as my Youchoos P class, but a bit of tweaking of CVs should improve matters somewhat.

Now, I must wait for the clay to dry. As I can only work on the layout every few weeks, I've got.plenty of time for dreaming up dangerous ideas. The latest one is the build a modular, exhibitable model of Cranbrook station. The main thing putting me off is the simple track plan, as I'm not sure how interesting it would be to operate. I have already build a model of goudhurst station, so this could be adapted for the purpose.

Probably best to finish the current layouts first though! 

 

 

Edited February 23 by Willl

[NHY 581]

Very nice, Will

 

It's lovely seeing pre-grouping stock amidst a well modelled enviroment.

 

Rob. 

[Willl]

Thanks Rob!

 

The weather was so nice this morning I decided to take Pattyndenne outside for a photoshoot/running session. The light really makes some interesting shadows, although it also shows up the corners of the backscene. Hopefully some carefully placed trees will lessen this effect but i'll definitely curve the backscene on future layouts.

 

 

 

Now 579 is sound fitted i'll weather it and add a crew. 

 

 

I'm not sure I can bring myself to weather the Wainwright liveried stuff though - as much as I think it would look better if things were toned down a bit, it seems a shame to mess with them. I may do the H class and Terrier in time but C class 592 has too much sentimental value for me I think.

 

Edited February 24 by Willl

[Nearholmer]

I love all this Wealdenry, being a native of the district. You’ve really captured the essence in that small space.

 

Pattenden is a fairly common name in the area; is your version an ancient form of it?

[Willl]

25 minutes ago, Nearholmer said:

I love all this Wealdenry, being a native of the district. You’ve really captured the essence in that small space.

 

Pattenden is a fairly common name in the area; is your version an ancient form of it?

 

Thank you! I'm no expert, but I believe it is the original (or earlier spelling of it) - the Pattenden sidings on the Hawkhurst branch (and the surrounding area) are named after Pattyndenne Manor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattyndenne_Manor), which is just south of the alignment of the railway. I originally chose the name as I was planning on putting a representation of the manor (or a generic Wealden manor) where the oast is.

 

I didn't really plan any backstory for the layout, but i'm currently leaning towards it representing a halt on the site of Pattenden sidings - I vaguely remember reading something in Brian Hart's book about the Cranbrook & Paddock Wood railway company offering to build a halt at that spot to serve the Bedgebury estate, as its owner (Sir Beresford Hope) was one of the main promoters of the line. He declined and instead had the sidings built. I like this version of events as it seems quite plausible. Of course the topography / scenery is complete fiction but hopefully it feels Hawkhurst-y enough.

 

Will

Edited February 24 by Willl

[Nearholmer]

6 minutes ago, Willl said:

but hopefully it feels Hawkhurst-y enough.

I’m sure I cycled right by it several  times when I used to volunteer at the KESR and commute to Rolvenden by a circuitous route that went past Hawkhurst station.

[Willl]

After a couple of weeks away I’m back with the layout this weekend so should be a bit more progress coming. In the meantime, I’ve been working on weathering some stock and painting up some detail pieces.

first up I weathered the E4. I had an initial ‘oh god moment’ where my usual technique of varnishing, weathering with the airbrush and then removing the excess with airbrush thinner resulted in white staining all over the model. However, whilst rubbing this off I realised I could get a much more convincing polished effect by just buffing the paint and not bothering with the varnish. This gives a really nice deep shine which doesn’t come across on camera but is much more consistent than the clear coat I’ve used previously.

 

 

I also weathered up my Rapido SECR brake van and fitted the modelu crew and lamps. This really brings it to life although the guard is so tall his head is normally hidden (and in contrast to one of the other figures I got which almost seems like it’s TT gauge - I suppose one of the interesting things about the modelu figures is they have varying heights depending on who is being scanned. I’d never noticed before how most model figures are a uniform height).

 

The final weathering job was my olive green birdcage composite. I used the same polishing technique on this and it worked really well. I generally go for a polished look but with dirt in the recesses, as this is how I imagine stock being in the pre-grouping / early grouping period.

 

work this weekend has focussed on adding little details and creating a more overgrown look to the farmyard and embankments. I’m really pleased with how this is coming together. The whole layout feels much less ‘bowling green’ and more Wealden. I also added some sea foam trees behind the oast which helps hide the nasty corner in the backscene.

 

I the halt has gained some details as well. Amazingly I managed to paint the running in boards and didn’t notice the typo until I was asked what patty denne was. Won’t be making that mistake again!

 

the notice board is the model railway scenes parish notice board with the too cut off. I thought I’d put some posters in it. There’s one LBSC poster and two SECR - as with most of the layout probably completely unprototypical but I liked the way the brighton one looked (not that you can see it properly when shrunk down).

 

I’ve also added this little ballast trolley thing (technical term) which has been brutalised to give the impression that the planks have rotted away and the ballast fallen out.

 

 

 

Edited March 8 by Willl

[Willl]

I’m also trying to decide whether the halt should have a shelter. I bought the scenecraft field shelter for the purpose but it was bigger than expected. The old ratio halt shelter has may also work, although my current preference is not to have any real amenities, leaving the passengers with little comfort other than the posters depicting all the more exotic places they could be!

In other news, an unusual wagon load has appeared in the yard of my main layout. It’s destination is unclear but it will certainly warrant further attention. Hopefully this doesn’t get too expensive!

Edited March 8 by Willl

[Oldddudders]

Pattydenne? I thought it was Pattyndenne?

 

 

 

 

 

[MattR]

The buffing/polishing looks really effective! What did you use to get that look?

[chuffinghell]

What a beautifully presented layout 👍

[Willl]

32 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

Pattydenne? I thought it was Pattyndenne?

 

 

 

 

 

It is! Unfortunately due to my butter fingers it will be Pattydenne until some new station signs arrive and these ones can be removed.

[Willl]

25 minutes ago, MattR said:

The buffing/polishing looks really effective! What did you use to get that look?

thank you! I’ve mainly just gone at it with cotton buds and isopropyl alcohol for a while until it develops a bit of a shine. The birdcage coaches were already fairly glossy so didn’t need too much work but the E4 Took a bit longer as it was more of a satin finish. Even then it only takes about a minute or two T cut would probably make this quicker. 

[Captain Kernow]

14 hours ago, Willl said:

In other news, an unusual wagon load has appeared in the yard of my main layout. It’s destination is unclear but it will certainly warrant further attention. Hopefully this doesn’t get too expensive!

Clearly the local Lord of the Manor has decided to invest in an Estate Railway...

 

[Willl]

5 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

Clearly the local Lord of the Manor has decided to invest in an Estate Railway...

 

The lord of the manor seems to have slipped and bought another one! Now how will he afford to mow the bowling green…

 

A chance visit to the local shop seems to have ended with me going home with ‘Nesta’ - I was originally out for a open cab quarry hunslet so this came a week too late, but I think two will work nicely either way! 
 

I took advantage of the nice weather this morning to get some photos of the recent works in better light. Really pleased with how things are progressing - there’s still a fair bit of scenic and detailing work to be done, but I think the time to 1) build the lid/lighting rig and 2) figure out how the whole exhibition booking thing actually works - it may sound stupid but I actually have no idea how people go about advertising their layouts.

 

the D class must be travelling down to hawkhurst to collect a hop pickers special. Doesn’t explain where the crew went though…

 

a few more little jobs to report as well. I’ve added some more hops in to make it all feel a bit less sparse, and also trimmed the tops of those hops that had magically grown way beyond their rigging.

I’ve also added some more overgrowth to the farmyard and sidings (some of which can be seen in the morning’s photos).

Edited March 9 by Willl

[SouthernRegionSteam]

22 minutes ago, Willl said:

the D class must be travelling down to hawkhurst to collect a hop pickers special. Doesn’t explain where the crew went though…

 

What a lovely shot of a lovely little layout! Love all the details, especially the old sleepers/wood forming the steeper part of the footpath on the right. You've really thought well about composition not just in terms of the buildings and photo, but also the scenery. There was another shot looking between the hedges and towards the railway which I also thought was rather nice. Plenty of variation to the vegetation, and everything seems to fit so harmoniously together.

A detail I've not seen modelled before that was visible in an earlier photo is the makeshift crossing 'gate' - I.e. a bit or rope/wire and a red bit of cloth!

Nicely done, and I can't wait to see more!

All the best,
Jamie

[Willl]

On 09/03/2024 at 15:34, SouthernRegionSteam said:

What a lovely shot of a lovely little layout! Love all the details, especially the old sleepers/wood forming the steeper part of the footpath on the right. You've really thought well about composition not just in terms of the buildings and photo, but also the scenery. There was another shot looking between the hedges and towards the railway which I also thought was rather nice. Plenty of variation to the vegetation, and everything seems to fit so harmoniously together.

A detail I've not seen modelled before that was visible in an earlier photo is the makeshift crossing 'gate' - I.e. a bit or rope/wire and a red bit of cloth!

Nicely done, and I can't wait to see more!

All the best,
Jamie

Thanks Jamie! The crossing flag/rope is actually borrowed from a real photo of the Hawkhurst branch (I think it was from Churn Lane crossing, where the gates had recently been hit and destroyed) - I thought it would be a bit different, plus I was keen not to have the halt turn into a full on station - given I was originally planning on just making some sidings without any facilities at all even the current platform & bench is positively urban!

 

I made even more progress on the layout on Sunday - I think I tend to go into a bit of a modelling frenzy once I start! It's definitely not quite complete yet (I still want to put more trees in to disguise the fiddle yard exits & add some kind of hedgerow or fence to the big field at the front) but it does feel like in the space of 3 days it went from nowhere near done to being pretty much there.

 

The main job of the day was to create a lid/lighting rig. I made this from foamboard. I picked up some limited foamboard crafting skills from a past interest in RC planes, and I realised half way through that by cutting a 5mm slot out of the foam but leaving the paper on one side, the foamboard can be folded into right angles. This gives nice clean edges, although I didn't do this at the back so its best not to inspect the enclosure too closely. 

 

One big issue with the foamboard is its complete lack of water resistance - even a drop of rain will make the paper bubble up, although as long as it doesn't get too wet it will smooth out when dry. However, this did mean that the lid drooped slightly in the middle when painted. It's not too noticeable but I may make a new version with the brown water-proof foamboard in future.

Initially I used some left over RGB LEDs, which were attached to the inside of the front face of the arch. These were an absolute load of rubbish; they were extremely dim, and the white colour had a nasty green tint.

 

The purple is rather fetching though.

One benefit of the RGB lights though is that the light blue and orange colours can be used to simulate evening and dusk.

I've now fitted some Wickes warm white LEDs which will do the trick for normal daylight conditions, but I like the idea of changing the time of day when the layout is run at exhibitions. Given I already have an Arduino for running JMRI, it shouldn't be too hard to rig up something to gradually shift the colour of the RGB lights, although this may be more of a challenge for the warm white ones as they're mains powered so would need rewiring.

I also added some more sea foam trees at the far right of the layout. I like how the lane disappears between the trees now.

Last but not least, I painted all the visible parts of the baseboards a dark grey. I'm really pleased with how its looking now. It's much more tidy and really compliments the scenics.

I set out with this layout just to try some new techniques and products but seem to have ended up making something much more presentable than I really expected. My main layout barely gets a look in now! 

Edited March 11 by Willl

[Captain Kernow]

Lovely layout and very professionally presented too.

 

[Andrew D]

Looks absolutely brilliant! You have every right to be very chuffed 👍

[davidge]

Lovely layout ... just love micros! Very inspiring ... got my creative juices going again.

[Peter Seager-Thomas]

Inspirational indeed!

[Willl]

Thank you all! The response to this thread has been really encouraging and it definitely helps with the motivation.

 

A few more bits and bobs.

 

Unfortunately the paint made the lid/lighting rig warp quite severely. A night with some heavy weights has gotten rid of the worst of it but it's still got a bit of a dip in the middle. I might remake it with thin ply, but it'll do for now.

 

One job on the list is to add something to diffuse the light from the LEDs as it's a bit harsh. I also need to add another strip of the warm white LEDs to the front facia piece. 

 

I've also weathered some more wagons, and dulled down the Austin seven and sentinel steam lorry. I somehow didn't notice the lorry is LMS liveried lesser modellers would cave in and re-badge it, but I happen to know thos was a particularly sporty lorry, and was thus pushed over 88mph, transporting it back in time the Goudhurst Road, just past Kilndown, around 1915.

 

I've added some more sea foam trees at the left hand end to hide the fiddle hard exit. They slightly get in the way of the point levers so I'll have to move these. I've added some fence posts for the post and wire fences but the wire is yet to come.

I'm also planning on putting a big oak tree overhanging the farm track. This will hide the right hand fiddle hard and also add something more imposing to the right end of the layout - I'm not expert on composition but the lack of height variation at this end of the layout makes it feel slightly lacking. The oak tree will be attached with copious amounts of hot glue. Hopefully this will also allow me to raise it slightly so the branches don't hit passing time-travelling lorries.

The layout is definitely in the final stages now. It still needs the signals wired up (and potentially repositioned as I've no idea if they're in the right places) and some more scenic bits and bobs. Nevertheless, the lack of big jobs has me thinking of what to do next. I am now the proud custodians of some Bachmann quarry hunslets, but no 009 stock or layout, so this seems like the obvious next step. In the longer term, I quite fancy extending Pattyndenne to provide a longer run. Alternatively, I may make a completrly new SECR layout - the lack. Of a passing loop on Pattyndenne is a real limitation in operational terms, so who knows - maybe a Pattyndenne 2 is coming. Only time will tell! 

Edited March 15 by Willl

[James Hilton]

I think you’ve created something wonderful here. Lovely work.

 

I wonder if adding a passing loop would spoil the feel of the layout somewhat, its compact nature possible due to its limited complexity? I’d also suggest you’ve perhaps ‘overlit’ the layout? I would be using only one strip of LED in something of this size, glued to the inside top edge of the pelmet. If shadows are a problem, a second strip mid way would help, but I’ve never had a problem needing to use a diffuser. If you search in my blog I think there is a link to the brand of LED strip I use on all my projects these days.

[Willl]

5 hours ago, James Hilton said:

I think you’ve created something wonderful here. Lovely work.

 

I wonder if adding a passing loop would spoil the feel of the layout somewhat, its compact nature possible due to its limited complexity? I’d also suggest you’ve perhaps ‘overlit’ the layout? I would be using only one strip of LED in something of this size, glued to the inside top edge of the pelmet. If shadows are a problem, a second strip mid way would help, but I’ve never had a problem needing to use a diffuser. If you search in my blog I think there is a link to the brand of LED strip I use on all my projects these days.

Thanks James,

You're probably right re the passing loop. I've always had a bit of a tendency to overcomplicate track plans and this layout was really intended to be an antidote to that.

 

However, this moment of weakness is mainly because when using the layout for shunting (which I typically do due to the lack of turntables and the short fiddle yards) the trains have to enter from the right side, and I'd ideally also like to be able to run in from the left. Regardless I definitely won't be changing the track layout of Pattyndenne as is - I'm thinking more a future layout with a similar setup to Old Parrock, with a small loop and one siding rather than two sidings.

 

I do think the basic track plan is the greatest strength of the Peasmarsh Road plan (and my layout) as it gives lots of scenic space for such a small layout, which really makes it feel bigger than it is. One of my main qualms with smaller layouts is they often have very complex track plans, which wouldn't really work for me as the scenics is my favourite bit of building a layout. 

 

I actually originally tried that lighting setup (with 2 strips of RGB LEDs on the inside of the pelmet), based on your YouTube video on lighting for micro layours. I ended up bodging together the current setup just because the layout was too dark and I was in a rush to get the lighting sorted before leaving home for a while. It may be that one strip of the new warm white LEDs would be sufficient. I'm going to play around some more with the enclosure as I'm just generally not happy with it, plus the foamboard is in a pretty poor state after being painted. It didn't take the emulsion paint well so when I get time I'll make a new pelmet out of thin MDF or ply.

 

Thanks,

Will

Edited March 19 by Willl

[James Hilton]

This is the stuff I use:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y67D1JH/ref=pe_27063361_485629781_TE_item