RMweb Gold scottystitch Posted January 8, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 8, 2015 Have been 'planting' a few new buildings on the layout. rmw5.JPG The signal box is located near the station, with the main running lines in the foreground and the goods loop running behind. The lamp hut was built from plasticard and 0.3 square microstrip. The 'squareness' of the microstrip dosent seem to show up luckily. I am not aware of any suitable N gauge corrigations that I could have used. rmw4.JPG tunnel1rmweb.JPG The lonely platelayers hut now sits by the entrance to Blue Ball Tunnel. rmw3.JPG ...and then out pops a Hymek on a coal train. Is that sand you have used for ballast? how will you weather it from here or is that the final colour? Great looking layout, love the viaduct. Do you fancy a commision??The track doesn't look like Peco. Handbuilt? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 (edited) Is that sand you have used for ballast? how will you weather it from here or is that the final colour? Great looking layout, love the viaduct. Do you fancy a commision??The track doesn't look like Peco. Handbuilt? It is whitish fine sand that I bought in an aquarium shop. I have not yet decided weather or not to colour it. On a previous layout, I used a very diluted wash of grey paint and let that seep in and it seemed to work. The track is 2mm scale easitrack. You have to thread the rails onto plastic sleeper sections, about 5 inches at a time. Not difficult. Edited January 8, 2015 by andy stroud 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 The last pictures could easily be taken as 4mm or 7mm at first glance, lovely work Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold scottystitch Posted January 9, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2015 It is whitish fine sand that I bought in an aquarium shop. I have not yet decided weather or not to colour it. On a previous layout, I used a very diluted wash of grey paint and let that seep in and it seemed to work. The track is 2mm scale easitrack. You have to thread the rails onto plastic sleeper sections, about 5 inches at a time. Not difficult. Thanks Andy, I might try the sand. Potentially much better on the eye than "standard" N-Gauge Ballast, which to me is more suited to oo gauge. Do you mean apply the grey wash rather like applying the dilute pva mix? otherwise the grey would alter the track weathering, no? I wonder if it would be possible to dye or colour it before laying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) Thanks Andy, I might try the sand. Potentially much better on the eye than "standard" N-Gauge Ballast, which to me is more suited to oo gauge. Do you mean apply the grey wash rather like applying the dilute pva mix? otherwise the grey would alter the track weathering, no? I wonder if it would be possible to dye or colour it before laying. It was over ten years ago so I cant remember in detail. What I do recall is a VERY dilute mix. Mostly thinners and it was brushed in easily to the ballast around and in between the sleepers. Then again it was an EM gauge layout so may be easier. Do you think by looking at the pictures that the ballast colour needs addressing? I was kind of hoping to leave it, but a freind vistited the layout the other day and suggested that it could do with a colour change. Edited January 9, 2015 by andy stroud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted January 9, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thanks Andy, I might try the sand. Potentially much better on the eye than "standard" N-Gauge Ballast, which to me is more suited to oo gauge. Do you mean apply the grey wash rather like applying the dilute pva mix? otherwise the grey would alter the track weathering, no? I wonder if it would be possible to dye or colour it before laying. An alternative to sand is Treemendus Normandy Earth Powder. I've used this on Ropley and have been very pleased with the results, it being fine enough to suit N Gauge/2mm and also a good colour out of the bag, so no need to recolour, only weather! Do you think by looking at the pictures that the ballast colour needs addressing? I was kind of hoping to leave it, but a freind vistited the layout the other day and suggested that it could do with a colour change. Hi Andy, the layout is looking great! From the photos there does appear to be a very slight yellow tinge to the ballast, but I wouldn't say it is hugely distracting and could be a result of the room lighting? If you are happy with it I would leave it alone, rather than risk spoiling it for no good reason. Tom (No connection to Treemendus other than being a satisfied customer.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 It was over ten years ago so I cant remember in detail. What I do recall is a VERY dilute mix. Mostly thinners and it was brushed in easily to the ballast around and in between the sleepers. Then again it was an EM gauge layout so may be easier. Do you think by looking at the pictures that the ballast colour needs addressing? I was kind of hoping to leave it, but a freind vistited the layout the other day and suggested that it could do with a colour change. Looking at photos on Flickr taken in the 1970s in South Devon in places like Dainton the ballast, particularly on the shoulders, is very pale in colour, presumably from Stoneycombe Quarry. The track on Blue Ball looks nice as it is, perhaps maybe a little weathering where locos stand (by the signal in the loop, at the end of the platforms?) or between the rails, but otherwise OK, cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1059 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Wow - how have I missed this thread. Very nice layout - great weathering and really captures that 70s feel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold scottystitch Posted January 9, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2015 It was over ten years ago so I cant remember in detail. What I do recall is a VERY dilute mix. Mostly thinners and it was brushed in easily to the ballast around and in between the sleepers. Then again it was an EM gauge layout so may be easier. Do you think by looking at the pictures that the ballast colour needs addressing? I was kind of hoping to leave it, but a freind vistited the layout the other day and suggested that it could do with a colour change. Hi Andy, I was thinking it was a bit stark, but on looking at it again, I think it's because, it being sand, there are a few silver or white grains prominent in the mix. I think it looks like sand, rather than ballast. That is purely my opinion. Perhaps it would benefit from a dulling down, or some light weathering? Not necesarily a total recolour. As everyone has said, great layout. And I was only half joking about a comision for a viaduct! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thankyou guys for your comments and advice on the ballast. I will leave it as it is for the time being. Maybe I might do some colour experiments on a separate test-piece, but at the moment I am working on other 'jobs'. Currently, I am midway through a tree planting session. I made about 15 of them up from twisted wire whilst the layout was packed away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 Thankyou Mickey, I think I agree with you. I think that in small scales especially, lighter colours on most things are better. I am tempted to tweek it at some stage, just slightly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted January 14, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2015 I have been working on the hillside around the tunnel entrance. This has involved installing the castle and a few trees. I am aware of issues with the lighting. I need to sort the shadows on the plain 'backscene'. Not sure if backscene is really the right word for plain white! A class 47 enters the tunnel with an unfitted coal train. The trees are made from twisted copper wire with Woodlands Scenics foliage material. The wire came from single strand electrical cable. A pair of class 37s cross the viaduct with a train of clayhoods. Finally, a close up of 47 001. For a long time this engine was allocated to Bristol Bath Road. It was often to be seen around the West Country and I have seen a picture of it on clayhoods. 28 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium maq1988 Posted January 14, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 14, 2015 The off-side shot of the double-heading 37s on the viaduct on the clayhoods looks great. The scenery around the tunnel and viaduct really does make an impressive view in the space you have used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bri.s Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Great photos and very great modelling Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted January 14, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2015 Lovely stuff Andy - its all really coming together now...and we love the blueness... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy stroud Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Lovely stuff Andy - its all really coming together now...and we love the blueness... You cant have too much blueness. Might punctuate it with the odd green-with-full-yellowness. The area around the tunnel and viaduct is very much countryside but the rest of the layout will be a little more built-up. In fact, most bits that aren't part of the railway will have buildings on them. I am planning some sort of largish factory or mill in front of the embankment and the railway will be seen running behind it. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted January 14, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 14, 2015 Awesome stuff Andy, it looks great! Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Didn't even realise you'd made a new layout - I was a great admirer of ' oldshaw ' so was expecting something cool here. I wasn't disappointed ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Amazing stuff. Just found this and it's incredible, are you sure it's 2mm scale?? When I saw the first pic of the tunnel mouth on page 1, I actually said "Oh, wow!" out loud....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Brilliant modelling. Impressive progress as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post andy stroud Posted February 6, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) I took a few pictures this evening as I'm about to pack the layout away for two or three weeks whilst I work on the connecting boards between the scenic section and the fiddle yard. This will mean that once the layout is reassembled, not only will I be able to run trains in a complete circuit, but will also be able to see two trains passing each other! Dosent sound much maybe, but as my previous layouts have all been branch lines, this is my first main line layout and the first where two trains can really move at once. That's a big step for me! This picture shows an unfitted coal train passing through Blueball station. I do like coal trains although there were never that many of them in the SouthWest in blue diesel days. There will be buildings above the railway in the background. A short freight is seen abling across Blueball viaduct hauled by 37 299. The third wagon is a modified N Gauge Society Kit of a 21 ton hopper. I have built it as a 'rebodied' wagon. This is another 21 ton hopper from an N Gauge Society Kit. Bit rusty. More rusty wagons. These are Farish. Edited February 6, 2015 by andy stroud 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bcnPete Posted February 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2015 Lovely stuff Andy This is shaping up very nicely indeed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted February 7, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 7, 2015 Brilliant stuff Andy, love the first photo with the 45. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Revolution Ben Posted February 9, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hi Andy, Lovely layout idea and very nicely modelled. Please keep the updates coming! cheers Ben A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John lewsey Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Hi Andy have you got any photos of the viaduct under construction John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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