cornish trains jez

Hi Gavin,

I'll probably add the weathering powders and then seal carefully with acrylic varnish. I've found that misting from a distance works well as if you get too close, the varnish displaces the pigments.

Best regards,

Jeremy

That's starting to look like a substantial construction Jez. I'm sure it will look the business when painted in sooty concrete livery.

 

Regards, Andy

Thanks Andy. I'm going to get the weathering powders out when the time comes to weather it as I feel the powders would create a convincing effect with some nice streaky rain effects down the sides. Still quite a bit of construction work to do and I'm still trying to track down a long run of etched steps.

Best regards,

Jeremy

That looks excellent. I must admit, I've burnt the midnight oil a few times to get a project nearer to completion.

Excellent work Julia and well worth all the time and effort. Stunning result!

Lovely work as usual Andy! I really like the Brake van, thinking of purchasing one myself.

That's really impressive Julia!

Brilliant backscene!

Brilliant idea Tom and good luck with the project. It will be very interesting to see this one develop. My advice would be to go with the 2FS option as you only have 2 turnouts to contend with so shouldn't be too troublesome.

Superb work as usual Andy!

Awesome trees!

Looking good, I reckon that tall layouts are in vogue, small 'footprint' with a tall object or two, coaling stage, helter skelter, tree, take your pick!

Thanks Will! I agree with you on the tall layouts, It certainly adds depth to the moving picture!

Looks amazing Will! A nice slice of our beautiful countryside in the Summer.

Thanks Paul! I hope to get a bit more done over the next few evenings.

I normally use Humbrol matt acrylic varnish from an aerosol, sprayed over in very thin mists and from a distance so as not to displace the powders. I really like working with the powders, both dry and mixed with water to create the different effects. I think powders are very suited to steam locos as they tended to be very dusty and sooty.

I totally agree Pete, less is more. To be honest I would like the focus to be on the structures more than the track plan so I thought simple trackplan so I can spend more time scratch building.

That looks like a nice concept

Cheers Paul. I want to keep it nice and simple as I have never built easitrac turnouts before,

Whatever suits, however it's easier to get a straight cut with certain types of saw. Either a junior hacksaw or a razor saw (the type that fits an Xacto #5 style handle) would work here, although I would almost always default to the former. I also use a coping saw and piercing saw on regular occasions for more difficult shaped openings or areas that are awkward to access. It is much more difficult to cut nice straight lines with these types of saw.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a browse on the web for some tools.

I'd be cutting out with a saw. IMO easier than a knife and the edge should be square so no (or very little) finishing required.

Hi,

What kind of saw do you have in mind? I've never used one before for modelling.

Best regards,

Jeremy

That looks interesting.

 

You are aware that Grantham didn't have a turntable, but used a triangle to turn engines?

Hi,

Yes, and I believe from what I have read that the triangle used to be a great place for spotters during its heyday to see the locos. I wont be modelling this part, only a small area surrounding the coaling plant. I've also just picked up Keith Pirt's Grantham Portfolio book which has a wealth of knowledge about the area and some great photos.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Looking forward to that trackplan Jeremy - still haven't got my head around the scope of this project yet.

A 'back of an envelope' type sketch would be great

Hi Pete,

I hope to put a trackplan together tomorrow. It will be 120cm long to include a small fiddle yard of about 40cm long. I'll post it in the next blog entry.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Only have Par? What about that 2FS swiss layout you started?

 

Can't help thinking I have passed on my bad habit (2FS not being one of them though) of serial layout building

 

Problem is, there is always the thrill of research for a new project and it can sometimes be good to have a different focus.

 

Good luck to you - I shall be keeping tabs on this...

Hi Pete,

I think I do have the serial layout bug. I have shelved the swiss project for the time being and will use the boards to create this little layout for which I have a lot more enthusiasm. We've also just put our house on the market and Par has been banished to the garage.....to keep the house tidy (according to my wife!!) So this little project will allow me to run trains in the house until we move.

My plastics arrived yesterday so I may start making some progress later on tonight.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Superb work Tom! The yard looks very authentic with the methods you have used to replicate the different effects of weathering, and I'm looking forward to seeing the trains running around the yard!

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hmm... how many layouts?

 

Maybe a new type of boxfile layout? - with the file stood on its end this time.

 

Nice weathering on the A4 - maybe a little crud to tone down those shiny rods underneath?

 

Regards, Andy

You can never have too many layouts!! I only have Par at the moment, and the class 90 was a bit of a one off as I really liked the detail etch produced by PH designs. I used to have an N gauge layout based on the ECML in the 50's, on which I ran my minitrix A3 and A4, but that went a long time ago with a house move.

This project will be something I will run alongside progress on Par. Box file on end sounds cool, maybe I'll have to have 2 or 3 side by side as the water tower is quite high too. Who knows, I still haven't finalised the trackpan yet, although I do have plenty of easitrac ready!!

The rods do need toning down, they look a bit clean compared to the rest.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hi,

I agree with Paul Price, china clay would work well with this plan as you could run a variety of small rakes of wagons. Good luck with the project, looks like whatever you decide it will be an interesting one.

Best regards,

Jeremy

I agree Pete, you should keep it, and you never know, it could even form part of a new layout one day. Also gives you an excuse to buy more Scottish rolling stock!

Best regards,

Jeremy