aberdare

Sorry to hear about that!! Luckily enough I do live near the bottom of a hill and the water rushes past if it rains heavily, a previous house of mine was in an area of underground springs so I can relate to your problems. At least this is more of a large workshop as I am getting a wooden floor which will be raised off the current concrete pad. Jim

Hi Chris Thanks very much, as for the roof I still have the figures to paint for the repair team but that will have to wait until later in its new home. The garage will be insulated but that will be as and when funds allow but at least I will have somewhere a bit more draught proof and without the odd leak, it may extend my modelling season a bit too. The coach is a Ratio one, I have six in total plus some of the shirescenes sides to make other types though I will look to scratchbuild some of the early stock later, out of plastic of course. I hope you get 'permission' for somewhere suitable to build in. it took two years for me to (nearly) empty the garage after downsizing. Jim

Thanks Mikkel Seeing a few more items on there has started to bring it together now and it has spurred me on to get the Engine shed built, once I have got the drawing done I will order up any parts I need if I don't already have them. I did feel I needed a break after the tiling marathon, luckily the next building had slates so I should race along building that. As for the small items - like ladders - it was just a nice simple change from the larger stuff and I just had to give it a go to see what it was like, it's all good practice for more complex items in the future. Jim

Welcome to another update on the build so far. The carriage shed has progressed further with the last planks added and paint being added, it is almost completed now except for the support struts which will be fitted once the boards are in their final resting place in the new building, then it will be the final paint and finishing to take any shine off it and of course add a bit of dirt. One thing that was missing was the repair work being undertaken so in preparation for this I decided to make a ladder, so I got a couple of bits of 1mm half round strip for the sides and chopped up some 0.5mm rod into 3mm lengths for the steps. and then started to add the steps to the sides, how hard can it be? Obviously not too bad as about an hour later I had this, it was a bit fiddly though. and then added to the shed I also had a root through the scrap box for a few bits of plastic and wood to make the coaling stage alongside, the plastic was scribed to create stones as per the original and the wood strips were fixed to some posts made from square section plastic. After slapping a bit of paint on and adding some coal it looks like this. A bit more work needed once the present coats are fully dry. I also had a ratio water tower tucked away in the kit box so built that up with a few mods and though there is still a bit more to do to make it just like the original I have photographed it along with the rest of the bits. I'm still debating as to whether or not to add the final details to the tower as they are not really noticeable, it just depends on how much it bothers me. Maybe I just need to stop looking at the photographs so closely and except a few minor differences. Finally a view down the line similar to those seen in the books. The next step is to start on drawing up the engine shed and completing outstanding jobs, such as nameboard, fencing, lamps etc. These should keep me occupied until I get my new garage and then fit everything into place once and for all, that will be good to do as the layout itself has suffered a bit over the winter as the current garage is hardly fully resistant to the extremes of the weather we have had, this is what prevents me from further outdoor progress. I hope you have enjoyed the latest update and I'll be back later with an engine shed. Jim

snip *Then sit back with a cup of coffee and admire some loco running*. No matter what problems arise they will be overcome and then you can sit back and savour the moment, I know I will if/when I get that far, trouble is I will need to remind myself to do it again at regular intervals or else I'll just unplug things and get on with scenery. Jim

Yawn! not more wiring Jeff It is easy to see that the wiring has been done very methodically because of all the tags and you can be proud of it, so not really a mess, but to anyone thinking there's only two wires to this hobby it would be shock. Good to know you are nearly at the full circuit point in your task, A golden spike moment is imminent. Jim

Hi Phil I like the first and fourth shots in particular as they show that feeling of depth again with the foreground blending into the backscene very well. I do like shots through tunnels or bridges too, it frames the scene really well. Going back a bit further (post 18) I liked the first shot with the cracked base in the yard, very realistic. Jim

I believe so Jason. I think that is a great idea as it gives you a bit of dereliction in an otherwise complete scene. I do admire your imagination and skill in the things you achieve. You'd better hurry and get that Mek-Pak so we can see the progress Jim

Hi Jeff Love the '2 wire' post (4443). No doubt it'll be a relief to get all that wiring out of the way, plus the point fettling and be able to run a few things around a few times. At least once that is out of the way you can concentrate on the scenery and all that lovely scratch-building, I'm sure that will keep you just as occupied as this wiring is, makes my DC wiring look simple. As they used to say when I lived down in Norfolk, "Dew you keep a troshin bor". Jim

Nice one Jeff I wonder what you'll do next now though, but I think it will be more scenery rather than wiring as that is what you really want to do. Just getting some colour onto those hills will make a huge difference for a start and then maybe a bit of GRASS, that'll keep us all happy. Great photo by the way, now we all know what you look like, not too sure about the uniform though!! Jim

That's some excellent work you have done there, I prticularly like the way the scenery flows into the backscene creating a feeling of depth and distance. I look forward to seeing more. Jim

Jason When I started to follow this thread that corner was empty - apart from the boxes that is - and since then it has just gone from strength to strength and just keeps on improving, I often thought it looks pretty good now it's finished and then you squeeze another building in. Great work and I have enjoyed following it and just wonder where you can go next. jim

8 pages !!!! ..It's been a marathon effort catching up with this but I'm there now, Phew. Great work again Jeff and it looks as how I imagined I hoped it would, as I was reading it I thought 'No', 'Too steep' or wondered if it looked right or not but I see everyone has kept you on track and the result is perfect. Just need that green stuff on now that Andy is always on about. Well done on also getting something running, always a satisfying moment. I hope to stay tuned in for a good while again now and eagerly await more updates. Oh, and as for Diesels, not really favourites of mine except for the Deltics which I grew up with and have fond memories of. Jim

I saw this at Doncaster on the Saturday and I must admit it was one of my favourites on the day. It is difficult to follow everything on this site so I had not come across it before but I'm glad that I have now after seeing it at the show. Well done to all those involved. Here's a few pics of mine from the day Jim

Cheers Andy Great solo video there and you keep it and make it look so simple, yet it is so effective. I wouldn't dare slap that much glue about but maybe I shouldn't worry so much. Jim

That backboard and the blocks already give an indication of the shape and size of the cutting .I was wondering where will you place the section when you need access but I assume you will remove that before ducking under rather than rising up from the corner with hill in hand. At least now you have the chance to progress with that end. Good stuff. Jim ps. I think Andy wants you to work at his pace and finish it.

And there was me thinking that bit of lettuce leaf in my pocket had fallen out of my salad roll I better just go and beat myself with a stick of celery now for not leaving enough time for taking more photos yesterday. Joining the discussion on hearing protection I too have worn it throughout my working life, if I hadn't I would probably be as deaf as a post by now. We used to have regular checks every 3 years and though I have good hearing for my age apparently, I do suffer a bit of Tinnitus from a bang on the head years ago and mishear some things if there is background noise. So if I should ever looked a bit blank or say something out of context you know why. Fully chastised Lune of E Yorks

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing this, it was one of the main reasons for me going to Doncaster today. Well done to all those involved and I think the quality of work spoke for itself by the number of people who were gathered around it for most of the day, apart from chatting to John early on I didn't get near it until the later part of the afternoon. Jim

Thanks John Iv'e never been one to think I am or can do anything special, I just like to try my best and see what the result is. It was a pleasure to meet you too and I enjoyed our conversation, I would like to have stayed longer but unfortunately I was needed back at home once my daughter had left. If I can make the arrangements I will try and attend Stafford next with the wife. Jim

Ahh! another wait and see project is it? Ok I'll be patient and wait until monday, but like you say it is better not to rush it, on the occasions when I take a short cut I always end up chastising myself for it because the result then does not match my expectations. Look forward to seeing the progress you make Jeff. Jim

Hi Jeff Just been reading through the last few posts and had to go and look at some pictures of Kirkby Stephen and back through your thread - using the index of course. I do like Jasons idea but you do seem to be a bit pressed for room behind the track to get the full road in, a bit hard to judge from the pictures though. If things remain as is then the hint of hills going off scene as suggested is the way to go. On mine I have a large hill at the back which I would love to include but have to satisfy myself with the start of it and rely on the backscene to complete the picture. Whatever you decide I'm sure we will go along with it. Oh! another post from you that might change things, back later. Jim

Hi John Your reply made me smile as I have just been doing some more painting on the shed, as I was doing it I was thinking 'that bits crooked or sticking up and wondering how I missed it', so I am going to keep quiet about those 'little' imperfections and make sure I never show them in detail. Like you, when I step back and view it the overall impression of the build looks like it should and when it sits amongst all the other bits I know it will be fine. Your layout has that Wow factor when viewed and that's the very same thing that I want, I've a long way to go yet though.

Hi Mike I have just recently found this thread and thought what a fascinating subject it is, I have read a couple of books set in this period and found them very interesting so good on you for modelling something different. I also recently purchased a book on William Dean which had a whole section devoted to the Dean Goods at war and there were a number of photographs in that which kept me glued to the book for quite some time. I look forward to following this some more. Jim

Hi Jeff Just had time to catch up up and the hillside does look better already especially with the backscene board. Now those seem to be creating a debate of there own and I prefer to see a curved one personally but understand your dilemma, but as you know your access and plans I can only assume that you have given it plenty of thought or will do. I feel that it is one of those things that can let down what is going to be a fantastic view and I would try hard to prevent that. A friend of mine does have removable - Oh I see you have just answered. Yes that is the best idea as I have seen it work, not on a hillside mind but I didn't know the removable bits were there until I was shown them. Best of luck in whatever you decide, I'm pretty sure we will all think it's still great anyway. All the best Jim

Hi John I think the overall look you have got there is good, even the close ups are nowhere near as bad as you seem to think they are. Remember if you don't point things out people never notice them. That shot of the lamp is particularly good. Looking forward to seeing even more now. Jim