Liam_uk

Nice little loco show, not overpriced and a nice mix of layouts

I've managed to plant the forest and reintroduce the deer into the undergrowth

Probably so, Take it up with the train crew manager! She told me I needed something for the mums and children to find....

Grass I've also layed the base layer down, then added static grass in layers. Now that I'm using better equipment the outcome is alot better. I've got some turfs, bushes and weeds still to go in, and also replant the animals.

So I had my first ever try at weathering the tarmac. Firstly I used a homemade wash to add a darkened effect, then once I was happy with that I blended with a rough sponge. I then added a watered down acrylic paints layer (Payne's grey and a titanium buff), this was dabbed on with a make up sponge. Finally I added a layer of weathering powder, again a mix of colours, and bought it all together with a rough sponge. The higher traffic areas appear darker which is the effect I was hoping for. Again I'm pleased with my first try at this

Thanks for that Nick, glad you enjoyed the layout. The changes are more for me, areas I want to improve. This is only the second layout that has ever got past the boards and track stage, so scenery is all very new to me. I have been looking on Google Earth around the Burlington area to get an idea of how the trees lie, hopefully I can get something similar and a nice mix of colours like I've seen before on pictures and videos.

So worked started on improvements to the layout before it's next show in June at Bakewell. I was never happy with the transload facility as I did the process wrong (added PVA/water to chinchilla dust and it clumped up). So this was removed, PVA laid on and then the chinchilla dust settled on the top, making it look much better in my opinion. I also wanted to redo my static grass as I felt it sat a bit too flat. I believe this is mainly because I used a cheap tea strainer/fly buzzer I got second hand. So I took the static grass off in most places, and when I did the under covering was showing dried PVA, so this was taken off to redo, once my burnt grass arrives. I also wanted to fill out my wooded area, so I removed the trees and made a mock up of the area. These will be added once I've done the ground covering, weathered the concrete and slight weathering the the building. Finally for now I've started work on making the lighting unit more rigid. My wood work isn't the best but it works. The one on the left is the original, and the one on the right shows a cut out for the crossbeam. That's it for now, lots to do and 2 months to do it on 😬

Thank you very much

Looks good, looking forward to seeing this one come on! Will it be ready for Mansfield 2025?

So Oliver Hill survived its first outing. Must admit I was nervous about transport, but nothing fell off and my woodwork stood up to it. Overall the weekend went well. Several good comments, a couple negative, however this is only my second layout Ive built past baseboards and track. Layout ran great for its first display, most issues were operator made, including accidently pushing a tank car off the track via the bumps, a few wrong routes and shorting/restarting the NCE when switching wagons and locos round in the fiddle stick. List of about 12 jobs to do on the layout including weathering of tarmac, buildings, building up a few more layers of grass and trees. The layout is next out in June at Bakewell, so hopefully these can be done for then and hopefully get around to starting some freight car weathering/modernising. Anyway here are a few pictures from the weekend:

As Daniel has mentioned, Oliver Hill is now at its first exhibition. This will be my first as a layout owner (I've operated several layouts at Exhibitions), and I am hoping the layout is well received with it being only my second attempt at a layout (past boards, track and wiring). Anyway since my last update Oliver Hill has changed alot! I wasnt happy with the textured tarmac coverings, so these were pulled up. The manufacturing company has stayed in the same spot, but the cement terminal is now a small building at the front of the layout, which can receive a maximum of 4 2 bay hoppers. The transload facility is now at the rear of the layout. This can receive a maximum of 4 cars, but I will try not to fill it to the max.

Thank you Daniel, few things to do before next exhibition (mainly a bit more weathering), but its 98% done.

Another good exhibition, spent from just after 10 until 1650 looking at everything, chatting and spending money. Some great modelling still on show, although some of the bigger layouts suffered from big layout syndrome (lots of operators and no trains moving, or the sidings being little more than for show and never used) when we went past. This was a shame as a few layouts were great but let down by the lack of operations, even after several visits to see something moving. The large American Freemo layout was great, a lot of detail and with all that room you really got a feel for mainline running with working signals. However, the 2 stand out layouts for me were Bleat Wharf and Central Alonzo Mill. I went back more than once to these 2. Both only 4ft and 7ft respectively, but the quality of modelling was outstanding, from the scenics to the stock and something was always pottering around. These are both a credit to their owners. The hall never felt cramped or busy due to the wide aisles and the ticket staff were brilliant at getting through the queue quickly. Well done to all involved in running and organising the exhibition. Already got it in the calendar for 2024 to make sure management doesnt plan anything.

It was a really good event. Me and my Uncle (Paul) really enjoyed our first look at Freemo and it has planted many seeds