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

Since starting the layout, my understanding and knowledge of American outline has changed and grown. Ive been lucky to meet some new people who have helped me in the last few months. Anyway back to the layout, Ive been busy doing small jobs and am just finishing the structures for the layout. The layout itself is moving across America, from TN to VT, and to a fictional region just outside Burlington called Oliver Hill

Saw someone just as I was leaving, gave a little toot on the horn 👍

Was that you filming 66143 from the gate as it left Kingsbury??

Depending on your space, my uncles exhibition layout will be for sale in September. Search Brookfield on YouTube

Typical, I thought it was my computer or something. Thanks for letting me know

Hi All, Ive just tried to log onto the JMRI website, but it just times out. Is this the same for everyone or am I doing something wrong? IS there somewhere else to download JMRI?

So, I've dragged my feet the last few months. Oliver Springs was meant to be at the TVAM show this year, however with it getting cancelled I kind of lost enthusiasm for the layout. However, the past month I have really upped the work on the layout. Firstly, I didn't like the bottom industry. So I ripped it out and went back the the original idea of it being a small transloading facility. I tried a new method for this using foam from hobby craft and painting it with Woodland Scenics cement pigment. Unfortunately, they dont do the grey foam anymore so I used black (which in hindsight I should have used white), this was then painted with several coats of the cement pigment. I they used thin card to make the section in between the rails. The photo is pre-centre rail section. I then used a method of weathering from speaking to someone at the Mech Models event. I took a spoon full of coffee and made a coffee (no milk), then I added a teabag and left it to cool. This was then painted onto the cement. This photo shows the different and how toned down the concrete now is. The finished cement, my first time weathering any hard standing. I also started with the trees. Using a WWS autumn tree kit I got for Christmas, I made several trees using a mix of just seafoam and using the plastic trunks. Again this is the first time I have ever made any trees. The first few have been placed in the corner next to the cement terminal Whilst on the subject of the cement terminal, I started to scratch build the bulk loading building. I was going to use Pikstuff parts, but with the other building on the layout already being made from that, I felt it maybe too much. A quick google and I saw the Walthers terminal, and copied the building design from that. The first building was 1 1/2 inches too wide, leaving me no room for any equipment to load/unload, the second picture shows the difference. I am hoping to get this built up and again painted in concrete and weathered. Since Christmas, the layout has been on the floor in my loft. However, with my son moving to one of the other rooms in the house (for some reason he didnt like the bigger of the spare rooms), we now have space in the new study/sewing room to put the layout up. Last night the layout went up. I found the bolts I had used were too thick so went to the next size down. Unfortunately the left hand board needed some repairs before it could go up. This is due to poor wood work skills on my part. However, this morning I got the layout up and joined: You can see the difference the two boards here, with the right hand board having had the 2nd and 3rd layer of static grass, where as the left hand board only has the first scatter layer. I started the left hand board static grass: It does make a big difference. Once this is dry I will clean it up and start the yellower toned grass for around the soil area and under the trees which will go on the left to hide the scenic break. AND FINALLY, I couldnt resist getting a quick snap of my latest purchase on the layout. After watching several videos I seemed to have a liking for CF7s. So looking around and it was looking like getting one from America for around $150 plus taxes and postage etc. However, this one turned up for £89 DCC Sound. It was weathered, which I personally want to change slightly and does need a service, but I am happy with it. So here CF7 1513 stands on the run round loop after spotting the 2 bay hoppers at the cement terminal, for collecting a Box car from the manufacturing facility (the left hand industry) and return back to the yard.

I've been thinking about my loft layout over the weekend, spending time just looking at the loft. I think half the problem has been most of my exposure to model railways has been at exhibitions, operating club and personal layouts (of my uncle), and obviously an exhibition layout has to hold your attention for as long as possible to stop it becoming boring, spending 6 plus hours a day for a weekend playing. HOWEVER, I've tried to cramp this kind of operation into the loft, but this isnt how the loft would operate. How many people realistically spending 12 hours on a weekend, or even 6 hours at a time operating a home layout? You'd probably spend an hour or 2 pottering about and then leave it at that. So with this in mind I looked about at layouts I liked, and I keep coming back to this one: I like the station on the curve on the Coniston Lake layout, and I also like the branch line climbing and going over the mainline as a scenic break. I am however, not fussed on having the MPD on the layout, unless there was a reason for it being there, and dont know if I could get it to look not squashed in as I have 17ft 2 instead of 18ft. So maybe a twin track with 3 platform station (one line as either a loop line or branch line), and then some sort of goods area?

I had a play last night after seeing posts. I dont want the station to be most of the layout but a part of it. This would offer 2 into 1 running, bay operation, trains can be looped and work the yard, so this does offer options. I would probably change the branch station for another industry in there for shunting purposes, maybe a Dairy or Creamery (spelt wrong in the picture).

I agree. When I first set the room up in late 2020/early 2021 I didnt understand or know as much as I did do now. I just saw peoples lofts and thought that would be great place to try and make a big layout, got it converted and chucked the biggest boards I could in there. I then spent the next 2 years trying to come up with something I liked, kind of too much space, but again not enough. I think half the battle is that I am trying to make it quite trainset like (with 90 degree curve straight, 90 degree curve, straight), whilst at the same time wanting it to be realistic and hands on. I dont know if I could make the long section on a curve to soften the curves at the end and add bankings, cuttings etc.