vulcan607

4 minutes ago, 'CHARD said:

Looking suitably ropey, too!

Yep! Their retirement date being bumped continually, can't have helped matters. The interiors were 'well used', but commendably clean, however.

Travelling from the Brighton area, to the BRM 'do' at Ally Pally, last month, the sensible way to go, would be via Kings Cross. Me NOT being sensible, I thought I'd get potentially my last ride on a 313 out of Moorgate. The Network South East era signage has gone now, but the trains remained the same. I was hoping for the full Northern City Line experience, but our return from Ally Pally was diverted to Kings Cross at short notice. These, rather half-hearted shots, were taken on the 24.3.19. The next day, I was notified that the first of the 717's were entering service..

Finally, I found some time to work on the layout, this weekend. The gantry crane is now perminantly mounted in place. The backscenes make it less vulnerable than I originally feared.

I've also started to finalise the positions of the yard clutter, although, vehicles and people will be stuck down with tacky-wax, to allow repositioning as required. The little open box cars are my latest purchase. Suitably weathered, they don't look too bad.

Thanks for all the kimd words, chaps! This little layout has been a real learning experiance. Today, I finally managed to fit the backscenes. They're not 100% perfect, but for a first attempt, I'm pretty happy. Now,to finish the yard wall and gantry crane

A clear weekend meant that I could concentrate on laying down all of those lovely static grasses I've bought. Because of the layout's miniscule size, I wasn't able to use the Peco static grass machine and had to go 'old school' with the puffer-bottle. The fibres didn't quite stand up as advertised, but I think it looks ok.

Another couple of hours was spent fixing some of the brilliant, but mind-numbing, Busch plastic 'weeds'. I TRIED to assemble some of their multi-part plants, before giving up in a huff,  and whacking down some Gaugemaster laser-cut, paper plants.

Once I cleaned up the track and cleared the flangeways of rogue ballast, I was able to get down to the important job of playing with trains, er, testing the track. To celebrate a successful session, I ran my latest acquisitions, a pair of tankers. I'm not sure what they are carrying. Given the Germanic nature of the layout ,it could be either currywurst sauce, or schnapps. Either way, I used a barrier wagon!  

Basic ground work with DIY filler and cheap craft acrylic paint. The 'concrete' blocks are a cardboard product by Busch. Weathered slightly, they'll look fine. The main yard is paved with textured plasticard sheet.

Ballasting was with N-gauge 'cinders', not an onerous task on such a small layout, and I decided to use some Woodland Scenics flock to cover any filler I missed and provide a basis for the static grasses.

While this was drying off, I've been working on more of the details, such as some Faller pallets..

Thanks,chaps. Much appreciated!

I'm a millitary modeller in my 'other'life, so I like to bring some of the techniques I've learnt, over to the railway side of things. As it's a tiny layout, I can afford to go to town on the detail. Glad you're enjoying it, so far!

​A little more work:

The major structures are now painted, along with the Robur truck. I'm quite pleased with how they've come out, especially the truck. It's come a long way from the cheap, East German railway accessory, I bought in berlin for 3 Euro! 

​I've attempted the 'Chris Nevard' technique on the concrete fencing. I think even my ham-fisted painting has given a passable result.

Next, will be the ground cover, but I need to wait until the missus is safely out of the house, before I get the filler paste out! 

​Cheers, ShildonShunter!

I'm having fun so far. It'll be a test-bed for scenics. (Translation: I really want to try some of those new-fangled static grasses!)

​After a couple of false starts, I've finally managed to build a layout to beyond the track laying stage. I say 'Layout', as the whole thing is a mere 32" x 6". More of a scenic test-track really. The plan is a basic 'tuning-fork' and supposed to be a small yard in the outskirts of a town, somewhere vaguely Eastern European.

​The baseboard was cobbled together from some wood off-cuts and Daler board and in keeping with the thrifty theme, the majority of the buildings and scenic were either from cheap Auhagen sets, or given away free with Continental Modeller! (Also Auhagen)

​Locos are from Minitrains. Currently I'm using a Bohler 0-4-0, and a Ns2f diesel. Both run superbly, despite not being yet fully run in and given the 'rustic' nature of my track laying.

​The final picture shows the general arrangement of the buildings and features. Hopefully, the gantry crane doesn't overpower the scene.

A man after my own heart! I much prefer the DR (of the DDR) to DB. I think it's the fact that there was never as much money as in the West and the original buildings and rolling stock lasted much longer there. If i was starting again, I'd go TT because of the DR bias in locos and stock. As it is, i'm doing the same in N. Really nice scenics and layout so far. Hopefully i'll get something built soon myself.