Rowsley17D

Trouble is Larry, buying-in stuff costs. I know Jeff has his lump sum to splash around, but it won't last for ever. I would hate to think how much somebody would charge to wire up a layout unless you had a good friend who would do it for return in kind. However, I do agree that re-inventing the wheel can be a waste of time and you are The Master of adaptation. Most of us are not all-rounders but there is a great deal of satisfaction to be had when amiring one's own handiwork. I must get off this forum, it's a good job my boss is in East Anglia and rarely gets up to this part of the world, besides I have a train to catch soon. Jonathan

Jeff, I left Teesside in 1999 so while my handiwork was featured, I was not, at the time, part of the group. The actual buildings had long gone so I had to build them from photos and guesswork. I still have some off-cuts from the architectual papers. The ink used stood proud of the paper and although was self-adhesive, could be repositioned prior to being firmed down. I think they came from Australia, but importation stopped when Exactoscale changed hands a few years ago now, pity it was a good product. Meetings are a drag but I am not often called to them very often and at least I get a train ride. We have BIG changes afoot in our agency so at least it will be in my interests to go. Plenty of breeze about today, it should get rid of those fumes. Jonathan.

It's J72 "Joem" at the moment. It only does a couple of trips per day due to its small coal capacity. The G5 that they are building at Shildon would be ideal for the line as it's ancestors were. My preference is for anything MR/LMS . Getting back to buildings, you seem to be happy enough with plasticard and while embossed brick doesn't look quite right to me the stone is fine. I find it's better to laminate layers rather than use one thick one and you can high on MEK rather than Evostik. I also am happy with card. It's cheap and plentiful locally (the art and craft outlet at Teesside Park). Again laminating is the best way a la Scalescenes. Why not treat yourself to one of their buildings as a tester? Have a look at the Card Structure modeling forum on this site to see what's possible? While not embossed, Scalescene's textures are excellent. I built most of the buildings on the National Trust's Pilmoor layout at Ormesby Hall in card, although the textures are the now unavailable Exactoscale self adhesive brick and slate sheets. I have recently built the station building from Hulme End on the Leek and Manifold in plasticard, when I get home I'll post a pic, but not until tomorrow as work are sending me, by train, to Nottingham for a meeting. Jonathan

Don't be silly Jonathan

Jeff, I do like the look of those tapered piers. It makes the main line viaduct very graceful. Was there any reason you chose a different design for the branch viaduct? The contrast between the two is very striking. Perhaps they were “built” at different times? It's another warm and humid day here in TS17, I don't envy you with another day with the Evostik. Jonathan

Hi Jeff, What have you used to fill the joints between the sheets? Jonathan.

Jeff - are you going to treat the stonework with any more colours, other than touching up the corners where the plastic has stretched? Am still going passed the Slaters factory next Wednesday so let me know if you want anything. Jonathan

Hi Jeff, Have a good time. I am a civil servant working at the ground floor office of St Mark's House, across the footbridge from Stockton shopping centre, but will probably be moved to Darlington when the offices closes for good a year in October. It is a long way but we moved so that my late SWMBO could be nearer to her school. The drive back home is fantastic though even in winter. Never missed a day due to weather although have been late on one or two occasions. Jonathan

Jeff, Don't think they do embossed sheets and if they did if it's like their strip etc it would be very expensive. I use Scalescenes stuff. It's not embossed but from viewing distances it looks good and once you've bought it you can reproduce as much as you want. Wills sheets are too thick, cutting them is a nightmare. If your heart's set on Slater's stuff, I will be driving passed their new shop in Darley Dale first week in August if you want some collecting and save the postage for more important things. I work in Stockton so you can collect it from me. Jonathan

Well Jeff, you have plenty of time on your hands now and salary until the end of August so we expect some rapid progress Jonathan

I've found 3mm mdf to be pretty bendy - I used to get 2mm from Homebase - fantastic for the backscene - but it doesn't seem to available any more. Keep following the thread and chip in with any ideas/suggestions. THAT is the power of RMweb!! Best wishes, Jeff Jeff, 2mm? must be card!! B&Q (just usually a satisfied customer) stock 6mm bendy MDF Must be your last day tomorrow? Best wishes for your retirement Jonathan

Jeff, your thread has made me join RMweb, lovely work BTW. I have made all the mistakes one can make with my current layout which was started eight years ago when I lost my SWMBO to the big C -I have built it in what was her study in the cellar. I have gradients and they are far too steep. I have had to take the weights out of coaches so the passenger locos can still have up to eight bogies on. The goods locos easily take twenty wagons though. The gradients BTW are to get the main running tracks to a low level fiddle yard. I still like this idea as it gives a long run but next time the gradients will be far gentler. I don't have a station, but an MPD where I can show off my engines. For the back scene can I recommend bendy MDF?