Bill_J

Edwardian politics: They've even got the omnibus.

I'm totally the opposite, too hot, too sunny, colours all bleached out by the sunlight and working all day in 30deg+ heat does nothing to improve my mojo. Give me a warm, light summer rain in the low 20s any day. Colours are more saturated, I find it very relaxing to be out and about then. Be careful out there everyone, while temperatures are so high, drink plenty of fluids and take lots of breaks from the heat and sun. Stay healthy...

Thanks Halsted, yes they do like it when I'm making things and, just like kids, they truly believe It's for them. They do like moving trains too, they hunt and kill them. They also leave fur fluff absolutely everywhere, it certainly adds an interesting texture to freshly painted surfaces. Thanks for your comments JamesGWR101. In a short break from construction at the moment, after a busy and tiring week at work. Also, trying to locate everything I need to wire the layout. I want to get this done by next weekend so I can at least play trains, while I make a start on the scenery. Hope to post more soon... Regards, Bill

The little goods shed really looks the part Jerry. Nice bit of bodging.

Thanks for your comments Stubby. As I said earlier, much of this adventure is about experimenting with techniques to make the best use of materials that normally end up in the rubbish. I don't think i would use this material in this way in future. the foam is just the flimsy sheets used to protect appliances inside the carton when in transit. The triple layer corrugated card would probably have been a better solution. I agree about using the same treatment on all the raw surfaces. regards

and a well done from me too. I totally agree with GeoffinOz on the steam shovel. Congratulations

Thanks David. The track isn't quite laid yet, just placed to show the track plan. The track bed is nearly finished though. I doubt that I will use this particular method of boxing the expanded polystyrene packing sheet. It is still quite flimsy and I've spent more time on trying to strengthen it than it really warrants. On the other hand it has cost nothing, as all the packing materials and the grey card are recycled waste. Still on the same pot of pva. The current idea for the demountable sections is to use bookbinders screw posts, of which I have a few, somewhere, in all my bits & pieces. Again, this will be experimental. Thank you Kevin and Jerry for your kind comments. I think the Armstrong, Dean and Churchward designed locomotives are some of most attractive ever built.

The Very good reason for starting this project: I really do need to get All the cat hairs off before taking photos... Regards

I made a start on the layout proper yesterday. This is how the track plan currently looks. Just a single point and siding, long enough to hold up to five wagons depending on size. Run around can be performed using fiddle-sticks. Or simple shunting puzzles, on the scenic section, with the other line available for displaying other stock. Current idea is a rural location. As I am using this project to trial various modelling techniques and strategies, this track layout is to be demountable.

His wife "We should have taken the train"

Thanks Steve. My method is to rip cheap kitchen towel into small pieces -roughly 2" squares. My pva is the cheap kids one from a certain high street pound shop, which I dilute approximately 60% pva to 40% water and add a drop of washing up liquid to aid flow. Using a cheap brush, I spread the pva on the surface I want to use, place a piece of paper towel on there and brush the pva over the top until it goes transparent. Continue doing this, overlapping each piece of towel with those previously applied. Varying the angle of the paper towel pieces, makes a stronger shell. do this for at least three or four layers. It takes a while, but is much less messy than soaking paper in the pva mix. It is surprising how strong this shell is when fully dry. Easily strong enough to take a thin coat of cheap, pound shop, filler for creating scenery contours. I will post some "how I did it" pictures when I get around to the scenery for this little layout. I find it to be be quite therapeutic, especially if I'm stressed about life. Hope this helps...

I have a couple of Hornby 0-4-0 locos that I want to use as the basis for 7mm narrow gauge conversions. I noticed when running them on a length of track, even at crawling speed, they tend to waddle like a fat duck. On further investigation I found the the wheels are definitely under gauge, by close to 2mm. They can almost drop into the track. I want to ease the wheels out closer to gauge. Can anyone advise on the best way to do this using ordinary hand tools please? Regards, Bill

Marly, that is a very nice concept model. Can't wait to see it when it's finished.

I too have a collection of free buildings from magazines , collected over the years. They're for a one day layout. That's the layout I will build - "one day" Good luck with this one, I will keep an eye out for progress...

I can't wait to see this Marly. Crowds are so rarely depicted in models, the small cameo being the norm, with just two or three characters. Bill

Thank you for your comments Marly and Kevin. I've always loved working with paper. Maybe because I grew up with Blue Peter and The Children's Encyclopaedia with its Things To Make and Do. I remember well, making an Ewok Village from cardboard, toilet roll tubes and paper mache, for my children, more than 30 years ago. Paper and card can be cut, folded, moulded and embossed, all useful techniques for making models. You don't need many tools, and you can make things while sitting with family watching tv. Track plan should be up in the next day or so...

Part of my purpose with this was to show what can be done with not a lot of money and a little ingenuity... Heavy duty tri-layer cardboard from pallet, and card pallet corner protectors. Pound store pva, hot glue sticks and paint. Kitchen towel. The baseboard was cut to shape from the heavy duty cardboard. Then Framed and braced with the card pallet corners using the hot glue gun. Everything was then reinforced using the tried and trusted paper towel/pva method. The pva also seals the cardboard against temperature and humidity effects. The feline assistants/ inspectors, give everything the thumbs up Surprisingly strong for such simple materials. The finished baseboard with my attempt at a faux distressed leather effect using cheap emulsion and acrylic washes. Total financial investment so far - less than £1.

As my chronic condition has implications for liver health, getting drunk, although tempting, is a definite no-no. Also, it is only ever at best, a temporary escape, issues and problems are still there and, still need to be dealt with. I do hope you find a way through your current situation. Sharing here, I have found, is nearly always a release. The support and encouragement offered freely by others, a massive help. David (south_tyne) Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. It was your recent posts, that encouraged me to open up a bit more about why I've been down for such a long period. I have, just this morning, started a new topic in the box-files and dioramas section on this forum.

I hit the upload limit with the size of my photos, so will need to do some editing before I include any images... More to follow soon

Hi all, At the end of April, to celebrate fifteen years of service, the company I work for presented me with an Oxford Rail Dean Goods locomotive.. Outed now as a model railway enthusiast, I decided to show, over the next few months, an example of what we do as railway modellers. Using mostly freely sourced materials such as recycled packaging etc, I have embarked on the creation of a scenic micro layout to serve as a place to "play trains" and photograph models. Overall dimensions of the scenic section are one metre by forty two centimetres.

The last month or so, I've been trying to push aside the darkness. I mentioned a few weeks ago, how the company I work for presented me with a loco as a thank you for fifteen years of service, in various roles. So I decided to build myself a micro layout to run some trains on, and as a scene for photographing models as I build or acquire them. Measuring 1 x .4 metres, so far I have built the baseboard. Working 20 minutes here and there, and a couple of hours at weekends. It hasn't been easy. Doubting my skills and abilities continually, I have managed to push through the early stages. There is a small sense of achievement at each stage, followed immediately by doubts on whether I can follow through with the project. Health issues have continued to dog, with more than a year of poking, prodding, blood tests, ultrasound and MRI scans, gastroscopies etc. I now have a diagnosis, and with a confirmed chronic condition, find I will be on medication with periodic monitoring, for the rest of my life. While I know that there are many other people who find themselves in a similar situation, or worse; it still gets me down. It has affected my plans for after I retire, and may restrict my ability to function in my current work role. I'm sharing this, not for sympathy, but to encourage anyone else that, finding themself in a slough or struggling to find their own mojo, that it is still there, somewhere. Making models, is an excellent way to put aside negative thoughts, even if just for a little while. I found that some of the more mindless, repetitive tasks that we set ourselves in this wonderful hobby, can be quite therapeutic. And, as well as good mental exercise, re-awaken dexterity and other manual skills. Regards, and wishing good mental health to all...

I'm thinking of resurrecting this diorama for the current CBC theme of "Holidays". As we take most of our holidays in Athens and this is the closest tram stop.

Love this cakebox diorama. What a perfect indulgence in nostalgia. Regards

I'm sure with all heard local travel reports of delays on the line due to an "incident". Any other rail delays we are told the reason, this, we just kind of know. Just the other day two railtrack workers were killed and a third, along with the train driver, must be in need of some serious pastoral support. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

A really nice job on this little layout Jerry. Its good to see you back, creating. Regards