Charlie_k

Continued to make retaining walls and move along the front edge. Extended the waste ground, still some work to do but happy so far. Began to work on the hard standing before the bridge using the workshop from the Metcalfe engine shed, the height of the buildings will gradually increase towards the left hand end. Glad I’ve got the brewery on the shelf as it’s now discontinued. The ale house opposite is a temporary fix and the incline is in the wrong place. New windows have been fitted, And a bit of work in the allotment... I really am going to have to do something about that front edge! Doncaster model engineering show tomorrow, may pick up some warm white leds. Thanks for looking.

The mundanity of making retaining walls required an antidote in the form of adding some life... What is worrying is how the pigs get about...yesterday they managed to get on the roof, when I started today they were looking over the fence. My wife denies all knowledge... Thanks for looking.

Modellers block for a couple of days, pretty sure the Metcalfe brewery will go in the middle of the shelf. There are some nice combinations creating a long platform servicing all the buildings, so this would suit the long straight track at the back. At the left hand end I'm thinking of combining a couple of warehouse kits to make a large structure as a contrast to the smaller buildings at the right hand side. I think the crane in the same are would be a bit too much, so this could be moved to cover two or three tracks at the front yard standing. By adding a small building here, it should give some focus. Opposite end to previous entries. This platforms a bit chunky, maybe when it's painted it will look better. Crane over 1 track at the moment, could be extended over all 3 with some work. Brewery will go along the backscene in the centre of the board. Alternatively I move the crane left of the bridge and simply put another factory along the front. Had half a mind to build something like the peco goods platform as well. Remember, it's a hobby, not a headache. Thanks for looking.

First thing this morning the site team moved in and lifted the hard standing. Luckily there was a bit of heavy machinery on standby which sped up work. Frank watched it from the cab as nothing was moving. He hasn't said much but he wants the site work finished so he can get some steam up and move some goods. Grounds a bit wet yet, so the guys wanting the allotments can wait. They'll have to make do with a lineside hut for sheds. Give it a month and things could be sprouting nicely. Thanks for looking.

Disaster! Well maybe not entirely....Missed the column when varnishing, as I added the details my massive fingers did their best to undo a good hours work. Carried on with the additions, and repainted before a lighter job on the weathering. Seems to fit in more anyway. Realised I'd also lost the water pipe, but luckily found a piece of heat shrink that was the right size. Bonus in that it had a good texture as well. Extended the wooden fence on the near side of the yard, health and safety said there was a risk of workers getting on to the tracks. Now considering the area in the foreground, probably not a good idea to pave it as it now needs buildings and an industry here doesn't make sense, as they are just card it shouldn't be an issue to pull up at least some of them. There has been a request for allotments from my wife, and it might make sense given the opposite end will be very industrial, this section coming from the fiddleyard and under the bridge will act as a run in. If I add buildings here, I'll obscure this view. An opportunity for colours other than brick red might not be a bad thing. I would say that next time I will plan a bit better, then again it's interesting to see it change and grow as things develop. Time to plant some temporary bushes and see what's under the bench. Thanks for looking.

Still fine details to attach and dereliction around the base, came out a bit more corroded than I wanted, and needs a matt varnish. Thanks for looking.

Capping and weathering done, time to begin moving down the backscene, 2 feet complete except for the front area. Already paved but still lacking ideas. Any suggestions? Now to move on to the retaining walls, then got to think of the industries. A Metcalfe brewery, warehouses and small factory and entrance in stock along with an engine shed. The engine shed could become a factory to fill up space before the brewery towards the other end. Will add the goods crane when I've moved down the back a bit, just noticed the water tower looks very pristine at the moment...just when you think you've finished... Thanks for looking.

The coach turned out better than I thought, weathering is not something I enjoy and although I'd like to, I can't bring myself to touch the locos. Just some small parts for the windows and then weather the facing side of the bridge. Got to block the exposed end as well. Maybe something for later...should get it done in an hour if I put my mind to it. Thanks for looking.

Waiting for paint to dry on the water tower and rail for window dressing. Inspiration from the NRM, always worth a visit. Thanks for looking.

Just need to add a few caps and then weathering to finish. Coach is back in but not finished yet. Had to stop because I ran out of glue... Thanks for looking.

I thought today's target was optimistic but got to stop while the ballast dries. Mixed thoughts about the coach now, might act as a bonus storage siding for a few wagons. Busy day...thanks for looking.

Moving on slowly, track painted, bridge nearing completion, coach partially finished. Trees only in place for planning. While I was at it realised that I'd not finished painting the track on the main lines, so spent some time finishing that job. Looking to complete later today and hopefully having ballast drying overnight. Thanks for looking.

Spent an hour adapting existing parts to fit the length of the bridge, still a bit of work here, capping stones are ready to go. Sprayed up the grounded coach body, currently drying in the garage. Cut the spare track and cut the tabs between sleepers before removing a few and distressing. Ground cover will need to be a lot finer than everywhere else for grass all over. Just thought, better spray the track so it's ready for ballasting in tomorrow. Thanks for looking.

Since deciding to move the double width bridge to this end, now got to work on what happens as it hits the back scene. Possible going for an abandoned track, lots of opportunity for trees and ground cover to hide the far end where the corner is. Fiddle yard entry through right hand arch. Going to create a flatter wall behind the factory, retaining wall pushes too far forward. Thanks for looking.

Another week, another change around. After getting some inspiration at the York show, and a week away which gave me time to make a kit or two, I spent some time shunting and relocated some buildings. This is the far end compared to previous entries, the factory was moved back and the office brought to this end. I built the water tower whilst away and the crane base is a mash up using a block of mdf, metcalfe platform brick work and a plastic edging. I think there will be a wooden fence between it and the main lines. The barrel will probably be relocated towards a grounded coach body further down the line. Plenty still to finish and paint yet, retaining walls may become trees yet... Thanks for looking.

Except for a light varnish to set things, goods shed awaits. Thanks for looking.

Still to clean up and paint... Thanks for looking

Basic construction finished, handrail and some details to follow. Goods shed close behind. Thanks for looking

Thanks for the comments and likes, much appreciated. I found another office in the pile of scraps, I used the weighbridge last year for a bit of fun with my nephew during the holidays. Remembered to touch in the edges, put in new windows.New sills after a touch of powder to indicate shadows. I made a 'kit' of door parts. Will give them a coat of spray and dry brush before fitting. Better not mess up the cornerstones now...

Well done! Great job.

Dropped the height of the goods shed to make it more acceptable. Small office with badly aligned corner texture really obvious. Thanks for looking.

Filled in many gaps in the hard standings, increased the bridge length and planned the yard. I'm going to us the remainder of the factory kit as a low relief background. As it's smaller than the warehouse it might give the impression of depth and perspective. Half a goods shed for the corner building and the office opposite it. At the moment it's all held in place by small magnets, I'm using them as clamps when building. Bought a load of neodymium discs from eBay for not a lot. The over bridge will probably become an abandoned line, I can put some vegetation against the backscene then to disguise it going nowhere then. The crane might yet be extended over all the lines at this end, or move over the single line, it has to look like it might work. Looking the other way. Plan Through the bridge The far end Thanks for looking

Toned down the leds on the buffers today with a bit of wash and spent a good half hour watching locos pass over points. Found a few spots of glue on the inside edges of the rails, quite amazing how a small spot of stuff you can hardly see has such an effect. 05 still has some trouble, but after a good clean it wasn't too bad. Overall time over 7.5ft scenery length at low speed is 5 mins for 05 and just under for class 16. Under the bench is now clear, bit more clearing to do on the work table and then the building can begin. Thanks for looking.

Got fired up after visiting the Ebor model railway group show at the weekend. Well done to all involved. Tonight I spent 10 minutes going on 2 hours repairing one of the leds on a buffer and putting terminal blocks on to some veroboard for extra leds if I want them. Just need to drill a hole through the back scene and screw in when needed. What a difference plugging in to switch on the fire barrel rather than twist two wires together. Cleared all the rubbish under the board so there's now rubbish under the bench, and dropped the board onto the bench top, next job to put away all the construction stuff and back to buildings. I tend to be a bit clumsy so enjoy modifying Metcalfe. Quick if I want, nice to improve. 05 struggles at low speed over some sections, when all is finished will have to look into stay alive, whether it will help much I'm not sure, not really sure on modifying locos too much except fitting decoders. Longer wheelbase locos work fine. Another day... Time to clear the bench and get this finished before Summer. Thanks for looking.