brylonscamel

We avoided all the high-stakes *** words - hurrah for RMweb

Cheers - that's very much what my customer is aiming for - something grubby, cockney and Victorian!

Hi William - it's not one of mine (I simply did the build & paint for a client) but head across instead to JSModels on RMWeb or the JSModels website - the supplier of the kit in laser-cut MDF

Here's a loco in front of the brick factory, moving 'Caledonian Basin' a lot further south!

That's lovely thanks - I just downloaded the brick guide for some 'over a cup of coffee' reading. I also rely on a model-making friend when checking stonework. His day job is a stone mason in southern Scotland and he's been really helpful.

These little resin-cast cottages are still providing fun. In this case a slate-roofed building for Dad's layout and a 'wriggly tin' version for a customer. The plan is to fettle some new versions in the next couple of weeks to expand the selection.

Dirty Victorians My 'brickwork' customer and I had a chat about the finish on the London factory. We aim to represent London long before the clean air act, when stonework was blackened with soot and brickwork colours were very dark. I gave the building further passes with the brush and brought it nearer to photos he kindly supplied.

I could resort to asking my border collie how to arrange sheep in a field, although he seems most expert with squirrels!

It's good to know about the bond, it was something I had noted in looking at my subject buildings but this confirms it as the dominant bond. I am no bricklayer (or surveyor!) and appreciate the expertise on offer. At the risk of sounding thin-skinned - I would like to remind everyone that these are models made for a customer and criticism should be levelled with reference to the original. The comment about my use of stretcher bond for one shelter is incorrect as it's a 20th century structure, built using stretcher bond.

"Doing the Lambeth walk" I'm currently trying to reproduce a bit of London brick for a customer - with my trademark painted signs! The model is one of JS Models low-relief factory kits

Clanking overhead The classic view of 'Caledonian Basin' with a loco on the bridge. Trundling overhead is my first attempt at a kit-built loco, a white-metal and brass version of an ex LNER J35. Frankly, it was an exercise in proving how good ready-to-run locomotives are these days, and how much work we are spared. It does have a good hefty feel though.

I would challenge your observation on the use of stretcher bond for shelter No #2 as the prototype is not Victorian. One platform shelter at Arrochar and Tarbet is a recent addition and copies the style of the other building (originally a lever-frame signal cabin) but not the brick pattern. Thanks again for pitching in with your observations - I certainly feel clearer on the widespread use of a sort of 'Scottish wall bond' with multiple stretcher courses. Cheers, Brian

Hi Alan - these bits of feedback are always welcome. Most of my Scottish outline buildings have been stone-built, so I am lacking in experience with Scottish brick but I was aware of the widespread use of what we call 'Garden Wall Bond' in England (PS I actually operate from Bristol, deep in the heart of sassenach country!) For example, when I made my 'Caledonian' style engine sheds, I did use a garden-wall to represent its Scottish equivalent. Your feedback must relate to the 2 x West Highland platform shelters at Arrochar & Tarbet. I must admit to using English bond for one shelter, because it was easier to match the various corner joints and hoped it wasn't too obvious, with there being so few courses. Note to self : Fellow model-makers are an observant lot and will spot these short-cuts!

Cheers for the feedback - you are in luck as I am committed to produce a tenement. I am working through a backlog of commission work but the new castings are firmly on my list. I'll be putting any developments on here as well as Facebook and my website.

We brought my tiny rural Scottish diorama to the show. Here's a photo of the 'Highland' Class 24 production sample, perched on the bridge ..

No apology needed - I am 350 miles south of Hadrian's wall!!

Oh that's exactly the kind of thing I was aiming for!

It was great to talk to those that stopped by and chatted with us about the locos and their connection with the works. It would be rude not to share a slightly wider photo of the works 'photo plank', taken just before the show - and before I got to see the 'Highland' Class 24s!

Here's a bit of fun with my small exhibition diorama board and thoughts of the Scottish Highlands.

Spring has spring in rural Aberdeenshire It looks like the distillery staff have been planting out flowers as the sun shines on the office at 'Coire Beag' - a name given by Dad as family nostalgia!

A little flurry of images from me - all thanks to a few days spent with Dad on 'Braeside'. Whilst there, a low sun crept into the railway room, lighting up the engine shed entrance.

Learning from Dad Dad and I share our love of model-making but I now contribute more to the making-of-things. A 30 year age gap provides me with more nimble fingers! I am aware how much he has contributed over the years, not least his thoughts, attitudes and techniques. Whether it's the use of the proper tool, time spent preparing materials, making test pieces or checking measurements he has passed on a lot of sage advice. This week I gave time to his layout, making progress with scenic and structural changes. I am glad to be able to contribute to something that gives us both so much pleasure. Here is Dad's V2 at the throat of our engine shed, with the distillery forming a scenic backdrop.

Everything's gone green! Whilst I was down in deepest Surrey this week, I set about giving the distillery a proper setting in the landscape. A before and after shows how much progress has been made over recent months. It's great to be reminded how it has changed. As in the real world, greenery changes everything!

I will be sitting in the corner with my score-cards at the ready! PS Contributing to various layouts and model projects has been a real treat. I am given things to make that have surprised me and tested my skills!

Here is the 'test piece' on a bit of hardboard that set me thinking ...