brylonscamel

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 ...

Little Caledonian Basin gets a painted backscene. It wasn't my intention to paint the background in the diorama diorama cabinet. I was inspired to try, after I played around with a backscene idea for Dad's layout. Here are the results ..

Cheers David - in fairness the originals have a lot of character.

No trade secrets! I think the embossed sheets are all SE Finecast but the plain bond might be Slaters. The only thing I do extra to prep them is abrade the surface with a fine grit. This takes away some of the 'bubble' shape that is inevitable with vacuum formed material. The brick courses are just flooded with a bit of colour during painting. I mostly use acrylics for paintwork.

.. Just turn up the amp to eleven!

Thanks - I really enjoyed making them

Here they are as painted models, with roof and internal details added ..

Tiny shelters for the West Highland Railway I took a delightful commission to reproduce the platform shelters at Arrochar & Tarbet on the West Highland. The models are tiny but have the distinctive style seen at multiple locations along the line. The shelters that stand today are a repurposed platform-mounted signal cabin and a recently built shelter, based on the same style. Here are some photos of the models under construction, using mostly sheet and embossed styrene.

I'm almost hearing the racket from the loco as you hit the incline and enter the tunnel! I wonder if you'll get a similar sound from the DCC speaker as it enters?

Marvellous progress David - that really has the feel of Queen Street!

Some more angles on David's model ...

Galloping towards the finish line! The final push to get the hotel ready for a northerly journey! This stage sees the paintwork starting to lose the 'black & white look. Large expanses of white primer get washes of grime and roof structures convert from grey to colour.

I've gone potty! With the clock marching in the background, the focus is back on David's Glasgow Queen Street commissions. The 'North British Hotel' had seen lots of progress beneath the wall-head but nothing at roof level. In response, the last few days have seen chimney stacks appearing and the main roof structures finished. It even sports its name on the masonry ..

Havin' a wee gasper on the dock Our little J72 - numbered 6719 of Aberdeen Kittybrewster - pauses at the harbour weighbridge office.

Thanks John - very much the shed atmosphere I am hoping for! We are looking to add some of the 'detritus' and signs of activity that were typical of these locations - without overdoing it!

Feeding a workhorse Whilst helping Dad with our layout 'Braeside', I grabbed a photograph of Aberdeen station pilot (ex LNER Thompson B1 - 61347) arriving at the coaling stage.