brylonscamel

The roadway on the bridge ..

The area between farm and distillery also saw some improvements ..

Flipping to the western side of the bridge and the station approach ..

Green fingered shenanigans ... Another trip to Surrey has yielded progress on the layout I share with Dad. We are both thrilled with each new stage, pushing the project ever further, overtaking the original version, with its reliance on Metcalfe kits and generic scenes. This latest trip focussed on the landscape, fleshing out the natural scenes with trees and grasses. I waited patiently to get everything in place before pushing this stage. It's not my forte but scenic materials are very effective, so long as I keep some reference photos to hand! Stretches of railway were absent from previous photos as they were tatty and in desperate need of grasses, shrubs and trees. A 'missing scene' was this easterly apprach to the road bridge and the point where the harbour branch leaves the main line

I checked, just in case but nothing I could find!

Not one of mine ... but I am 'available for royal commissions' should anyone be listening in!

That's a fabulous thing! I love the blurring of accurate model and work of art.

.. and there was me thinking that Canada has lots of space! I'm fortunate that we have a local business that hires time on their machines. I also try to be organised and bring materials & drawings that I have checked at home, otherwise it can be costly!

A glimpse of the drawings that allow me to produce component parts ..

Full Laser! I rarely commit to using laser-cutting for every component but this commission was a good project to flex my skills. The structural components for the canopy and the brickwork benefit from the crisp accuracy of a machine cutter. I get the curved lintels to sit amongst the coursed brickwork and nice joints at the wall. Canopy brackets are also sharp, with tabs to slot into walls, valances and roof materials. Here's the initial assembly, with the main roof yet to be added .. This 7mm station is destined for a layout, based in Plymouth area, with a nod to Keyham and Laira.

A little monochrome to strip the years away - aiming for the Ilford FP4 and home darkroom look!

Cheers Scott, thanks for the feedback - since the stock is mostly my father's, I've been careful with weathering. He's not a fan of the 'next-stop, scrapheap' look and it's easier to add more touches of grime, soot or oil than remove it

I love the names - someone in the design department had an active imagination.

The Fishing Forecast In a recent bout of winter weather, I managed to capture a 'guest of honour' class 25 from Sutton's Locomotive Works. In the face of swirling snow and an easterly wind, the Sulzer 6LDA power & miniature ploughs kept the goods flowing ..

Cheers John - I should have more to show - there's always something being planned!

I stumbled back into the world of buses & coaches whilst trying to reproduce a scenes on the station forecourt. A while ago, With practically no knowledge and some pointers from the 'Braeside' bus enthusiasts, I sourced models and customised them. The yellow one (Leopard) is a repaint, with decals that I designed myself. I believe it's correct for the 'Northern' bluebirds. The blue one is pretty much as purchased, with 'Aberdeen' added as a desitination. I tried to source a second 'Northern' bus/coach but struggled to find anything ready-to-run. In the meantime, I'll use the ones I have ..

A platform-level view The bay window feature sits on the platform side. Paint and weathering is split between areas above and below the (as yet to be fitted) canopy.

Satisfying details This little bay window was made to replace the original attempt. There were details missing that, once added, makes it a pleasing feature.

A model that has been emerging recently from the 'Braeside' workbench .. This station building is a rescue project, making the most of my client's acrylic carcass but replacing lots of details, including the roofs, chimney stacks, windows, doors and vestibule. Laser-engraved mortar courses survived sanding, fresh primer and repaint to get the most out of it. I quite like using a rattle-can primer as it gives a tiny amount of surface texture, which can be used to aid the weathering process. Cast acrylic provides a hard, shiny surface but this method gives it a bit of 'sandstone' in the finish ..

Thanks! This latest visit has been rewarding - like you say, a transformation.

Cheers Andy - thanks for hanging in there, whilst I made the buildings. Something I appreciated lately is the amount of 'groundwork' that's needed before anything new can be dropped in place. The occasional white-card mockup has come in handy!

.. funnily enough that's what did when I returned home!

ENGINE SHED & COAL STAGE

SIGNAL BOX

DISTILLERY