marc smith

Hi there @rcf Nice to see you are dreaming of new schemes and plans. I haven't been doing much modelling at all lately (as you have probably gathered) - mainly due to lack of time I would firstly say, start afresh on a new board, rather than rip up an old model. My last project was a similar affair - I tore up my "Carsmoors" EM gauge scrapyard, in order to start a new layout However, almost from the outset, I was making compromises on the overall design and plan.... Some of those compromises (believe it or not) arose from me having more space on the board than my original concept This drove me to add more trackwork and features..... Anyhow, I won't bore you with that! But hopefully, you get my drift. Better to start a new concept without constraints, or uneven ground-work etc Also. I'm sure someone would happily buy one of your old models. I think someone bought your first diorama, if I'm correct? I've been doing a bit of dabbling myself lately - and I'm really pleased to see you're still itching to build something too Good luck matey, all the best, and stay safe Hwyl fawr from South Wales

Nice job on that one @Wayne 37901

Although not much has happened - I'm pleased to see you're sticking with this project. Doesn't matter if it needs to go on the back burner.... as long as you keep up with this project. I like it, and the extension works too - which isn't always the case Besides.... you've still done far more modelling than me, in the same time! lol

Absolutely stunning @SouthernBlue80s. Really nice modelling. You've really created a superb atmosphere in this little plank / diorama Re the backscene - yes, I found that they can often be used for different scales to those they've been made for On my O Gauge "Poynton Sneer" micro layout - the backscene was a commercial one, made for 4mm scale... I think it works well here, keeping the horizon quite low. You've blended it with the foreground really well. Cracking job mate

I was picturing the coach bridge being over a river... And alongside the river, runs a narrow gauge line Perhaps disused, but certainly with steep steps leading down to track level Maybe a very small platform - perhaps a workers halt?

I was thinking, unlike those prototype coach / bridges - it would be nice to see another railway feature or two in your model. Up to you, of course - it's your diorama. But it set me thinking about what such a diorama might feature

Hmmm, this is an unusual project Looking forward to seeing it develop, and to see what situation you place it in.... Nice

@Stubby47 - just wanted to add - Pencil me in for next years SWAG.... if there's space, or as a "substitute", should the need arise

Of course, it's perfectly understandable that SWAG day had to be cancelled Such a shame, as I was looking forward to catching up with rmweb pals.... Never mind - next year Just wanted to say, thanks again for all your hard work @Stubby47 and @Ramblin Rich - do you mean I'm going to be even more miserable than usual? Cheers all

Looking great Gilbert

Dear @Gilbert There's only one thing for it......You'll just have to donate this layout to a friendly Welshman! Looking good sir

Any more progress on this fab layout @Gilbert? ..... asked the man who has done naff all squared modelling in several years now! lol

The latest photos show how well your backscene and model landscape blend together really well. Looking good sir

Really like this project Despite your baseboard not having much depth, the backscene works really well. I definitely prefer a tunnel portal or overbridge to a level crossing in this instance - As you say, the road on a level crossing would go "nowhere" From the tunnel portal, a high-ish retaining wall will help complete the scene You can help disguise a lack of distance between the backscene and retaining wall, by using copious amounts of bushes / greenery on top of the tunnel And it's surprising how much some over-hanging greenery / ivy can detract from a retaining wall being on the same plane as a backscene Looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing this one complete

Great idea Luke

Thanks for that good sir. BTW - Can I ask, what are the dimensions of the layout? I suspect it is one of those layouts which cleverly looks bigger than it is. It certainly has a spacious feel about it

Glad to see you gave this superb new layout a thread of its' own @Gilbert The more I look at this - the more I like it! It's a great design, and a slightly different "take" on the traditional inglenook. I really like the added running line at the front of the layout. It adds not just running interest and some passenger stock But you also have the ability to expand the puzzle, and use the crossover to the running line to and from the yard You can add, remove and swap wagons within the scene, using an additional shunter. You could also extend the running line to a cassette beyond the right hand bridge if you ever wanted to do so. But one observation - you know what I'm going to say, don't you? You could place a mirror underneath that bridge! ..... ho hum.... Mister Predictable strikes again

More great photos @Gilbert Actually, it's a good idea, and a standard practice of mine, to not fix all buildings into place until I've "tweaked" things a bit. I've usually got a good idea of composition of structures on a layout - but sometimes just moving one or two structures around, a little bit of repositioning, and sometimes crucially..... leaving one or two structures out! Can help improve the composition and look or atmosphere in a layout. I mention "leaving out" structures here, because as I've often said - less is more (or can be) I liked the portacabin, it's well made & painted - but I think that end of the layout looks more spacious without the portacabin. Of course, you can always re-introduce it at some point.... possibly even with some other scenic items that "sit well" with it? Or possibly in a slightly different location? Keep tweaking the building positions - and do it maybe whilst shunting some stock around Sometimes the presence of a loco or wagon just add to a hut being in one position or another. Anyhow - you are at a stage where such "playing" is great fun, and your layout seems to grow each time you make a decision. Another note here - with something like a Portacabin, you don't really even need to glue if permanently in any one place.... Perhaps keep it in your stock box, and add / remove / reposition it at will.... on a whim, depending on mood etc Looking fab Gilbert. If only I had time to do some modelling.... this would be among several layouts on here which I'd be looking at, to inspire me

Looking superb as ever @Gilbert In fact, other than "Bakewell Street" I think this is your best layout yet.... So it's your best 4mm scale layout

Thanks good sir. This is yet another recent example of my mojo being in too short supply to complete anything However, I have had recent thoughts on picking this project up again, at some point ..... Just got some "other stuff" to attend to first..... as ever! tut tut

Yes, I think the new layout deserves a thread all of its' own. Also, when I first saw the pics of the new version - it confused me, as I already had the original layout in my mind.... Of course, I'm increasingly easily confused these days.... as many others would confirm, I'm sure Looking great @Gilbert. This one will be up to your usual standard, I'm sure And I think the running line in the foreground will add much operational interest and variety to the layout "That's crackin' that is" - As Nessa would say

Hi there @SouthernBlue80s, I've not used microscope slides for this purpose myself. TBH - as someone who regularly uses them for their intended purpose - I wouldn't use them for puddles. They are rather thin and delicate. Of course, this is only a problem if you don't accidentally put any weight on them, or similar incident.... But they are also quite small, and not easy to cut and shape.... I've used clear plasticard for puddles, and I think it's quite effective. Simply paint one side dark brown or black, and flip it over, so the unpainted, shiny side is on the top The advantage over using glass microscope slides is that you can have larger puddles, and plastic card is easy to cut to nice irregular shapes As an example, here is a pic of my old scrapyard layout, where I used plastic card puddles They are slightly inset into the surface. I used photo mounting board as ground surface and cut away the top 1 or 2mm. The puddles were edged with DAS and then painted, weeds added etc Apologies if you've already seen this pic several times Looking forward to seeing this one progress mate

What, you mean - now that someone else is taking it on! ha ha

4 feet by 16 inches is plenty of space.... You might be at a push to get a station in there too. But keep looking at different designs, see what features tempt you most.... and try not to overdo it (more difficult than it might sound!) I once saw a feature on an EM Gauge minimum space layout which was in a very small space, and which included the "apparent" end of a platform Nicely modelled too. I'm pretty sure it was called "Villiers Street". Unusual, in that it was designed to be viewed end-on EDIT: Here you go - might be a bit longer than your current size available - but you might be able to adapt the design? http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/layout_villier.html EDIT 2: I am now singing "Villiers Terrace" by Echo & The Bunnymen, to myself!