marc smith

Looking superb sir

Well this looks to be something a little different. Definitely looking forward to seeing this progress.
I mean, who among us doesn't (even if secretly) like Rev Awdry's tales? 
Best of luck with it indeed  

Sorry to hear you've tested Covid positive Rob.
Hope you're well, and on the road to a full recovery.

Hi @Gareth001 Great looking plan. You've managed to squeeze a lot into a small area, and in rather neat fashion, it doesn't look cramped - that's a neat piece of careful design.  

Looking forward to seeing this project progress 

Fantastic results Mark. I wondered about doing something very similar to this, and I asked myself the same question as @ManofKent above.
I've used seafoam to represent small trees / saplings in the past, and it always seems so delicate and rather brittle....
I did try using very diluted PVA, to help protect and strengthen the sea-foam.... but that wasn't entirely successful either.

I must say, the bark is very convincing  

Looking forward to seeing this one progress  

Haven't checked in on this thread in quite some time...
Glad I looked in today though. Great progress - the low relief background buildings, and the perspective reduced buildings on the backscene really work.

Must check in to Elbow Lane again soon  

Another superb layout @Gilbert - cracking work good sir    

@SteamingWales- 3 way points can be a bit of a faff to wire up, I know that. But I have been considering doing something similar, in a really really small space (smaller even than my usual efforts) Alas, with "other things" in life getting in the way.... the idea is consigned to some notional point in the future, along with my other ideas and hair-brained schemes  
It was nice to see this micro though.... and get the old grey matter ticking over once again lol

Re the Scalescenes kits - I did have a bash at a couple, but found I somehow got glue onto surfaces where it didn't belong, and my corners were not crisp enough for my liking. Perhaps it's a lot to do with the quality of base card you use... and how careful you are with glue  

Sorry to be so late to "the party" @SteamingWales-  I can't believe I've only just found this thread.
When reading the first few posts, and looking at the plan - my first thought was to suggest perhaps using a 3 way point, instead of the two in the deisgn
But lo and behold.... I was too late. As it happens, with your ballasting & grime, soot and general filth - it looks fine anyway.

Nice job on the scalescenes buildings - I never get them looking so neat.... so I always revert to using plastic-card.
Watching this one with interest

PS. I'm not in Deepest Darkest Wales - but it's pretty damn dark in this bit of Wales today  

@NHY 581 - I had to pour myself a glass of whisky too.....
But for the life of me, I can't recall the reason  

Looking great @LocksleyI really like this cracking micro project.

@MAP66 my apologies for not popping down to Tyteford Halte in absolutely ages.... I'm the one who has missed out because of this
Very nice progress sir - although not great progress from Fred and Arthur - I'm sure they're sawing the same bits of wood as the last time I swung by!

Looking great as ever, and it's looking more & more atmospheric for each detail you add. Excellent work  

Nice. I've got a growing fondness of remote, sparse little halts. That's a great photo to use as your starting point.
I've not seen many (if any) pics of halts with a grounded coach body - I really like that.
Looking forward to seeing this one develop

Hi @Kevin Johnson - I only just saw this nice little diorama. I especially like the second photo.
Although it's not a layout (of course) - it still captures a "moment" and a sense of atmosphere.
This is because of the added details here; the wall, the path, weeds and especially the figures - they add a sense of "human touch"
We can all identify with Timmy -  we must all surely have been in his shoes at some point,watching our first shunting manoeuvre or writing down the number of our fist loco...

There's something very positive to be said for building a really small micro layout or shelf diorama. It helps you to practice your skills and techniques, or try out new methods. Or if like me, you haven't done much modelling in way too long - it just plain keeps your hand in. Also, it can be good practice in using up a few odds & ends which are tucked away in a drawer somewhere, and which otherwise might not have seen the light of day.

Nice one Kevin  
PS. I think the neat "trick" in this little cameo is the fact you have two figures. I'm sure the gent / railway worker in the scene is also thinking about watching his first shunting operation, and perhaps he's already told Timmy that he's welcome to watch, but not to stray any closer....

Just wanted to add:- I enjoyed seeing that micro / plank / diorama too @SouthernBlue80ssome nice rusty, overgrown track there.
Looks great with those weathered wagons on too - scenes once so common in my neck of the woods.....

2020 has been pretty awful for so many of us mate. I had some "mojo" back a short while ago - but that has waned, as I really should have a good clear-out, with regard to my modelling "stuff" - layouts and locos included, before I can start any new projects.....

But the bottom line is, I know my modelling mojo will return again one day - and I'm sure you'll start your modelling again soon too mate
All the best from (locked-down) Cardiff     

18 hours ago, Gilbert said:

I'm a bit busy with a new project at the moment....

 

 What? Another one!  Wow - you're keeping busy mate....
Where are you getting all this time for modelling? Don't tell me - It'll only make me jealous! lol  

Somehow, I found time to build 4 layouts, and start a fifth - all within a two year period... somehow ha ha 
Alas, that was some years back now - perhaps I felt younger then?    

Looking forward to seeing this one progress too @Gilbert Although it'll probably be finished by the time I've typed this reply    

On 22/09/2020 at 22:25, Gilbert said:

Hmm. Its not for sale yet!

We are playing the waiting game @Gilbert  

The new owner has a cracking little new layout there, and I hope he is very pleased with it... I'm sure that'll be the case
PS @Gilbert - if you fancy moving your other layout on....  

21 hours ago, AlexClass4F said:

Change of direction

 

When you like everything and sometimes find it difficult to make the right choice, it is sometimes useful to look further from what you actually want........

 

Yes, it's so easy to lose focus, either at the planning stage, or indeed once you've started building.
For me though, it's one of the positives of building micro layouts - you don't end up spending too long building something that you aren't happy with

Of course, the other side of that argument, is that it makes it easier for you change your mind - so you can keep swapping & changing.....
With the last layout I nearly completed, I started off with re-using a baseboard (something I don't normally do) so I had to tweak my original design to fit the board
Then I started adding other bits ;- buildings etc that I wanted to re-use / recyle... and it looked nothing like my original design.

If I'm really pondering, I look at prototype photographs of the sort of scene or atmosphere I'm trying to recreate.
I focus on the "elements" I want to include, and look at the ones I don't want to include, and work on the design to incorporate the desired features
Of course, this involves several attempts at sketches, and plonking wagons, locos and buildings onto a piece of wallpaper which is cut to the size of my basesboard(s)

In short, lots of "humming and ha-ing" and cups of tea and chin scratching
Best of luck with your design & build  

Hello again @Pixie
Great to hear from you old chum
My my, you have been rather busy! Such a lot of different projects on the go, and you've finished so many of them too.
I liked the work on the Clayton's cab - the prism effect never particularly bothered me before... but it's a definite improvement.

I like the 7mm Vauxhall Cavaliers too - my first ever car was a Vauxhall Chevette (Or "Shove-it" as they were affectionately known lol)
But I particularly liked the re-upholstery work on your dining room chairs - super stuff. Wish I could convince Mrs S that we "need" the same thing  

South Wales is treating me as is pretty much always does. Work & music take up much of my time, that and looking after ageing parents (I'm the only sibling in the area - so that's "my job")
But I'm well, and thankfully still employed at the moment. 

yes, it would be great to get together again at some point. We really need a catch-up, and a meal or a pint would be a great idea.
Fingers crossed that it won't be too long before we can do that.... fingers doubly crossed to be able to get to a show again asap

Cheers matey. Keep in touch, and keep up the superb modelling (& upholstery)
Marc

On 28/07/2020 at 19:37, Owd Bob said:

Not managed any interest in it yet 37114, i've tried a few places now and nobody wants the layout and the offers for all the loco's and wagons are a complete insult and a joke...i'll break it all up and drip feed and sell off the bits on fee-bay....unless somebody has an interest in the layout soon it'll get dismantled, smashed up and burned this weekend, after that i'll be out for the count for several weeks so i need to get a move on asap.whilst i still can. 

Oh no! I'm so so sorry to hear of this @Owd Bob 
Popping in to take a peek at what's happening at Springsbury Croft has been one of the most enjoyable things on RWweb in recent times.
It's a superb layout Bob, and oozes atmosphere - it feels just like bunking a depot in the 70's... took me right back every time I followed your progress.

I really wish you could hang on to it - I wouldn't mind owning it myself, in all honesty (but I need to part with quite a bit of stuff myself tbh)
I really hope everything works out for the best for you & your upcoming move Bob, I really do
And I hope you can just hang on to some of the stock... perhaps you could build a really tiny micro / plank to run it on in future?
Fingers crossed for you mate.. all the best

Fantastic stuff. Only just caught up with this thread....
Funnily enough, I've toyed with the idea of modelling the very same location in the past.
I had a magazine with a lot of info (published back in the late 80's / early 90's I think) with a few photos.

Neil Parkhouse's books rekindled those thoughts too. But you beat me to it
Keep up the good work. Some great contributions from other RMweb folk here too

EDIT: In the past, I always thought a DoF based layout would mean making a lot of trees.... so I shied away....

Looking good @Pixie / Steve
Long time no see no hear
Hope you're keeping well old pal?  

More great modelling @Howl03

Hi @Max Legroom 
It has been a while since I looked at this thread.
I'm really glad I did though - you've made some great progress, and it's looking great

Keep up the good work, and please post some more images when you can
Marc