steamfinale

I discovered bullfrog snot some years ago as i needed to replace traction tyres. There's a knack to applying it successfully and there are videos on you-tube with good advice.

I have an old Lima DMU that now runs well thanks to bullfrog snot and the attached video shows a tender-drive Hornby A3 that was given a new lease of life about 5 years ago running on my former layout. I've also used it on a few Lima and Hornby diesels to good effect.

Yes, it's expensive but in my view worth the investment. How long it lasts I think will depend on how much you run the loco. Traction tyres perish over time whether or not you run the loco. I've seen no evidence of my 5+ year old bullfrog snot applications falling apart but nothing lasts forever.

Incidentally i have a 40 year old Mainline Class 45 where the traction tyres long ago disintegrated but it runs absolutely fine without them - no bullfrog snot required!

It struck me that "layout topics" was a better place to post updates on my modelling progress so the above link should show the history to date..... 

The most recent progress has been in the vicinity of the loco shed where the ground-work is being worked on. The pic shows part of the scene before the water cranes have been embedded. Peco inspection pits were sunk into the baseboard before ballasting etc. The camera has revealed a crooked chimney stack that i must rectify. The turntable is fully operational and uses a "Locomotech" motor attached to the spindle underneath. I managed to do this following good advice posted on RMWeb, essentially making the point that the well of the Peco turntable must be firmly braced underneath to prevent distortion when a loco is driven onto the bridge. Alignment with the approach roads is by eye and there's no room for error! The coaling stage is a Metcalfe kit with added detail whilst the approach ramp and over-run are knocked up from mounting card with polystyrene packing and plaster covering.

The main running lines disappear under the road bridge into the storage loops - 18 in all.

Been following this thread with interest and enjoying the pics. I travelled on that July '68 steam-hauled train to Windermere from Carnforth and then back to Preston tender-first. I still have my log of the run. This link will take you to a picture taken at Windermere.

 http://www.steamfinale.co.uk/html/othe_places_2_63.html

The picture was published in "Steam Railway" 10 years ago and I was subsequently contacted by a retired engineman from Lostock Hall who enjoyed the occasional reunion with, amongst others, the crew of 45110 on that day. It was a pleasure to be able to send some A4 prints in response.

Must go and sit on the patio and cry into a cold beer.

Our silly joke layout in our shop window is built on a javis static grass mat. Looks good for covering a large area.

DSC_0638.JPG

Appreciate the comments. I've carved up a grass mat today and glued it down. And, yes, I can see it's the basis for further work! See link ...

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/2255/entry-20780-a-bit-more-scenic-work/  

I am very suprised you didnt get any replies to this. I have used them in the past, and I have seen some layouts in the modelling press which have used them as well. Ideal for covering large areas quickly, but will need "detailing" to look convincing as the whole sheet is the exact same and look monotone. Recommend you use the sheet over rolled up newpaper, or if planting trees, you will need a firmer base such as polystyrene etc, glue or fix down (hot glue gun works well), then cover the area with different shades of longer static grass and different flocks. Hairspray or use 3M/War World Scenics/Peco spray adhesive to fix additional layers.

 

I found with mine that the mat malted and if you handle it alot, you will get bald patches.

 

This product looks interesting though.....https://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/1200x600mm-field-zone-battle-mat-javis.html and seems to have a varied cover layer and textures.

Thanks for the positive response - in the absence of any earlier comments I'd already taken a punt on a sheet of static grass plus some loose stuff so I'll experiment when it arrives. Groundwork has already been constructed from a polystyrene base covered in a plaster mix. Some pics of progress on my layout are in my blog but groundwork is now complete and waiting for grass etc.:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/2255/entry-20711-a-stroll-by-the-canal/

Nice work on your layout, though!

Does anyone have experience of using Javis static grass mats for basic landscaping? Any views gratefully received.