MAP66

Thanks John, That gel glue is the same product that I usually use, unfortunately though as I had not used it for some time it had set hard in the tube. So I have been using normal super glue with a CA glue activator from 'Green Stuff World' you spray it on as it comes in a small bottle 30ml. Does the same job though and the glue sets in a couple of seconds holding the sea foam firmly in place.

Its been some time since I’ve been active on this thread, what with the house move and all that. However, it’s now time to get back to tree building and remember the Oak tree? Here’s an image to remind you from page 4 of this thread. I’m working on the Oak again and after applying postiche to represent the fine twiggy stuff, I then added the scatters for the foliage. Hey presto, I ended up with something which resembled a stick of broccoli, something which I was trying hard to get away from. Very frustrating 😠 So, it was back to the drawing board. On reflection the branch framework wasn’t quite right as they needed to be longer so as to spread out further near the bottom for the characteristic dome shape of an English Oak, it was also a bit too tall with not enough out reaching branches at the top. I was able to remove the postiche quite easily and then went about adding some more branches from twisted copper wire, these were then coated in deep gap filler and allowed to dry and then painted. After painting, the additional branches were glued to the trunk and blended in with more filler. I thought that the best way to represent the dome shaped canopy would be to use sea foam! So, I did, I cut numerous florets of the stuff and used superglue with a spray accelerator to glue them in place to the outer sections of the main branches with the twiggy stuff facing in an upwards direction. I started at the top and am gradually working my way down the tree, below is a progress pic to show how it’s looking so far. I think it’s already looking better than the first attempt, even without the foliage.

For moss and lichens I often use tea dust (the stuff which accumulates at the bottom of your box of tea bags). Use the same technique by applying some dilute pva within the gaps with a fine brush and sprinkle on the tea dust. Make sure glue has thoroughly dried then paint over the dust with dilute green moss colour paint. Use the same test piece to practise on first.

Something I do to help visualise a scene is to recreate the area in question on a card template off-scene. Then detail the area and offer it up to see how it looks on the layout. This is particularly helpful if your not over confident with scenery. When you're happy with the final result, it can then be permanently fixed in place on the layout. I did this on Tyteford Halte on the boggy ground area near the tunnel mouth. By the way, all looks very good Sir, I know you will crack it eventually, whichever way to go.

Chris, there's no need to soften the edge of the embankment as all the green bushy stuff will hide the angle anyway.

Thanks Kevin, very kind of you to say so.

Thanks Mikkel, When I saw that the Border Collies had been recently released 'who let the dogs out' well it was ModelU. I immediately said I need those as they would look good in a number of scenes.

Take as long as you need Tim, this is excellent modelling and your accompanying narrative is most excellent and enjoyable to read. I used the same garage kit in my small garden diorama and used grey and tan colours to weather the wood planking, I also used a sun bleach filter F430 by MIG. Its like a wash which you paint over the surface to help enhance a sun bleached effect to woodwork etc. If you want to try that, then experiment with it first on scraps of laser wood or plastic frets/material before applying to the model, as it can take several coats. Looking forward to the next instalment, in your own time.

Thanks for the idea Simon, I can try it with gloss varnish as that could work. I did spray the acetate sheet with matt varnish to stop the ink smudging but it gives a more white appearance,

Sorry, I lied, here's two more... "I think its obvious Shep, the sheep are long gone". "Sorry Dave my bad - woof". 🐶 "Hang on Dave, I think it was that field over yonder - woof, woof". 🐶 🐑 "Shep, you better not be aving me on boy".

Another addition to the platform detailing in the form of a bicycle. This is a bike from a brass fret and in 1/76 scale, obviously, the wheel spokes are far too fine to model. However, I feel that the open wheels without spokes look odd and so in an attempt to make it look like something should be there, I printed out some 4mm scale bike wheels onto clear acetate sheet, cut them out and glued them to the non-viewed side of the bike. From normal viewing distance it does look like the bike wheels have spokes or a representation of them, which is what I was after, hell of a faff to do though. Unfortunately, you can't really see from the cruel close-up, here it is anyway...

Hello folks, I have been spending the last week or so searching for and replacing the lost images and I'm now happy to report that all images are now fully restored 📸 Please enjoy for the second time around. Mark.

Great observation, I have included the link for more background on this CBC diorama.

Cattle pickup late again!! Farmer Giles is not impressed.

Sheps back for one last visit, even though this does have legs to run 😀 "Now then Shep, are you certain this is where you last saw the sheep?"

"Now then Shep, are you certain this is where you last saw the sheep?"

"Now then Shep, what can you tell me about petrol lawnmowers which suddenly stop working?"

Its been a while but I revisited my earlier tree diorama to see how I could create a cameo scene featuring a Border Collie. Early developments show potential... "What is it Shep, what can you see".

Thanks Andy, now works a treat. I was never much good at integrating so not surprised I failed that bit😄

Hello and hoping someone can assist. I believe that I correctly followed the 4 steps, however when I click on the theme to change it, there is no RM Premium option to choose from within the drop down menu! I have obviously gone wrong somewhere as all the ads are still there. Hoping someone can advise. Many thanks. Doc1.docx

Thank you for the comments re. the modelling and everything blending in, its all ways good to get such feedback. You are probably correct about the positioning of the standpipe. I referred back to the instructions and noted that it should have been located outside of the pens, I must of had a moment of madness. Anyway it's staying where it is, too fragile to try and prize it off and the cattle will just have to be careful 😀🐄🐏

General Hand Sid Jones (AKA Sid the s*** shoveller) takes a moments contemplation… “Now where was it I left that wheelbarrow, b*gger, on Alberts allotment”.

Well, after just over 3 years since I last posted on this thread - some regretful news. During our recent house move to Somerset 'Oh Bullocks' lived up to its name, as I said something very similar upon discovering that I had not packed it away as well as I thought. Consequently, it got a bit squashed when something fell on it. Careful examination revealed that it was still salvageable and it was just a case of straightening and gluing back the gates and railings. The 2 lamp posts unfortunately were right offs, so a delve into the bits and bobs box is required. Here we see an image showing mid repair with gates and railings re-attached. I gave George the yard hand a re-paint while he contemplates how to collect all that poo for his allotment without a wheelbarrow (which also got damaged). Farmer Giles and the Station Master need a bit of a re-paint before they re-appear on the scene. The Beetle cattle van will also return when all repairs are complete.

Great to see the thread active again Chris, after your top secret project reveal. Somehow, I managed to miss the reveal and have spent the last few days blurting out things like Incredible, amazing, and lots of wow’s while catching up on the last 8 or so pages. Before I forget, put me down for a Toadie as well if you end up going down the production route.

I thought I would chance my luck by posting my garden diorama again, first featured on pg94 of this thread. However, this time with different characters and slightly different caption, same deckchair though!! "I hope you don't plan on sitting in that, you've only done half the lawn and don't forget to water the plot and finish putting more compost down." "Yes dear!! Spot of bother with the mower, I was going to sit here and read the manual." "Manual, when have you ever read a manual, why don't you just kick it or hit it with your hammer. That's what you normally do".