MAP66

Thanks Steve, Bit of an impulse buy, one too many bottles of Doombar and then surf the internet for railway stuff! Only this time it worked out well and definately no regrets Mark

Chris, I know you had some trepidation and anticipation about tackling this area of the layout but you needn’t have worried as just look at your handiwork. That’s a great solid start on which to build upon. Now you can start to look forward to the scenery stuff - Superb work. Mark

Thanks for the nice comments Kevin. Its turned out better than I had expected and works well as a photo plank and test track. Here's a couple more pics of the tunnel area. Mark

Hi Keith Rest assured, when I took the aerial shot my feet were firmly planted on terra firma, carpet to be exact. Hopefully the vertigo will subside soon Glad you approve of the Terrier purchase, I couldn't resist. Mark.

A new purchase, couldn’t resist this little LB&SCR Terrier ‘Merton’ from Hornby (R3283). It’s a bit too far South for Tyteford and the wrong era, so I have placed it on the only bit of track which doesn’t look too GWR’ish. One day, when space is available, I hope to model my interpretation of Merton Abbey station and goods facilities in pre-grouping days before it became part of the Southern network. Born and raised in Merton, SW London, I’ve always wanted to do this but still await the opportunity. This little purchase brings it that little bit closer to reality for a project some time in the future. I managed to perch the Terrier on the P4 track by slightly raising the off-side wheels with a thin strip of plas-strut. Looks OK for the photo

A few scenic items I had ordered arrived this morning, so progress has once again started to get the tunnel area completed. Just the one pic today to show where I have made a start again., Static grass used are various summer green and dead grass colours with lengths of 1, 2 & 4mm, all applied with a puffer bottle. The bushes etc. are from Polak (usual disclaimers) and is a very fine mesh normally used for pulling about and stretching over tree armatures to replicate leaves. I am going to use some of this stuff to drape over the brick face of the tunnel portal as it looks more realistic than what's already there.

Thanks again for the kind and encouraging words Chris. Has that road over bridge arrived yet? Mark

Thanks Steve, very nice of you to say so. I hope you find time to get back to' Rustons Sidings' in the not too distant future and get some locos weathered and running, looking forward to seeing that. In the meantime, I am very much enjoying following your new boxfile thread 'Sentinel Works', its looking excellent. Mark

You had me going there Chris, nice one. Made me chuckle

Thanks as always Kevin, much appreciated. All the best Mark

Some of the items I ordered arrived today, so I have gone as far as I can for now but I'm still waiting on some 1mm long basing grass. After this I will introduce some 2mm and 4mm grass to get a patchy tufty look which I'm after. I have some very fine tree foliage which I will use for scrub and bushes. I've put up a few more pics (aerial views) to also show the footpath which runs along the other side of the tunnel parapet wall.

Nearly done, all the filler is now in place. I needed some more ground cover vegetation, so have just ordered some more, so it will be a few more days before this area is finally finished. Here's how it looks at the moment and another shot along the track looking out from the tunnel.

A final update for tonight, I'm halfway through the top of the tunnel works and heres a pic of it placed back in position to see how it looks. A lot more work required with blending and shading but its getting there. I will now be able to complete the rest while its still in situ.

Onwards and in this case upwards with the tunnel top side works. I remembered that I had some lumps of polystyrene foam packaging which I had put aside ready for this exact moment. I had originally planned to use card formers and strips of paper soaked in glue but the foam is much quicker and easy enough to shape. I did this over a bin but when you cut the stuff the bits fly off everywhere and now its a job for the hoover. I then spread filler all over the polystyrene landform which in itself is glued onto a card base. This means I can paint and add additional details off-scene like with the bit of boggy ground I did earlier. Nothing much to see for now but should look convincing enough with paint and weathering powders added.

Thanks Kevin I have a vision in my head of what I would like the top side of the tunnel to look like. If it turns out the same as in my minds eye, then all will be OK by me. All the best Mark

I've now completed the ground cover to the right hand retaining wall. The filler, while still wet, was sculpted to form my interpretation of a few rocky outcrops (I just used an old flat bladed screwdriver and pressed it around a bit). When this had all dried, I then painted it all with a couple of washes of quite dilute paint using just two colours from the Vallejo range 'German C.black brown 70.822' and 'black grey 70.862'. If you get the dilution right it seeps nicely and accumulates into all the crevices and recesses. When this had dried, I lightly brushed over with some white weathering powder to pick up the raised bits of ground and then a touch of green oxide and dark umber weathering powders were also used. The final stages were to add some static grass and clump foliage, I also added some more ivy. I'm happy the way this bit has turned out and am now confident enough to tackle the main ground cover above the tunnel itself, I will use the same technique. Below are a couple of pics showing the ground cover above the right hand retaining wall.

I've made a start top side of the tunnel, I first beefed up and added to the greenery at the top of the left hand retaining wall. I then found some odd bits of card and paper and used this to fill in the empty voids above the tunnel and on the right hand retaining wall. This is all now drying and after this I will be adding filler which I will try and form into some rocky outcrops. Modelling a small rockface is on my to do list. I also intend to put in a pathway going across the top of the tunnel. That's it for now, here's some pics...

Didn't get to do that much at Tyteford Halte this past week apart from finally finishing off the signal box and yard scene. The Austin 7 van is back and I finally painted the tarpaulin covering some unidentified goods left in the yard. I also added a gate to the yard and a connection terminal for the telegraph cable to the signal box. I think my next challenge will be to attempt the landform over the tunnel.

trees.docx Maybe adding a small copse (consisting of fairly tall trees) leading up to the tunnel would mask the view enough to help disguise that the track was on the curve on entering thetrees.docx tunnel? Might only need 2 or 3 larger trees placed strategically in line of sight of the curve. I stole your diagram and placed some silly trees on it to try and explain, thats the limit of my draughtsman ability Mark.

A quick post tonight to report that the roof of the signal box is now finally glued down and there is no light bleed. The lichen is made from tea dust glued on and then painted.

Chris Loving it that your back onto the layout again. No one seems to have mentioned it yet but congrats on getting a pic of Warren Branch featured into the October edition of BRM, nice job. All the best Mark

Thanks very much to everyone for the kind words. As you know it's been a labour of love (and frustration at times!). Considering the incredible modelling on show and throughout all the forums, I consider myself very fortunate to have been picked out a winner by the BRM Team and the added bonus of being featured in Octobers edition of BRM. Vey much appreciated folks. Kind regards Mark

Hi Stu I've sent you a PM with the details.

If you were wondering who Sid the signalman was looking at across the track while drinking his cup of tea? Well, he has just noticed young William, Charlies grandson peering through the wire fencing. Young William had heard that his Grandad would be working at Tyteford Halte today.

Thanks Kevin I have a little fellow to add to this scene to complete it, photos coming very soon. Mark.