MAP66

Brilliant work Chris, this is going to be a wonderfully detailed interior scene. All the best Mark

Loving the wall clock, it may not be working but at least it gives the right time twice a day

Thanks Adam I really appreciate your feedback. I think the introduction of 3D model figures in railway modeling has really helped me in these types of scenes. They seem to bring it all to life when placed with a little thought. There are endless possibilities and we are only limited by our imagination and errr budget All the best Mark

Thanks Kevin, very much appreciated, hope you like the next installments. All the best Mark

Thank you Sir! I have to say, if mine is Fantabulous that makes "Warren Branch" abso-bloody-lutley-fantabulously-f**king awesome. I think you are the Master of miniaturism and I continue to learn and be inspired by your work. All the best Mark

Chris Superb work with the stove, way better than the one which comes with the interior kit which you can't even boil a kettle on. I managed to conceal the wiring for lighting in my signal box behind the stove pipe, if it doesn't work out with running it up inside the back wall. I am trying to simulate oil lighting and tried an orange led which looked naff when I tried it at night, would be interested to know which lighting you decide upon and are you on gas or oil? All the best Mark

Lets face it, they're never going to finish that fence. So this is the last installment of this particular cameo scene, more scenes to follow. The more keen eyed may notice the addition of the broom against the fence, set square on the bench and rusty gallon tin of white undercoat paint placed on the dust sheet.

Brilliant Adrian, its as crazy as the paving. Mark

Thanks Chris I thought you can't have Fred sawing wood without sawdust, which is a mixture of talc and Humbrol Sand weathering powder. I flicked it in place from the end of a paint brush and it came out much better than I expected. All the best Mark

As promised, here's Arthur the painter. Best nobody mentions his eyebrows or lack off, apparently he lost them in an unfortunate accident years ago when working as an apprentice gas fitter. Arthur claims he also lost hearing in one ear as result of the accident but can still hear the whistle of a kettle boiling from a distance of 75 yards. The kettle must be whistling down at the signal box, judging by Arthur's intense stare. Even though Arthur is now a painter, he refuses to wear overalls, saying that they restrict his creativity - I don't know what to make of that.

Thanks Steve Should look even better when I add Arthur the painter. All the best Mark

Thanks as always Chris. All the best Mark

Well that attempt of making a couple more saw horses was 50% successful, I have one and there won't be any more, trust me. The story is Fred (AKA the carpenter) decided he only needed to take one saw horse out of the van for this job as the legs had fallen off the other one. We join Fred sawing an inch of the end of the next top rail. He forgot the old adage of measure twice, cut once. Still haven't got around to painting the painter. So we will imagine that this character, at the moment, is a bit work shy and after only painting half a top rail, has wandered off to score the first cup of tea of the day by making himself known to the signalman. He will definitely appear in the next post (paintbrush in hand) which will be the last of this particular cameo as its going on a bit. Here's Fred...

Hi Steve I'm just wondering about the foam board, was the layout stored in the loft where temperatures were fluctuating and not constant as moisture and temperature fluctuations may have caused the foam-board to warp or shrink and cause it to become unstuck. I read accounts of people who have used no6 screws to screw the foam board back down with glue where it has lifted. That could work with a washer as well to spread the load. Then the depression can be disguised with filler and ground cover. Maybe give that a go first before ripping it all off, if I'm not too late with the advice. All the best Mark

You certainly have a skill for turning a structure from a photograph or your imagination into very realistic models. They all look superb, 3D printing is certainly something I would like to dabble in but I need to wait until more space is available, which is some time off yet. Excellent work on weathering the Ruston as well. All the best Mark

Thanks Adam Using your technique for making tarpaulins, worked a treat for the dust sheets, thanks again. Not sure the bench idea happened in practice but I reckon even in the 1930's workman would have segregated the work area from the public in a scene like this so why not use what's to hand. Just a note on the tools, they really are tiny and they come on a brass fret, have to be particularly careful when releasing them from the fret, as they end up all distorted. All the best Mark

Thank Steve, I think the scene was helped by the amount of DIY i've undertaken over the years. Glad you like it. All the best Mark

Slowly moving forward, couple more items added. Definitely going to have another attempt at making a couple of saw horses and adding another workman painting the fence with a few more tools lying about including a broom. I will also add a poster board leaning up against the back of the seat which has been removed from the fence. That will then complete that little scene. Then its back to the signal, signal box, the yard and finally the tunnel mouth area with a lot more greenery. All the best Mark

But not very far...

Looks like a great start and glad to hear you're already shunting. Looking forward to seeing more. All the best Mark

Small update tonight, ever since Calidore kindly shared his tarpaulin making skills from 'St Mabyn' I've been working on a way to introduce a tarpaulin into Tyteford Halte. Not quite a tarpaulin but dust sheets instead but still made from tissue paper. I've draped one over the lower fence rail being repaired to stop paint spots covering the platform and the other is partially draped over the bench with tool tray on top. The bench has been dragged sideways across the platform to serve as a barrier while works are in progress. The dust sheets are still drying and will require painting when dry. More bits and pieces to add for next update... All the best Mark

Hi Steve The greenhouse looks superb, surely its the real thing and you have somehow shrunk it to 1/76 scale. With your ground working skills, this will be a wonderful addition.

Hi James Looks good to me, the wire made hand rail looks spot on. Everything about this build is impressive, so keep pushing on. Nice work Mark

Yes, no problem go for it. Regards Mark

Evening folks Now back to the cameo scenes I keep on talking about. The first of which will involve fencing repairs on the platform. 3 panels of platform fencing are rotten beyond repair and are in the process of being replaced, posts an all. We visit at the early stages where the new timber supports and posts have just been installed and the first coat of wood primer is about to be applied. Unfortunately the workmen have knocked off for the night (looks like rain) and are nowhere to be seen. They will make an appearance in the next update, after I have assured them that Henry the Hoover will definitely not be making an appearance in this scene. Below are the before and after pics, first one showing fence as was and second showing new section of fence under construction.