MAP66

On 19/04/2020 at 19:23, sb67 said:

I've made a greenhouse! The plan is to place it like this, bed in the path and a veg patch and a few flowers either side of it.

 

 

 

 

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.

1 hour ago, jamest said:

Hi all,

 

Its been a while but I hit a bit of a block with this layout with regard to platform access and how to blend between road bridge down to the track over the rough lane.

 

I also want to make the platform thinner by adding fencing and greenery behind it.

 

I had a light bulb moment the other day and that, combined with the current lock-down, has given me the impetus and time to make some really good progress.

 

So here is the catalyst....a ramp and steps to gain access via the road on the right. The gradient is in reality a little steep, but I'm really happy with it. It is a blend of scalescenes papers on a card base - combined with some excess jewelry making wire from my mum!

 

I see the hand rail as the 70-80s scaffold pole type I remember.

 

 

 

 

 

I've made more progress in the last few weeks, including a tidy up of my shed....so more updates to follow.

 

All the best,

James

 

 

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

34 minutes ago, GWRswindon101 said:

nice. thanks

would it be alright if i used the same sort of layout idea for a siding area on my layout? Thank you.

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.

8 minutes ago, GWRswindon101 said:

That looks absolutely magnificent. Just to clarify, what scale is this in?

 

Thanks, scale is 4mm to the foot and track gauge is P4.

22 minutes ago, Kevin Johnson said:

A stunning photo plank. Mark I am impressed with your ivy and the way it’s grows over the brickwork. 
Can you share how how make your ivy please.

Thanks Kevin, leave it with me and I'll see if I can put together a series of photos showing ivy production with running commentary.

17 hours ago, Calidore said:

Very charming greenery Mark, the weight is just right, not too much and not too little.

 

PS I also got hold of some deep gap polyfilla recently -- will let you know how I get on when I've tried it.

 

Adam

Thanks Adam, I'm hoping you get on all right with the filler - works for me!

On 19/04/2020 at 14:15, chuffinghell said:

Very impressive how you use forced perspective to give the impression of depth

 

Hats off to you sir

Thank you Chris, your comments are very much appreciated.

I say Luke, just watched the video - Absolutely spiffing commentary and running session. Good show old bean, looking forward to more of these.

Very informative and enjoyable watching the shunting movements.

All the best

Mark

7 hours ago, 4wDH said:

Mark can I say you have produced a lovely little photo plank. The back scene along with the ground cover and foliage around the photo plank is spot on. 

Thank you 4wDH and to all those who have followed this build and left the likes and the great comments.

All the best

Mark

Done a bit more on the yard areas and left hand retaining wall of tunnel mouth. I have made a start with the ground cover by adding a bit of clump foliage here and there and then 2, 4 & 6mm static grass in various colours. Also a couple of sprigs of sea foam covered in scatter are tucked in behind the angled retaining wall with one of my vines wrapped around the retaining wall end pillar, many more of those to be added later. I'm doing a little at a time and then walking away from it. I think sometimes you can go in too fast, without stopping to stand back and take a critical look every now and again.

Pics below show the first stages of the undergrowth.

Evening folks, a mishap to report tonight, the fellow sitting on the platform seat, (below is a reminder of what he looked like) got sucked up the hoover. Typically, the hoover bag was completely full and after spending a good hour going through all the bag contents, I am sad to report it was to no avail, he was nowhere to be seen. B*gger, I'm a bit gutted about it, well it will teach me to be more careful with Henry the hoover in future when sucking up debris on the layout.

I have done a little bit more on the yard by adding a fence made out of paper and putting in the footpath to rear of the signal box which now requires painting in.

From the photo's it looks like the yard has bit more depth to it now but still more work to do to complete the illusion.

FAB

Absolutely fantastic modelling, pure brilliance.

Photographing in natural light really brings it to life. What a great piece of modelling.

All the best

Mark

I had a go a making a couple of saw horses for the carpenter which didn't turn out too well. You certainly wouldn't say a carpenter had made them. Looked more like 3 legged saw donkeys.

I'll have as second attempt later, Although I do try and commit and get a scene or an area completed before starting on another, I have a short attention span and get bored if something doesn't work out, so I get around this by working on something else and then coming back to it later.

I am now currently looking at the first lot of vines covering the small store. There made of twisted copper wire, sprayed brown and then sprayed with glue and various shades of green scatter.

You have to be very careful when handling them after adding the scatter as it comes off very easily, so allow to dry first and then give it the normal hairspray treatment which helps a bit.

I think the window would look better broken with some vines entering the store. I need a few more vines hanging down the front of the store from the roof either side of the door. Then it will be back to blending that yard surface into the back-scene. But that probably won't work first time, so more than likely that the carpenter will get his saw horses first.

Here's the  first couple of pics, showing the vines. 

6 hours ago, Calidore said:

Great cameo idea Mark. Someone really ought to tell that chap not to stand on nails like that though.

 

Adam

Thanks Adam and don't worry I'll have a word with him about his work practices, which he has obviously picked up from me. Tool box is on the way to keep those sharp nails in. 

On 10/04/2020 at 15:33, col.stephens said:

Superb work Mark.   Is that ivy beneath the platform?  If so, how did you model that?

 

Regards,

 

Terry

Thanks Terry

It is indeed ivy but I can't take credit for it. The ivy is made by Mininatur, a number of model railway stockists will carry their product ranges if you a carry out a quick internet search.

It comes in a blister pack and you gently tease out and cut away as much as you need and then stick it in place, looks good covering walls and climbing up trees etc.

Here is a more clearer pic of under the platform showing the ivy.

All the best

Mark

3 hours ago, Jerry1975 said:

This looks amazing,  might have a go at something similar in N gauge when things get better. 

 

I really like all the details and the cameo scenes sound good too. 

 

Jerry. 

 

Thank Jerry

The N gauge sounds good, even if your struggling a bit at the moment, it won't last forever, so keep a pencil and paper handy to write down all those ideas for when normality is restored.

All the best

Mark

Here's one of the characters which will eventually end up on the platform to undertake some emergency repairs on the platform fencing. At the moment, apparently engaged in some virtual sawing. I'm going to make a couple of saw horses and place a few tools around to complete this little cameo scene. Apologies for the poor quality of the images as they are a little blurry due to the magnification. More characters to follow...

All the best

Mark

21 hours ago, Calidore said:

Both versions look good to me Mark, which do you prefer? This is fast becoming a showcase for all sorts of tromp l'oeil trickery! Nice door hinges too.

 

Adam

Thanks Adam

I'm going to opt for the reduced option, it does blend in better (scale wise) to the trickery which I am trying to achieve.

The door hinges are a bit wonky and I need to straighten them a bit but I appreciate your comments, very encouraging.

All the best 

Mark

22 hours ago, Kevin Johnson said:

Mark I like what you have done modelling the store shed. Looks great thanks for sharing.

Thanks Kevin

I don't mind the sharing, the point is to let others know what I'm up to next, if it works use it and if it doesn't avoid it. I sort of enjoy the experimentation which is what this project is all about.

All the best

Mark

On 06/04/2020 at 20:42, MAP66 said:

Thanks Terry, ditto with Farleigh - I've really enjoyed following your progress.

I hate to admit it but your right about reducing the scale of the store as it does come across a bit imposing, I'll knock one up in 3mm scale to see how it compares but I need to be careful as it's almost on the same plane as the signal box so I'll see how it goes.

 

Thanks again

Mark

Well here it is, store version 2 and shrunk down and it does fit in better. I've added doors and a window frame. The fence won't be there when complete as its over-scale. I will use something else instead and some vines growing up the back of the store and then crawling across the roof will help disguise where the roof of the store meets the back-scene.

Just now, col.stephens said:

I have enjoyed reading this thread.  Great modelling.

Re the low-relief store.  Possibly a reduction in  scale, say 3mm to the foot, might give the impression of it being further away.

 

Terry

 

Thanks Terry, ditto with Farleigh - I've really enjoyed following your progress.

I hate to admit it but your right about reducing the scale of the store as it does come across a bit imposing, I'll knock one up in 3mm scale to see how it compares but I need to be careful as it's almost on the same plane as the signal box so I'll see how it goes.

Thanks again

Mark

Currently I've been looking at ways to extend the small yard into the back-scene to create a bit more depth. Trial and error, more error!!

To try and achieve a pleasing result (this is still very much work in progress) I have added a scratchbuilt low relief store and used ordinary paper to make the transition from the horizontal to the vertical plane by forming a gentle curve up onto the back-scene, this was then covered in a thin coating of diluted fiiler then painted and weathered with powders.

I also intend to use some carefully placed shrubbery to help disguise the obvious low reliefness of the store. The tree in the last pic is just there to represent where the greenery will be, in reality you wouldn't let a tree like that grow right up against a building. A footpath will lead off from the yard behind the signal box leading to the platform.

To complete the scene, I will add an Austin 7 van, belonging to the workman who will eventually be repairing a section of the station fencing, but I need to break it first.

The 4 pics below show progress to date.

27 minutes ago, Calidore said:

 

Thanks Mark, very kind. As I was going to do some of the clay hoods anyway, here's a how-to.

 

 

Step 1 -- measure and chop your tissue to size. This is regular Sainsburys but is 3-ply, which is more robust and easier to work than 2-ply.

 

 

Step 2 -- Position over whatever the building / stock item is, and run a finger and thumb over all the angles to roughly impress the shape into it. It won't stay perfectly like a proper fold, but it just needs to loosely follow the shape. Nb here also I wasn't concentrating and cut a piece with embossed pattern, in this case it won't notice but generally best to use plain sections only.

 

 

Step 3 -- Give it a good soak with glue, I use the classic ballast mix of 50/50 pva/water with a drop of washing up liquid. While it's wet you can gently push the tissue around to either smooth out wrinkles you don't want, or add more if you do. Smooth the edges down onto the surface and press them into details, or leave them loose for a more casual fit.

 

Step 4 -- Clear up the pva you've accidentally poured all over the desk (me)

 

 

Step 5 -- repeat

 

 

Step 6 -- Paint! I left these 4 or 5 hours to dry. The material takes brushing with acrylics very nicely, and when it gets wet you can rework any bits of the tarpaulin if you want to as it softens. Like I said it's fairly robust, but careful not to poke through the sheet.

 

Nice and easy and a good project for when you've only got 30 mins spare rather than hours. I can see how people get addicted to little stock projects like this and end up with a rake of 50 

 

So that's the secret to tarpaulins revealed -- it's a cover up...

 

Adam

Fantastic tutorial Adam, thanks for taking the time to document and explain the process. Now I'm wondering where can I include a tarpaulin in Tyteford.