bcnPete

Thank you Neil - much appreciated... Thanks also Mark. Correct it did have a tractor...think Rule No.1 would have to apply to the other tractors though... Thanks David, Actually, on reflection I do have two...if you count my Bachmann Brassworks one...

Really sorry to hear this...RIP Ant

Afternoon all, Here’s an update on progress since November. Unfortunately I didn’t feel like modelling for a while as I lost my Mum just before Christmas and small trains seemed irrelevant Following Christmas I wanted to start the year positive and my Mum always liked when I worked on the hobby so I decided to get cracking again. I realised that there was less than 6 months to the 2mmFS Diamond Jubilee in June and work deadlines are intense until Easter so it was unlikely my Treviscoe entry would be built in time, so have decided to try and finish Wenford. This was the same decision taken with Kyle and I was pleased to have done so as it’s good to try and complete something rather than have loads of projects on the go. The next task before I can commence the buildings is the concrete apron and ballasting. You may recall I did some tests last year and having had a few disasters previously in 2mmFS with DAS/ inset track I decided on using card for the inlays. The lines of the apron were drawn out and then 5mm foam board was used at the outer edges to define the line. 1mm white card from the studio workshop were then cut accordingly using templates drawn over the track with tracing paper. This proved to be as painful as I was expecting and involved much cutting, recutting and fruity language As per my previous mock up, I had decided to stop the apron a few mm short of the outer rail. This was twofold as I recall from previous discussions this was done to allow access to rail chairs and also I wanted to represent the crud/weeds that forms/grows between the two. The next painful part was to apply readymixed filler in between the card and outer rail making sure it was slightly lower than the rail edge. This was time consuming and took two weekends to complete. Once the apron was formed, including adding a few joints in the concrete (I might add a few more) I then closed off the outer edges with postcard to cover the foam board as well as give the impression of a monolithic slab cast. The whole area was then given a coat of some Wilko beige emulsion from a test pot as I would like to try and capture the creamy effect rather than just grey. Earlier today I gave the whole area a sanding with wet n dry and cleaned the paint off the rails. The Advantage of finishing the card infill just below the rail is so I don’t remove the surface when track cleaning. I have dry brushed in some weathering powders using grey, beige and black to begin to build up the appearance. This will be further added to and probably some white too given that it’s a China clay dries. To conclude the session, the 08 was test run to check clearances and profiles. Some minor tweaking ensued with the scalpel but overall it all ran fine so the next task will be the ballasting of the front road. Once the ballast and apron are done I can then commence the dries buildings at the rear. I have various stone, brick and block plastic sheets so I will start some tests beforehand...after all, I have a building some 2.2 metres in length to construct! A few pics showing progress... Card and foam board build ups... Almost flush with rail...but just set below... Cutting the awkward curved pieces...note this arrangement is formed as per the prototype... Infill to rail and card to represent crud... Google earth shot showing filler and effect I am trying to achieve... Infill and filler complete...tedious but necessary work... First board with initial weathering...second board with prior basecoat applied... Initial weathering of apron...this will be built up gradually... As always, comments welcome, Pete

Lovely stuff Bob. Want one of those grubby 37’s myself

Only just found this Lovely layout... Ticks all the boxes...Keep those pictures coming

I agree with the above Mark - those two pictures nail it Nice to see the layout with some stock that matches the Rail gauges too Any more shows lined up?

Are you flying this over to the 60 years show David? Would be great to see it

Hope the show goes well today Mark...pics awaited

ooh liking this again...keep em coming

All aboard I hope... Yep, great pics Mark - hope the expo goes well and look forward to a debrief from it...

Well done Chris - assuming it’s not DCC then with all those wires Lighting, backscene and train shed all looking good. Look forward to see this in June...

Congratulations on the pot

That looks fabulous Jerry. The backscene works really well

Some very nice work again Mark on the rolling stock. Do like your preshading techniques Me thinks you need a short 4mm scenic plank for your pics...

Some very nice mods there Mark. Once these are finished, painted and weathered using your techniques they should look fab. Look forwards to see the write up as to which layout they will be running on...assuming you are not regauging them to 009

Loving those blue diesels...they look very at home...

Just found this too so will be keeping tabs on it Like the treatment of the concrete in the first shot and some cracking weathering on the stock too

I will be bringing this with me...Kyle of Lochalsh - 2mm Finescale... Looking forward to it...

Yes please... I pre booked a room there so I can stagger off after a few sherbets...

Good to hear you are still out there Steve - last time we spoke I believe you had turned to the Darkside of 7mm...remember warning me against that 10 years ago?

Don’t forget to line in the white stripe too Mark...

Go faster vent vans you mean...

Very nice work Mark, At first glance I thought “where’s this new layout sprung from” ....then I clicked after a double take...crafty use of front wheel sets aligned to rail edge Nice fleet of wagons and kettle there in progress - thanks for tips re pledge too :good: Waiting to see the new layout blog now ;)

Wot he said Great meticulous and tenacious research there Mikkel. Very interesting to see before and now too. Happy New Year and look forward to see more inspirational blogs from you...

Great project Rob - Both track and scenics look fab - enjoyed seeing some more process photos on your Flickr link too. Staying tuned for more...