Marly51

You fairly crack on with your modelling, Graeme! I always have to fit mine in between so many other things. Still love the detail and the research you put into each building project! Marlyn

Fascinated by your model of the creamery, you mentioned in an earlier post that it is not based on a particular set of buildings? I am researching an old city milk depot in Edinburgh, but finding that very little archives remain from the company which ran it for decades. I shall persevere! Your whole layout is wonderful. Marlyn

Sam, If you go to your ‘Image’ icon App, select image/photo, click edit and the third option on the vertical menu allows you to rotate or crop your images. That should work? Marlyn

I’ve been checking out quite a few milk freight related topics here on RMWeb and looking into the possibility of splitting my idea for a Merchiston/Dalry Model into three connectable ‘cameo’ layouts. Each one could be a standalone model with a fiddle arrangement at either end or the three cameos could be connected depending on available display area. Understanding the freight handling and milk depot/creamery processes are all part of the research. Looking forward to visiting the archives in the Edinburgh City Chambers at some point to see what building plans still exist. Marlyn

This is a great little layout with lots of interest and good use of the limited space. I found your YouTube videos first then discovered your thread here, where you have posted a layout plan. Space is always going to be the issue for me and I am finding so many clever ideas here on the Forum! Thank you for sharing! Marlyn

The same goes for today. We have a number of local lorry owners in our village, transporting seafood and game long distance, and their vehicles are spotless.

That's OK - just fascinated by the decorative features! I'm interested in the vernacular building traditions of Scotland and elsewhere in our islands. I often photograph interesting cottages, with owner's permission and an eye to future modelmaking. Marlyn

I usually stayed at Gerry’s Hostel in Achnashellach, David, but back in the 1960s - 1980s (when holidays abroad were becoming affordable) quite a few Highland hotels struggled to keep going, often changing hands and becoming run down. Many closed for the winter, so there wasn’t even a pub for the locals outside the tourist season. The Achnasheen hotel and station buildings were quite impressive in the old photographs. When you were cold and wet through, after a day out, any food and warmth was welcome at the end of the day. Marlyn

Your quarry model makes great use of the area and height of the ‘Cake Box’ - look forward to see how you finish off the display. Marlyn

I’ve just had two large Perspex display cases made for a couple of layouts by displaysuk.co.uk. One has three sides with a top so it fits over a micro baseboard and is open at the back, where access is needed to the track behind the backscene. This company can also bend a single sheet of Perspex to fit profiles which I have suppplied. I know this is not always a cheap option but their standard display cases are worth looking at. There some skilled members who make their own Perspex display covers, but I only trust myself to drill a few fixing holes! Marlyn

A few photos here: https://picclick.co.uk/Achnasheen-Railway-Station-Photo-Glencarron-Achanalt-Dingwall-261542154809.html

Mark, There are two good photographs of Achnasheen station on P107 of ‘Highland Railway: People and Places’ by Neil T. Sinclair. One photo is from the Pendragon Collection and the other credited to J.L.Stevenson. Also a photo of Achnasheen Signal Box and local bus on page 108. Spent many happy evenings in the bar of the Achnasheen Hotel, which was part of the main buildings on the platform, after days out in the hills in the 1970s. Very sad day when it was destroyed by fire. Marlyn

Lovely model, Frank. Out of interest, where in Scotland is the original building? Marlyn

Thank you Jeff. Old photographs and memories of Lairg Station are very welcome... Marlyn

All set for a major session of Highland Railway timber buildings in N scale - parcel office, two waiting rooms and two signal boxes! I have marked up a small sheet of card mounting board and threaded it ready for sealing and painting. The small platform goods/parcel shed based on Invershin prototype was a dry run. 100% paper & card model - roof paper texture from Scalescenes still has to be dulled down with matt varnish. Model looks OK actual size in situ, but digital images are a bit unforgiving!

Nearly there with drawings of buildings! Been checking out steampunk townscape images created by various artists such as Vladimir Petkovic on Deviant Art https://taisteng.deviantart.com/art/Steampunk-370372322

I am putting together a display, for our local history society, of old photographs relating to the history of Lairg Station and the railway companies associated with the station since it was built by the Sutherland Railway in 1868. More details to follow...

Just back from a few very wet and sleety days in Edinburgh. Photos of Dalry, Angle Park and Merchiston will have to wait until the next trip!

Hi James, I held off cutting my ‘CakeBox’ base until I had it to hand - learnt from my own past mistakes that there is always a bit of tweaking required because of thickness of materials, etc. I have two models which need Perspex covers and only finishing off the framing of the layouts now that the covers have been made. Ahh, the joys of construction... Model is looking good! Marlyn

Congratulations on tree production Jim. I have a stash to produce for two layouts and already made a first attempt on about ten which still need some tweaking! Just returned to the sunny Northern Highlands myself! Had to dig out my friend’s car in Balerno yesterday after the snow storm! Marlyn

I’ve admired these buildings in your earlier post and it’s good to hear from other members who’ve used paper textures. Looking forward to experimenting more with paper as well as 3D textures. I think it is about getting the balance right between the level of detail required for each project. Marlyn

I sometimes photograph actual cotton fabrics and reduce to scale in Photoshop. If you have a scanner you could also copy photos of fabric designs from specialist books on period interiors. Marlyn

I have too many projects, but enjoy reading the literary meanderings here! Marlyn

Have you had time to make a start on your cardboard locomotive, Annie? I am hoping to have a go later on - not specifically for a Forum Challenge, but just for a side project to see how I get on. When it comes to the motor assembly, no doubt, I will be shouting “Help” at some point! All the best, Marlyn

It is a challenge trying to get the landscape features accurate. A lot of scenic materials are quite brightly coloured and need toning down a lot - I like the effect you are managing to achieve and interested to read about your technique. Marlyn