bridgiesimon

Interesting, I am trying a couple of different options based on sheets of acetate near the top, painted one side then varnish on tyhe other for the water surface. Will keep you all informed. The options available seem bloomin expensive when I only have a small water tank to fill!! Simon

good point, I was thinking the same after spending time looking at youtube reviews. I have been looking at the Woodland scenics stuff though as that is not a melt and pour, it is a two part resin that you mix together before pouring in so would be cold. I do have a spare lid or 2 so will do a trial run first though just in case! Simon

Latest piccie of the water tower - Best wishes Simon

no water in the water tank yet, looking at different ways of doing water, looks like some really good products around! Anyone had any experience of what works well? Simon

Thank you for the encouragement and kind comments, most appreciated! We have a show with the layout next weekend hence the additional work and a list of other developments through the coming months. A good list of exhibitions, posted earlier should encourage us to add new details/developments durting that time as I aim to have new stuff done for each show. Best wishes Simon

Thank you, have now started painting the walling. Simon

Oh yeah got to paint the stone work and platform surface as well. Simon

Another update, I am really pleased with the tank, I nabbed a wooden planking texture via google and then matched/repeated it to make a full sheet of planking taking care to minimise obvious repeated shapes. This was then cut to around the right size and then I cut up between each plank leaving only a 5mm strip at the top like a long comb thingy. The top strip was glued around the top of the tank follwed by the planks vertically one at a time slightly overlapping them. I then found some very thin black masking tape, really old cos when I tried to use it, the sticky was not working so had to glue it on instead for the metal strapping. Anyway, overall I am happy with how it is looking - On the plan now is - painting the interior adding water sourcing and adding a duck/birdie thingy fixing it into the scenery digging in a pathway down from the main drag to the platform blending in the vegetation making up a chute to cross over the railway sorting a watering pipe thingy for the locomotives Anyway, please let me know what you think so far. Best wishes Simon

For those who do not know of such creatures, the watcher in the water - http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2210329a_99811499006_WatcherWaterCFC01_873x627.jpg Am now having a go at adding a paper printed timber planking to the barrell. not sure that this si the right way to go in a larger scale but worth a try adn costs nothing but time. Simon

This has now developed a little further - As mentioned before, the tank will be clad in planking and with iron straps around it then modelled mostly full of water and a duck swimmng in it! Loads of scenic revamping will be needed in the area to fit the tank and platform as well as adding a pathway from the path around the end of the layout down to it. Best wishes Simon

This is looking superb, I am looking forward to reading about the development, it is great to see another high quality N gauge project around. best wishes Simon

My lady has hit the jackpot for me - one perfectly shaped pot for the water tank!!! At least all those bloomin bottles everywhere have served a use, well the lid from one has anyway. Just sorting out the covering, possibly start with a printed trial but would be good from veneer though depending if it can be shaped to fit ok. Simon

This is why I love RM Web, you guys are awesome!! Thank you Ozexpatriate, I really like your idea so will be starting to scratchbuld something like that, yep, got to have a duck in it - agree with that as well!! Just found a yoghurt pot the exact right shape and wil try lining it with strips for the detail - http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/9Z5WlIgKpjY/hqdefault.jpg A little on the large size but possible though! Simon

Something like this? Obviously no plan to mount it on a grey box! Another thought I had, turned at work recently but the idea of marking it out etc makes it a big job but could be worth trying. Alternatively maybe time to look for a resin barrell of a suitable size. Anyway, as the camera was out, I took a few more piccies, really need to sort out how to use it properly! Another overall view of the layout The Blue machine shunts the cool store siding Another view of the new rake sat in the station A few of the details already in place. The memorial to the Ringbearer, Frodo The terrace of hobbit dwellings along the back of the scene The town band who welcome in each train to the station. Best wishes Simon

I would like your opinion again on another little addition I have been thinking about, the water tower - I have made up a quick mock up of a water tank mounted by the headshunt and would like to know whether you think this is a good location for it and if it looks appropriate in size/shape. Obviously would have a proper frame etc and am thinking about an open topped wooden channel across from the rock face opposite similar to - http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5672e/x5672e02.gif Anyway, here is the mock up - I look forward to your comments Best wishes Simon

Another update, I know almost at record rate for me! one small ladder made up and in place, needs painting and weathering as well as the apple crate by it, I also need to find a suitable figure for the scene. here is the new rake of coaches recently completed, not even had chance to run them yet but the paint is dry, hehe. I have also painted the fascia at last, this piccie shows it after the first coat, another has been added since so the colour is better. (the yellow strips are the velcro for hanging the curtain by the way) Those main trees do need lots more branches and foilage, too sparce at the moment. Best wishes Simon

Thanks for the opinions guys, things to ponder on. Lots to do today, a new batch of couplings have arrived for fitting. Black paint acquired to paint the fascia Latest loco to spray ladder and fruit basket to make for the apple tree Simon

I am not anywhere there but good luck with the show, I hope all goes well. Best wishes Simon

For anyone interested, the Fonts link in post 147 does not seem to be available any more but I have found the following- http://www.thehutt.de/tolkien/fonts.html I am looking at having some nameplates etched for the motive power, possibly using the 'Kelt' font as it looks great but is simple enough to be etched and should be readable at the size it will be required to be. Anyway, what do you think guys? Simon

Bloomin ell, just thought I would add a few comments to the thread and noticed how long ago my last post way, ooer!!! Anyway, yes I have seen the second film, twice, and it is AWESOME!!! Not really very much developed on the layout although the 4 wheel vans are now complete and I have built a set of 3 short bogie coaches as another rake for the layout, piccie to follow. Also not added to the pullhobbit coaches, better get on with it as there are exhibitions coming up, speaking of which, here is the latest list of shows I will, hopefully be attending with Hobbiton End - Nailsea 15-16th March Monmouth 13th April Ilfracombe 19th April Bideford 25th May Shepton Mallet 14-15th June Barnstaple 26th July Weymouth 1-2 November So maybe will see you there. I have a plan of jobs over the next few months to ensure that developments are, hopefully noticeble between shows. Best wishes Simon

I love this layout, any updates? Best wishes Simon

Other than the mentioned ride height, that Warship looks superb!! Best wishes Simon

Your layout is looking most excellent, I am very impressed! Best wishes Simon

Incidentally,these couplings are based on a design that I saw made By Nick Swettenham of the Bodmin Model Railway Club many years ago & although now completely different to his design the principle is his idea. Cheers Bill Yeah, these were couplings Nick and I both started using back then on the Bodmin club layout, Trehayne, they were from an Iain Rice book called 'detailing and improving rtr wagons' looks like it is still available and a very good read!! Your development looks similar to the way i changed them as well, using the tube instead of the original way of coiling the wire to make the tube for the pivot. They are pretty reliable as well aren't they. I do not use them anymopre now that I model in N gauge, way too small for these although i did try! Best wishes Simon

Do you mean these? http://www.apwebbplanthire.co.uk/images/plant/rail/js175.jpg Looks like an interesting little project to add interest to ta corner or to the end of a siding. Simon