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scanman

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  1. scanman

    Anew venture...

    By scanman,

    Well, a long time has passed since I last blogged on this forum - and a lot of virtual water has passed under the virtual bridge - some of it quite rough1
     
    The main disruption has (as is usual) age-related health issues.  First, I have developed (or rather ' am developing') 'Extemity Tremor' or shaking hands.  Annoyingly my left hand (the dominant one) is the worst affected.  Whilst it is not yet debilitating it IS time-wasting - particularly when soldering small objects.  Second, my eyesight is definitely degrading, some of which is diabetes-related.  So the last few months have been spent in contemplation.....
     
    Firstly - I can still make models.  It just takes a lot longer, and working in the smaller scales is becoming more a trial than a pleasure. Second - it's not going to get better.
     
    So the aim has to be to concentrate on achievable results against the day when all I will be able to do is 'play trains'.  A change of scale is inevitable -better to start NOW than leave it 'til I'm forced to change!  A visit to Leighton Buzzard and the purchase of Leleux's well-illustrated guide actually provided the inspiration.  So - 014, or larger?  I have already dabbled in 014, and I'm not convinced that for me it has the 'legs' to provide a long-term approach.  16mm?  This APPEARED to be the province of Garden Railways, minor engineering and 'out of scale' clearances etc more suited to the conditions likely to be en countered.  I had decided that anything I built would have to follow 'normal' - ie standard model railway practices and would be on baseboards indoors.
     
    So what conditions have I set myself? First, the layout must be capable of fairly rapid progression.  IE kept 'reasonably' small but well-detailed. However, the layout should also be modular, capable of extension using scenic 'boxes' (this with exhibitions in mind). Standards would be - 32mm gauge, using 7mm wheels - thus providing the finer profiles.  The track to be hand-built, using rail held to wooden sleepers by track-spikes (hence flat-bottom rail).  Any pointwork to be electrically-operated from a central control panel, with locos powered by DCC with relevant sound units.  All buildings to be based on relevant prototypes. Lastly, the project has to financially self-supporting by disposing of my extensive collection of items in 2-, 4- & 7mm scale.  Fortunately aquisitions will be reasonable as the rolling-stock is ~BIG and a huge amount is not required (No 28xx's with 100-wagon coal trains!).
     
    So now the practicalities..

    First, the track plan.  A definite 'back of the fag packet' design
     
    The baseboard is from the old 2mm layout which never really got started, and explains the constricted dimensions.The  8' x1'6" (2 boards) concentrates on the 'workshops' area - providing stabling for the 'few'(?) loco's intended, and a 'wagon servicing facility' .  The main line' will provide access to storage cassettes and/or other scenes when built.  However, that is the limit of 'the dream' thus far as I'm awaiting supplies of rail (Codes 85 & 125) before further progress can be made.  The reason for 2 different codes is to check which will accept the wheels!  The drawback is of course that code 125 is 'Bullhead'...
     
    Whilst waiting for the rail, some rolling stock (well, 3 'Hudson' tipper wagons) have been purchased for evaluation from two different suppliers (more of that in another entry) and a kit of a diesel 'Simplex' ('Arkle)' which ran on the LBLR.  again,I'll cover construction/modification of that in another entry.
     
    So there we are.  At least I'll avoid joining the 'pipe and slippers' brigade for a while!
    .
  2. scanman
    First - the image that started it all...
     

     
    presented by kind permission of the artist. The barge in the lock is the afore-mentioned 'Unity' and, as can be seen, is a 'wide barge'. She spent her working life plying the 'K&A' between Reading and Bristol carrying carbouys of acid...
     
    So on with construction. As previous blogs and other entries have mentioned, I am a firm believer in Knauff 'Floormate'* - sold as an underfloor insulation sheet about 250mm wide, 2.5m long and 75mm thick. Fortunately my supplier (Hampshire Insulation')* use it for purposes other than that for which it was designed and have a hot-wire cutter capable of cutting it down to (as a minimum) 5mm thick (if you're prepared to pay for the wastage!). The material itself is a 'high density urethane foam', completely stable, able to be easily cut with a craft knife, razor saw or (when 'her in doors' isn't looking) a breadknife! Obviously it does NOT like impact adhesives (except 'Limonene-based' ones) and PVA has an extended drying time if layering. However 'Gorilla Glue'* works a treat!
     
    For this project I used an offcut of a 30mm-thick board (it is only 600x240mm after all!), marked out the upper pound and lock as one unit, cut it out and dropped it by about 4mm, re-attaching it with the afore-said 'Gorrilla Glue' The lower pound was treated slightly differently in that it was cut from another offcut (hence the different colour) at 15mm thickness. When the upper pound/lock was set, the 'lower pound' was marked out and removed, then the new insert glued into place.
     

     
    The last view shows the end-view with the different water- and land levels clearly displayed. The prototype had a 'fall of over 2m so the differing thicknesses work well.
     

     
    Also on view is the first length of 'easitrack' - one & a bit more to go!
     
    When set, the board will be set into 6mm ply walls - this will take the 'hangers-on' like the lighting unit and fiddleyard cassettes.
     
    * the usual declaration - my only connection is as a thoroughly satisfied customer!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  3. scanman

    A SMALLER Challenge

    By scanman,

    Okay, what CAN you do in a space only 600mm by 240mm?? When the idea was first mooted as a 'Challenge' for the 2mm Associations 'Diamond Jubilee' in 202, my first thought was 'Not much' - even in 2mm, and I made my thoughts plain on the 2mm 'Virtual Area Group'....
     
    However, I am also a member of a local photographic club - who for one of IT'S challenges this year, the subject is 'Transport'. Thinking of THAT I remembered a painting by a member of the 'Guild of Railway Artists' entitled 'Saints & Sinners'. The scene depicted a double-track line bounded on one side by a picturesque village and on the other by a canal with a lock... No indication of the location EXCEPT in the lock was a barge named 'Unity' and the builder 'Robbins' 'Honeystreet' visible on the transom. Now I know a little about that barge - in fact I helped measure its sister in the 'Purton graveyard' in Gloucestershire! (http://www.friendsofpurton.org.uk/Vessels/Harriett.htm) The 'Unity' plied between Reading and Bristol via the 'Kennet & Avon Canal' - so my powers of deduction led me to use 'Google Earth' to find the location -
     

     
    (at this point, if it sounds familiar to some RM Web readers - it is - it was the subject in the '2011 Challenge'! Unfortunately due to an 'Annus Horriblis' I never got to complete what would have been a '3D' interpretation of the scene a la Jack Nelson...)
     
    However, as a location for a 'Transport' image it has great merit -
     

     
    - I just need a better subject (this image was taken within two minutes of arriving at the location on Bank Holiday Monday) and that was the only barge seen the whole afternoon!
     
    HOWEVER all was not lost... What a location for a model with a very limited footprint!
     
    As shown in the GoogleEarth' image, the subject has its own boundaries - the road, the canal and the two bridges. Even then, to squeeze it in will require some selective compression between the two bridges... The one thing that cannot be shortened is the lock itself. It has to be 200mm long (100').
     
    The other requirements of the Challenge are - it must be to 2mm finescale standards (obviously) and include ONE working point...
     
    Another problem - there is no pointwork at this location.. However, neither is there a station - so now it will gain one. 'Little Bedwyn' halt, complete with a siding on the 'up' line for local farm traffic etc. The 'halt will limit the length of the platform - '48xx' loco + autotrailer, (providing an 'all stations' service') or (in later years) a 2-car DMU service for the same. Interspersed will be 'Halls' & Saints' on secondary mainlime services (updated to HST) and 28xx and heavy deisels on their respective period frieghts. FORTUNATELY the off-scene are is NOT limited in length!
     
    Meanwhile the lock will feature barge 'Unity' (of course), or modern-day house-boats dependent on the period depicted.
     
    So all this in about 21/2 years. Wish me luck!
     

    Regards
     
    Ian
  4. scanman
    For the last two years there have been moments of elation, more often outweighed by moments of frustration (usually electronics related!) However, the last couple of months has seen real progress, with the trackwork finally working properly and being ballasted. This was done using two colours of 'N Gauge' ballast (to represent the LBSC's shingle ballast obtained from 'The Crumbles' near Eastbourne) mixed and laid dry with 'Cascamite' powder adhesive. A good soaking with a fine misting spray and then leave to set!
     
    However, the baseboard still looked really 'bare'....
     

     
    So yesterday we began to rectify that! During the day the platform (previously surfaced with 'SEFinecast Paving') was painted -currently in 'Vallejo Stonewall Grey' (which over this sort of area begins to build its own variations in hue). The turntable pit was also edged with the same material - the 'slabs' being individually-laid to follow the circumference - once the adhesive was dried they were treated to match the platform.
     
    Ground-cover next... The baseboards had originally been painted a light grey to both stabilise the MDF and to assist setting-out. A couple of weeks ago I added a little texture using a slurry of 'EasiFill' (a finishing skin for plasterwork - and at £18 for a 5kg bag I've enough to last me the rest of my modelling life!). I also mix in a good dollop of PVA adhesive along with water to activate the product. ('Dollop' is a technical term I often use when cooking!)
     
    So now to kill all that white... By first painting it (section by section) with white emulsion - I usually use the cheaped available, but not having any these boards are painted with 'Dulux Diamond White (no expense spared here!) Whilst the paint is wet (hence doing it in sections) colour was finally added with artists acrylic in tubes. I use a pallette ranging from burned sienna through ochre to sap and olive green. You would expect the white paint to make the finish very 'bland' - but the artists acrylics are very powerful and not much has to be used (only small dollops this time!) to achieve the effect. So why use the emulsion? first, being water-based it will bind with the previously-laid plaster. it also takes up the acrylic paint and (importantly) acts an extender for the acrylic. If the acrylic was laid directly on the plaster, it will be very quickly absorbed and not go very far!
     
    So by the end of the day the majority of the bare board now carries colour -
     

     
    which will provide a suitable base for the surface finishes to be applied on the next visit. So then it will be out with various flocking materials applied with my trusty 'Flockit', and other goodies!
  5. scanman
    My intention was to place passengers in the coaches - however there is a dearth of 'Victorian Era' seated figures! My client pointed me to the range created by Andrew Stadden, and I selected and ordered the relvant set from his web-site. Within an hour of placing the order Andrew phoned me in person, very apologetic that there would be a weeks delay in the figures as he was going off on holiday the next day! He offered to return the money - or if I cared to wait he would include an extra five figures. Not wishing to decline a very generous offer I elected to wait - but also informed him of their destination.... 'Ahh' he said 'You could probably use Mr Stroudley'... I'd not seen this figurine in the range but, a week later a package arrived -
     

     
    including Mr Stroudley!

     
    The '5&9' instructions mentioned that customers complained to the 'LBSC' management about the limited headroom in the coaches, stating that a 'man wearing his '12 and sixpenny' could risk damaging it'.
     

     
    Andrew obviously has his proportions correct!
     
    It only remains for me to thank Mr Stadden publicly for his generous offer and to praise the detailing in his figurines! (www.acstadden.co.uk)
  6. scanman
    An apology (or 2)... Firstly - sorry its been a while - what with Xmas and some personal modelling (if you're interested visit the 'micro-mouse section' at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/113568-the-odiham-branch-a-new-project-in-2mmfs/)...Secondly - whilst I started work on this section of the commission before Xmas I've mislaid the images - so bear with me, your coming in with the work 30% done!
     
    This part revolves round the construction of two very early (1845) coaches commissioned by the LBSC. As can be seen
     

     
    their lineage can be directly traced back to the stagecoach!
     
    They are the product of '5 & 9 Models' ( www.5and9models.co.uk) - who created the cattle wagons seen earlier. Its fair to say that, whilst the castings are extremely fine, the instructions are about as basic as the original coaches! There's not much argument about the 'box construction' of the coach body, but items like 'locate the solebars' take no account of the fact that the only guide to their location is a faint line on the outside of the solebar indicating the level at which they should sit inside the body. I think... As can be seen, the solebars appear to fit in this assumption, as the plasticard floors - fitted inside and on top of the solebars appear to give the correct ride height for the w-iron units.
     
    Ahh - the w-iron units... The instructions cheerfully say 'remove the outer parts of the frame to make a 'V-Iron'. I'm still puzzling over that one - and there is little in the way of prototype info to solve it!
     
    Having cut the floors I then moved on to the interiors.
     

     
    One interior has been completed - the other shows the relevant 'bits'. It looks basic - because they were basic! No padded seats - that would be asking for trouble as these coaches had no glazing (by the way, these are 'First Class' coaches - you can tell - they've got roofs... - todays 'Southern' passengers would REALLY have something to moan about!).
     

     
    Both interiors complete. Note that one of the end compartments only has seats on the end bulkhead. This is the compartment directly below the guards seat (yes, he's on the roof, along with the baggage, which is why there are no luggage racks in the compartments).
     

     
    The instructions do advice 'painting the floors before fitting as it will be impossible afterward'. Agreed. In fact, best to paint the whole thing! Even in the latest HMRS guide (Pt 2 of 'Southern Style') information is on the near side of 'non-existent' for internal paintwork - so I went for mahogany seats (which I'm guessing were slatted) and a 'flat brown' for the bulkheads which were likely to be affected by smoke & the weather. If anyone has further information - it'll be about a week or so before the roofs go on! Until then -
     

     
    they are starting to look the part!
     
    Next installment will probably be the running-gear if I can resolve the issue of the 'V' or 'W' irons!
     
    TTFN
     
    Ian
  7. scanman
    Time to finish this - it has to be with the client by Friday!
     
    In the interest of speed I have cheated slightly -
     

     
    I WAS going to scratch-build the steps but a trip to 'Alton Models' for something else provided a couple of lengths of 'Plastruct' steps... Add some handrails and job done.
     
    The same trip yielded a 'Ratio' signal-box detailing kit -
     

     
    and with some modifications (this is a VERY small box!) it fits in (just).
     
    However -
     

     
    The block bells etc have had to be suspended from the internal ceiling - there wasn't space to place them behind the frame - but at least they're in there!
     
    'Just' a paint-job now, and some downpipes. Probably some midnight oil burning tomorrow!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  8. scanman
    Okay, on with the signal-cabin - assembling the main structure.
     
    This is a real 'multimedia' model - acrylic, card, plasticard etc....
     

     
    The 'upperworks' consist mainly of the four sections seen in 'part 1' - here they have been assembled with 'PVA'
     
    The next job was to assemble the 'locking-room' base - this was a simple(-ish) task, using 0.030" plasticard..
     

     
    Here we are just waiting the crane to lift the 'glass-house' into position! The observant will note that the 'floor' is already in place in the lever-room
     

     
    Okay - the crane's been and gone. The next job is to clad the structure -
     

     
    with 0.20" 'Evergreen' plank cladding, framed around the corners with simple strip..(and yes, I've taken care of the wayward door lintel..!)
     
    Just a case now of going round the building and continuing. However, I do need to get a 'signal-box detailing kit'! That 'glasshouse will be pretty unforgiving if it's not there...
     
    TTFN!
     
    Ian
  9. scanman
    Having been tasked to build a small board for the REC's 'O' gauge layout (which would effectively replace the goods yard and turn the layout into a terminus) I found there was just room enough for a small goods shed.
     
    Being a fan of the 'DN&SR' I decided that the 'goods lock-up' at Burghclere would make a suitable subject.
     
    As ever I decided to make a mock-up in card, based on the cutting file for the laser cutter...
     

     
    (Please note that the small porch over the trackside door is 'modellers licence'!
     
    All I need to do now is get the cutter to work without glitches!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  10. scanman
    Whilst my client was away on holiday, he asked me to complete some kits he'd started - all in whitemetal, from '5&9' who do a great range of early LBSC 'Stroudley' cattlewagons. There appear to be sufficient in the range to model most of the variants (I'm not an 'LBSC' man, so don't take my word for it...)
     
    One of the problems is the buffing gear. Its brilliant (if you want a static model) but not so good if you want to operate.
     

     
    Cast in whitemetal, the buffer shanks are EXTREMELY thin and
     

     
    they break... The shanks are about 0.08" in diameter - so,
     

     
    I drilled out the buffers, and the stocks
     
    and then re-assembled them with 0.08" brass wire....
     

     
    12 times!
     
    Still ,'jobs a good'un' as they say -
     

     
    and I hope my client will be pleased with the result!
     
    It's also worth noting the lack of 'company lettering' - in the 1840's illiteracy rates were quite high, and the 'LBSC' rresolved this by placing an 'illiteracy mark' on their wagons. That's it, top left. I understand the practice ceased in the 1860's-70's as literacy rates improved - due no doubt by the legal requirement for children to attend 'National Schools' for five hours per day between the ages of five and eleven...
  11. scanman
    No entries for a while - and here's the reason...
     

     
    One side of the workshop, where I've now installed an 'Emblazer' laser cutter. To those who are not aware - the story is on the 'special interests' forum - look for 'Darkly Laser'.
     
    Best £750 (including import duties) that I've spent in... Well. we won't go into that!
    Suffice to say I'm REALLY impressed -although like all things it has a 'learning curve'!
     
    Given my penchant for making buildings & brickwork, the cutting runs can be a bit time-consuming - and you DO NOT leave a laser cutter unattended..
    Mine has stalled twice, with the laser 'on' - there's a girl on a beach in 'Oz' complaining about her new tattoo :-)
     
    Answer?
     

     
    The workbench on the opposite side is an ideal place for model-making - in this case some wagons for the 'Midhurst' commission. (1860's livery - no lettering, just the
    'illiterate mark' for the LB&SC and the wagon number. Mikkel - if you're reading this, you might like to have some 'foreign
    stock on 'Farthing'...!
     
    More later - got some more brickwork to lase!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  12. scanman
    I've been working regularly with my client on the 'Midhurst' model - mainly concentrating on track & point electrics
    (not my strong point...) a couple of weeks ago we had a VERY frustrating day, when, no matter what we did, we could not
    get a point to correctly polarise the crossing.
     
    The second factor in this tale is the timesetting for the model. 1860... The only horsepower available was,
    well, horsepower!
     
    So as a little compensation for the 'wasted' hours, I made this
     

     
    from the 'Dart Castings' Governess Cart'. Happily the client loved it. Annoyingly we traced the issue to a faulty switch in the
    point motor!
  13. scanman
    About 65 hours working time now. The major development has been above the 'Canal Bridge' where another 'Metcalfe
    Model' (much chopped) provides a background. On the opposite side of the cobbled street is the 'Union' pub (the
    only 'scratchbuilt' structure on the layout) and a relic of an earlier unfinished brewery layout..
     

     

     
    Further development has seen the skeleton of the earthworks added using 12mm high-density foam (off-cuts from other
    modelling projects). These will be covered with the usual card strips/plaster-soaked bandage in the very near
    future!
     

     
    I'm at the 'Basingstoke Show' over the weekend hindering Nigel Lawton on 'Llangerisech' 2mm layout - and well worth
    a look it is too... So drop by & say 'Hello'!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  14. scanman
    Well, 33 hours modelling time and most of the last 12 hours or so has been spent on the architecture.... High above
    the sidings, the community of 'Tryfan Terrace' is taking shape.
     

     
    Okay, they're commercially available cardstock kits - but scratchbuilding this lot in 12 hours or so would have been
    a feat worth doing! It's tempting to say 'well it's only a shunting challenge' but I DO like doing scenic work and the
    proposed steep, grass-covered embankment should show the action off nicely..
     
    Meanwhile, down in the sidings
     

     
    a 5700 awaits its first duty. Still in BR black, but soon to sport 'proper' pannier colour! (and lose the b... awful
    hook!)
     
    BFN
     
    Ian
  15. scanman
    Midhurst LBSCR was the first station in the town - but not for long. The LSWR soon followed suit and it made sense
    to link the two traffic-wise. So a short connecting spur was laid between the two, passing over a local lane on a
    plate girder bridge. This forms one end of the layout under construction so effectively becomes a headshunt.
     
    The commission required a bit of 'recycling' as the client had in hand an old 'Airfix' turntable which could provide
    the sides.
     
    A quick plan as drawn up, the required sides assembled then shortened to fit the site. It's a very short bridge but
    did require some intermediate supporting steels..
     

     
    Further support was added to support the sleepering -
     

     
    Then it was off to the paintshop for a quick spray with matt black, a dust-over with ground oil pastels, and a fixing
    spray with Testors 'Dullcote' -
     

     
    The lane has quite a fall on it,and the sides were battered with 'engineers brick' - so thats th next elemnt!
     
    A good days work?
  16. scanman
    As many of you are aware, about two years ago I formed my own company - 'Perfection In Miniature', offering a
    model-making service covering most fields. Since then business has grown (hooray!) but personal modelling has
    virtually ceased (Boo!) - the joys of turning a hobby into a business!
     
    Activities have included making a model of a set for an upcoming film (just a little diorama - a mere 3m x 2m when
    assembled). Its a War movie - hence it's got lots of miniature soldiers etc - must find a more suitable blog!
    However railway interest have been to the fore assisting a modeller who has - in his eyes - become incapable of
    modelling to his own high standards. Hence we have been working together on a model of the first LBSC station at
    Midhurst (now completely demolished and disappeared!)
     

     
    This is the state of progress after about 8 months (faster now that I have retired from my 'day-job'). Basic
    trackwork is complete, with most points operating on the 'wire in tube' method. As 'homework' I've also modified a
    commercially-made model of the main station building (mainly the windows)and built other scenic items ready for
    installation when the track is wired-up, checked, painted & ballasted!. Not too long then!
     
    Anyone interested in the other activities is welcome to check out the facebook page at 'Perfectioninminiature'.
     
    Who knows, the next update might actually be about some personal modelling!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  17. scanman
    For the past few months I've been assisting another modeller with elements of his 'dream layout'. There has been
    an element of commercialism in this - as a (fairly) professional modeller, the time I spend away from my own
    projects has to support those projects. That said, it's been a real pleasure in that the layout concerned (based
    on the LBSC in the mid-late 1800's is totally beyond my field of knowledge!
     
    To date my contact has been with the architectural , loco and wagon elements - but the last two are well-served by
    others. Also I have an advantage in that I live within reasonable distance of the layout's home so over the last
    few weeks have been involved in the track-building, one element of which is the requirement for three (non-working)
    wagon turntables. Whilst the tables themselves are fixed, locos still need to pass over them so electrically the
    main road must be 'live'. I've seen requests elsewhere on 'RMWeb' on how to build these - so here's my solution!
    No claims for originality - just my view of the world!
     
    1. Take one strip of 80 thou black plastikard, wide enough to take the table and preferably long enough for the
    number required. Scribe 'centre lines' for both running roads. Where they intersect is obviously the centre of the
    turntable.
     
    2. Lay your 'running road' on it's centreline. Allow plenty of 'overhang'
     
    3. add the outer crossing rail sections.
     

     
    4. Allowance has to be made for relevant flangeways crossing the main running rails so using a slitting saw
    (I use a 'Dremel') CAREFULLY cut down to the lower web. Remember, current need to pass through!
     

     
    5. Add the crossing-rails (fortunately the client & I both work in 'EM' so I was able to use 'C&L' products - but
    rail soldered to 'copperclad' would work). Note that whilst practically a flangeway is required, it must also
    be electrically inert.
     

     
    6. At this stage I cut the rail-breaks at the ends of the table - again ensuring that the cut only goes as deep as
    the bottom web.
     

     
    7. As the next major job is to add the decking, most of the rail works will disappear - so at this point I get the
    'rust'out and paint those rail-breaks.
     

     
    8. More of the 80 thou plastikard was used to represent the decking, in this case scribed for 9" wide planking.
    There is little information on the operation of the prototype at this early stage of of it's life, so the builder &
    I assume the shunting work would be carried out by horse (The only other option being manual - there's no evidence
    of capstans). There is also no evidence of a 'company' stable on the trackplan, so I would suggest the possibility
    the LBSC contacted one of the coal merchants to do what movements were required - and horses like a firm footing!
    I could be wrong! I digress...
    Attaching the scribed plastikard to the table relied on contact with a few sleepers. I considered this insufficient
    so labouriously infilled the sleepers with other bits of sleeper strip.
     

     
    9. The decking was then cut to width, and individual sections formed (and where necessary), shaped.
     

     
    10. The basic turntable is now complete. Certain items need to be represented - the cover-plate in the centre
    protecting and giving access to the rotating bearings present on the prototype - and the locking mechanism to
    prevent the table moving involuntarily. There were many varieties of these fittings, and I need to find the right
    ones!
     

     
    Next job will be 'modifying' a commercial model of the station building, including scratch-building the canopy...
     
    TTFN
     
    Ian
  18. scanman
    The client was in the process of commisioning this product from another company when we became aquainted. A few weeks ago, the model arrived
    and I was asked if I could 'breathe' on it..
     

     
    Jobs to do...
     
    1. re-affix the centre chimney which the client had removed in error. provide 'flash round all the chimneys.
     
    2.
     

     
    Add guttering and down-pipes to both extensions and the rear of the building(?) (the platform side will be dealt-with
    by a gulley between the building and the (still to be started) canopy (another story!
     
    3.
     

     
    Replace those windows! (to regular exhibition-goers, the source of the building might be apparent from the glazing
    supplied...) I think sash windows will look LOTS better! With the windows already 'drawn-up' - about a days work...
  19. scanman
    The sewage pumping station (to give it its correct title!) is based on a prototype only about 2 miles from where I live. Tucked away in a an area of open land, it is a beautiful example of how Victorian public buildings - even the most basic utilities - were built with a high degree of quality.
     

     
    Constructed of ? 'London Stocks' with redbrick and sandstone detailing, the building (now owned by the local authority) appears to have been recently cleaned and one of the outstanding features is the creamy coloured brickwork and the amount of detail in it...
     
    First step after survey was to create a set of drawings, which then be reproduced to any required scale.-
     

     
    Again I've used 'Southeast Finecast' embossed brickwork, in 'English Bond'.
     

     
    I carried out some experiments using 'Vallejo' paints & washes to achieve the desired 'creamy' effect. First stage was to wash the brickwork over with 'Vallejo' 'Dark Grey' wash, followed by a wash of their 'Sepia'. I then experimented with several top colours, finally settling on 'Off White' as this best reflected the brickwork, applied with a 1/2" flat brush, using 'dry brush' techniques. Wasteful in paint possibly, but the effect is worth it -
     

     
    The drawings were then printed on adhesive paper to act as a template -
     
    -
     
    Which when cut out were fixed to 30 thou plasticard as backing -
     

     
    The window & doors were then removed. -
     

     
    This shot shows the level of architectural detail embodied in a simple wall-opening - and will require multiple layering of plasticard to replicate the effect -
     

     
    Having cut out the window apertures, the next job was to replicate the window arches, reducing the aperture over three layers to match the original -
     

     

     
    The upper wall section in the window panel was next - two layers of 20 thou, covered with a layer of the painted embossed brickwork.
     

     
    Next job - the reveals. Again, these were made from 3 layers - this time all embossed as the reveals are 'stepped' showing the brickwork. However, the central and outer columns which they butt against will again be 2 layers of 20 thou plain with a top layer of embossed. Am I tight?? Too right!-
     

     
    Both reveals are now in place, and there's is only a little more detail to add tonight -
     

     
    including the window cill. Job done for tonight I think.
     

     
    So this is a breakdown of the basic techniques used. I'll be back later with another installment!
  20. scanman
    The 'Tanners Arms' is now open for business... Less the pub sign which I'm still mulling over! Keen eyes will notice modifications to the dormer windows. The 'local authority' objected to the (miniscule) size of the rooms... However, given its noisy, smelly location it's unlikely the landlord will be killed in the rush for occupants! (for Mikkel - NOW you can see the bricked-up window!).
     
    However, the billiards hall on the first floor will doubtless prove popular with the local workers 'after hours'. The young professional, Joe Davis will hope to make a small living off demonstration matches and teaching...
     

     
    Meanwhile, two herders maintain the ancient tradition of driving geese to London. The geese are entering a lairage area already occupied (temporarily) by a few 'Southdown' sheep, also driven up the (rapidly disappearing) drove-ways, and who regard the newcomers with a certain suspicion!. Meanwhile the two drovers are looking forward to enclosing their charges before sinking a pint (or three) i the 'Tanners'. Who knows, they might even take a bed for the night before heading back to the farm!.
     

     
    Right - 'Poo Palace' next!
  21. scanman
    Whilst it's been a while, progress has been made, although somewhat slower than I'd like! A spur to progress was a memo from the EMGS that the choice of finalists (to be judged at ExpoEM North in September) would depend on a progress report submitted at ExpoEM South (tomorrow & Sunday) where the 26 initial entries would be reduced to four.
     
    So, onward!
     
    Having sorted out rail & road access, time for the pedestrians to have somewhere safe to walk. 2mm Depron to the rescue again, suitably scribed for paving and cobbles where yard access was necessary. The paved areas were then covered with a dilute beige-brown colour :-
     

     
    Some slabs were then picked out using watery greys and darker beiges...
     

     
    Next job was the 'Tanners Arms'. 30 thou plasticard was cut out using templates pre-printed on adhesive paper. The carcase was then covered with 'SE Finecast' 'English bond' built up in various layers :-
     

     
    The carcase was then painted to represent 'London Stock' bricks in a grey-brown weathered state (this is NOT the 'clean air act' era!) and windows and doors of various types were added using my favoured methods. The details round the entrance door were also designed & printed on self-adhesive paper...
     

     
    Eagle-eyed visitors will note that one first-floor window is bricked-up. Superstitious (gullible??) clients insist it is the room occupied by the (pregnant) daughter of one of the former owners - bricked in to hide the family shame (some say you can still hear her wails for help...) More prosaically it is a window infilled to avoid the Georgian 'Window Tax' (which paid for HMS 'Victory & her sisters). The publican does nothing to dispell this myth - as the room makes a very handy store for various spirits (of the alcaholic kind) and the daily takings!
     
    The landlord has also tried to extend the attractions of his establishment. 'Rooms For Rent' are now available in the 'loft conversion' (no planning laws or building regs in the early 20th century!) and the first floor houses a 'Billiards Hall' (Adverts for these facilities will adorn the corners as billboards):-
     

     
    A young Joe Davis is the resident 'professional'...
     
    Mock-ups now show the position of the tannery and the sewage works at the front. Again, the eagle-eyed will notice a new spur off the wagon turntable which will provide access to the works' coal dock.
     

     
    If anyone's attending ExpoEM, I'm one of the stewarding gang - and I THINK the only one with a beard! Say 'Hello'!
     
    BFN
     
    Ian
  22. scanman
    I always envisaged that 'Tannery Lane' would be cobbled, with inset 'tramway-type' track. But how to do the cobbling? I gave some thought to commercially-available products - but he cobbling has to conform to both street and track formations, so a 'tailormade' inlay was the only real solution, and accept that it would be time-consuming.
     
    I decided at the outset that the base would be my 'new best friend' - 'Depron Foam'. This is very similar to the high-density closed-cell urethane foam used for insulation. Only in much thinner sections! You often see it in use as 'fast food' boxes, but it is commercially available in large (36"x18") sheets. The thicknesses I use range from 2mm to 6mm depending on the project.
     
    Why 'Depron'? well, it takes and holds a scribed surface. The embossing tool can be anything from a stylus to a biro pen. Personally I use a 0.5mm '3H' drop-lead pencil.. The other advantage (in this context) is that, cut to rough shape, inverted over previously-laid track and then pressed down along the rail-line, a perfect cutting template is formed...
     
    Cut to shape it is then a case of setting out the cobbling and scribing it ... A job best done over several nights!
     

     
    I decided to contain my patience and leave the painting until all the scribing was done. Whilst cobbles are not completely uniform in colour, I wanted the finish to be reasonably homogenous.
     
    Colouring was done with 'Vallejo' acrylic paints & washes. I immediately broke the 'dark to light' rule, starting off with the base colour, 'Luftwaffe Blue'. Paint was dry-brushed diagonally across the run of the cobbles trying not to fill the mortar courses -
     

     
    When dry, I then went to the lightest colour used, 'Vallejo's 'light grey wash'. This is in fact an ink, applied WITH the coursing using the flat tip of the brush almost like a knife-blade. I really only used it to 'kill' the glare of the still-visible foam -
     

     
    The third layer is the darkest - a 'black wash' from the same range, which I wanted to use to highlight the coursing. However a quick test on a piece of scrap confirmed my suspicions that, unadulterated the ink would overpower everything. Therefore water was brushed-on first, and the black lifted with the still-wet brush onto the still-wet surface where, in the main it did what I wanted it to!
     

     
    The major areas are now finished, but not yet laid in place. The trackwork still needs painting (a black layer adjacent to the inside of the running-rails to enforce the dark gap between track & cobbles) -
     

     
    The area around the 'Tanners Arms' with its cobbled rear yard & access.
     

     
    The Tannery area, with its own road access (which will lead directly into the building).
     
    Obviously the paving areas need to be resolved - and the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed the apertures in the gutters for the storm-drains. I also need to think about fire-hydrants etc - but they'll come later.
     
    TTFN
     
    Ian
  23. scanman
    It's been a while since the last entry & there's a danger of slippage... So on with the wall covering for the viaduct. Nothing new here - 'SEFinecast' plasticard - 'English Bond' suitably painted. I do LIKE this product - the mortar courses are vertical and horizontal (unlike some I can name) and at 20 thou thick - its thick enough for me! The various apertures were suitably embellished with hand-scribed courses and again suitably painted. The 'mortar' was picked out by a VERY dilute scenic plaster mix - applied with a sponge then taken off just before it dried completely. The whole was then 'dirtied using the 'Vallejo' inks that I've mentioned before.
     

     
    The eagle-eyed among you will note that the brickwrk does not stretch the full length of the viaduct. I have (at the moment) a very 'tight' wallet, so I'm only going to cover whats neccessary (a bit like a bikini-bottom ) and of course there are some large buildings to go hard against the viaduct. I've also got to add string courses etc.
     
    Okay, I should practice more of what I preach... This is 'The Tanners Arms'
     

     
    in mock-up form only at the mo'. I was going to bring the tannery all the way along the left section of the viaduct - then realised that tanning leather, butchering animals and sorting sewage is thirsty work - so the 'Tanners' was born. It's historic beginning would have been as an Mid- Georgian 'townhouse' - which has been truncated with the coming of the railway (not that the owners minded - the construction of the tannery had knocked the stuffing out of the building's value and they were only too happy to sell to the 'Railway'!). The remnants of the building being obtained by one Josiah Burntash in the 1840's. Mr Burntash was an employee of the tannery who well understood his workmates needs at the end of a hard, smelly shift. His descendants still own the pub, and so far the workers prediliction for good-quality ale have provided three generations with a moderately good income!
     
    History lesson over, the building has been designed in 'TurboCAD' mainly to provide wall templates etc. To break the outline up I'll consider extending the height of the dormer roof so it projects somewhat above the viaduct parapet. The actual building will be constructed of the afore-said brick plastikard with suitable embellishments.
     
    So thats the status at the moment - anther break fro some paying work follows!
     
    TTFN
     
    Ian
  24. scanman
    Dont get old! I think I might have said that before!
     
    Christmas came - and with it a bad stomach bug. This had a disastrous effect on my sugar levels which in turn had an affect on my eyesight (incipient Diabetic Neuropathy...) FORTUNATELY strong doses of medication resolved both the bug and the sugar levels (eventually) but it's taken some time for my eyesight to return (almost) to normal. A new pair of prescription lenses has also helped!
     
    Anyway, I decided to do some fairly 'broad-brush' (about 1/2"!) to get back into it - hence I've spent the last few days concentrating on the cladding for the viaduct. At first I was going to use 'Depron Foam' - suitably inscribed to represent stone - but poor concentration and a love of weathered 'London Stock' bricks led to a change of heart. Shades of all those luvley viaducts leading into London!
     
    So out with the embossed plastikard - in this case 'SouthEast Finecast's 'English Bond'. . Then I had to scribe the various brick arches anyway! Slowly a 'kit of parts' appeared...
     

     
    The first of the paint layers was then added using 'Vallejo' acrylics - rapidly becoming my favourite finish... Its a bit 'bright' at the mo' - but London stocks quickly oxidise down to overtones of blacks & greys - and that will be the next task!
     

     
    More (not too much) later!
     
    Regards
     
    Ian
  25. scanman

    The Quaggy Ditch bridged.

    By scanman,

    I've been waiting for a couple of items to arrive in the post... So rather than just twiddle my thumbs I've got on with the 'mini-scene' so I can finish the tracklaying...
     
    First job is to lay down some basic paint -
     

     
    in this case tube acrylic using a very limited palette - 'burnt umber' 'sap green' & 'yellow ochre'.
     
    The stream-bed was suitably treated with a mixture of acrylic - 'mars black' and 'Vallejo' black ink... Wouldn't want to swim in THAT!
     

     
    And as I had some mixture left over in the pot - I 'drearied-down' the visible ballast too -
     

     
    Then it was out with the trusty 'Flock-It' for the basic ground cover -
     

     
    and then some 'long grass'
     

     
    The 'eagle-eyed' among you will have noticed that the ditch is now full of milk. Actually it's another 'Vallejo' product - 'water paste'. Whilst it looks like it might be wet, it has hardened off enough to be non-tacky.
     
    The next layer of 'water' was used to hold the 'sedges' along the edge -
     

     
    This is straight 'sisal' cut to suitable lengths and 'planted' in the 'water', and before it dried other 'plant material' was added by gently blowing it into the ditch and on to (suitably adhesived) banks..
     

     
    Last job was to touch the stems of the 'sedges' to represent the lower stems. All in all I'm reasonably happy with the effect - and at least now I can get the bridge in place!
     

     
    3. How (not) to impress the 'Domestic Authority' - use one of the 'best' teaspoons to scoop it up!
     
    DOH!!!
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