7mmin7foot

Just a little rubbing with a fine sanding block and the newly laid tarmac is blended in with the old. Still a fair bit of detailing to do yet, but a good base methinks. This will be the main entrance through gates and railing fence line, though this will come much later in the project. Hence the wheel tracks , which still need some work. The depot railings will have to wait, as I can see myself knocking / damaging this when working on the layout.. but I do also like to view the railway 'through' the fence, just like in real life. The little hut has been moved to the service road too...I prefer it here.. have another plan for the space it left behind adjacent to the portakabin. The photos illustrate the after and before (or as laid) tarmac surfaces.. This stuff really is good to work with 😊 Cheers Steve

Just had a look, proper Swiss Choc Box scenery that is... woodwork is fabulous and the tree line is superb! Steve

Excellent ! The tree line looks amazing... Steve

Thank you, I am really enjoying the scenic side of this.. though this is so different from the Swiss Chocolate box stuff I am used to ! Can't wait till later in the project to get the oil, grot and mucky stuff... which was always my mates skill set. The AK asphalt stuff is really good, I have tried loads of 'textured' stuff in the past, but this is by far the easiest, cleanest and most realistic stuff I have used to date. I am amazed at how far a tub of it has covered, and still have some left. Here's pic I haven't published before... just after the new tarmac was laid, I did some wheel tracks... Looks like the cars went thro chalk first as they drove into the car park, but thought it was too much, so I toned down the whole lot afterwards. Does show how versatile this stuff is... can't wait to add the details, potholes, puddles and weeds! Cheers Steve

Thanks Al, I now know more than I did prior to your post ;o) Nice photo too, illustrating your point. I do have several of Richards books on the Class 26, and have to confess, I am so busy with the layout, the loco's are much later in the project. I can look for those differences within the books when I get there. Cheers Steve

Superb modelling, the buildings , brickwork and windows are simply stunning... Really impressive. Steve

Working on the end of the layouts 'fill in' piece today... If you don't enjoy watching paint dry.... then try some tarmac instead 😄 Yes, the tarmac crew were in the depot again... again using AK Asphalt .. I really am impressed with this stuff.. It is very fine textured paint, water based /acrylic... so for my last bit of laying the black stuff.. here's a photo walk thro.. Gloves are essential, though as its water based, it cleans up easy enough with a wet wipe. Mask off where you don't want it to go. Have your brush/ water and spreader ready (I used a Lakeland cake icing smoother) but a spatula would also work. Straight from the AK Asphalt tub ( BTW this pot was £10.99 but its done all this 7- 8 foot length approx 10" wide and I still have some left for touching up) No Stirring, just plop it in situ with a wet brush .. Using the wetted spreader/smoother, at an angle , simply smooth it over the area.. taking out any excess material / ripples etc.. Here, a bit of water is your friend to get it fairly level. Repeat as necessary... doesn't need to be thick. Leave to dry... preferably overnight. All that remains is to 'tone' down the new black tarmac with a fine foam sanding block. I think it looks effective, once it's been toned down, and much better than printed tarmac card or wet n dry paper etc. Add details as desired, pot holes, weeds, puddles etc.. Finally.. if you want some 'loose material' just brush up some of the debris from the sanding action. There you have it... as good as watching paint dry 😃 I shall update a photo of the toned down area when its' all dry. Cheers Steve #

ooh... I like that... and funnily enough.. I have a Class 27 with a Stag on too ;o) Treated myself for my birthday last month... ( as one does). The 26 Railfreight looks real nice with a Stag on... hmmm Steve

Very likely, It's not even a Ghia version.. He's probably a guy in the office... not an 'injun driver' ;o) That said, these were inherited from my late pal, so they had to be used as part of my tribute mission. On my wish list, I would like a Granada, Sierra and a Capri too.. so the petrol heads racers, won't be such a dominance. Ultimately, the occupants of the car park will constantly change as will the locos , relief drivers, shift patterns and visitors that may come and go. Cheers Steve

Ooh... that IS nice Jim... love the headlights Cracking photo and model. Steve

I like this idea... dog, no dog, big dog, small dog different cantrail... different subtle variations.. Cheers ;o) Steve

;o) Yes, that's the one I have and considering another! Thanks for those images, they are great reference photos, ( loco's , clutter and puddles) and now... I could consider the other railfreight they have which is not numbered ;o) I have some ED transfers for the little 08 I need to change at some point.. that has different size Scottie dogs too.. Hmm.. just gets better this does ;o) Steve

Thanks for the comments Steve, The excellent Turbot examples are not mine, they are Al Taits ( D6775), and uploaded to illustrate the earlier comment I made about loco's sheet metal representation in models. Yes, it is a very simple track plan deliberately so, there are 3 medium peco points, that I wanted to get on to a single 1200 mm board . The other, 900mm board is even simpler with just straight flexi track. This together with the small traverser gives me a variety of operations, as the stock is mostly loco's to or from re-fuelling or a couple stabled for their next duty on the centre straight. The traverser allows them to travel 'off scene' , the rear track was an after thought, but I thought best kept separate for the fuel deliveries, which allowed me to invest in a Dapol 08 for variety. Essentially the mission was to incorporate as much of my late pal's stock... (scenic and rolling) into some sort of layout to use and display his stock ( now being added to ! ) Totally from my imagination ( but inspiration from other small O layouts on RMWeb) and what I'd enjoy the most. This is really growing on me now, and I do look forward to working on it as often as I can.. each time, bringing me a smile and fond memories. So the mission is well on the way to being accomplished. ;o) Thanks to all for the on going encouragement. Cheers Steve

Ok, advice sought please... I am slowly succumbing to thoughts of buying yet another Heljan Railfreight Class 26 loco..(the pre weathered version 26 025). This is my personal favourite. Yes, I know I can get an un numbered one, but I do like the pre-weathered version.. especially as I am totally inexperienced in the art of weathering stock. Cop out, yes... but suits me... and a darn good price too... ( though the chip will have to wait till funds available) Clearly I don't want the same number so will want to re-number it ( if I proceed). Can you please advise the best method of removing existing numbers from a Heljan O loco ? I have read various methods, but none appear specific to the current Heljan O gauge locos, and I guessing that someone has surely done this already? Appreciate advice, thank you. Cheers Steve ps. ( yes... I now accept, one never has enough in this scale.. even with a small 7 foot layout . IT IS ADDICTIVE ! )

Well, as it was warmer today, I had hoped to get to shake a few rattle cans and get some painting on.. The windy weather, had other thoughts... so a little tinkering inside instead. One aspect of O Gauge, I am really enjoying is the trialing of different scenic aspects... At the very far end of my layout, I have around 5" or so available... though the board doesn't extend to this... ( yet) They were standard sized boards 4' and 3'. I have mocked up an end panel with some more low relief warehouses and built a 7 foot brick wall to front them.. Played about with different elevations too and added a little depth to one of warehouses... and I am liking this.. so will work on this further now. The tarmac crew will be returning soon. Cheers Steve

Hadn't really thought of it in those terms, good comment... and logical too... Steve

Thanks for the comments, appreciate those. I am thrilled as to how my little tribute layout has been received here on RM Web. Have to say, out of all the many layout I have built in my modelling lifetime, from Z to LGB , I am increasingly thinking this is my favourite of all , and will be my best ever effort too. I have been totally inspired by my late pal Richard and the very fine modelling I have seen here in the 7mm section of RM Web. Also, I have zero regrets flogging off my extensive Swiss HO stock and that layout too.. there really is something special about modelling in 7mm ,1/43,O Gauge. Everything has to be that little bit better modelled than in the smaller scales... The sheer scale and 'presence' in comparison is terrific. My tribute mission is working though, each time I visit my shed and layout, I smile and think of Richard... I am increasingly feeling this would get his approval ;o) Onwards in O ... Cheers & thanks to all of you for the encouragement ;o) Steve

Stunning image and modelling. Steve

Nice photo Jim, and of the grubby track, ballast and litter too... all helps with my inspiration, thanks for that. Additional images welcome ;o) I note though ( even on the Swiss HO models) all model manufacturers fail to represent the warped / beat up panels look of the real locos, as your photo perfectly illustrates. All model locos are pristine smooth sided... but then they are models.. and there has to be a compromise along the way.. with our plastic trackwork, nylon grass, resin, plastic, ply buildings, little plastic men... etc etc. Still... I am happy to escape from the real world, into my little modelling world ;o) Cheers Steve

Wow, bl**dy wow... So much superb modelling here, so much inspiration for me. Track, ground cover, locos, all of it... quite superb! Steve

Cheers Mol, You know more than I about BR locos, (having never modelled anything BR before). Have to admit, I am so busy with the layout, I haven't even started looking at the class 26 and 27 prototype books from my old pal Richard. That will come in time... no rush. Have to say though the Railfreight livery is my personal favourite of all his loco stock. Steve

Watching Class 26 025 leaving after re-fuelling: ( and each photo highlighting the myriad of unfinished / incomplete scenic items) The to do list is ever growing ! Cheers Steve

A few more overview pics of the layout as of this week, April 2024. Still lots to do ! The far end scenics have changed again.. ( but only a little) Warmer weather coming, may get to rattle a few cans soon... ;o) Cheers Steve

Thanks Jim, I am indeed humbled by those comments ;o) I have tried to show that so many 'mini /small O Gauge layouts on RM Web, have given me so many ideas. A big thank you to all you folk for sharing your stuff on here, its been ( and still is) inspirational to me. Here's another example from... Red Card Yard built by Hoover5008... while I was grasping to find a 'plan' that worked.. When I looked to how I could make the scenic break to my traverser, he used Redutex. This is a material I had never heard of, but blimey its expensive... but I would only do this once.. so what the heck! Using a couple of L Cut bridge kits, I discovered at Richards place, I put these to use making the scenic break / entrance/ exit to the traverser. These were fairly old, covered in dust... I didn't even know he had them, he must have just relegated them to his stock shelf. Can't say I am particularly keen on the material, ( just my personal choice, nowt wrong with them) and doubting my skill at painting anything to look like brick.. I'd give Redutex a whirl. Aside from the fact its so expensive, it does give a good representation of engineering bricks ( just as on Red Card Yard). I made the entire bridge a little slimmer ( half relief) as I wanted more layout space than bridge... Like pretty much everything on the layout, it's incomplete and far from finished... I wanted to get the feel of the layout, and move things around until I settled on the 'vista'. I also toyed with the idea of having a road, car park and portakabin at the rear... lived with it for a while,, then 'all change' and moved it to the front of the layout. The tanks were at the far end of the layout, so they changed position too.. Then the rear road became the fuel delivery track / siding... This is why, I never glue anything down at this stage of the build... my themes develop like topsy... as they evolve. Just my way... go easy on the glue... live with the scene for a while, then when ready... glue! All the while, I optimize the view I prefer from my own viewing position.. diagonally from the traverser end.. giving me the longest view... I do have a 'thing' about viewing trains head on, as well as the side view.... Here's the process of change ;o) Cheers Steve

Cheers Rob, I took much inspiration from your Peasevern Yard and many others O Gauge on RM Web. Though my scenics are more, what I had / could use from my old pals stock and use his locos and tanks etc , and work around to fit those into a layout. 7 foot in O is rather restrictive, but I am happy with this, ( and if I am honest, more so, than my Swiss HO ever was) ! I am confident he would be pleased at the progress ;o) Cheers Steve