Graham T

I see what you did there!

Perhaps a touch optimistic trying for a particular species on the first tree I've made from wire 🙂

Just a tad gnarly, yes! I've abandoned the plan of trying to make it into an elm, I think a twisted old oak is more appropriate maybe?

I daubed the rest of the tree (species unknown) with filler during the lunch break. You can still see in places that it's made from twisted wire, but maybe the foliage will cover that... Need to leave it alone to set now.

Here's the next stage of Operation TREE. I wanted the branches and trunk to have some texture, particularly so that the branches wouldn't look like twisted wire. First attempt was to brush on PVA, but once it had dried it all just soaked into the gaps between the wire. So then I brushed on 500 grade Mr Surfacer (liquid plastic filler, very useful stuff). This seems to have worked better, and will also hopefully stiffen up the branches as well once it's set. Still got more filler to apply obviously, and then I'll give it a spray of grey paint. I think then I will try for some finer twigs, either with static grass, perhaps 4mm length, or some horsehair... I'm also hoping that the Mr Surfacer will be carve-able once set, so that I can give more texture to the bark.

I also spent a few hours mucking about with multi-core cable and the hot glue gun. I gave up on making this into an elm, and settled for just trying to make it look like a tree at least. I might try to add some more branches to it with single strands of wire, if I think my sanity can stand it... The passengers look better from a distance and out of focus!

I've been slowly painting some more bods over the last few days. The close-up pics reveal a few bits I've forgotten to do, and a lot of bits that I need to touch up... Also, one or two of the seated female passengers appear to be levitating, so they might go inside a carriage instead!

Thanks John, I think we may have the winner! Or maybe not 🙂

A cracking set of photos @Nick Gough, thanks for sharing them.

That's another nice idea Russell, thanks. Cider would really fit the location too of course. I'm actually toying with the idea of trying to make an elm tree to go somewhere in that space, and in fact even ventured out to the Austrian version of B&Q for some supplies. More to be revealed later, hopefully!

I know, but I just couldn't resist!

Can I have a “P” please Bob?

A prototype for everything 🙂

Thanks Cam, there are some really nice ideas in there. I'd also considered another siding to serve something or other, but there's no sensible way to run one from my already rather weird track plan! Now that is an interesting concept! I'm sure it will have been done somewhere, but I've never seen it. Another cracking little idea, thanks. I need to give all of these some serious thought, as of course it's going to be at the very front of the layout and so will be what people see first. In my mind's eye the small town of Chuffnell R is somewhere off to the left of the station, behind the backscene - perhaps I need to reconsider that... But why all the effort, I hear you cry (or maybe not!), if you're going to start on Chuffnell Regis Mk II anyway? Well, the plan, such as it is, will indeed be to make a start on CR Mk II as soon as the current layout is finished (or as finished as they ever get), but I'll keep the existing layout running while I build the other. It won't get dismantled until I can at least run some trains on the new version, I don't think.

Five days? Luxury!

Hi Colin. One vendor has told me that the post office is still recovering from the cyber attack in January, and have only recently started accepting international deliveries again.

Tempting. I'll see if I can position a tree or two where they won't be a snagging hazard. With a pond as well, and a more or less collapsed barn... Hmm.

But of course!

That would be a nice idea, but I already have a river valley at the other end of the layout, so the levels wouldn't work unfortunately. I might put in a pond though...

A lot of the planned projects for Chuffnell R remain on hold while I wait for the UK postal "service" to sort itself out, and provide me with the necessary kit. So, the duty brain cell has been turned to wondering what to do with this empty expanse at the front of the layout... Initial thoughts are: There needs to be a railway boundary fence, I guess running reasonably close to the tracks and then just behind the grounded van next to the turntable. Which means a long run of post and wire fencing - ugh. The groundwork needs to be fairly low, just a rolling field perhaps? No big trees as I'll just snag them as I reach across to the layout, a few bushes and so on though. But the area needs some interest in it too I think. Maybe a (small) ruined barn or something like that? Perhaps a pond? Maybe a little cameo this side of the grounded van. An idea that springs to mind is a group of bods sitting around a packing case having a sneaky game of cards, out of sight of the shed. Does anybody know of any 1:72 figures like that?

I've also been painting a few more odds and ends for decorating the layout. Brace yourselves because this is a very exciting, edge of the seat stuff! Firstly some barrels... These will be popped into an open wagon, and if there are any left over they can stand in the goods yard. Painted with Vallejo light brown and black grey. And some coal sacks! These will also be lurking in the goods yard, but I'm wondering how they should be stacked? I will also need to add lots of dust and the odd stray lump of coal wherever I finally put them, I suppose? I think I need a cup of tea after all that excitement...

The end loading bay gate is now fixed in place. I'm leaving the huts free-standing as they will be moving to Chuffnell Regis Mk II at some point.

Interesting photos Clive. I don't know why, but I always had the impression that the Deltic was bigger than that. Not HO is it?!

I'm thinking about a bit of an SDJR flavour to Chuffnell R Mk II, so...

I’m glad that it’s provided some encouragement 🙂