If you are going to paint a backscene perhaps you could use the one you have as a guide. The perspective looks pretty good to me but the backscene may be a bit bright. A hand painted one would certainly be ‘softer’. Tester pots and cheap artists acrylics can give a nice result - it just depends how arty you are.
Looking forward to seeing your progress Jerry. It was your earlier micros that got me into them and as a result I have produced two in the last two years.
Having recently built two box file layouts, this definitely looks do-able, especially laid on its side. Transfer sidings at a height - from narrow gauge to standard is what I’m thinking. A project for the winter perhaps, set in winter.
I like this micro layout plan especially the use of buildings to act as view blockers/exit points. Will give some thought to an alternative to china clay. Perhaps part of a quarry building might be nice.
Glad you enjoyed Bleak Moor, Andrew. The Dispatch certainly gets better every issue. Credit to Ian and his hard work. Micros might be seen as a bit of a niche but there is certainly plenty of interest and builders out there. Looking forward to the next issue. Good luck with your own micro.
I used a rotating fiddlesticks to avoid handling stock which is weathered and to avoid damage to small parts. On balance a non rotating fiddlestick pushed up to the track with or without metal rail joiners would be easier. Of course, if you don’t use rail joiners then the fiddlestick would need a source of power - mine was plugged into the small bus via male and female connectors. I use DCC.
Love the whole ‘used/scrap’ idea - well done. I made a rotating fiddlesticks for Bleak Moor which worked quite well but involved swapping wires to avoid polarity issues.