James Hilton

That's looking great! I guess with the UP power this is a desert-ish location - so does that mean you could do with using a lighter shade and more 'burnt grass' than green foliage?

Hi Jan - nope it's the track for the 'fiddle yard'!

Will - simply superb!

Lovely attention to detail and something I'd love to get onto on my layouts - but I never quite manage it. Where did you source all the bright scatters from? I've always thought it extravagant to get such a large bag as you need so little to do flowers! Is there anyone who does smaller bags/mixed bags?

Anyhow - given me some good ideas so thanks for sharing your techniques.

As for help - I can only suggest what's already been said, perhaps thickening up the grass cover for the cow-parsley would help - I doubt you could get any finer wire that would give you the right effect still.

Will that's a really interesting idea! I'd not thought of that - I had a milk maids stool in mind - 3 legs - and ideally quite high although initially I might go with Ikea table legs for ease...

One thing I've been thinking though is I'll need to do a lot of 'forward thinking'... eg if I want to fit lighting i'll need to run the low voltage wiring in before I lay any scenery as I don't want anything showing underneath. Luckily the track wiring can be fed from side feeds hidden under the road bridge at the backscene edge of the layout

Can't wait to see some ballast down!

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys! I expect I'll make some 'rapid' progress on this one as the basic scenic work is something I always enjoy!

Mikkel I'd considered the Ikea legs - I want something with a bit of height - about 3'9" I was thinking - but we'll see what's available - the advantage would be the ability to just unscrew them!

Paul I've got some more to build when I finally start Meadow Lane - but I've a Sentinel 0-6-0 that I want for Christmas to be built up full sprung before that progresses much further I expect!

Jan it does look like an ironing board doesn't it! It's about 8" shorter than originally planned but reading Barry Norman's book on landscape modelling convinced me I can compress things and still capture all the character of the prototype!

Martin this project is incredible - are the springs hand made? I can't wait to see a bogie built up! Good luck - I'm very jealous!

I'd spotted last year that on the Peco Code 100 they're redesigned the over centre spring so you don't get the box between the rails - it's a big visual improvement.

Some good photos in this update as well as top modelling - well illustrated and well written. I can see your inspiration I think! (Tony?) I really should do some updates on my blog, you're putting me to shame Jon!

So I just need to emigrate then Will! One day - it's something the wife and I have always talked about...

Thanks for the washes explanation

Andy good little tutorial - if you need flatbottom it's worth doing for the ease and price - however for bull head I guess you've no option but to start with SMP, C&L, Exactoscale etc etc.

That Greenscene's ballast still looks fairly coarse but I really like the colour balance with the variation in tone

Will how have you weathered the ballast in this area? it looks really effective so far, nice and subtle The flange lubricators and associated details are superb and really do lift the detailing stakes - but still blend in with the attention to detail in the embankment (and the bridge not pictured)... if you were in the UK I'd do you a deal - you keep up the layout attention to detail and I'll do the stock!

This is quite a combination, definitely all the best bits, and it's looking great. I'd not really thought about such a major bash, I was just going to use a Vi straight for my planned RfD euro one. Hmmm interesting. Look forward to seeing complete shots!

Ooooooh exciting, scenics where everything comes to life! It's looking good Will, I use the Mininatur static grasses and must try a tea strainer, you seem to be having good results!

I know what you mean Will - I've found the same when doing graffitti on wagons.

The stripes look about right to me - one thing that jumps out is the colour of the road - it's going to need some weathering I think and have you thought about how you could mask the pavement to make it look like it's tarmac against a concrete curb stone for example?

PS I'd not pop a man on the bridge in future either - as it seems to give the impression that the girder is vertically compressed a little as I'm sure it would come higher up inspecting mans chest in reality?

If the Steelman requires custom transfers can I recommend Precision Labels (only as a very satisfied customer). He did my 'Keith David Hilton' name plates on his Alps printer (for my EWS 37/4) and more recently the Northern transfers for my P4 Pacer project.

That's really effective Paul - is the chain quite fine? Jon020 PM'd me the details of a supplier of 40 links per inch stuff a while ago - I can pass that on or you could contact him directly

That's been integrated really nicely Will - I can't wait to see the vegetation start to take hold

The Steelman Royale chassis is looking good there Paul and I like the finish on the tipper and container. Tinted varnish coats are useful aren't they, well worth experimenting as you say. What's this varnish you mention? Something airbrush specific?

Oh and I've just realised one downside to you doing an improved, improved Deltic, won't it make all your others need a re-fit too? That's something I always find with my Class 37s!

Jon superb news! It sounds a mega project! I look forward to seeing you get started. I've actually got some progress on project Shed to share later so it sounds as if our two Type 5 projects may progress in parallel, at the two ends of the diesel spectrum.

Not much space with G then!

That's looking great Will. Make sure you bracecthe corners and add some Walls inside otherwise thinner prasticard has a tendency to bow. Yours should be better than some of mine because it's much worse when you laminated two sheets together.

That's looking great Will. Make sure you bracecthe corners and add some Walls inside otherwise thinner prasticard has a tendency to bow. Yours should be better than some of mine because it's much worse when you laminated two sheets together.

Definitely mad Geoff! That's certainly an interesting video with the voice-over