Dukedog

Well,being that it's a Colliery layout it would be silly not to use real coal in the bunker, It's not as if they would be short of the stuff!

Still haven't got round to seeing your layout at a show. have you got anything up and coming?

Cheers!

Frank

Great mud bank - a very effective way of creating mud, must make a note of that method. How did you make that great stone work?

Hi and thanks for your comments.

The stone work is nothing special, just Wills embossed plasticard sheet suitable painted.

The top of the stone walls was the most time consuming job as the cap stones are cut individually from plain plasticard of various thickness.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Frank

I just love this sort of project!

Taking something (either kit or RTR) and making it into something better, especially when the bits involved come from the scrap box.

Marvellous piece of ingenuity! It's the little details like this that can make or break a model.

look forward to the next instalment

Cheers!

Frank

As usual I would like to thank you all for your kind words.

Will, I'm not sure what Gesso is to be honest!

All I know is that the formula I use for this "Gloop" (That is what the bloke who I got the idea from calls it!) is easy to make up.

I checked this morning and it has set rock hard. The down side is it has dried out a lot lighter than I wanted. Still i suppose I can paint over the bits I want darker.

BB, the brushes cleaned up OK after under a running hot water tap.so no problems there.

Thanks again and cheers!

Frank

Next thing to consider is what to use for the water? It needs to be simple and have no odours as I'm working indoors.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Very nice indeed.

As you probably know I am using C&L flexi track for my new layout modules and It's easy to lay, just like Peco stuff really!

But,I must admit using those wood panels does give you the opportunity to weather each individual sleeper just like the prototype, a job that you have done to perfection.

Well worth the extra effort in my humble opinion. I might just try some on my next module.

As far as the webbing is concerned I agree it does need removing, looks much better with it removed.

Cheers!

Frank

I agree with Jack, LEDs are the way to go.

I note from the prototype picture that they are using High Bay lights, I wonder what lamps they are using?

Mercury vapour or metal halide will be a bright blueish white where as Sodium will be a bright amber.

in either case they can both be replicated fairly well using the correct colour LED driven at the right level of current.

A fine model all round I must add.

Cheers!

Frank

I have great admiration for this type of job, too small for my failing eyes I'm afraid. I think you need to be a watch maker to do this sort of job, that's why I will probably move up a scale rather than down!

This is what modelling is all about in my opinion, actually making stuff rather than opening boxes!

Another fine blog to keep an eye open for.

Cheers

Frank

I thought I had not seen you about here for a while, and now we know why!

Shame about the layout, but, I like the idea of modular construction, something I am trying to do with my latest creation.

I always read peoples ramblings! so you will always have at least 1 view to your blog!

looking forward to seeing more soon.

Cheers!

Frank

Looks really good. Could I ask how you made the stonework on the embankment and the garden wall?

Hi Mikkel,

The stone walls are made from Wills random stone sheets, For the cottage walls I used the Wills sheets for the inside and outside faces with a layer of plain 2mm Plasticard as the sandwich filling to give me the thickness I wanted.

The stone capping is just offcuts of various thickness Plasticard cut to rough shapes and individually glued on with MEK.

The last part was time consuming but worth it I think.

I then just painted the finished job in shades of grey and gave the whole lot a few washes of dirty thinners.That's it job done.

Cheers

Frank

Layout height is a very often debated subject and every one has their own preference.

For me legs 1000mm long are used, basically for two reasons,

It gives a reasonable operating height when standing.

And I can cut two legs from each piece of 2mtr long timber, saving any waste!

That's my own personal opinion but it's your shout.

Cheers!

Frank

Aye it's surprising what you can tell about someone by what they write on the net.

Yes it is,

And by the replies you get or don't get as the case may be.

Cheers!

Frank

Murphy's law strikes again!

been there, had it happen to me, got the T shirt!

Makes you feel like giving up sometimes doesn't it?

Cheers

Frank

Nice bit of wood butchery! I must say your woodwork is better than mine!

looking good so far, what size are these boards? Having a guess I estimate 4ft x 2 ft,

Just one thing about nuts and bolts can I make a suggestion?

Why not use some pattern makers dowels to align the boards, and use some over centre catches on the side members to pull and hold the boards together?

If you plan to make this layout portable to shows, it will save a lot of faffing about under the layout trying to locate pins and nuts.

Just a suggestion that's all.

I'll keep an eye out for your next blog entry.

Cheers!

Frank

Very "Pendonish" Nice work,

Very nice, but, could you tell us more about the source of those coaches?

Are they kits or modified RTR? and if they are kits who makes them?

Thanks and cheers

Frank

Thanks for a very clear and easy to follow "How to"

Servos may feature on some of my future projects after reading this.

Are the bits available to non MREG members or do you have to join to get hold of the PCB and programming software?

Cheers!

Frank

I never seem to stop being amazed at what can be achieved in 2mm scale.

That van looks a fantastic job as it is even before you do what you intend to do in your write up.

I would be more that happy to get results like that in my chosen scale of 4mm!

Nice work.

Cheers!

Frank

Frank.What make is the lovely turned brass chimney please ?

Hello Rob,

You have got me now, TBH I just don't know what make it is. I got it from a local model shop (Tennants Trains Halesowen) who has boxes and boxes of odds and ends. It was in a box of other chimneys all loose and cost me the Princely sum of 40p!

Sorry I can't be more specific but, next time I go there I'll ask John Tennant if he knows who supplies them.

Cheers!

Frank

Hello Joop,

Thanks for posting this blog entry, your opening sentence is a carbon copy of my way into railway modelling,

it could almost be me that wrote it! The only difference is my interest was British Railways steam. I suddenly lost interest once diesels started making the scene. The introduction of diesel traction killed all interest for me.

Good luck with your planning and do keep us informed.

All the best to you for 2012

Cheers!

Frank

Happy New Year to you Frank , will come and chat at the Weston show in two weeks .

I look forward to it. You are welcome to have a play with my train set if you have the time.

How's your skill with 3 link couplings???

Cheers!

frank

Nothing wrong with an external blog as such. I just find it a bit of a PITA to keep "link Jumping"

Could I suggest you do what Chris Nevard does and copy/paste the complete entry?

Just an idea that's all. Other than that it's a good read.

cheers!

Frank

Ladies & Gents,

Thank you all for your responses and kind words. I am a little bit overwhelmed by the number of you who have taken time and trouble to leave comments and kind wishes.

I am really lost for words to respond back if i was to be honest so I will just let my opening line to this message say it all.

We are both looking forward in a positive manner to the new year and what ever it brings. It is thanks to people like you that has given us the motivation to keep going forward.

I know I am not the only one who has had problems of one sort or another over the last 12 months and I hope that those of you who have also had a poor year also get a better deal in 2012.

Thank you all once again, and yet again the power of RMWeb brings out the best in people.

good luck

Frank

Looks all very neat and tidy.

The layout is coming along nicely, I do like the tracks at different levels It should give plenty of operating interest.

Only one small criticism, and you may already have plans to address this anyway.

The ballast etc looks TOO neat and TOO clean.

I would suggest some good weathering when you get around to it.

As I say you probably have this in mind anyway.

Cheers!

Frank

Thanks for the nice comments CK & Pete.

Pete,

I wish I could afford to pay Starbucks prices!

Actually I bought a pack of 1000 coffee stirrers for a fiver from Amazon. Very useful in the modellers tool kit for mixing paint, epoxy and for building of course!

Cheers!

Frank

Very nice indeed!

I particularly like your rendition of the manor house/Hotel it looks just the part and should fit in well with the rest of your layout.

Is that Will's sheets you have used for the main walls?

The church scene is equally as good although I guess some would say it's a bit of a cliché, But who am I to say? I don't think there is anything wrong with that scene at all it's well done and it's your layout so it's good enough for me!

I can't comment too much about the gas works though as I don't know if the technical detailing is correct, However it LOOKS right and again that's all that matters.

Overall a good blog entry, certainly worth looking at and commenting upon.

Cheers!

Frank