Windjabbers

About there on this building I think - just guttering and steps to add. Time to look another building. Best Wishes David

Me:- ok so I don’t need anymore 4mm ex-GER locos. I have enough! Also me:- This has just arrived from cdcmodels. Really really impressed both with cdcmodels (very helpful) and the model itself. The J67/9 are a hideously complicated class so this was a good option for me. It’s basically a way of getting a bespoke locomotive body. This is one of the class that was long term resident of Cambridge, although it doesn’t to seem to have done much work after the diesels (Class 03’s) arrived in 58. Just need to sort the chassis out now. Does any of the terrier chassis offer a DCC option? But that’s it no more ex GER loco’s Oh look they also do the J68..... Best Wishes David

Me:- ok so I don’t need anymore 4mm ex-GER locos. I have enough! Also me:- just picked this up from cdcmodels. Really really impressed both with cdcmodels (very helpful) and the model itself. The J67/9 are a hideously complicated class but making best use of 3D printer cdcmodels offers a wide range of the J67/9 and J68 class. This is one of the class that was long term resident of Cambridge, although it doesn’t to seem to have done much work after the diesels (Class 03’s) arrived in 58. It’s basically a way of getting a bespoke locomotive body. Just need to sort the chassis out now! But that’s it no more ex GER loco’s Oh look they also do the J68..... Best Wishes David

Thanks, That looks like what I'm looking for. Best Wishes David

Felt like a rest from glueing plasticard so started to paint one of the building. Have picked out some of the bricks before painting the whole thing a darker brick colour. Need to find a fire escape stair for the door, Would welcome suggestions. Best Wishes David

OK, so a bit of an update. I've got all the buildings along the back and the two bridges in at least first rough shape. This is the first time I've done anything with plasticard or tried to scratchbuild anything so its been interesting to get this far. I've tried to use a mixture of textures, brick, stone, concrete etc and shape to try and make an everyday scene but at the same time have ago at different things. Overall I'm please with the look. I need to sort out the backscene and start to paint the building and add more detail. Best Wishes David

Have started on the offices for the factory. You may have noticed a lack of windows in the large warehouse building, so I though we would balance that with a smaller building which clearly had some admin function for the running of the site. I also wanted to make this a two story building, which should help scale just how big the warehouse is. Windows are tricky, but I though it was worth putting in lintels etc. I want that feeling of a slightly cramped urban site. Given how close to the running line the door is i am planning steps and railings. Best Wishes David

A bit more progress with the collection of industrial buildings at the back of the layout. I'm aiming for a jumble of buildings that you fined at the back of industrial sites that back on to the railway. Well used, developed over time as the business needed them, but in poor state of repair. The sagging roof is planned, but look more saggy in the photographs. I got board of doing the tiles - so will have to tackle them next time. Best Wishes David

Could be .... but not sure ORGANS in large letters on the side of the warehouse if exactly what i am thinking of going for... Best Wishes David

The bridge on the left is starting to come together. I guess when the railway first came through this was a nice stone bridge, but then the coporation came in with there improvements for the tramway and then the Industry served by the siding expanded to this side of the bridge and thus we find Snapper Street bridge a bit of a mixed bag. Have put the large warehouse right next to it. Not sure it will stay there. But as a first though I quite like it. Only two more buildings to get into first shape before we have the whole of the back and the sides done. But much detail to add and then weathering and painting, redoing the bits I'm not happy with etc etc. Best Wishes David

A bit of a start on some of the industrial buildings a the back of the the layout behind the retaining wall. I like the big window, which came from the Willis Greenhouse kit. Hope to get more done over the next few weeks. Best Wishes David

Having now looked at my copy properly would absolutely agree with the comments here. Excellent magazine, my only hope is that this is the first in a series! Best Wishes David

OK Thanks - I hadn't thought of using that - will take a closer look. Will be interested to see you develop this project... Best Wishes David

Just found this thread - really nice modelling. One quick question- what material do you make the curves backscene from? Best Woshes David

Work over the last few weeks has focused on the large warehouse to the left of the layout which is meant to be part of the industry which is rail served. ( The track in front will be inlayed, hence the sleepers spacing). This started out as a US kit from the Cornerstone range which i found in a bottom of a draw. Not sure why or where I bought it. Pleased with the progress so far. Next will be other the lefthand bridge or the remaining building in the middle back. Best Wishes David

Steady progress on the building in the right hand corner. I wasn’t 100% sure what this building was when I started, but I think this is going to be a pub - The Dinsdale Arms. Starting to look like the sort of seedy dive that The Piranha brothers might frequent...

So a bit more progress on the right end of the layout. With the bridge starting to come together and the building in the corner.

Really nice to see the progress you have made on this kit. As a long time follower of all things Great Eastern, This is the first time I've seen one of these Crownline kits assembled and running. J20 were the most powerful 0-6-0 design in terms of traction effort until the SR Q1 'Austerity' were introduced in 1942. Best Wises David

More progress with the backscene building. The cutdown wills arches on the right and a water tank built out to give the impression of a much large tank than doing the kit as normal! Not sure yet what buildings to put on top of the arches yet. Industrial but not too big...

Thanks for the comments - nothing to do with Darlington I’m afraid, was just looking for a neutral name as it will host a range of steam and diesels from the 1950’s to the 1980’s and this amused me, but promise there won’t be large hedgehog in the background....

Only a quick update - have started on the industrial buildings at the back with the Wills arches which I’ve cut down do give a more proportional retaining wall at the back. Will let me put some industrial building on the top.

Thanks for the advice and comments, yes I can see how that would improve the lighting at the front of the layout. I think once I have got the buildings in place I will return to the lighting. Best Wishes David

Small job but one I always do, given my shunting abilities. Added foam strips to both fiddle yards ends. Helps protect buffers and couplings from any Heavy shunting...

Some first thoughts on the buildings at the back. Much more fiddling about before Im happy I think...

I’ve started to added the weightbridge. Have done metal base using wills sheeting which needed some packing to get to the right height. Next need to add some chairs to the rail - not sure where to source them from. So any suggestions welcome. The hut actually stated life as a wills greenhouse. Needs some glazing, but might be easier to paint before I do that.