carlwooduk

Mark, If railway modelling were an Olympic sport your latest update is worthy of a gold medal. Wonderful work on the units and the presentation was a joy to behold. Carl

A running session with Hydraulics, today and a bit more work on scenics, layering the greenery. Locos all weathered by CF loco's. Western Sovereign on up parcels. 95xx dropping goods in yard.

Grabbing an hour every other evening to make progress on landscape vegetation, slow progress but the layering is improving the look of the lineside areas. Materials used include rubberised horsehair, to represent brambles, Heki and Woodland scenic foliage. When these are glued in place, a fine sprinkle of woodland scenic fine / medium scatter using a mix of subtle colours is put over the top to blend it all in. Static grass for the more unkempt areas to be added in foreground to create a feel of a mid summers day. A couple of photos to share Class 22 picking up milk empties from VOO creamery. Loco has been well weathered, where these ever clean? 1015 Champion on an inter-regional passenger from west country to midlands,

This update has been long overdue, apols to those of you who have posted for recently without a reply from me. Following a move of house from Norfolk to Cotswolds I needed to build a proper workshop for VOO to live in and decided to take a year off exhibiting the layout. The workshop is 16 by 10, fitted with electrics and lined with insulation and plaster board. A bit too warm on a hot day but very acceptable for most of year. Pic at end. Work has continued remodelling the fiddle yard to make operation more straightforward, and this year I have cracked on with scenic detailing ahead of a return to exhibition circuit. Still much I want to get done including weathering of track and roads. I few pics below from iPhone, sorry not of greatest quality So look out for VOO at the following exhibitions in coming months- 1. TINGS 10 Sept ( I am in need of an additional operator so if you have experience of DCC and exhibiting and fancy helping seen me a PM ) 2. Rail-Ex Tauton 22 Oct 3. Warley 25 Nov Cheers Carl

Hi Castle, 2 places if poss; could not make it last year as was moving home, now living in Cotswolds so looking forward to a super day out. Regards carl

Tom, looking forward to catching up and seeing your layout, the blue sky backscene looks spot on to me; consider living with it for 6 months and then decide if you feel clouds would add to the effect. I too prefer curved backscenes, I am constantly surprised by the volume of comments on the backscene on my layout ( Vale of Oxbury ). Cheers Carl

A successful outing to Trainwest and this time managed to take a few photos late on Sunday. First outings for a number of new loco's and stock, D602 and Falcon were popular but again it was the sound fitted locos including a Farish 2MT Steamer, Dapol Hymek & Western that got most comment. Having the motorised turntable back working was a good outcome, 2 of the 5 Dapol signals failed....... so frustrating when the scenics are all done. On Sunday had some success with the Dapol Easi-shunt uncouplers, but they still need more tweaking for consistent operation. My small 0-6-0 loco did not run smoothly in the yard area, need to check electrical connectivity for any voltage drops and also pick ups on the actual locos. Selection of photos should be able to upload some more tomorrow. Carl

The layout has come out of Hibernation from the garage. Over the winter main focus has been on new stock and servicing loco’s. One of the completed items is a Warship D602 Bulldog. A resin body, detailed with etch roof grills, modified white metal bogies and running nicely on a Farish 50 Chassis. It sits slightly too high following the DCC Decoder being fitted so, the chassis will have to be cut down a tad, to improve the appearance. She was professionally painted and weathered by Tom Hardwick from CF Loco’s. A few projects will be worked on a section at a time from the comfort of a warm room in the house to get the layout ready for its first show of 2014 - Abingdon show on Saturday 1st March. Really looking forward to it as there are a good number of Oxfordshire inspired layouts alongside Vale of Oxbury. Carl

Douglas For Vale of Oxbury, I too experimented with Lint and was unhappy with my efforts so went down the safe fine scatter route from Woodlands/ Greenscene etc. I too will be experimenting to add fine static grass later this year. Reading your comments with input from others is very useful for any future project as we all strive to get each layout that bit better and learn from each others experiments. I still have the lint in 2 x 500g packs its branded "Frank Sammeroff Ltd" and described as Absorbent Lint, if you want a sample send me a PM and I will post on. Regards Carl

Photos of the layout at the N Gauge Show at leamington not taken by me, I was too busy operating! Shared with with kind permission of Simon Edmunds, who has copyright. Links to about 10 great photos on his Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/simage61/sets/72157635436464405/with/9702158209/ Here's a taster of all the Warships. Unfortunately the layout had to be withdrawn from the Hornby show so its next outing will be Chippenham April 2014.

Thank you for the positive feedback on the layout, the team of operators ( Mike Berman, Nick Moon, Ged Lee & Dave Jones ) and I had a great weekend and we had decent crowds right up until close of play at 4 on sunday. The layout behaved very well, with only a few problems;operator error on the slips causing teh odd short; 2 sticky points in the fiddle yard and 2 Dapol signal failures. We had more issues with some of the DCC loco's failing but thankfully I had a large enough stock to not to affect the presentation of different trains. 3 trains seemed to get the most comment - The You choos sound 37 on the Limestone train - 38xx pulling 26 coal wagons, I have been challenged to make the later a proper train and increase the rake to 45+. - Hall on the milk train with a collect full brake from a TPM etch. I overheard a comment form one viewer who thought a Passenger train was a bit short ( Western Enterprise with 3 Collets ) he was absolutely right as I forgot my stock box of coaches for the weekend. I mustered a few pennies to buy a few new coaches from CMC and Dapol! Later Bachman loaned me a Blue pullman and the chaps from Billingham loaned a rake of Maroon Mark 1's . Next exhibition I must do a checklist and re-read the Exhibition tips thread!! The post show surgery has firmed up a list of improvements to make operation more comfortable and straightforward, for example numbering the fiddle yard lines on the control panel , having just one operator control the points and signals and the 3 drivers call the trains on, more Ports for the DCC controllers and another line in the fiddle yard is a must to squeeze in as well. The scenic side still has a fair bit of work to do, to answer qu's from Steve, the hedges in part come from Hedgerow scenic products, These I feel are more suitable for oo gauge so they were adapted but chopped in half width and enhanced by myself on the chopped side! I have then replicated Rob's technique across about 70% of the hedges using Rubberised horsehair , scrubbing pad, woodland scenic foliage and scatter. The roads are in need of decent painting and weathering to blend in; as you surmise its on the list of jobs. The weathered stock is done by Tom Hardwick of CF loco's, he also came to the show to see the layout for the first time. I am a very satisfied customer of his; he can be contacted at cflocos@hotmail.co.uk Next outing for the layout is Train West Chippenham in April and hopefully Ab Rail, Abingdon in March 2014. Fingers crossed there will be a couple more sound loco's including a Hymek and the scenics will be even further progressed. I had some great chats with Exhibition managers scouting layouts at the show and was stunned to get 10 invites to other shows over the coming years. When they are confirmed and prioritised I will publish a list. Again it was a pleasure to meet many fellow RM webbers. Carl

Thanks for the kind words on the layout feature in Model rail, I was delighted with the photos Chris Nevard took and he was kind enough to let me have over 20 Hi - Res digital versions for my own use. Sorry that I cannot publish on RM Web. I had no idea Model Rail would cover the layout across 7 pages so to see it all was a pleasant surprise, along with a payment for the feature that I was never expecting as well. That has helped pay for the next Loco Sound conversion - a 47 from Douglas at Wickness. I have been on hols this week so working hard on getting the layout ready for the N gauge show on the 7th Sept. So far have added 2 more storeage tracks to the fiddleyard, taking it to 10 roads to hold 18 trains for the main lines. Having weathered locos & stock is a core feature of the layout and a task I had been remiss in doing is cleaning the wheels and picks ups from overspray. Many of my loco have been is a display cabinet for a couple of years so long overdue a service ; 20 Loco's done and tested and only 2, a Class 45 & a Prairie are poor runners that will need specialist attention, 10 left to do. Smooth operation is a must over the weekend and having reliable loco's will be a priority. Next job is to fabricate a layout " cradle " for transportation in the van, thats proved a challenge to make it both robust but also quick to assemble / disassemble.

Photoshoot with Chris N' from model rail just completed and I feel it went very well. Fingers crossed the article should appear in the September edition, published 2nd week in August. I took a couple of pics with my Digital point and shoot but clearly it would not have been right to take the same shots as he did! This time the layout and stock were super clean with no big spiders to deposit their webs where they should not! First up Pannier on Shed with the Driver & Fireman having a chat about their next turn. I have added extra details including Fire Irons dumped alongside the ash and lamps. I have also been working on the Creamery Buildings and placing them in situ to get a feel as to what works. Still more to do in the area but progress is being made. The Class 14 is taking the empty tanks away.

Layout is fully set up in my Garage and time to have a play and take a few pics of Blakesley Hall; its a renamed Dapol loco expertly weathered by CF loco's. These photo's will give you a feel for how the Station Area is coming along, detail is more or less finished.

Thanks for recent comments, A few more pics of Oxbury Depot. The loco's have been professionally weathered by Tom from CF loco's. He has given me exemplary service over the last few years and I am always in awe of his technique and attention to detail. I am happy to stick to the work on building the layout. The 38xx is weathered from a Photo sourced via Flickr of a loco in 1964, the rusted Smoke box is a real nice prototypical feature, not often seen in this scale. I have spotted that I need to paint the inside of the loco shed! Last up is a Class 14 shunting Dapol Grain wagons in the yard, The con rods are a lovely oily / greasy finish, so much better than the Red that was the factory finish. The DCC conversion was by Douglas at Wickness models. Progress is being made on the rest of the right hand board, 2 Dapol home signals installed, more line side fencing, Gate to private siding serving the dairy. Next update in a week to share progress. Carl.

Latest work on Oxbury has centered on 3 areas ;- 1. Farm Buildings and machinery 2. Station Master’s House 3. Oxbury shed. The farm storage buildings are scratch built based on actual buildings local to me and the Dutch barn is one of the excellent County Rolling Stock ( CRS ) products. Tractors and machinery are a mix of PD Marsh & Langley. The Straw bales in the barn are from an Ebay seller stacked to suit my purposes. The Standard Pattern Masters House was scratch built , based on photo’s and its garden is to my own design, just need to add some more clutter and a couple of gates. The plants are individual bits of scenic scatter / flock placed with fine tweezers. Flowers picked out from Acrylic paint. The Shed was scratch built based on plans of Kingham Shed, needs to have gutters and downpipes added. Depot area has plenty of dumped Ash that was typical of the time, still needs some more clutter and debris. The goods yard has some new Lineside fencing that Richard from CRS designed for me and is now a stock item from his N’tastic shop.

More progress has been made on the Station approach. The ground cover has been built up in places using "Rubberised horse hair" type product from Green scene, cut down in size, teased out and painted a darker brown. Then covered in Woodland scenic dark / mid- green foliage. Needs to be toned down and blended in with an airbush if the warmer weather ever arrives. The trees are mostly from 4D model shop and these were chosen with their realistic open style so the viewer can look through the branches to see the railway beyond. At an average scale 40 ft (80mm ) they certainly have impact being right at the front of the layout. In a couple of the photos you with see a new Dapol Western which is a full working factory finished test model. I have been asked to give her a thorough test run over my layout and I can report she runs as sweetly as she looks. When the production models arrive it will truly be Hydraulic heaven for us N gauge modelers. Next job to paint the Station Masters house and detail the garden. Carl.

I have been concentrating on the Station and the detailing is coming along nicely. The station surface was finished in Geoscenics road powder code RP X Fine ( 600g Bag ). In the end I settled for BH Enterprises lamps in white metal, they were a hoop pattern but easily "chopped" to give the curved neck look I was after. Other details include Station timetables / Posters from "pre-cut" GWR benches from Springside Fire Buckets from Springside Station Fencing Ratio Water Crane Ratio Station Name Boards, scratch built with names supplied to order from Ebay trader, not bad but colour is slightly off. Phone box, new Peco version that has been glazed. Island waiting room needs weathering and glazing. A few more lamps, platform barrows, sacks/ boxes and seats to add and to give the station purpose - a few People ! Carl

Starting to make progress on the “Middle board” with scenic detailing. Main work done to this board in recent weeks includes :- 1. Station platforms tops using Acrylic paints and Geoscenic fine road product . Edges picked out in a muted white. 2. Hedges and paths for Station Masters House 3. Pavements and some kerbs added. More Kerbs to be painted though using masking tape. 4. 2nd layer of scenic greenery. Much more layering to go. 5. Road surface has had a 2nd coat of paint, it’s now ready for airbrush weathering when it is warm enough outside. The job I am most looking forward to is final painting of the Station buildings and then adding all the Station details; Water Cranes, GWR seats, GWR platform fencing, Trolleys, Station signage and just a few people. The only item not in the stock box are lamps. I am undecided what to go for. I am not a fan of working lights, the Ratio Station lamps could work but look a bit too early for my layout based in the 60’s any suggestions? March 31 is my “self imposed” deadline to complete middle board scenics as it has the most buildings to detail, leaving me 5 weeks for the final left side board before the Model Rail photographer visits the Vale. Couple of pics showing the progress. Carl

Chaps thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Scenic work continues on the left on hand board from the comfort of the Dining Room, now designated at the model room! I have been trawling all my Railways books to get inspiration on the look of the lineside land and what jumps out every time in the early to mid 60’s it was all so tidy! 1. Tunnel mouth has had some initial weathering. 2. Ratio telegraph poles added 3. Relay box ( Lyddle end cut down ) added next to home signal 4. 50 MPH Speed restriction on the upline. 5. Lineside fencing added. This is 4D Model shop “stock fencing” in etch brass, expensive but very good quality. I was tempted to scratch build fencing, maybe next year when the tweaking can take place. 6. Additional flock Grasses and foliage bushes lineside, more to do here and ultimately will be enhanced with static grass. 7. More work done to the woods on the hill. Next jobs on the board will include a tidy of the ballasting, making a lineside Ballast Box, adding in a platelayers hut, cows for the field and more scenic layering. When this is done a few photos to send in to Model Rail where, fingers crossed an article will appear ahead of this year’s N Gauge Show in Sept.

Simon, Thanks for stopping by the thread and asking on progress. Lots has been done but my discipline of posting updates on RM web has been woeful! I have been ensuring the layout runs smoothly with the stock that will be used at the N Gauge show in September. On reflection I had built the fiddle yard with insufficient "roads", good news is that the 8 at present can be readily expanded to 10 to accommodate another 4 trains. The layout lives in my Garage and a downside of the winter is the cold and damp atmosphere that makes modelling out there less attractive. This however means focus on "scratch building" Buildings and making trees from etch frets in the comfort of the house. Latest buildings completed are a row of 4 Railway workers cottages and a Standard Pattern GWR Station Masters House. A couple of snaps below of 1 section of the layout that has been slipped indoors and is sitting on the dining table for now. Domestic authorities have given a temporary permit!!

A week off taking it easy after a Hernia Op has given me the opportunity to take a few pics of progress on the layout. Its a good job the first exhibition deadline is September 2013 ( The N Gauge Show ) as, working on the layout as an individual enterprise means progress is somewhat slower than desired. I am amazed at the progress others on the forum achieve in the time available. Over the last week I have been painting some buildings and doing a bit on base scenery. Most importantly I have been taking it easy and playing trains to relax. Thankfully no running faults to get worked up about. The Warship and Presflo Cement train was weathered by CF loco's. A favourite train of mine as I have a pic of a similar cement train at Exeter being haulled by a green Warship. The Standard pattern good shed still needs glazing, gutters and downpipes plus a little more weathering / tidying. It will sit across a baseboard join so will be removable. Loco Shed ( Based on kingham ) also needs glazing, gutters etc. Dairy is the Mark 2 building with now just a single siding ( the first was too big ). Its based on Wallingford Creamery, in the paint shop the weekend. The Dapol Hall has been renamed to Blakesley Hall and weathered. Another favourite as I have a trasured photo of my Grandfather driving this loco in 1962! Last up a view of the scenery on the left end board, the ripe wheat field at the back was done using a mix of 2mm fibres and Greenscene fine ground scatter. I have been searching for the right colour tones for a few years and am finally happy with the outcome. Regards Carl.

Its funny how certain Modelling jobs seem to take an age and the building of the Standard GWR Goods Shed is one of those. Photo below shows finished structure and glazing bars finished a one end. Its got a rough paint base coat ready for deatiled painting and adding of Gutters and Drain pipes. Couple of pics of locos having a run round. Firstly a Cardiff allocated 37 with weathered and rusty 16T mineral wagons from Dirty Boy, I belive based in Cardiff! Next a Warship ( Sound Fitted ) visible between the Station Hotel and the station building. Finally a Snap of the Layout Name Board finally erected on the Lighting pelmet, Regrettably the Family Friend ( Ex BR Swindon Works Sign Writer ) who painted it for me has now passed away. Carl

The steady progress of the scenics continues and "Grass & a few tress" have grown over the summer months. The first base layer of Woodland senics scatters has gone down OK. I used their senic cement and was happy with the way it worked. More textures and colours will be added but like every project, a good foundation is key. I have used courser / darker scatters on the Embankments and Railway land around the tunnel utilisising a product from Sist trees mixed with Woodlands. Having built a model of the Engine shed to GWR prototype, I have made the decision that all railway buildings will have GWR provenance. The Goods shed is based on the standard pattern found at Tetbury. Scale plans were found in the Paul Karau book. Slater 2mm Brick plasticard was laminated on Styrene sheet. Brick arches were cut out from on old Hejan Engine shed kit. I will need to paint the interior before the roof goes on. The glazing has worked out well but I have just spotted I took the photo with Masking tape on! The photo above also shows the new loading dock bay added in off the diary sidings. The first diary building was a useful learning project but I am sorely tempted to follow a different prototype and build the Dairy that was at Wallingford. Again I have scale plans. Missy has pointed out the photo backscene is just up from Wallingford in South Oxon so, it seems a logical path. The pressure is on to make better progress as, I will be offering to Exhibit the Vale at the 2012 N gauge Show , The plan over the next month is to finish scenics on the Tunnel board to showcase the standard to the organisers. What with a couple of N Gauge DCC Sound Hydraulics I hope it will be shortlisted to entertain the crowds. Carl Carl

Outstanding modelling Mark, for me you have raised your own high bar to another level, inspiring me for sure to press on with "scratch building " prototype buildings on my own layout. You have shared so many techniques that I will borrow. When I laminated the inner layer of Plasticard to the embossed 2mm brick sheet I used for the first time double sided sticky tape from Rymans rather than "Mekpak". I was initially unsure if it would be strong enough but, it worked supremely well and was less messy. Like you, I have an eye for greenery being as good as the "Railway" modelling, well done on the look of your "Clipped " hedges and all based from something we have in our homes - a Kitchen cleaning pad.! Carl Carl