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Mikkel

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Blog Entries posted by Mikkel

  1. Mikkel
    Greetings everyone – Pickle S. Finkerbury here, railway historian and time traveller. As previously explained, I have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which has provided me with unique insights into certain unknown aspects of GWR matters. Here is another extract from my files: 
     
     


    Farthing, early 1900s. It is well known that the GWR treated the workers at Swindon to an annual excursion by rail. What is less known is that the top management at Swindon Works also undertook an annual excursion, although that was of a much more exclusive nature. This year, the distinguished group are visiting the ever expanding Farthing station.
     
     
     


    Their special train has been propelled into the sidings of the Old Yard, and the members of the prominent party are investigating the facilities. The First class coaches show early experiments with the garter crest livery, soon to become standard. The roofs won't stay white for long.
     
     
     


    The official purpose of the excursion is to obtain a first hand experience of practical engineering matters. But - as the local staff are quick to note - the participants seem more interested in socialising.
     
     
     

     
    This includes L.R. Thomas, manager of the Carriage & Wagon Department at Swindon Works. He has brought along the young and rather lovely Miss Estella Havisham, whom he has been courting since they met at a ball in Swindon a few weeks ago. 
     
     
     


    Being of a somewhat awkward and old fashioned disposition, Mr Thomas is struggling to keep the conversation going - until he spots a couple of wagons in the sidings. Sensing an opportunity to impress the young lady, Thomas decides to discuss the evolution of the GWR wagon brake. 
     
     
     


    Since he is talking to a woman, Thomas keeps it very simple: 'You see, Miss Havisham, this wagon uses our old brake design. You will note the large lever.'
     
     
     

     
    Thomas continues: 'We have been using this brake design for a long time, but it can only be operated from one side, and is really a rather primitive arrangement.'
     
     
     

     
    Moving on to the next wagon, Thomas becomes visibly excited:  'Now this wagon, by contrast, uses a much more modern and ingenious brake design!'
     

     


    'In fact this brake is my own design, which I patented a few years ago. It is known, I might add, as the Thomas Brake'. 
     
     
     

     
    'As you can see, Miss Havisham, my design has handles on both sides, rather than a single lever. By winding the handle the brakes are applied. Do you understand?'
     
     
     


    Miss Havisham does seem to understand. 'Oh Mr Thomas, what an ingenious mechanism!', she exclaims, 'And such an interesting topic. I must confess that all this talk of handles and levers excites me somewhat!'. 
     
     


    Now rapidly warming to the topic, Mr Thomas is about to go into further detail – but then Miss Havisham interrupts him:
     
     


    'But I wonder, Mr Thomas, if a more convenient single-action arrangement could be developed? One might perhaps exchange the handle for a side lever with the end set downwards and connected via an adjustable link to a toothed quadrant which could be loosely mounted on a transverse shaft. Short hand levers could be fitted at either end of the shaft, with which the rack could be actuated via a projecting arm, thus engaging with a lug on the quadrant. A pawl could be used to retain the toothed rack when the hand lever is pressed down. When on, the side lever would lift and reverse the brakeblock shafts on the rocking shaft at the V-hanger. Would that work, do you think, Mr Thomas?'
     



    Speechless and bewildered, Thomas just stands there.  What Miss Havisham has just described is not only highly ingenious, it is also a design very similar to one currently being developed by William Dean himself, with much input from Churchward. How on earth would a layman - and a woman at that! – be able to come up with something so advanced?
     
     
      
     
    Just as Thomas is about to regain composure, an elegantly dressed man approaches them. Thomas’ heart sinks further. He knows exactly what is going to happen. What had seemed such a promising day is rapidly becoming a nightmare.

    Who is the elegant man in the grey suit? Why does Miss Havisham know so much about wagon brakes? And what will it all mean for Thomas’ efforts to court her?  Find out in Part 2, which is here.
     
     
  2. Mikkel

    Fourth bite: The Stables

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    Work has started on the fourth layout in the Farthing series. This will be named “The stables” and continues our meandering walk through the goods facilities at Farthing in the early 1900s.
     
    The layout is inspired by my interest in GWR stable blocks, including the larger variants of the standard design that began to appear in places like Slough and Park Royal around the turn of the last century.
     

     Slough, 1928. Source: Britain from Above. Embedding permitted. https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW021896
     

    Park Royal, 1930. Source: Britain from Above. Embedding permitted. https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW033806
     
     
    Searches on Britain from Above show that stable blocks tended to be located near the entrance to goods yards. This provides an excuse to incorporate another favourite scene of mine, namely the roadside views into Vastern Road yard in Reading – including those lovely trees in the foreground, as seen in the excellent  GWRJ articles on Reading goods by Chris Turner and John Copsey (Nos 81 and 82). 
     

     
     
    At this point you are probably expecting a large sprawling layout with an intricate trackplan - but, er, this is the trackplan:

     
     
    The layout will be a micro and follows what I call a “matchstick” design, i.e. a few very short tracks.  Ridiculously small, I know, but I like the challenge of making such a seemingly dull trackplan scenically interesting, and working out a shunting puzzle for it. My goods depot layout (below) followed a similar concept, and  has become my go-to option when I need a quick shunting fix after a long day at work.
     

     
     
    So I want another one! With the new layout, the idea is to use roadside trees, fencing and the goods yard entrance as foreground view blocks and “see-through” structures. The stable block will be the main event in the middle distance, while the trackbed behind it will be raised to a higher level. An Inglenook style shunting puzzle will be applied.
     

     
     
    That said, it would be nice for the locos to stretch their legs on occasion. So I've allowed for the option of a possible future modular approach, whereby some of the Farthing layouts could be joined up for occasional running sessions in our living room, e.g. as illustrated below. Whether that ever happens remains to be seen, I’m taking it step by step.
     

     

    As usual, the baseboard was made from 10 mm foamboard. This time I used actual Kappaboard, which is clearly a better quality than the imitation product I used before. 
     

     
     
    The basic baseboard in place, braced inside with more foamboard. Neoprene foam will be used for noise reduction.
     


     
    I’m now at the mock-up phase, testing the scenic ideas. As some may remember, the stable block has already been built and is a model of the prototype at Park Royal. The one at Slough was almost identical but a little shorter. Incidentally, both of these prototypes had sidings crossing close by at an angle (hard to see in photos of Park Royal).
     

     
     

     
     

     
     
    The layout fits on my workbench but will have to be packed away frequently. The 66,5 x 48,5 cm baseboard is therefore designed to fit in an Ikea “Samla” bedroller (55 L version), which can be stored under the bed - or stacked with other layouts in the attic. I’m aware that longer boxes exist, but they tend to be quite narrow and I like visual depth. The backscene and major structures will be stored separately.
     

     
     
    The Ikea version may not at first seem ideal as it has sloping indents at the ends. However these conveniently hold the baseboard in place whilst allowing room for fingers to be inserted. The bottom does have a slight curve at the middle – not a problem for me as my baseboard has legs at the corners, but it won't work for everyone.
     

     
     
    There remains the issue of the fiddle yard. I can’t use the normal one I have, as this will be a two-level layout (part of the fun). So I need a fiddle yard arrangement that allows me to move stock vertically as well as horisontally.  The simplest option would be to move a fiddle stick back and forth by hand, but I'd like to stabilise the movement somehow. One option is a flexible arm of some sort. There’s a whole world of these, including holders for monitors, keyboards, tablets, smartphones, microphones and lighting. The challenge is to find something that is cheap, of reasonable quality and – importantly - does not require too much fiddling with alignment. 
     

     
     
    Another option would be to do a sliding cassette arrangement with a slope. A few tests showed that, contrary to what I thought, the stock stays put on a light slope.
     

     
    Sides might help too! 🙂
     
     
  3. Mikkel
    Here’s a summary of my recent 'experiments' (a.k.a. mucking about) with Modelu and other 4mm figures, and how to store them.
     
    I have previously modified figures from the Andrew Stadden, Dart Castings and Preiser ranges. So obviously, the Modelu range had to suffer too!  The resin used in these figures cannot be bent (it will break), but clean cuts with a scalpel worked OK. Joins were sanded, fixed with superglue and smoothed out with putty. Not everyone will think it’s worthwhile, but I find it relaxing and you get quick results. 
     
    This driver was shortened and had his feet repositioned to fit in the cab of my Dean Goods.
     

     
     
    Another driver had a head fitted from an Andrew Stadden figure, in order to enhance the Edwardian look.
     

     
     
    That left a headless Andrew Stadden body, so a head was transposed from a Modelu station master who I felt looked a bit too modern for my Edwardian period.
     

     
     
    I have also been experimenting with painting, especially those difficult eyes. The pro painters do some amazing work in this respect, but as a mere mortal I’m just looking for a simple way to achieve a rough indication of eyes without spending too much time on it.  The approach illustrated below has helped.  First, two black stripes across the eyes. The stripes can then be narrowed and shortened by painting skin colour carefully around them. I find this much easier than trying to paint the eyes directly. The same technique can be used for the eyebrows and mouth.
     

     
     
    Eyebrows can be tricky when hats etc get in the way, but do add character. I suppose the next step on the learning curve is to fill in those blank, black eyes. Not sure I'm up for that! 
     

     

    Reading up on brushes led to the purchase of these Windsor & Newton Series 7 brushes (not the “miniature” range). The sizes are 00 for faces (right), and 1 for larger details (left). These are bigger sizes than I have normally used. This is based on online advice from pro painters. The theory is that larger brushes give better control and the paint doesn’t dry as quickly on the way to the face. If you look closely at the lady above, you can see that her face isn’t quite smooth, because I let the paint become too dry on the brush.
     

     
     
    A larger magnifying glass has also helped, although I’m still struggling a bit with the weird hand-eye coordination that this requires. The field for extra magnification is useful and tells me that it may be worth investing in an even stronger glass at some point. 
     

     
     
    Because we now live in a flat I have to pack away the layouts in-between operating sessions. This has led me to consider how to store the figures and other fragile items. If stored too casually the paint easily chips, noses are flattened or accessories break. So, inspired by Chris' storage box for figures,  I had a look around the web and came upon “pick and pluck” foam trays. These are available on ebay, or from military modelling manufacturers like Feldherr.
     

     
     
    After plucking out the foam as desired, a base layer is added, and the tray is ready to use.
     

     
     
     
    The foam trays come in different thicknesses, this is 15 mm (0.6 inch) plus a base layer:
     

     
     
    For my horse drawn wagons I used 30 mm (1.2 inches). In retrospect it would have been better to go for something even deeper so the wagons could be placed upright. 
     


     
    The trays can be stacked…
     

     
     
    …and fitted in an appropriate box. This is just a shoebox. I added an extra protective layer of foam on the top.
     

     
     
    In order to handle the figures, I fitted a bit of felt to a pair of old tweezers.
     

     
     
    Having made the trays you end up with a lot of foam cubes that are supposed to be discarded. This seemed wasteful so I decided to use the cubes for making additional storage boxes for my “second-tier” stuff. They have a sticky underside so it’s very straightforward. The box is a takeaway food container. Ever since Northroader pointed out the usefulness of takeaway boxes we have been eating a lot of Thai food!
     


       
    Some of my figures are fitted with wire in order to fix them on the layout, which takes up a lot of space in the “pick and pluck” boxes. So these are stuck into a bit of good quality dense foamboard...
     


      
    ...and fitted in yet another takeaway box (Phat Kee Mao, if I remember correctly!). 
     

     
     
    There is room for a lot of figures this way...
     

     
     
     
    ... and the boxes stack up nicely.
     

     
     
    That's it for now, I'm off to run some trains!
     
  4. Mikkel

    Moving Pictures

    By Mikkel,


    Misc.
    It's been a while since we have heard from the Farthing Station Weekly Discussion Club. Fortunately, the Club continues to meet on a weekly basis to discuss worldly matters.
     
    Recent debates have included the Zulu rebellion, the eruption of Vesuvius, Einstein's theory of relativity, the California earthquakes, the invention of flight, Gandhi's philosophy, the discovery of the South Pole, and the scandalous defeat to South Africa by one wicket.
     
    As always, proceedings are headed by Station Master A. Woodcourt - a resourceful if somewhat cautious man, who not only bears a striking resemblance to the present King, but also plans to surprise everyone by boarding a boat to Brazil after his retirement. But that, as they say, is another story.
     
    And so, to business:
     
     

     

     
     
     
     

     
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/train-moving-through-station-aka-railway-train/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/railway-accident/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/speed-and-safety/query/railway
     
     
     

     
    Click for video: http://www.britishpathe.com/video/shunting-horse
     
     
     

     
    Pendon video (1958): http://www.britishpathe.com/video/hair-thatching/
    Other model railway videos (1930s-1950s): http://www.britishpathe.com/search/query/model+railway
     
     
     

     
     
     
    PS: Those rude comments about other companies do not reflect my personal opinion - I'm a great fan of the LSWR and LBSC, but I can't help it if the GWR staff at Farthing are a bit patriotic!
     
     
  5. Mikkel

    Porters and Barrows

    By Mikkel,


    Figures
    These days 4mm modellers have an excellent choice of figures from Model-U, Andrew Stadden and Dart Castings - but there's always room for a bit of tinkering!
     
    Here are some porters for Farthing Old Yard, modified and pieced together from various sources. The figures have all been attached to something - e.g. a barrow - as I find this helps "integrate" them once placed on the layout.
     
    Our first subject mixes a Dart Castings body with an Andrew Stadden head and arm. The barrow is a Shirescenes kit.

     
    Below is another Dart Castings/Andrew Stadden combo. The wheelbarrow is a modified Springside kit.

     
    Next is this gentleman, a modified Andrew Stadden figure that I bent forward in pursuit of a more casual pose.

     
    This chap was made from various Andrew Stadden parts, including his useful loco crew "kit". The basket is from an old Preiser kit.

     
    Next is a modified Airfix 1:72 figure with an Andrew Stadden head. The Airfix figures proved a rather difficult material to work with.

     
    This porter was built from a mix of body parts from Andrew Stadden figures. The barrow is a modified Langley kit.

     
    Lastly a few shots of the "accessories", including some equipment for my lamplighters.

     
  6. Mikkel

    Rising from slumber

    By Mikkel,


    Track & Traversers
    After a quiet spring things are moving again on Farthing. The Slipper Boy story is featured in the June 2016 BRM, which seems a good way to mark the end of work on that layout. Many thanks to BRM for featuring the story. It’s all just a bit of fun of course, but while studying the court case that inspired the story, it did occur to me just how much scope there is for modelling particular historical incidents on the railways.
     
     
     

     
    Meanwhile there has been progress on “The sidings”, my third layout in the Farthing series. Track and groundcover is now in place and trains are running. It hasn’t been without birth pains though. The layout was on the backburner for quite a while and I was losing interest, so I decided to do three things:
     
     
     

     
    First, I adjusted the design to balance the layout better and “open up” the views. This involved widening the baseboard and moving the fiddle yard off the main baseboard. The trackplan remains mostly the same though, following the original inspiration from the backwaters of Gloucester Old Yard. This includes the very short headshunt and the two sidings with loading facilities that were hired out to private companies. I’ve played around with the latter and added a bit of, ahem, local lore - more on that in another post.
     
     
     

     
    Secondly, I scrapped the idea of using gravity shunting. Despite some success with initial experiments, it was becoming a major project in itself and was bogging down progress. I appreciate all the ideas offered though, maybe another time. There is still shunting to be had, thanks to the short headshunt and the exchange of wagons between two locos, as was also done at Gloucester.
     
     
     

     
    Thirdly, I cut a corner and decided to have the two points built professionally. This hurt my pride a bit, but I wanted to move on and so John Jones (aka “Hayfield") of this parish built me a couple of nice 00-SF (aka 4-SF) points at a very reasonable price.
     
     
     

     
    With momentum duly restored I set about building the plain track. Sleepers were cut using my old paper cutter…
     
     
     

     
    …and stuck onto templates of GWR 44 ft track lengths. I tried to copy the GWR’s sleeper spacing at the rail joins.
     
     
     

     
    According to Stephen Williams, the GWR employed two different ways of laying sleepers at the end of points, the “interlaced” pattern being more common. So I did that.
     
     
     

     
    For the groundcover, I used the latest supersmooth, superlight, supertasty Polyfilla formula. This was built up in layers and sanded down in-between. The groundcover was taken up to the sleeper tops, as per many photos of GWR yards in the 1900s. I’m considering raising it even further in some places, eg just over the sleeper tops like here: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrhd692b.htm, or even higher like here: http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/gwrbsh1195.htm
     
     
     

     
    For point operation I’ve used Cobalt IP Analogs. Definitely over the top for a glorified shunting plank, but I wanted to see what slow action motors are like. They work well enough, although I find them a bit noisy – no doubt amplified by the foamboard.
     
     
     

     
    The next step is to add a few final details to the track, clean up the sleepers and paint the rails, and then I'll finally be able to start work on the buildings and structures, something I look forward to.
     
     
     
     
    Finally here's a short video clip proving that the beast is alive – warts and all. I still need to tweak things a bit, but I’m quite happy with the way my wagons (built to very simple standards) and the RTR chassis move through John's 00-SF points.
  7. Mikkel

    A flexible layout

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    I have been thinking about an idea for a "flexible" layout. This is still very much developing, and what you see here is not an actual trackplan, but an illustration of the concept. The basic idea is a layout where selected drop-in modules can be removed and replaced with other modules. So a particular cameo, building or siding can be exchanged with another cameo, building or siding – thereby changing the look of the layout. This in turn allows for variation in rolling stock and operation.
     
     
     
     

    Ultimately, such a concept gives endless possibilities of varying a layout from one operating session to another.
     
     
     

     
    In my case, though, the aim would be to have a layout that can capture a little of the way in which a railway scene changes over time. In real life, sidings also frequently changed their length and purpose over the years, as stations were rebuilt, trackplans changed etc
     
     
     

     
    I also like the idea of having the layout change over the course of a single day. Exchanging one lineside diorama for another could be used to indicate that we have now passed from morning to afternoon.
     
     
     

     
    Buildings and their immediate environments could also be prepared as individual dioramas and then used on the layout as appropriate. It would be interesting to buy a couple of ready-to-plonk buildings and then have one in pristine state while distressing the other one, in order to show the passage of time.
     
     
     

     
    The layout could be designed to be viewed from all sides. That would add to the feel of an "interactive" scenery.
     
    Anyway, it would be interesting to hear if people think it is actually feasible? Joins will clearly be the big issue. But I'm sure something similar has been tried before, so if there are any thoughts or experiences out there I'd be happy to hear them.
     
  8. Mikkel

    Horse-drawn parcels van and coal trolley

    By Mikkel,


    Horse-drawn
    Here are a couple of horse-drawn vehicles for "The bay".
     
     


    This GWR parcels van is based on No. 131, representing a type introduced in the 1890s. It was made using a Langley kit.
     
     
     

     
    The lettering is based on photos from the period (including the use of different fonts), and drawn up in Word with a brown background to match the van colour. It was then printed on thin paper and stuck to the van side. This shot is ruthless but from a normal viewing distance it looks OK. The poster is an original GWR example from 1907, reduced to scale size and printed.
     
     
     

     
    A Coal-merchant's trolley from Shirescenes. The kit also includes parts to make it up price boards and scales if so desired, a nice touch.
     
     
     

     
    Later I simplified the model, turning it into a straightforward flat trolley as seen here.
     
     
  9. Mikkel

    Fitted fish and piles (1947)

    By Mikkel,


    Stories
    More "forward-dating" of Farthing here, this time to 1947, with some of my ageing RTR stock brought into play.
     

     
    No. 9319 of the 93xx Class serving as station pilot at Farthing. At this point in time Hawksworth is in office at Paddington, but the loco carries the hallmarks of his predecessors Churchward and Collett. This is the Bachmann model with just a bit of light weathering. Not too sure about the chimney and other details, but I do like the GWR 2-6-0s.
     
     
     

     
    No. 9319 shunts a fish van to Diagram S2 in the sidings. Given the Shirtbutton monogram, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was the 1930s, but the "Fish" code on the van wasn't applied until 1943. The model was built by Richard Spratt from a converted Coopercraft Mink kit, and I bought it off him for a (now abandoned) collection of GWR browns. I haven't fitted S&W couplings to this "out of period" stock, but simply run it with screw/3-link couplings and an uncoupling hook. The Mechanical Horse is a weathered Hornby item.
     
     
     

     
    The S2 Fish Vans were originally Diagram V13, and went through a number of changes of the bracing, louvres and vents. The model shows an example in latter-day condition, based on the photo on page 344 of "GWR Goods Wagons" (Atkins, Beard & Tourret). A few general notes on converting the Coopercraft kits can be found here. Since taking this photo last week I have applied some light weathering (as seen in the other photos), but am uncertain whether it needs more. 
     
     
     

     
    No. 9319 introduces a Vent Van on the scene, with the post-1936 small 5 inch letters. This is a Bachmann article straight from the back of my drawer, with just a bit of weathering powder and some 3-links. I believe it is based on the unfitted Diagram V24. The underframe is below even my standards, and if I'm serious about these occasional changes of period I had better get some kits going!
     
     
     

     
    Driver J. Drover is no bundle of joy today. Quite apart from his piles, he is rather disgruntled with all these compromises: Here he is, a qualified Top Link man, relegated to knocking about some lowly wagons in a siding that hasn't been upgraded since 1907. Also, why is all the detail in the cab so chunky, why are there no lamps on his loco, and what is an unfitted Vent Van doing in the company of a fitted Fish Van? Come to think of it, he doesn't even like fish.
     
     
  10. Mikkel
    So far there are five layouts in the Farthing series, each depicting a section of the same overall station. The trackplans are simple affairs, but when linked to fiddle yards all contain a certain operational scope. The layouts so far are:
     


    1. The Branch Bay. This was the first of the layouts and is complete. It shows the bay platform at Farthing ca. 1904-1908, and draws on features from the bays at Newbury station.
     
     
     

     
    2. The Goods Depot. This layout is also complete. It shows part of a large goods depot, seen from the inside and looking out.  It mixes features from the old goods depots at Windsor, Reading and Hockley.
     
     
     

     
    3. The Old Yard is complete. It focuses on the remains of the old N&SJR station at Farthing, long since swallowed up by the GWR and converted to a secondary good yard. The layout was inspired by the history and goods operations of Stratford on Avon, Witney Goods and Gloucester Old Yard.
     
     
     

     
    4. The Stables is complete. It provides a roadside view of the stable block and surrounding sidings at Farthing during the early 1900s. It  is inspired by the stable blocks at Park Royal and Slough, and the tree-lined perimeters of Vastern Road Yard in Reading.
     
     

    5. The Station is underway. This is a scenic module that will later be joined by three other modules and fiddle yards to make up the main station building, platforms and running lines at Farthing. The main structure is a model of the station building at Newbury.
     
     
  11. Mikkel

    Bunker first (1927)

    By Mikkel,


    Stories
    Farthing is normally set in 1907, but a while ago I decided to give my "out of period" stock a bit more attention by doing dedicated operating sessions for alternative time periods. Yesterday was a "1927" day, and here are a few shots. Above, Small Metro No. 1492 runs bunker first during shunting operations in the bay area. The loco features the enclosed cab and Collett style bunker with which many of the older tank locos were fitted in the 1920s.
     
     

     
    Driver Henry Pulling trying to get a good view as he backs into the siding with a four-wheel Siphon C. The loco is from a SE Finecast kit, but the builder is unknown as this is a restoration job like many of my locos. Not exactly a glass case model, and yet it's the kind of loco I like: Plenty of character and a good runner.
     
     

     
    A rather cruel close-up, but H. Pulling comes across well enough. Actually he is HO, being a modified Preiser figure. I find these useful for fitting in cramped cabs because of their smaller height.
     
     

     
    By this time, our driver is clearly struggling with neck pains and it's time to say goodbye. As will be rather obvious from this last image, I am experimenting with low-cost photo-editing software at the moment, as my current solution is getting a bit outdated. But the results are rather mixed so far, so it looks like I'm best off saving up for Photoshop or similar.
     
     
  12. Mikkel

    The mists of time (and all that)

    By Mikkel,


    Musings
    This may not be to everyone's taste, but I've been playing around with some photos of the Victorian coaches that I recently dug out (see last blog entry). For some reason, out-of-focus photos of historical stock have always captured my imagination. Like ghosts from the past, or whatever. These manipulated images are a quick attempt to recreate something similar.
     
     

     
    This shot somehow looks quite "real" to me. Perhaps a reminder that there are other avenues in layout presentation than the picture-perfect images we all tend to pursue?
     
     

     
    Of course, it's important to emphasize that this isn't modelling - it's just photos that try to emulate other photos. And some will feel it's just plain cheating, since the blur and the lack of colour hides all the give-aways that would otherwise reveal it as a model... a valid point.
     
     

     
    Right, better get back to some actual modelling now!
     
     
  13. Mikkel

    Hand-me-down coaches

    By Mikkel,


    Coaches & Browns
    Supposed to be cleaning the basement today, but ended up sorting through a box full of half-forgotten rolling stock that I've picked up second-hand over the years. Obviously I had to give them a spin on the layout. (“Just to see if they’re still working, dear"). The above trio of Victorian coaches were originally scratchbuilt by Chris Edge. I couldn’t resist them when they were up for sale a few years back, even if they are a bit early for my 1900s timeframe. If I’m not mistaken, the models represent coaches introduced in 1854 (photos in Russell's GWR Coaches, page 11) although the underframe suggests that they are modelled in their later period. I’m not sure when they were actually withdrawn, so any info would be much appreciated...
     
     
    .
     
    According to Russell, this First Class coach was originally built by Wrights for the Chester & Birkenhead Rwy, before being taken over by the GWR. The origins in stage coach design are very obvious, including luggage rack on the roof. For an artistic interpretation of what the compartments would have looked like inside, have a look at this painting. Victorian elegance in full flourish – but only for some!
     
     

     
    By contrast, the “Thirds” look cramped and boxy. Apparently, many of these were built for branchline service. The photo in Russell - on which I suspect this one is modelled - appears to show an example from the Culm Valley. Provision of Third class coaches became mandatory for the railways in the 1844 Railway Act. Incidentally, the Act is available for download here.
     
     

     
    Here’s another rather unusual rake of coaches! I bought them on ebay some years ago - there was no photo, just a brief description of a set of “kitbuilt GWR coaches” in etched brass. It turned out to be NER branchline stock from the 1880s, built from Connoisseur kits, but painted in GWR 1930s livery! Perhaps the previous owner used them as examples of GWR Workmen's coaches?
     
     

     
    My initial disappointment soon turned to interest, when I discovered that the NER sold many of these coaches off to light railways prior to WW1. I'm currently pondering whether to backdate them and employ them on "The bay" as absorbed coaching stock, acquired with the take-over of the Overbourne line - as per the Lambourn Valley Railway coaches.
     
     

     
    The NER introduced the coaches in the 1880s. This Brake Third was to Diagram X. I have always liked "Birdcage" look-outs, a pity the GWR didn't employ them!
     
     

     
    Just to round things off, this little loco was also out for a spin today. It is one of the Sharp, Stewart & Co. 2-4-0s, originally built for the Cambrian in 1866 but seen here in its Swindonized form. It's another ebay purchase and has been built (I believe) from the GEM / Mainly Trains kit. Not sure whether I'll ever get around to finishing it, as it is out of my period, but it trundles along nicely enough.
     
     
  14. Mikkel

    Motley crew

    By Mikkel,


    Coaches & Browns
    After a tough spell at work it's been great to just run some stock back and forth today - no rules, no schedules, anything goes. Fortunately, GWR trains at the turn of the century lend themselves pretty well to that state of mind. A variety of stock, styles and liveries could be seen mixed together in the same train. Who said Great Western trains were all the same! Here are some examples as seen on Farthing.
     


     
    Above we see the Westbury stopping train with a motley assembly of stock, as seen on many secondary trains of the period. Four-wheelers, six-wheelers and bogie stock all in the same train.
     

     
    Three different roof-profiles on view here: Clerestory roof on the non-corridor C10 Third (RTR-bashed Triang), single-arc roof on the six-wheel R2 First (Blacksmith kit) and 3-arc roof on the Siphon (K's kit).
     


     
    Two siphons of very different height and appearance. On the right is the open-slatted 6-wheeler built from the K's kit. Due to an error in Russell's GWR Coaches Vol. 1 the K's kit is sometimes referred to as an O2.  It is in fact a Dia O1. The GWR used the O1 designation twice, initially for the earliest 4-wheel Siphons, later for this six-wheel design. On the left is a Siphon C (Shirescenes kit) with the later more modern look and higher sides.
     
     
     


     
    The eaves panels just below the roof also varied in height and added further to the variety of Edwardian GWR trains. The R2 on the right has the early deep panels, while the All Third S9 on the left sports the later more shallow style.
     

     
    During the 1900s some of the graceful Dean mainline classes began to be allocated to lesser secondary services. Here is 2-4-0 No. 3245 of the 3232 class. This loco (a Finney kit) has recently been brought back to life after a long period of motor failure.
     
     
     

     
    The Edwardian period saw a number of livery changes on the GWR within a short span of time. The coach on the left carries my simplified version of the 1880-1908 chocolate and cream livery, while on the right is a six-wheel PBV in the lake livery of 1912. A closer look at the latter coach reveals that this a rather unfinished restoration job. I did say 'anything goes' !
     
     
     

     
    A last shot of a couple of coaches in the bay. It's a funny old hobby we have: Watching some bits of metal and plastic moving back and forth, and getting a kick out of it! But it is so very relaxing.

    PS:
    According to Wikipedia... "A motley crew is a cliché for a roughly-organized assembly of characters. Motley crews are, by definition, non-uniform and undisciplined as a group. They are characterised by containing characters of conflicting personality [and] varying backgrounds...". Sounds just like my trains. Or is that RMweb I've just described? 
     
     
  15. Mikkel

    Dusting off the cobwebs

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    Forget glacial progress, this is more like continental drift. After a good start, work on The depot has been all but stalled since spring. But with working hours beginning to look more reasonable again, I took the plunge and dug out the layout in the basement today. See if you can spot the layout in the photo above! Funny how I can spend days working on some minute detail of a layout - only to abandon the whole thing for months afterwards in a remote corner of the basement. But that's the nice thing about hobbies: They're always there, waiting patiently, unlike everything else in our lives.
     
     
     

     
    Found it! Dr Livingstone I presume?
     
     
     

     
    Next, locate the workbench! I blame Ikea for this, almost all the clutter in this photo is from there.
     
     
     

     
    Right, so where were we? The only real progress over the summer has been cutting out the brick sheets in order to dress the inside and outside of the main foamboard structure.
     
     
     

     
    I originally planned to use Slater's English bond for the job, but then noticed Jim SW's comment that the SE Finecast brick sheets give an older more rounded appearance to the bricks. Thanks for the tip, Jim. A further advantage is that the bricks will match the embankment brick walling on "The bay" - also from SEF.
     
     
     

     
    The sheets measure 14" x 9". Lengthwise, that's not quite enough for the depot, so the necessary joins were concealed using this simple old trick.
     
     
     

     
    I'm now fitting the cut-out sheets to both sides of the foam-board base, a satisfying job. Sadly, it seems clear that The depot won't make it for the RMweb Challenge deadline, but I'll continue working on it. You never know, I just might make it in time for next year's challenge deadline 🙂
     
     
  16. Mikkel

    Dry Run

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    Following concerns over the slipping time schedule, an inspector was recently despatched from Paddington to review progress of the new goods depot at Farthing station.
     
     

     
    The inspector in conversation with the responsible engineer and builder's foreman. Despite the delays it would appear that some progress has been made on the main structure. That said, this is really just a dry run - little of what is seen here is actually fixed in place.
     
     

     
    I had originally planned for a single large aperture in the rear wall, but a helpful comment by Miss P. made me think again. The three smaller apertures now featured are inspired by the old depots at Reading and Slough, among others. Another suggestion by Miss P. will be implemented later, namely a mezzanine floor for use as a storage area.
     
     

     
    A key design feature on the Farthing layouts is to employ lots of view-blocks and 'peek-a-boo' views that can help add depth to these micro-layouts. The apertures for the cartage bays are intended to contribute to this, and the pillars are particularly effective in adding a sense of depth, I think. Many thanks to Pinkmouse for that idea. (EDIT: See comments below on the positioning of the front pillars.) And as for that giant fold in the foam board - don't ask!
     
     

     
    The pillars are modified items from the old Hornby footbridge kit. The ones at the front can be detached from the roof structure, thereby allowing easier access for the camera and my ten thumbs.
     
     

     
    Peek-a-boo! A view through the windows in one of the end walls.
     
     

     
    A perusal of prototype photos showed that, contrary to what I imagined, decks were not entirely level with van and wagon floors. The slight difference in height illustrated here seems to have been common, although some decks appear even lower.
     
     

     
    The decks are made from 10+5 mm laminated foamboard, topped by ready-scribed balsa planking as used by ship modellers. I'm hoping to weather the balsa to an effect similar to that achieved by johnteal on several of his projects. In order to avoid warping of the foamboard (as discussed in this thread) I braced the bottom of the decks with Evergreen plastic strips to counter the 'pull' of the balsa. So far all is straight, although I watch with a certain trepidation!
     
     

     
    So far the hoped-for play of light seems to be working out. Not sure about the window height above ground though. Prototype photos indicate that windows in many depots were set quite high, and I think I may have set this too low...
     
     
     

     
    The etched windows from Scalelink are excellent. But modelling a building from the inside out poses certain unexpected problems. The etches are only intended to be viewed from one side, so I'll have to purchase a second set to add to the other side.
     
     

     
    This is the alternate side of the layout, showing the goods shed from the outside. The underlay is from C+L, as described in an earlier blog entry. Slating will be added to the roof. I've decided to expand a bit on the principle that the layout should be viewable from two sides, but more of this later.
     
     
  17. Mikkel

    The Remains of the Day

    By Mikkel,


    Stories
    While researching a book on the real Farthing station, I recently acquired a set of photos from the 1900-1910 period that I thought I would share here. My sources in Farthing have been able to provide a bit of background on some of the staff featured in the photos. Above, we see the bay platform at Farthing, with station staff in attendance. The stationmaster Mr A. Woodcourt is seen second from the left. The stock presents something of a mystery. While it has been known for some time that loco No. 34 was occasionally seen at Farthing, it appears here to be heading a 70 ft Autotrailer to Diagram A12. These coaches were built with gangways to run behind railmotors in the Plymouth area, and it seems highly irregular that it should turn up at Farthing on its own. Perhaps readers can offer an explanation?
     
     
     

     
    "Buffalo" No. 1234 in the bay area at Farthing. The fireman was known as "Mad Charlie" due to his rather spectacular style of shoveling, which included various risky balancing acts on top of the bunker. Sadly this practice eventually led to his demise, as one day during a particularly tricky move he fell off the loco at full speed. His reputation lived on, however, and for many years afterwards firemen in the area would acknowledge a particularly deft move as "a Mad Charlie".
     
     
     

     
    The bay in a lull between trains. The picture carries the date "May 5th, 1907" on the back. The photographer must have been standing on what was then Platform 3, looking across the Up Main. Today, of course, everything seen in this photo has been converted to a parking lot.
     
     
     

     
    The gentleman in this photo has been identified as Mr Tom Gradgrind, a worker for the local cartage company Smith & Sons. Always known as a bit of a dreamer, he eventually became obsessed with the notion that the entire population of Farthing were merely toys in the hands of a giant. Although he was later cured and settled down for a normal family life, his wife would occasionally notice him casting fleeting glances at the sky, as if trying to catch a glimpse of another world beyond the clouds.
     
     
     

     
    William K. Honeythunder with his parcels van and horse. Although much admired by the women of Farthing, Mr Honeythunder's true love were the horses he worked with. Some 15 years after this photo was taken he became a superintendent in the GWR's cartage department at Paddington, where he fought long and hard against the phasing out of horse power on the Great Western.
     
     
     

     
    Stationmaster A.Woodcourt served the GWR for 27 years. Farthing was his last post. Throughout his career with the company he was known as a disciplined, meticulous but also somewhat cautious man. It therefore came as a surprise to many when, the day after his retirement, he withdrew his entire savings from the bank, boarded a ship for Brazil and disappeared into the Amazon jungle.
     
     
  18. Mikkel

    Kit-bashed roof structure

    By Mikkel,


    Structures
    The roof structure for the "The depot" has been underway for some time as I've been busy with other things, but it is now nearing completion (sketches of the goods depot can be found here). My original idea was for a large single span roof, but after ploughing through photos and obtaining some sound advice from fellow RMwebbers (thanks everyone!). I decided on multiple lesser spans instead, of which two are visible on the layout.
     
     
     

     
    The structure is built from a variety of modified components sourced from old Airfix/Dapol, Rovex/Hornby, Ratio/Peco and Heljan kits, thereby encompassing quite a bit of British railway modeling history! I initially envisaged something scratchbuilt and rather more finescale, but I know from experience that I need to keep things simple to sustain momentum, so in the end I opted for some extensive kit-bashing.
     
     
     

     
    A selection of the components used. Clockwise from top left are parts from the Airfix canopy glazing (I bought in a number of these kits), support columns from an old Rovex footbridge kit (still to be added), some ornate ironwork from a Heljan station kit (also to be added) and leftover bits from the Ratio canopy conversion that I did for 'The Bay'.
     
     
     

     
    The Airfix canopy kit appears to have been designed in 1959. Is it perhaps among the oldest model railway products still on the market, along with the other ex-Airfix kits?
     
     

     
    The original pattern of the Airfix roof trusses (top) seemed inappropriate in this context, so these were changed to indicate a Howe pattern instead (bottom). Various leftover parts from Ratio kits were used to add detail and hide joins.
     
     
     

     
    The rooflights still need a bit of work, but the basics are in place. They will hopefully let in lots of light, which is important in a small box-like layout such as this. I suppose it's all a bit chunky in places, but I'm hoping to improve this with some strategic weathering and detailing later on.
     
     
  19. Mikkel

    Footplate crew

    By Mikkel,


    Figures
    I've been on the lookout for 4mm pre-grouping drivers and firemen recently, but so far with limited success. Meanwhile, here's a couple of modified ones from IKB. For me, tiny projects like these are as much fun as the more substantial work.
     
     

     
    The IKB fireman seen above is unusual in that, unlike 90% of 4mm firemen, he is not furiously shovelling! Unfortunately the mould lacks a bit of bulk, so I extended his girth using plastic putty. The nose was re-sculpted and the original whiskers were replaced in order to enhance relief and character. The camera has interpreted the trousers as black, while in reality I've given them a blueish tone. (Edit: See discussion on colour of jackets below).
     
     
     

     
    The driver uses the IKB body and the re-sculpted head of a Langley cartage man. The IKB crew actually includes a couple of extra heads, which is a great idea but I had already used these on other figures. The arms have been repositioned to reduce the stick-like appearance.
     
     
     

     
    Here's the crew temporarily mounted in a River Class loco. The loco was built to near-finished condition by the late Dave Perkins from a Peter K kit, and is now allocated to Farthing. There are various issues with the paintjob and boiler fittings that I need to look into (my doing, not Dave's), but she is a very sweet runner.
     
     
     

     
    The IKB crew is nominally "Victorian" by design. However the characteristic buttoning of jackets at the top is also evident on footplate men in some Edwardian photos. Having said that, the pre-grouping uniforms of GWR footplate crew don't seem to be very well described in the literature, and I'm unsure exactly what is correct for Edwardian times.
     
    In fact, a casual scan of photos from that period reveals a bewildering variation in the styles of jackets and caps worn by footplate crew. One pitfall here seems to be that many of the people on the footplate in such photos aren't actually crew, but inspectors etc. I also have a theory that drivers and firemen sometimes put on their private clothes and/or headwear in order to look decent in photos. Finally, given their working conditions I'm guessing that footplate crew resorted to a variety of protective clothing at different times of the day and year. Perhaps not all of this was standard?
     
    While on the subject of figures, I hear that Falcon offer some good 4mm footplate crew, but I am unsure what period they are for, and whether they are obtainable on-line? Oh, and wouldn't it be great if we had something like the 7mm Heroes of the Footplate range in 4mm scale! [Edit April 2022: We do now! See the Andrew Stadden and Model U ranges].
     
     
  20. Mikkel

    GWR Modelling website

    By Mikkel,


    Misc.
    Just a brief note to say that I have passed on the "GWR Modelling" website to a new webmaster. This is none other than Russ Elliott, who is well-known here om RMweb (although under a different name) and in the modelling world more generally. I can't think of a better man to take over the site, and I'm sure I'm not alone in thanking him for doing so and for keeping the website going. Also a big word of thanks to those who helped facilitate the changeover in practical terms.
     
    The transition is already complete and there is even a new update by Jim Champ on his "Beginner's Guide to Pannier Tanks". As usual, it's all at gwr.org.uk
     
  21. Mikkel

    Soft body, hard shell

    By Mikkel,


    Layout construction
    No, this is not a description of the average RMwebber, but a reference to the baseboards for my 2010 challenge layout "The depot". As Kenton keeps reminding us, the clock is ticking so I thought I'd best move ahead with this. The scenic section of this GWR micro- layout is to be housed within an Ikea "Snackbox". This plywood shell now houses a "soft" self-contained baseboard, made from 10mm foamboard and measuring 35.2 x 54.1 cms (13.9 x 21.3 in). This serves to raise the scenic section, and provides room for electrics etc underneath. I'll add a thin fascia to the front in due course.
     
     
     

     
    The foamboard structure slides in and out of the Snackbox. This should make it simple to work on from all sides during construction, and will make it easier to take photos from tricky angles when the layout is complete.
     
     
     

     
    The simple bracing, which strictly speaking I could probably have done without, given the thickness and small dimensions. The entire foamboard structure weighs in at 250 grams.
     
     
     

     
    The 10mm board seen next to a 5mm example and showing the sandwich structure of this material. The idea of using foamboard for lightweight baseboard construction is of course quite well tested by now, eg on Chris Nevard's superb Catcott Burtle. There was also Keith Harcourt's Kappaboard layout (see e.g. Railway Modeller January 2000) which even made do without the plywood shell.
     
     
     

     
    So far I have used my X-acto knife as the main means of cutting the foamboard, although I hear that a scalpel may be better. With the thickness used here I do occasionally have problems keeping the end profiles exactly at 90 degrees. Checking the web I found these specialist foamboard cutting tools that look tempting but also rather expensive, so I think I'll keep at it and learn it the old-fashioned way.
     
  22. Mikkel

    A parcel for Mr Ahern

    By Mikkel,


    Stories
    Our story begins inside a parcels van on the Westbury to Farthing stopping train. The parcel in the middle is of particular interest to us. It is addressed to a Mr Ahern at No. 7, Memory Lane, Farthing.
     
     
     

     
    Safely arrived in the bay at Farthing, the parcels are handled by Porter P.W. Saunders. The one for Mr Ahern is under his hand. The flat package in front contains a scientific manuscript, in which a certain A. Einstein proposes that space and time are not constant. The parcels van is to Diagram W1 and was kit-bashed from Ratio sides (described here).
     
     
     

     
    On his way to the parcels office, porter P.W. Saunders passes the train's engine and is intercepted by a customer who enquires about departure times, apparently oblivious of the timetable behind him. The steam effect is out-of-focus cotton wool, a trick stolen directly from the cover of the latest MRJ (no other comparison intended!). The MRJ cover can be seen in this RMweb thread - but better still, buy it!
     
     
     

     
    After sorting in the parcels office, our package continues its journey. It is now carried by porter C. Walker on a kit-built barrow from P&D Marsh. Walker himself consists of one part worker and two parts signal man from the Monty's range. His once youngish face has been heavily re-sculpted, and the cap filed down to represent a GWR type. Despite all this, Walker sleeps well at night, and is seen here having a brief exchange with shunter George Mullins. Meanwhile one of the old pre-diagram brake vans of the 1882 design awaits its turn on the evening "mixed" to Overbourne. The van was scratch-built by Chris Edge many moons ago, and is next on my list of restoration jobs.
     
     
     

     
    The parcel for Mr Ahern awaits loading in front of the horse drawn delivery van. One of the other packages contains a painting by a young Spanish artist by the name of Picasso. It is not clear why the painting is headed for Farthing, and to this day it remains hidden and unknown in an attic in Wiltshire! The lettering on the van was based on photos from the period (including the use of different fonts), and drawn up in MS Word with a brown background to match the van colour. It was then printed on thin paper and stuck to the van side. This shot is ruthless but from a normal viewing distance it looks OK. The poster is an original GWR example from 1907, reduced to scale size and printed.
     
     

     
    The parcel has been delivered at No 7 Memory Lane, and the contents have been presented by Mr Ahern to his son John.
     
     
    Postscript:
    The boy is of course John Ahern, who was four years old at this time (1907), and who went on to pioneer the scenic aspect of railway modeling. This included building the revolutionary Madder Valley Railway, now at Pendon. I am aware that at this point in time the tin-plate loco would most likely have been from Maerklin or similar, but I couldn't resist the temptation to use a photo of my own Meccano/Hornby M2 for the scene. My grandfather gave it to my father, who passed it on to me.
     
     
    Merry Christmas everyone!
  23. Mikkel

    Sketches of "The depot"

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    Here's a first attempt to visualize "The depot", drawn with the Sketchup programme. As mentioned earlier, it will be constructed within an Ikea "Snackbox". The scenic part will be raised to allow ample room for electrics etc in the space underneath. I've used the same principle as on "The bay", where the viewing side is opposite of what you'd normally do. The idea is to increase the sense of being "inside" the scene, rather than viewing it from a distance.
     
     

     
    So we're standing inside the shed and looking at the last couple of platforms ("decks"), with an opening to the cartage platform and yard in the background. Hopefully the wagons moving back and forth on the reception siding in the yard will help add to the sense of depth.
     
     

     
    Sadly there won't be any horseboxes on the real thing - these are just to give an impression as I couldn't find any vans and wagons. Thanks to ngauge kid and wild goose for posting some GWR stock on the Sketchup site.
     
     

     
    It will be important to ensure that plenty of light enters the depot, or it may appear a bit dark and dull. These skylights are just an example, I'll want to look closer at prototype examples.
     
     

     
    If things work out I'm hoping for some interesting play of light, with light coming in from above but also from the opening to the yard. The windows in the side are wishful thinking at this point, but I might cut a hole in the side of the Snackbox to allow light to enter this way also.
     
     

     
    A view of the small section of the yard at the back, with reception siding and horse drawn carriages etc. This could become cramped if I don't take care - but a light ground cover and the "less is more" approach can hopefully help avoid that.
     
     

     
    A view from the yard side with the backscene removed. The backscene can easily be dismantled, so I'm considering making the layout viewable from this side also on occasion. That would require an alternative backscene which shows the rest of the depot behind the viewable platforms. Perhaps a photo of a depot scene, or even the old mirror trick (although how to do away with the duplication when shunting stock?).
     
  24. Mikkel

    Shunting Puzzle

    By Mikkel,


    Layout design
    I've been working on the trackplan for the next Farthing layout, which will show part of a large GWR goods depot.
     
     

     
    In order to improve the operating interest, I've decided to incorporate a shunting puzzle in the track plan. For anyone interested in shunting puzzles, I can recommend the excellent Model Railway Shunting Puzzles site, plus of course Carl Arendt's site. The simple plan above (not to scale) is an initial design, and may be revised. Any ideas for improvement would be very much appreciated. I'll explain the visual side of things in a separate blog entry.
     
    The trackplan is similar to the famous "Inglenook" design, but the objective of operation is different: In the Inglenook concept, the aim is to assemble a goods train for departure. Here the aim is to distribute wagons from a reception siding by moving them into the goods depot in a particular order, while at the same time removing empty stock from within the depot.
     
    This was inspired by the practice at larger goods depots on the GWR (and I expect elsewhere), where incoming vans and wagons were met by a superintendent in the reception roads outside the depot, who then assigned them to particular sections of platforms (or "decks" as they were called) inside the depot.
     
     

     
     
    The diagram above shows an example of the challenge. This is the basic procedure:
     
    Prepare the puzzle by arranging the wagons as illustrated, ie with five inbound wagons in the reception road, and five outbound (ie empty) wagons in random locations inside the depot. Allocate each of the inbound wagons to a particular location on the two tracks within the goods depot. This is done by eg drawing the wagon numbers out of a hat. Shunt the incoming wagons to their respective destinations within the depot, while also removing empty wagons from the shed. The reception siding may be used to set down wagons temporarily during the shunting. The challenge is completed when all the incoming wagons are in their predefined location, and the outgoing/empty wagons are in the headshunt (any order). The puzzle has two difficulty levels: In Simple mode, any maneuver is allowed. In Advanced mode, two rules apply:
    The loco is not allowed to enter the depot (as was often the case in reality due to the fire hazard). A wagon that is destined for the far end of a platform inside the depot must therefore be propelled using other intermediate wagons. Wagons must not be left temporarily inside the depot during shunting operations, only outside.  

     
     
  25. Mikkel

    Six Lessons Learnt

    By Mikkel,


    Musings
    Well they say we have to learn as we go along, so here are six "lessons learnt" that I'll be taking with me from the scenic work on "The bay". Some of it is basic stuff I suppose, but perhaps there are one or two things of interest to others.
     
     

    Wiltshire or Arizona?
     
    1. Kill your darlings
    I tend to have these little pet features on the layout that I really like when viewed on their own, but which somehow don't fit into the bigger picture. After much agonizing I've decided that it's best to be tough in such situations and apply the writer's principle of "kill your darlings". I was, for instance, quite taken by these tufts of Silflor grass around the buffer stop, but it suggested a rural or unkempt location, not a large urban station in Edwardian times. So it had to go. I did add a bit of grass elsewhere in the yard, but not much.
     
     
     

    Surplus to requirements on "The bay"
     
    2. Less is indeed more
    This photo shows items I had planned / built for the layout, but which were ousted after a ruthless "clean-up" exercise. Inspired by a suggestion over on MREmag (can't find the posters name, sorry!), I sat back and removed each and every individual item on the layout in turn, to see if it actually added to the impression I wanted, or just cluttered things up. It was quite an eye-opener, and helped give a far more spacious feel to the layout. I realize this is a subjective thing, and certainly agree that the "cluttered" approach can add a lot of atmosphere too, if done well. Each to his own!
     
     
     

    Attitude problems
     
    3. Poses matter
    Before building this layout I hadn't given much thought to just how much the poses of figures contribute to the sense of period. So I had planned to feature this assembly of figures in a central position on the layout. [Clarkson mode on] However, there was a problem [Clarkson mode off]. While the out-of-period clothing could have been modified, their rather lax poses just didn't befit the formal and slightly pompous atmosphere of an Edwardian station. We even had an interesting little discussion over on RMweb3 on whether it was realistic for a porter to be reading a newspaper at work during this period! In the end, none of these gentlemen made in onto the layout. One or two other similar figures did, but their poses suggested a momentary pause rather than this kind of loafing about!
     
     
     

    Too blue?
     
    4. Consistency of colours
    Mrs Longbottom's niece in the blue dress has been annoying me as one of those irritating little features on a layout that just isn't quite right. It's taken me a while to realize that she is the only blue item on the layout, and therefore clashes with the remaining colours, which are mostly subdued shades of red/brown/orange and white/grey/black. It doesn't help much that she is slightly shiny, maybe I used satin varnish by mistake. I fear that my usual little trick of adding baby talc to tone down the finish won't be enough here. Repaint needed. Edit: Or not? See dicussion in the comments below.
     
     
     

    Over-weathered
     
    5. Easy on the weathering
    This is more like a lesson not learnt. I really should know better, but too often I tend to go overboard on the weathering. This stuff should be built up gradually and with restraint, not sploshed on indiscriminately. By way of example, this Tiny Signs poster offered a perfect clue to the date of the layout, as it advertises the new Fishguard route opened in 1906. I gave it a prime location at the front of the layout, and then proceeded directly to over-weather both the poster and the wooden paneling. I did manage to remove some of the stuff on the poster, but the edges reveal just how far I'd gone.
     
     
     

    D'oh!
     
    6. Think
    I have it from reliable sources that thinking always helps. This sign was supposed to hang suspended from the canopy. But working from the other side, I fitted it upside down. As a result, it would have pointed directly to the sky. I know we all have to go out that way some day, but I'm not sure the passengers at Farthing would like to be reminded of it!
     
     
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