Gloucester Road

Ive used a very similar method for applying grass and am really pleased with it.

Yes there is a liitle grass on the sleepers and ballast sort of an experiment to see if it affects the running, hasn't yet (fingers crossed).

So here is a shamless plug for a book; i know its the wrong scale but it's really is good. Nigel Burkin's book "Modern Wagons in 4mm Scale" has a good overview of the major modern wagons and 4mm models, and ways to improve and modify them. The book focuses on 4mm but all the wagons mentioned are available in N and most of the detailing can be done useing parts from N manufactures/detailers. There are some good pictures of real and model railways; though it focuses on OO there is no reason that it cant be used in N. Right plug over. Meant to mention the other day that I did something different with the grass this time. I had to use a template to get the grass to fit in the area needed so I traced it out on a piece of paper and then transfered this onto the acetate paper, once the layers of grass had been applied I wanted some longer areas than others. So i cut holes in the template of where I wanted longer grass, set this template with the holes on the grass mat and applied hairspray to the holes and then grassed it; let it dry and did it again. What i ended up with was areas of longer grass ie. close to the bushes, several other longer clumps and some longer areas near/in the track. From the images you can't really see this as the phones camera doesn't pick it up, but it's there when you see it. It helped to get away from that mowed lawn look that was starting to happen Back to scalescenes buliding. Stephen

Ive decided to leave the gate and stop lines as is. In an effort to keep the thread upto date with the layout here is a short update. First, spent time cutting out scalescene windows and putting on the base layer. This is an amasingly fidilly think to do in N and took some time to do, by far the part of constructing these kits I like the least. Then I filled in another grassy area with the prevouse technique, some rusty rail and wheel sets need to be added to fill in this area to complete it. looking across the yard to new shops: close up of shops: close up of new grass: overhead of grass: Stephen

Good to see it all together. It is really going to be something.

This update will get the thread up to date with where the layout is currently. Spent some time bedding in the the mat that I talked about last entry with some dirt around where it meets the tarmac and some details added. A delivery van has been placed that when viewed from the front will hide the STOP. We then moved to the other side of the depot entrance and made another grassmat following the revised process described (removing the grass before applying hairspray), It came out nicley. To cover the areas' length I needed two strips; the advantage of the grass is the join can be hidden by teasing the fibres over the join. I can't see it and I put them together. I had some left over fence that included a slidding gate and decided to put it across the entrance of the depot. Not sure if its entirly correct but... In the photo you can see on the right where the mat is blended into the pavement area with some fine turf and the van hiding the STOP. Here is a shot that shows the grass standing proud and blending in with the wall. The PD marsh car is looking a little dated when compared to some others! (ie the mini) Lee, the small layouts dimension are 14"x10"x5". It was lots of fun to put together and I learned alot whilst doing it. There is a small sector plate that attachs to the right so that trains can run off the layout and come back on on the other line. Thanks for looking. Stephen

Hmm, I hadnt realised that a stop line was so complicated; they are at 85% of the intersection here in New Hampshire. Anyway it is to late to change so maybe a strategicaly placed vehicle will hide it. So the buildings and roads have made it over to the layout now there was another little problem to solve. As anyone who has used static grass knows there is a lot of glue and hairspray that can be used to apply and build up depth of the grass. However the area i needed to fill was surrounded by Scalscenes paper, not a good mix with glue and hairspray. So what to do. I have a vague recollection of reading about makeing grass that could be pealed off paper and stuck into place so i decided to experiment. Step one was to measure the area I needed to cover. Step two was to was find all that i needed and hobble my way to kitchen table. Acetate paper (the same i use to print off the clear scalscenes windows), straight white glue, ruler, static grass, applicator and hairspray. Then I took the measurements from the layout and traced it onto the shiny side(and thats important) of the acetate paper. White glue was thickly spread out on the traced area and allowed to set for about 10 mins, just enough to go slightly tacky. The static grass was then applied. This was allowed to dry and the excess was then shaken off. A spray of hairspay and a second layer of grass was applied, This step really makes the grass thick As you may notice from the last picture there are some spots that grass didnt adhere. This can be done later but I did it now; I added some clumps of course turf to the bare areas. The whole area was then given a couple coats of hairspary and left to dry for several hours. Drumroll please. After two hours it was all dry and the pealing could begin. A sharp blade was used to lift up one corner and then as I pealed the knife was used to help seperate glue and paper. It came off nice and cleanlly. Some things to note: a fairly thick layer of glue seems to work better than thinner, it seems to peel off more evenly. When doing the process above the only thing I would change is the order, Having pealed off the grass I thought the paper was going to be used again, however the hairpray had rendered the paper bumpy so the next lot of grass didnt peal aswell. So the next batch I have done the grass was pealed off then hairsprayed and it allows the paper to be used again. Another nice thing is you can cut the grass patches to shape any area. Once the piece was placed and clued into place some "dirt" was scattered over the area to tone down the green. Trees and other scatter was then added to blend in the wall and thin grass areas Now some gratuitous shots of grass: This has been a lot of fun to do and seems to work very well when you have an area where you can't spray hairspray and spread glue around due to paper. I have done another piece and did the hairpary post pealing and am able to use the paper again. More detailing and blending of the grass/pavement has been done and i am very pleased with how it has come out. More pics shorlty, hope this helps any one looking at doing static grass. Stephen

The left hand side of the layout has been attacked recently. Decided that if i'm going to build the small terrace houses and corner shops that iIshould start at the bottom and work my way up; so roads and foundations first. Here is what we looked like back on 30 November: This whole area was lifted off and placed on the workbench, roads and a parking lot from scalscenes were tested and then fitted: Cars were then added to see how it looked: Liking how it looked I pressed on. I took great care to hide the joins of paper and most of the cuts were made and hidden by lining up patches in the paving. Other areas were hidden by cutting close up by the painted lines, then the area was given some light weathering. There are seven diffferent pieces of paper in the following photo. Once I was happy with the road another piece of curb was added and some yellow lines added. Slowly pieces have been cut out of card for the buildings, here is a test fitting: With the test all looked good so walls were added as were the rest of the yellow lines and it was done. Three days of on again off again work and we ended up with this. The photo has been stiched together so there is some fuzzyness to it. Now to get this on the layout Then a bit of a teaser of what's next: That's it for now. Stephen

thats an excellent idea, and description of the assembly.

So here is one of the two large projects that I've been working on over the past few days; it is fairly picture heavy so be warned if your on a slow connection. The country station area on the right hand side of the layout will be focus for this update; several updates ago the station platforms were built and fitted with some greanery fitted to see how it would look. With my foot getting stronger I'm able to stand for longer periods of time so planting grass has been fun, love the static grass. The station area looked like this at the start, note the station fencing that has been added to the platforms. This station is removable as the track still needs to be ballasted in this area, so it simply pops out. OK, so i lifted out the station having marked on boards where the staion sits and applied a base layer of paint, nutmeg colour I believe. This paint once dry was covered in a 60/40 mix of glue and water then fine turf from woodland scenics was added (burnt grass) Static grass was then added over the area while the glue water turf mix was still wet as was some course turf. Looking up where the road will go, like the way the tuffts of grass look on the left of the road This area was left to dry. Once it had dried, and this is important due to the paper/card nature of the station, it was placed back in its place. Some more bushes, trees, cars and course turf was added to the area and presto it starts to come together. Looking up the access road also looks good, love the way the grass stands proud of the rest of the scatter matterial. Then looking towards the small parking area I'm well impressed with the difference that static grass makes; even in n gauge it makes an amazing difference. These fibers are 2mm in length so not long but it still stands proud and certainly looks like grass, much more so than plain turf. Next up I've been working on the town area on the left side so stay tuned. Stephen

In response to the above question, first layer is a scattering of fine turf (green grass) followed by a cover of static grass (light green) this then had a dusting of fine turf (dirt) sprinkled over it and built up along the ballast. By the fence are course turf (light green) and the larger pieces are bushes (green) and larger clumps of course turf (light green). All the scenic treatments are from Woodland Scenic.

That looks good. The foreboding sky is very effective; layouts tend to stick with bright and sunny so this would make a nice change. If you don't mind is it painted or a commerciallaly availabe product?

Quick update. I have been able to stand up a bit at the train layout so i did some work with the static grass. First a 60/40 mix of pva and water was spread down then some scatter added, a pin was attached to the layout. The grass applicator was then attched to the pin and off we went. Then some of the painted fence from BLMA was added to the grass, I'm pleased with how its turned out. The static grass is really something and have been doing some more elsewhere on the layout, pics soon. Right I have two other big projects going and am still cutting out the base layers for the small terrace and corner shops. Stephen

I'm starting to go a bit crazy. I"m now approaching 2 months since I broke my ankle last week the Dr said it is starting to mend and has put me in this large ski boot contraption that i can take off at night to sleep and put about 50lbs of pressure on the foot. So things are moving in the right direction, I guess. Lost my mojo for the trains for a bit as not being able to work or walk had me down in the dumps for a bit after my last update, but then I found some you tube stuff. Have been watching Video by Ngaugeuk (who i believe is an rmwebber) and Everard Junction; the first is n guage stuff being reviewed and tested (very helpful) and the latter is following progress on a OO guage loft layout as its being built. Thanks to both for their youtube channels. Right so with that what have i been up to? Decided that since standing still takes some effort that I would crack on with some more scalscenes builds. This build is going to take awhile I think. In the past i have built the T023 small corner shops and T022 small terraced house, they are both pretty involved builds but aparently im going to have more time on my hands. So yesterday I glued all of the baselayers to heavy card and let the glue set: Then today once the kids were at school started the long process of cutting out the pieces. Not looking forward to this as the windows can be a bit of pain to cut out. Here is the growing collection of pieces: Still got more to cut out and then i need to see if SWMBO will nip out to craft store and get me some more card and blades for the knife. So these buildings will be asembled into four groups: This photo shows the low relief bulding from my last layout as place holders. This area will have curbs built up and then there will two groups of four houses and then two store fronts that will join the small corner shops. This will move from left to right in the above photo. This low relief building will be replaced by full shops and a corner shop on the left. So lots of building to do! Having looked at the new Modern Industrial building T009 by scalscenes I think i can squeese it in; here is a paper mockup that is to the same dimensions: Thats it for now back to cutting.

Yea, it 's crazy the temps the past few days have been in the mid 60s. So snow is only in the shady places.

OK so as i said yesterday I was able to get a chair, my grass applicator, glue, hairspray, loco, bits and pieces from the larger layout and New Street outside to do some modelling and practice using the applicator. I'm really pleased with how its come out and cant wait to use it on the layout proper. Some of you who have been following Rmewb for some time might remember that there was a period when everybody seemed to be buliding layouts in boxfiles. Those are hard to find here in the US so I settled for a deep picture frame, and soon New Street was born. There are some images in my Gallery section aswell as on my blog. There was a triangular space in the front that was waiting for grass to be planted. Well its been planted and am happy with it Now if youll indulge me a liitle bit of a story and some outdoors photography. It was a quite morning in New Street with welders going about their business while workers were going aboutcleaning up waiting for the morning delivery of a van by 08921 08921 arrived and was readied for morning shunting duties it was seen from the hedgrow and from the entrance road Once the crew heard that the van and wagon had been dropped off they set away to get the delivery. A short time later the morning peace was broken as 08921 arrived with a grimey lookkng VGA, it was set to be unloaded. As that was happening 08921 brought in the wagon that was just put on a side track 08921 was then given a rest as the crew broke for tea. After tea 08921 brought the VGA and coupled it to the wagon and the short train was ready to be taken away. Ok story over here are some overall shots for those that want to see. And my set up outside Right back inside and do some modelling on the larger layout. Stephen

So it's been an interesting time since my last update. We had a snow storm that dumped 22inches of snow and knocked out power for 5 days, not fun as im still in a cast and walking around on crutches. Was a bit of a challenge to keep our woodstove going whilst without power. However power has returned and so has some modeling. More fencing has arrived so that has been spray painted black and ready to be installed. As im still in a cast it is hard to stand, so i've not been able to practice with the static grass applicator, on the layout, that arrived weeks ago. Today the weather was fantastic, in the mid 60s, so headed outside to do some modeling and practice with the applicator. Pictures to follow. Bit of a teaser:

Great work with the building. Glad to see an update on the layout.

I agree running the fiddle yard would be as much fun as watching the trains on the front.

Its Dapols Voyager.

That is some seriously good modeling. Can't wait to see this progress. I too would be interested in your building technique.