nickwood

The fun bit begins. After giving the areas I want to be grassed a generous but even coating of neat pva an initial layer of short static grass fibres is applied with a Greenscenes Flockit applicator. The fibres are Greenscenes Spring Green (short). These will be overlaid with longer fibres once dry. As you can see in this low angle shot, there are a few longer fibres mixed in with the short ones. These were probably a result of not cleaning the applicator thoroughly from its last use, oops! But it all helps to add variety. You can also see that fibres get into places you don't want them, such as on the edges of rocks and crevices. These will be cleaned up later once the rest has dried by vacuuming and scraping with a cocktail stick to tidy things up. Before moving onto the next stage a few tufts of long grasses are placed into crevices to add some interest. After waiting 24 hours for everything to thoroughly dry the whole scene will be given a good vacuuming and brushing to remove stray fibres ready for applying more.

The diorama base is a piece of 50mm thick blue foam insulation board approximately 150mm square. Unfortunately I had already carved it to a rough shape and applied plaster of paris to form the basis of the rocks before I decided to do this blog and hadn't taken any photographs. The base was first given a coat of neat pva glue and plaster of paris was mixed with water and a dark grey acrylic paint to form a stiff mix. With the glue still wet the plaster of paris was them liberally trowelled into place with a palette knife and roughly shaped. Once the plaster of paris was nearly set. the rocks were smoothed by rubbing over with a wet finger. They were then left to dry thoroughly for 3 days. Some shrinking aand cracking is inevitable but this can be used to advantage. The cracks can be scraped with a sharp pointed tool such as a bradawl or in my case one of our meat scewers (shhhh! don't tell the wife) to form fissures, work in progress below. When happy with it the whole rockface was given a coat of dark grey, almost black, making sure this got deep into the fissures and cracks. The rocks were then painted with a number of different shades of grey some with a touch of burnt umber to give an earthy tone. Finally they were given a dry brushing with a very light almost white shade to highlight and sharp edges and bumps. Next job will be to add the static grass.

Thanks Dave, hopefully it might give you some ideas and the confidence to have a go.

An unashamed plug for my new blog documenting my preparations for demonstrating scenic techniques at the forthcoming Great British Model Railway Show in November.

Masterful. I look forward to seeing it in service

Maybe a very carefully applied dry brush with a tan and or grey colour just to add some highlights and take the edge off the black???

It will almost certainly crack as it dries whatever the thickness. You just rub small amounts of clay into the cracks once it has dried and smooth it over with a wet knife or finger. If you really need to you can sand it once dry.

Thanks to Alex and the Michelover group for having the Much Murkle team. We had a thoroughly good weekend with lots of friendly people. It was very busy on Saturday but much more relaxed today. The venue at Derby Rounhouse is one of the best we have been to, very interesting and very atmospheric. We had lots of positive comments about Much Murkle and interest in taking it further (much further) north in the future. After a 2 1/2 hour journey home Much Murkle is now tucked up in the garage and I'm relaxing with a dram or two. The next show isn't until October and I'm intending to use the time on tackling a few projects that I've had in mind for a while.

Thanks to Alex and the Michelover group for having the Much Murkle team. We had a thoroughly good weekend with lots of friendly people. It was very busy on Saturday but much more relaxed today. The venue is one of the best we have been to, very interesting and very atmospheric. We had lots of positive comments about Much Murkle and interest for bringing it further (much further) north in the future. After a 2 1/2 hour journey home Much Murkle is now tucked up in the garage and I'm relaxing with a dram or two.

Just noticed that a small correction is needed to the layout list. Much Murkle is 1930's GWR not BR. Good God, there would have to be a war on before the locals would accept any form of nationalisation in deepest Herefordshire.

This weekend, Much Murkle is appearing at the Mickleover Model Railway Group's show at Derby Roundhouse. This will be the last outing for MM until October. All checks are done and I will be loading Much Murkle this evening ready for a journey northwards tomorrow. Hopefully we will have some time to see some of the other fantastic layouts and pick up a few bits and pieces from the traders. Full details of the show are in the Exhibitions forum. Looking forward to a great weekend playing trains with my team and having a chat with some fellow RMwebbers. Photo courtesy of Andy York & BRM

Will be loading Much Murkle this evening ready for the journey northwards tomorrow. Hopefully we will have some time to see some of the other fantastic layouts and pick up a few bits and pieces from the traders. Looking forward to a great weekend playing trains with the team and having a chat with some fellow RMwebbers. Photo courtesy of Andy York & BRM

Very pleased that I made the journey for my first SWAG meeting with Mick Bonwick. What a wonderful event. I enjoyed chatting with many good folk who I had not met before but felt I knew from somewhere (still can't think where) and a few others who I'd already had the pleasure of making acquaintance but hadn't seen in a while. All the exhibits and demonstrations were interesting. The two steel themed layouts brought back early career memories from Appleby Frodingham and Sandy Shores was charming. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in the organising, exhibiting, demonstrating and catering, you are all truly wonderful people for giving your time for the enjoyment of others.

Mick and I will be there early to give a critique on your scenic work Rich

Looking forward to seeing Dave Spencer's new Woodside layout

The Much Murkle crew had a very enjoyable weekend at Trainwest. Thanks to Geoff and the Bentley group members for the usual efficient organisation and making us welcome. The Ladies looking after the refreshments deserve a special mention.

Likewise Much Murkle. Nice cup of tea and bacon roll provided, much appreciated.

Hi Colin. Keep a look out here as there may be more video coming soon. I did a talk at Pendon Museum a few months ago on building and exhibiting Much Murkle for a Friends Evening which was professionally filmed. This included some action on Much Murkle taken at my home which was edited into the talk. Unfortunately this video of the talk is only available to be viewed by Friends of Pendon through the Pendon Museum website but the film company have agreed to provide me with the action footage which I can edit for my own purposes. I will post the video as soon as I have the footage and edited it. For any Friends of Pendon the link to my talk is below. You will need to be logged in to the Friends Place on the Pendon website to see it. https://vimeo.com/313146862/e7d2d28444

I'm looking forward to seeing Amiens 1918, the photos look fantastic. Much Murkle is all checked over and ready for loading in the morning.

You naughty man! If I didn't know better I would think that you are trying to do a bit of match making as you have put exactly the same suggestion on the Bakewell Street thread. I'm sure that when I meet Chris we will partake in a bit of character assasination

Shame that you'll be doing other things Mick but you'll earn your keep behind the layout at the next outing in Derby as penance for your absence my friend.

Looking forward to Trainwest this weekend. I've been wheel cleaning today to ensure (hopefully) there are no running problems. I've also managed to do my pre-exhibition check of all the stock and the layout for any repairs needed. A few little bits and pieces to do but all completed in under an hour. Very happy. Hope a a few of you are going and will say hello.

I'll be attending my first SWAG day, travelling down with Mick Bonwick. Seems that he wants me to be his bitch for the day!! Looking forward to it.

A great line-up Geoff. Really looking forward to bringing Much Murkle.

Terry, very good of you to act as Abingdon MRC's publicity Officer. I hope they appreciate it