mudmagnet

Hi Dave, The rusting effect on the corrugated looks very good. A simple, but very effective result. For the guttering, you could use the ribs from an old umbrella - there usually seem to be plenty thrown away when they pull the wrong way. The ribs are 'U' shaped and although very tough to cut are a cheap and produce a good result. It is possible, with patience to solder wires to the rib to represent the support brackets and the end of the wire can then be fixed into holes drilled into the building. The alternative is guttering supplied by S&D models - these are white metal and also supply the down pipe fittings.

I have been able to add a few trees to the layout today and have attached a few photos. There is a group of trees at the front of the layout and provides an interesting view-break, something that I have used on previous layouts - the viewer then peers around the trees to get different views. A few more bushes and leaf detritus needs to be added around the bottom of the trees and will add some more grass (borrow Darren's Grassmaster again! - thanks Darren). I have also added a single tree close to the bridge. The final photo shows one of my 25's hard against the buffers - in monochrome - just to see how it looks.

Hi Chris, I was my pleasure to let you have a go on the layout at the show last week. I have found the Dymamis easy to use and does 'what it says on the tin'. There are limitation, but then this a budget system and gets you started on DCC without spending a fortune. Having said that, I am considering upgrading later this year and my son can then use the Dynamis on the layout that he has started!

Hi Rob, Thanks for the comments. I don't have any shows booked for the rest of this year, but open to offers! There are a couple for next year, but will confirm details later. Yes, the chassis on the 31 has broken at one end - broken across where the fixing screws go through - the weakest point on the chassis and very poor design. I intend modiying the chassis and also sorting the problem with the tail lights not working correctly on DCC - again a design flaw in my opinion. However, the loco runs very well (under DCC control). There are a few threads here where other people have modified their models - so need to have another look. Richard

Hi Nigel, Thanks for the link - I will have a look. Yes, it's interesting that visitors want to have a look into the shed and I made the roof removable to enable the interior to be detailed, and allowing people to peer in. Also, handy to retreive a loco if it gets stuck (plus for cleaning the track). The steel work inside also stiffens the structure up quite a bit, with the walls being made from 20 thou plasticard, they are bit flimsy without the 'I' beams. The exterior cladding of corrugated helps a bit as well. One of the jobs to do when the detailing is underway, will be to add horizontal beams, from which the lighting can be added and lifting hoists etc (will make track cleaning a bit more difficult), but these will be glued to the walls / vertical beams. I suspect that the roof will be off more than on when at exhibtions! I will quite happily sit in an evening making a few bits and pieces - like the pallets (which I enjoyed making actually) - while the television is on, so a few detail items will start to be made.

Thanks for comment. I'm sure that Darren will be pleased to read your comment. My only reservation is that the roof on the shed had been removed so that the visitors at the exhibtion could see in (not that there is much to see - just the inspection pit! - more details to add in the future) and although not obvious, does detract a little. Not much progress on the layout - in fact it is still boxed and has not been put back up! However, I have 'foliated' (new verb ???) some sea foam 'trees' and plan to add these over the weekend. I have a few days holiday so hopefully can get some more work completed on the layout!

Hi Leon, Looking good and oozing some good atmosphere.

Hi guys, many thanks for your comments and additional photos. It's great to see other peoples photos as they can show another perspective, that perhaps I don't see. Thanks again. The layout has not been put back up yet, but have 'pinched' the point in the fiddle yard - I was going to change this anyway - and now added to a new layout! Yes, another one, but this will be built largely by my son (with my help) and will end up in his bedroom. He wants to add a thread to RMWeb, so will sort sometime nextg week! He also wants to exhibit when finished!

Hi Just got back from the first public showing of Orchard Road and have noted a few jobs that need to be sorted before I next take the layout out. I don't have any other exhibitions until next year, so have plenty of time, but would be good to get these crossed off the list - see below. There is nothing like a show to highlight any problems, which somehow seem to get missed when setting up and testing at home! Jobs to get sorted (as picked up from today's show) in no particular order: 1) Extend fiddle yard by about 300mm as yard too short for best operation - will be achieved by having a fold-down extension. 2) Use cassettes or similar in fiddle yard. 3) There are couple of lumps of ballast that the wagons ride off the rail - not so noticable on the locomotives. 4) Add a better shelf for the dynamis control box to sit on. However, considering changing to NCE Pro-cab - not because I am un-happy with the Dynamis (suits what I need it for at the moment), but my son wants it for his own layout, which we are planning to start tomorrow. I or he will create a new thread when we get started. During the whole day, I managed to get about 15 minutes operation time myself - the rest was occupied by my 13 year old son and a couple of guest operators!!!! At least it left me plenty of time to chat! Good to meet a couple 'RMWeb' members! I also had a visiting locomotive (the green 47) - fitted with sound and an additional bass-reflex speaking which results in a great sounding loco. I have attached a few photos. The photos taken looking down the siding are only possible when the layout is out of the shed, due a baseboard of another layout preventing access. Hope you enjoy looking at these! More updates to follow.

hi Just a quick update. I've not be able to spend any time on the layout or anything to add to the layout in the last week. However, as mentioned above, I have added the pipe work to most of the engines and have re-weathered the class 47 - see photos below. Tomorrow evening will be spend packing the layout, sorting a few bits and pieces out & getting everything together for the exhibition on Saturday!!

Hi, No progress on the layout over the weekend due to camping with 28 Cubs! However, for the next couple of days concentrating on changing the couplings to wire loops and adding the pie work to all of my locos. Completed my class 47 last night and also was re-weathered as I was not happy with the finish previously. Hope to post some photos tomorrow when the rest of the locos have been completed. All have been test run and all ready to go. Only a few days to go to the first public showing in Barnstaple (31st July) - if you can make it, come over and say hello.

Hi Chris, Thanks for comments. I will be making a flying visit, so thanks if you can bring the pipes etc. I am still hoping to get the pipe work finished on all the locos over the next couple of days. I also went through my box of 'sea-foam' to make some trees, unfortunately most have been flattened and not much use (may be able to use some along the backscene (that's for another day). However, managed to find 5 or 6 that may be ok for small trees so hoping to appy the foliage over the coming week. I will post photos when I make some progress.

Hi, Not much progress on the layout this week, unfortunately not much time free to spend on the layout. However, made some progress on the boring bits - testing and freeing up the points which are DCC operated via a Bachmann accessory decoder, just need to set up the DCC handset so that the points are easier to select. I have added a little more 'oil / fuel' spillage around the fuel offloading and re-fueling tracks using 'licorice' acrylic mixed about 50/50 with acrylic gloss medium, then added a little blue acrylic and then applied in patches to the sleepers and ballast. Various mixes then applied as the previous had dried. Perhaps a little more to add. Not sure how clear this shows up in the photos, but the gloss medium, with blue does give an 'oily' shiny tinge. I have, however, managed to complete the weathering of the locos, but need to fit wire for couplings to replace the tension-locks (see earlier posts for arrangement) and fit the pipe work details. I have attached a couple of photos showing my class 50 and class 31 (both Hornby). The 50 has had light weathering using photos found on the internet showing the real loco and have attempted to copy the weathering as far as possible (the sides being fairly clean, but dirty roof and bogies). The 31 started as the Hornby weathered version, but have added a little more weathering around the roof exhuasts / vents and around the bogies. Some weathering streaks have been dry-brushed to lift the details and loose some of the 'plain' factory applied 'air-brushed' finish. To be honest, I would prefer to do all of the weathering myself as I think that the factory applied weathering is not all that realistic (the loco was bought secondhand as a weathered loco - so no critism of anyone - I just wanted a class 31!) I am planning to get a little more scenic work completed on the layout and adding a few more details. Less than two weeks to go before first public showing, so hopefully Orchard Road should be presentable.

Those inspection pits look very good - will be good to see the 'concrete' added.

Marc, DLT, Thanks for your comments. I'm likely to make much progress now before first show, too many other things to do. However, a few detail bits and pieces to be made and painted. I will add some more photos when sorted and fixed in place. I need to concentrate on getting the locos finished (change couplings and add pipe work, plus weathering on three locos).

Hi For change not working on the layout, I decided to make a removable load for one of the wagons - see below. A rectangle of plasticard was cut to be a snug fit into the wagon and scribed to represent the planking. This was then painted 'dirty wood'. A piece of cling film is then fitted into the wagon, with the plasticard inserted and then the ballast added, which is glued in place by soaking with watered-down PVA (add a drop of washing up liquid). The sleepers are then pushed gently into the wet ballast. The other details are glued using a little neat PVA. then left to dry before lifting out and carefully pulling back the cling film. The wagon was weathered using Games Workshop acrylic paints either dry brushed or washed into (to get the paint into the crevices).

A few smal updates. I've added a few details today, a couple more pallets, cable drums and rusting rail. 3 Weeks to first public showing, so will focus on making sure that everything works ok, finish weathering locos and adding pipe work to front of locos, plus a few other jobs.

Hi Dave, The fibres are supplied by International Models - Miniflor I think - Darren had a selection, which we used. The fibres are applied straight on top of the Greenscene / Woodland Scenics. When mostly dryed, a further layer can be applied in patches by flicking glue using a toothbrush (don't use for brushing your teeth afterwards though!) and applying fibres on top. Richard

That's a lot of bits there! Will certainly keep you busy for a while! I think that the worst job will be threading the rail through the plastic chairs. Are you going to fit any LED's into the pits?

Since posting the photos earlier, I have made some pallets, painted and glued in position. I have also painted a few old barrels and also added these, along with a little more scenic work, pretty much finishes this part of the layout along the fence (may add some colour to the mesh on the security fence though). I have also added a few 'flowers' to the grass areas and have added a close up of one area.

Peter, thanks for your comments. I forgot to add the photo showing the depot baskets and inspection platform - see below. Both need a little weathering.

Hi, Well where do I start - spend a great afternoon at Darren01's yesterday (he of 'Torrington' fame) and adding grass to various areas on the layout using Darren's Grassmaster - note to self - must add one to my shopping list (perhaps forgoing a new loco or two - just need to work on SWMBO!!!). Anyway, I have attached a few photos taken this morning in the shed - wanted to take these outside, but weather not looking to clever! The extra grass at the end of the sidings, on the banks and along the fence have really transformed the appearance - in my opinion anyway. I can now see other areas that need 'grassmastering' (a new verb?) and will either need to borrow Darren's grassmaster or buy my own! Next job is to add a few flowers and nettles to the banks and along the fence. I also want to add a few details such as pallets / barrels etc. I've also added the point levers (non-operational), which are etched-brass from Wizard Models, which look the part. Hopefully should not get damaged to easily! Just need to add a little weathering around the mounting plate and arm to bring to life. I have also painted the inspection platform and depot baskets (the latter needing a little rusting in the bottom and some bits and pieces adding). These have been placed for photographic purposes only and will get moved about until I am happy with their positioning.

Marc, I know what you mean about damage to and from an exhibtion. I have seen a couple of occasions where someone has arrived at an exhibition only to find that there has been some damage and then spends time trying to repair. To be avoided! Much better to spend a bit of time protecting in the first place. I've been in contact with Captain Kernow and already has my details for next year. Yes the Taunton SWAG was extremely enjoyable. Dave, It seems to be slow progress in my mind - perhaps a bit impatient and what to get on with the interesting bits! I will post some photos when finished with the Grassmaster! As far as progress on the layout, I've painted the depot baskets and inspection platform (PH Designs) and will make sure I photograph these. I have also added dummy point levers to the 4 points and need to be weathered into the track work. The signal has also been painted and just needs to made operational! I've also fitted an Express Models lighting kit to one of my Bachmann class 25 (the one before they started including lights). I am using a 3-function decoder, so have connected the head and tail lights together, rather than using 4-functions, thus use the normal light function. Not entirely prototypical, but being used on a depot layout, I can live with it! I have also added a small connector in the wires, so that I can remove the body completly from the chassis, rather than being hard-wired.

Very nice. I particlularily like to pub - good to see the various signs on the wall.

Hi Marc, Thanks for your comments. As you can see, I've been making slow progress. Should be a big change at the weekend - will be taking the layout down to Darren01 and use his Grassmaster!! I will update photos when done! The only show that Orchard Road is booked for at the moment is Barnstaple July 31st (a bit far for you to make the trip!). I am hoping to get to some more shows in the South West next year (possibly Exeter and SWAG meeting at Taunton, plus one or two more???) - always open to offers! Might even travel a bit further if asked. As far as the wood-work etc - not quite executed as planned! I have found with exhibiting various layouts over the years that by packing two boards together with end boards, the ends of the track and scenery is protected, with the addition of the board across the front, the open face is closed in, thus providing additional protection. The original plan was to have two fold-down front boards (using split hinges so that the boards can be removed), which can be supported off seperate legs to provide display areas at the front of the layout at exhibitions and also keep little fingers off the layout! I've not had chance to get these sorted, but hope to get these made for later in the year. Richard