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David in the long running saga of Portsea's canopies I have been giving thought to the how to attach to the platforms and look neat issue and I agree with locating wire on the bottom of posts idea ,but how about locating stiff steel wire into tube let in to the platform surface with the same diameter . I am experimenting with 1/16th wire and the same bore brass tube. My problem is the platforms at Portsea are hollow with quite a thin balsa surface which would . not give a wire much support

Oh the joys of decorating . No progress since my last post but pretty clear I want to complete the exit end of the layout while I work out what to do with the station end .I've got a few ideas that need working up so watch this space Can anyone help with older style SR cabling and equipment for third rail. I have memories of cables running on lines of short posts next to the track and have seen glimpses in photos and videos but no really good details, not too surprising as it would not have been a particularly interesting thing to point your Brownie at back then . For younger readers this is a reference an ancient cheap camera not a practice that might lead to arrest or very nasty electrocution and burns .......

Sufficient decorating done to justify some modelling so last bit of rear retaining wall installed albeit with some adjustments to be done and gaps to be filled but quite good enough to show off a short parcels arrival

Ok who was the bright spark who decided to decorate the kitchen .......... lovely day here in sunny st5 maybe get some modelling in later , got some third rail insulstors to replace before the retaining walls all go up

Hmmmm not sure about Glue'nGlaze as a glazing material rather than a non smudgy glue where it works brilliantly, are you persevering David?

Just noticed you are using it as glazing material not glue for sheets of clear plastic, will watch with great interest

Oh I love Glue'nGlaze I haven't posted pics yet but the canopy for Portsea would have been a smudgy mess without it . We are very lucky now, years ago I scratch built Brockenhurst B box from plans in RM , it still looks very good apart runs of styrene cement on the windows aaargh

Now that is a good looking canopy , keep at it and no distractions

I have completed constructing the retaining walls for the exit end of the layout and have installed the first two sections . It has been good to get away from the complexities of the station canopies and achieve what for me is quite rapid progress , maybe yet another lesson learnt

Keep at it David I'm a big believer in trial and error modelling , well more error and error with a bit of bad language thrown in for levity

Adrian I hid behind the sofa and pretended not to be in , last seen they were heading south from here on the m6 ..........

As ever totally brilliant and evocative modelling not to mention inspiring me into a verse or two of Jerusalem........and did those feet in ancient time walk upon England's mountains green ......well rolling hills anyway da de dum de dum de dah de dum crescendo ...

Thanks David Rocket superglue for attaching the Wills sheets to the foamboard and liquid polly with a smallish sable brush for the plastic to plastic joins Just varnished the lot with some artists matt acrylic varnish looking ok so far but in hindsight probably should have tested a small area to avoid the inevitable and in the words of Blackadder not be at home to Mr and Mrs Cockup, who to be honest are pretty frequent visitors

Having seen the pic posted I might apply a matt varnish or fixative , under a spotlight there isca tiuch of shine in places

Completed the run of retaining walls and very pleased with these. They are built as described above , primed with humbrol acrylic 1 spray and then a wash of diluted railmatch concrete is applied making it the sure the paint runs into all the mortar gaps . When that is well dried I rub over a series of artist's colour pencils first a dark brown then a redder brown and finally more sparingly a dark blue . I then blur the colours with a damp finger tip, finally a light spray from about 3 feet of modelmates soot black beware of the modelmates spray , too close and its just a big black smudge !

Bother forgot to attach pics so here they are

Been a good modelling day. Went to the model shop at Dagfields near Nantwich this morning and and bought a few odds and ends and then spotted a Hornby Maunsell push pull and so what could I do given my lovely M7 just waiting for it. Think I'm being rather indulgent at the moment because I bought a stunning second hand weathered King Arthur last week but it is a beauty . I'll post some pics soon . This afternoon I've been working on the overall roof and its coming on but mainly on some retaining wall from Wills Flemish bond sheets and parapet kit so here it is primed and ready for paint and weathering. Also my place and plonk art decaux signal box has acqired a name

Glazing is in the canopy roofs .I used glue n gllaze , wonderful stuff and no smears Now I've started to assemble the roof components using one of my balsa jigs . I have to say I am quite pleased

Bother missed one so here is the front side

Just about completed the platform end of the overall roof, basically three Airfix/Dapol canopy ends joined, hacked , extended augmented with Plastruct girders and mouldings. So here are a couple of plcs

Been working on Portsea on and off but little to show for it at the moment but to summarise Fiddling with signals and think about to paint some arms Overall roof coming on very slowly but roof sections complete and painted ,glazing cut to size and canopy end on the way to completion. Need to work out how it will stick together but I do now know how it will look Hornby art deco signal box acquired as stop gap pending building an LSWR type 3 ( in my dotage at this rate ) Purchased some Portsea Town station name boards from Trackside Signs ,very nice Everything else sorted in my head ! Just need time ,energy and the other thing I would post some pics but have managed to loose my tablet with camera, not a clue how I managed that its in the house somewhere

I've got to join in the cheers , this is lovely and inspiring modelling

Oh I love the ingenious ballasting device thing with added toothbrush. It would be a winner for me just with the look and if it works all power to your elbow. I tried a commercially made one on Portsea Town and went back to the dessert spoon brush and tap method , but that toothbrush might just do the trick On the basis of my own attempted short cut with nasty splodgy sticky reults avoid liquid with ballst until it is laid and tamped

Work and family commitments are getting the better of modelling again but I have managed to get a good few hours at the Stafford show today. It really is very well run and there was a lovely mix of layouts .I particularly enjoyed Black Country Blues , well done all who have contributed the atmosphere is amazing and very well done to the young train driver who really knew how to keep the speed of a freight train realistic and worked pretty well all day so far I could tell . Fisherrow Yard was there with personal hero Ian Futers . I have seen it before but once again was so impressed at the simplicity and effectiveness of Ian's approach to modelling and operation . At the other end of the modelling spectrum was The Gresley Beat , stunning totally stunning Amongst a few purchases were bargain blood and custard Maunsell break third which I plan to weather as a very late survivor not yet painted southern green . Most importantly I bought some great looking Langley white metal pillars which should be perfect for the overall roof, I hope they will spur me on to get this completed . Also found some etched drains and manhole covers for the platforms. Good day but have developed non gender specific flu and cold like symptoms.....heading for a mug of cocoa

Many thanks, I am using acrylics but will try a similar brew