PaternosterRow

A few update photos. The bridge (scenic break), platform, walls and fences are now in. The walls are made from DAS clay and match the small Skaledale section at the rear - these were quick to make. I used the ends of paint brushes with the hairs removed and just kept stabbing at the clay to get the stone effect. They were then primed with grey and given a couple of black washes to complete. I wanted to achieve that broken down and badly repaired dry stone wall effect you often see in the countryside. The fence is the good old Peco one - dead fiddly to put together, but well worth the effort. This was given a quick coat of dark/rusty brown and then given a black wash to finish. The next shot is of the Hornby Rail Road Pannier Tank and although it is over scale and not as good to look at as the Bachmann version I'm really fond of it. However, a slight weathering with a black acrylic wash has enhanced the detailing. It's also a great little runner to boot. The next couple of shots of the Pannier in action with the Hornby Celestory coaches - these are superbly painted and the detailing is really crisp compared with the old Triang ones. The girder for the bridge was actually made from Evergreen strips glued down to a section from a plastic file cover - the walls and abutments are all Scalescenes - so is the platform. The road finish and platform surface were made by sprinkling a mixture of sand and fine ballast onto card pasted with glue. It was then painted with grey emulsion and given several coats of different coloured washes. All the base grass effects are made from simple hanging basket liner that has been firmly glued into place. The liner will eventually be sprinkled with static grass using a simple puffer bottle. Just waiting for a delivery of static grass and a new point motor (to replace the troublesome one) now so I'm hopping about in anticipation till the postie arrives with them!

Thanks for the comments. Yep, I'm fairly pleased with the rodding - fiddly stuff though. I kind of plan to do a vid for each update - Microsoft movie maker is great and I get a lot of fun out of editing etc. We've come a long way from those awful video cameras of the eighties!! Modern technology is just brilliant isn't it? As far as sound is concerned, if only I could afford DCC and sound decoders. One day, I hope, on board chips and speakers will be standard and cheap. We might even have on board batteries to run it all - no more track cleaning - hurrah!

I've decided on Cheslyn as a name for my fictitious GWR branch terminus. Here are some latest pics of progress to date. The ballast, point rodding and signal box have been completed. I tried the method for ballasting as prescribed by Andy Y's article, but came a right cropper when cutting out the webbing - the flexi track just twisted completely out of shape despite glueing all the tie bars and going carefully. The webbing was left in place thereafter and was disguised by the fine ballast. The track was painted in Humbrol rust and given a black wash - this works well I think. The ballast was also given a black wash to emulate oil and coal stains - I want to achieve that slightly run down feel. The point rodding was from MSE and is really fiddly to put down, but with much patience it went in okay and quite looks the part. Had a right old game last Saturday afternoon when cleaning up the track after ballasting and painting. One point was really difficult to get working again and I nearly pulled it up before realizing that it was the actual motor that was binding. It seems that one of the brass collars on one side of the magnet draw bar has come loose and is preventing the motor from throwing evenly - has anyone else encountered this problem and is it best to just junk it and replace? The signal box is a modified Scalescenes one and I'm quite pleased with the way it has turned out. Take no notice of the slight shine - the matt varnish hadn't dried by the time I took the photos - couldn't wait! Finally a small you tube video of the Bachmann GWR pannier in action. This really is a superb little model, very highly detailed and a really great little runner.

Gosh, Pete, you're dedicated! That's a lot of work, but it's great that you wont compromise and ruin a great model. I get frustrated with getting things right in 4mm let alone the hassle it must be in 2mm - especially the sparks. I spent a whole afternoon last week cleaning and dismantling a point before realizing that the problem was with the motor. Your track work looks spot on and all the fiddling with a suitable infill will make for a brilliant effect once painted and weathered. Taking about weather - at least you've got the sunshine in Spain, which must at least compensate for all the doom and gloom generated by the economic situation. As far as the trees are concerned - keep them simple and sparse at the front just so you don't impede view of the trains and have them appropriately clumped and sized to create a forced perspective at the rear. I love that mixture of Industrial and rural location you're creating - it is always either one or the other on most models. Keep up the great work - it's turning out to be another lovely little model. Mike

Ah, ah! So that's were the last of my Brylcreem went this morning. Ought to have bought some proper lubricant!

Good planing practice again, Pete! I agree about the size of the trees - especially toward the front of the layout - it'll help force the perspective. Looking great.

Welcome to RMweb. As a fellow modeler living in Ireland it can be frustrating not having access to things you want to model - there's nothing like seeing the real thing when it comes to making a model of it. In the meantime, Scalescenes has a great kit of boats and lock gates etc - really worth a try. There'll be plenty of helpful advice here at RMweb so you've done the right thing by joining - you'll soon find your way around the site in time. Happy modelling. Regards, Mike

It just gets better and better watching this develop - that boiler plate with all the controls is just simply stunning. Brilliant and dedicated modeling. Mike

Nice to see that they were doing just as well (even better having to manage with what they had to hand) as today's modelers. We tend to forget just how long this hobby has been going and on upon what great shoulders we stand. Great pics, great days. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the comments guys. Your encouragement, advice and comments are always gratefully received. Pete - I dread doing the electrics, but I'm getting better at them. The low level shots was one of the things I really wanted from this layout so thanks for the comment. Mikkel - I was already ferreting away at the baseboards whilst finishing off Barrow Hill - I kind of like to give at least an hour every day to a bit of modelling (more if I get my way!) and it is quite surprising how things come along quickly if you tackle in this drip, drip kind of way. I used to be the type of person who wanted it all done straight away, but if there's one thing this modeling lark teaches you it is patience. The SW couplings are fantastic and the possibilities for shunting layouts are made endless by them - the instructions that MSE supply are basic so I really found your article very helpful. I also took your advice about only using one paddle per item of stock - this made the job much less onerous and is totally sufficient for a small layout like this - so thanks again for sharing. Mike

Whilst finishing off Barrow Hill I inevitably started thinking about what next - I guess we're all guilty of that during builds? Then, whilst browsing on RMweb one day, I came across Geoff Forster's blog of his layout 'Penhydd' - this, in my humble opinion, has to be one of the most perfect models I've ever seen. It has everything - a station, three goods sidings, roads, lots of perfect greenery and potential for lots of expansion. It offers loads of operational fun and makes for a great photo setting. I was thinking of moving up the fine scale ladder and experimenting with automatic coupling anyway so thought a small GWR branch terminus would be the way to go. Geoff kindly allowed me to copy the track plan simply because it couldn't be improved upon. Code 75 track and points have been used. It's worthwhile noting that a move up to this finer profile track will prove a little difficult if you're used to the robust Code 100 like I was. It doesn't like any undulations in the base board and I spent a lot of time fiddling about with cardboard wedges to get it all level. There are six isolated sections - each of the tracks roughly split into three at the points - and standard Peco point motors to control the points. The sections are controlled by simple switches at the end of the baseboard and the points by a homemade stud probe. The wiring under the board ain't in the least bit pretty to look at, but it all works fine. I've used Spratt and Winkle couplings on all the stock. I got a starter pack from MSE who offered a superbly quick service (3 days to arrive here in Ireland from the original order request). Like everything fiddly there was a lot of apprehension about mounting them - the lower method was used and is highly advisable if you're a novice like me. There was a few mistakes and the chains were really awkward to make and put together, but the first one went on without too much bother. When tested over the supplied magnets I was both surprised and delighted that it worked brilliantly first time. The magnets have been sunk into the base board and glued in place. Mikkel (The Farthing Layouts) has written a superb article on how to mount and use these couplings to their full effect which can be found on this link http://www.gwr.org.uk/procouplings.html . I was careful about following both Mikkel and Geoff's advice about not painting the couplings so ordered a bottle of Brass Black from Eileens Emporium - another superb service (arrival time from order was also 3 days). It's worthwhile noting about how it is important to get the track perfectly level if you want to use S&W couplings - if it ain't then you'll get no end of problems with the stock uncoupling where it's not supposed to. A close up of the superb Bachmann Pannier Tank. I also have a Hornby GWR Pannier from the Rail Road range which is a great little runner, but once you've purchased the Bachmann one there's no looking back. The following is a link to a video I've made of the Pannier in action. I'm toying with Cheslyn Hay as a name for it. This is a real place in Staffordshire and was the home of Rosemary Brick and Tile where I worked as a maintenance man in the 1980's. It did have a rail link which had long been abandoned when I was there, but I'd like to eventually expand the layout so it could incorporate a small add on of a brick works. Suggestions, comments are most welcome. Mike

Wow! I'd really like to get into this end of the hobby and my hats off to anyone that has this level of understanding of electronics. It took a long time for me to get familiar with the basics of DC wiring alone. The potential for train control is amazing nowadays (computer control over DCC layouts etc), but there's something rather satisfying about doing it yourself and learning just exactly what is going on under the baseboard etc. I look forward to seeing you master your N gauge control requirements. Regards Mike

That track work is fantastic. What is it - P4/EM? Regards, Mike

I think it's Shunter G. Mullins. Whilst mulling over his future employment, he cracks. He mistakenly takes Mrs Longbottom's look of disgust at him for an amorous advance. He kills her poor husband, thinking that she will be so grateful that they'll immediately elope to Gretna Green and be married at once. He can then enjoy his new found wealth and take up that hobby he has always dreamed of; to model his beloved GWR in tinplate!!!!

Stunning detail! Can't wait to see this develop.

Par excellence, Monsieur. Poirot confidently asserts 'Cherchons la femme!' - an old French proverb has led him to deduce that Mrs Longbottom is somehow involved. Brilliant stuff as usual, Mikkel. Don't keep us waiting too long for the outcome.

Just had a look at your index on this - those buildings are very realistic and fit the layout perfectly - are they based on a prototype location or have you conjured them up from your imagination? Whichever it is you can tell you're an architect simply because of your ability to get the proportions and look dead on. The little openings for photography at the back is also a brilliant idea - I too love those 'glimpse at the trains going by' nooks and crannies - something that modelers tend to forget with the typical 'view from the sky' perspective models. Sometimes it really is better to see the trees instead of the wood - it's more fun for the viewer to let his/her imagination fill in the rest of the details. The way the buildings curve to suit the track is very appealing too - a curve being better than a straight line when it comes to creating an interesting look. I've said this before - you ought to put something together on designing/building display layouts - you've certainly got enough material, especially those drawings of yours - there's a lot of stuff out there on the market that doesn't quite compare and you're giving it away for free! Which is brilliant for us by the way. It'd be a unique take on layout building - marrying architectural/engineering drawing with model railways! I've just read George Dent's book on 00 gauge loco detailing and thought it was brilliant (well written, very informative and great photography), but no sketches. Whilst we all love the ease of use of the internet for inspiration it's nothing like a good little book to carry anywhere with you. I'm sure many here would agree with me - a nice little soft back on the basic principles of good design would definitely sell! Do it before someone else does. Mike

You had me going at first - no, not that gullible usually, and I know what day it is, but the viaduct was entirely worth stealing! I'd have 'ad it away anyway Gov! Glad to see it being re-utilized in what looks to be another exciting build. Love those buildings - can we have a close up please? Mike

Brilliant, Frank! Just love that photo of the Mogul and carriages and the one of 46520 about to enter the tunnel is a real money shot. Glad you're enjoying the good weather - long may it last. No model is ever finished in the eyes of the creator, that's art for you - we can't stop tinkering with them. Lovely and inspirational piece of work. Must say, you're stock is highly detailed and very convincing by the way. Regards, Mike

Hi Pete I wouldn't worry too much about peeps not being interested - an excellent model is always appreciated here on RM - besides, KoL has quite a high hit rate. The more and more I look at your work in 2mm FS, the more I want to sell off my 4mm and have a go at it! I think that, if it's done well, 2mm can actually look more convincing - it's something that's really started to intrigue me as it's counter intuitive. It'd be worthwhile exploring this - what do other modelers think about this I wonder? Look forward to the shots. Mike

Hi Pete Lovely, lovely photos. Thanks for the station shot - it really is a neat little model and I continue to be amazed that so much detail can be achieved in 2mm. The Pic that really drew me was of 26038 as seen from a small boat - the train and dock are illuminated by sun whilst a distant storm hovers over the mountains. A really brilliant shot and very well lit. The one that Mikkel picked is also really dramatic - gosh, so much in such a small space. More please! Regards, Mike

Hi Gordon Just found this amazing blog thanks to the new banner here at RMweb. What a brilliant carpenter you are! The design, planning and actual build is fascinating - the story of your hectic life intertwined with progress on the layout has also been extremely interesting to follow and mirrors a lot of modelers experiences; we come, we go, we eventually get around to doing a bit and remember what joy the hobby brings all of a sudden. What's the latest news - new house and layout? Regards, Mike

Hi Pete Smashing, what a cracker of a layout. Love shot No 1 (quayside with 37) and last photo of whole layout (and Google Earth one - thank you). The back scene works just right with the foreground - the relationship between mountain and content is spot on - you must have a good judge of distance to get that perfect with just 6 inches to play with! So many people ruin a great layout by not getting the back scene content right. I think I read in your blog somewhere that you're 45 - well I'm pushing 50 this year and have to wear glasses for near stuff so your eyes must still be in great shape in order to do this in 2mm fine scale? The weathering on that 37 is cool by the way - love the speed streaks on the roof - nice balance between over and under done. Could you do us a close up on that lovely station building. Museum display quality once again! Regards Mike

Dunno about that Pete, photo number 1 is a really great shot. I find that you have to take about twenty shots to get a great one if you are not a pro (even for them I think it's all a bit hit and miss) - that's what's so great about digital cameras, you can fire off hundreds of shots without ever worrying about cost.

Hi Pete Really dig those tires over the dock edge and the back scene of the mountain really lends the scene reality especially in photo number 1. Brilliant work. It's right what they say about it being all in the detail. Can we have some more photos of the station and a few in colour of the whole layout please?