Southernboy

You've completely knocked me sideways with that Mikkel.

Absolutely blown me away.

I think you've taken the bounds of what the imagination projected onto railway modelling can be to a totally new dimension!

Excellent Tom, overall your work is quite inspirational, but your ballasting in particular is quite exquisite (for 'exquisite' read 'realistic' - it's just my artistic background coming into play ).

Seriously though - it's good to see you back in action after your enforced down-time.

Stunningly realistic Missy, colours, textures, atmosphere - and for me, quite inspirational.

As for '...trying to get motivated...': At the end of the day this is a hobby, it's about relaxation, enjoyment, there's no obligation ... so don't pressure yourself. Let motivation return in it's own good time

Woah !!

This looks massively different to the Grime Street I used to know - and so much better for it if I may say so.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I firmly feel I'm somewhere between around 1947 - 1952. That immediate post-war atmosphere is definitely strong!

I have to say - those GWR railcars look remarkably ahead of their time in terms of styling.

It's looking great Missy. Can you remind me what you've done for motorising?

I like your resourcefulness. The result is very impressive, and even more-so when superimposed over original photographs ...

One question: Do you really have such a selection of colourful beads in all shapes and sizes (picture 16)?

I recently found small glass beads to be a good representation of fancy Victorian multi-faceted lamps and have since been thinking of other uses for what's on offer in my nearby bead shop!

"... so that should be fun in a 2 inch space there'll be Magnorail, Faller guide wire and tram tracks!"

I'm really interested in how you get on with this multitude of systems running in close proximity ... good luck with the experiments!

Thinking ahead:

We've seen on this forum how the Faller Car system can traverse a perpendicular railway crossing.

So my over-active imagination wonders whether eventually (one day) we will see overtaking vehicles and cyclists crisscrossing the tram tracks (etc) in ever-more realistic street scenarios ... which in turn begs-the-question, how far does the possibilities of railway or tramway modelling extend 'beyond the fence' ??

Either way - keep the updates coming - it's all very inspiring

Period colour can be so difficult to gauge in the absence of definitive records.

I think your approach of thorough research combined with informed reflection (eg: "..I also realized that it made a lot of sense: In a place like this you'll want things to be as light as possible.") is the only way to progress with such projects.

Either way, just to add my vote of appreciation for your work. every post you present to this forum is sublime.

My respects,

Mark

I absolutely love the way the contours of your baseboards follow an outline bordered by geographical features rather than the usual perpendiculars. It really is quite refreshing.

It makes for something clearly more visually engaging than the average layout and there's a certain 'tantalising tease' about how it's going to look further down-the-line.

One of my favourite threads to follow

That platform surface certainly looks good - especially finished in a greyish tone - rather than brown, which the real thing so often is not.

Sorry to be dim - but I looked through the Evergreen PDF catalogue and couldn't see planking, can you point me in the right direction (or reference number please?).

Thanks

But what is the the true story about Aunt Augusta? Could that skull really be her ... ?

I guess we'll just have to wait for the next exciting episode from The Farthings

Meanwhile: I have to say you're a great story-teller Mikkel and you really know how to bring life and character to the figures on your layout. I enjoy your imaginative stories and your skill at translating that into exquisite pictorial cameos.

I'd be upset too Missy... for me it's not so much the initial disappointment with the product you received, but the indifferent and unhelpful response to your complaint. It's very poor customer relations and I think they could have handled it better.

I'd be inclined to pick up the phone to Shapeways and ask how you could have supplied the plans differently so that you won't be disappointed next time ... I'd also point out (nicely) how their email reads so negatively and does them no favours.

In broader balance, I'd also say to you Missy that as someone who is at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of fine-scale modelling, it's perhaps inevitable that from time-to-time you'll come up against a few trials and tribulations - you go places no one has been before - and from that perspective you mustn't get downhearted when something doesn't work first time. You're paving the way for those that will follow and that earns much respect from me.

All the best,

Mark

I very much like it Pete:

Lack of clutter ('less is more'), clearly signposted, strong font contrasted nicely with dark grey (not black) background and excellent photography plus your wonderful sketches and plans.

There are two things that make me 'repeat visit' such websites -

(1) Inspiration (which you offer aplenty), and

(2) Tutorials or similar 'How I Did This' type articles of one sort or another ... and that was one thing I couldn't find. I know there is a link to RMWeb - but that's to the website in general rather than your blog in particular - and if I wasn't familiar with the virtual geography, I'd be a bit frustrated at being made to work to find where your blog was. Just thought I'd mention it

Website bookmarked

Really impressive work, the results in the picture you've posted of a run in situ on your layout is delightful, and in my view well worth the 'eternity' it is taking you!

But how on earth do you solder such small parts? Like do you use a particularly small iron? Perhaps you use soldering paste rather than the usual stuff on a roll? I wouldn't know where to start and am very interested to read what techniques you have used and of lessons learned.

Either way, I take my hat off to you

First time I've seen your blog and so I've just done a big catch-up on previous posts ... there's some seriously impressive work going here. Your ballasting (both yard and mainline) particularly caught my eye. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on future updates for any hints and tips I can pick up ...

Yikes! Some trials and tribulations there Peter.

I had similar disappointments when working on my Frankland tram track - I know how protracted and frustrating this sort of process can be.

It looks like it's starting to work-out for you now and hopefully will be worth the effort in the long-run

Just one thing though - with those egg-shaped trees I still can't get away from thinking I'm looking at an episode of the 60s series 'The Prisoner' ... I keep expecting one of them to start bouncing around and chasing me down the road!

Those' trees' made of paper/polystyrene are totally surreal - like something out of the 60s series 'The Prisoner' gone mad!

But I get where you're coming from in terms of mapping out before you commit.

Always good to see an update on Moorswater

Looking at the window configuration I initially I thought it was one of the older Glasgow trams - but it's not.

So what is it ... ?

Great video - I particularly like the view from the pedestrian crossing looking towards the bridge as the trams sweep majestically around the curve.

But then I suddenly wondered whether there was sufficient clearance on the curve for your G&I tram, with it's longer length, to pass another tram coming the other way? Probably a daft question or covered elsewhere ... but I have to ask

I also like your Mechanics Institute and the reasoning behind it - all those little details help set the scene, as do the the little markers across the road indicating the pedestrian crossing.

Absolutely exquisite (and that's just the drawing - the point rodding is even more impressive!)

How do you solder such small parts? A particularly small iron and tip - or is it just a normal iron and plenty of practice?

'Delicious, Exquisite and Sublime'

*****

Frankland Echo

'Masterful Filmmaking'

The Frankland Light Service

I think that's an excellent approach, especially the step of 'stippling' the clay. Very effective.

Certainly something I'll be keeping in mind for future reference.

That was me asking for an overview - so thanks, much appreciated.

Pictures of layouts are one thing, but I always like to put them together in my mind's eye in the context of a layout plan or something so I can picture how the finished product sits together

I love the terminal building - nicely observed and executed, and just my thing.

I've not come across this layout before. A search turned up a few entries - but I couldn't find a broad over-view or trackplan (I like to picture in my head how everything sits together) ... any chance of one some time?

I'll be keeping my eye on this layout in future

Happy Christmas Missy!

Great pictures - That Photoshopping looks pretty professional to me