surf1845's N-Gauge Layout

surf1845 · Post by **surf1845** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:10 pm

I'm building a freelance n gauge layout. Its my first ever attempt at model railways. Basically its a twice round loop and eventually there will be a siding into an industrial area. I've got British, Japanese and American models so I'm not sure which direction its going to take. I'm not following any prototype as I
don't have much knowledge of the subject.

I'll post more pics as I get them.

Les

cold-ash · Post by **cold-ash** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:28 pm

That looks great Les. Like the rock face.

Raider · Post by **Raider** » Sat May 13, 2006 9:42 pm

Looks good - why not start a thread in the Personal Layouts section so that we can follow your progress

Chris

Tepic · Post by **Tepic** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:06 pm

First attempt? Geeze. I pray my first "proper" attempt will be that good.

Ironduke · Post by **Ironduke** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:12 am

Yeah great work, Les.

Dave777 · Post by **Dave777** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:07 am

Very impressive indeed. Can you tell me how you did the retaining wall? The effect looks excellent.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:54 am

Les

A nice layout and great looking trees.

Would you like me to move it to the personal layouts section, would make for an interesting thread, and you can post your progress then as you go along.

Pete
(wearing my moderator hat)

surf1845 · Post by **surf1845** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:08 pm

Wow! I didn't think I'd get so many replies!
Pete, what can I say? By all means move it. The only thing is I don't get a lot of time to work on the layout so progress may be slow.
Dave, I scratchbuilt the retaining walls from Heki embossed foam sheets. The product no is 70112N. There are 2 in a pack and I paid 4.50euro (about Â£3) per pack. They come in redbrick too. The walls have been painted black and dry brushed since that photo was taken.
Likewise I made the trees from twigs and another Heki product (No 1631). Its a bit like sea foam. I drilled tiny holes in the twigs, broke off bits of the Heki stuff and laboriously glued them in place. I was pleased with the result. I LOVE this hobby!
Thanks for the comments everybody.

Les

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:45 pm

Les

Hope I moved all the right bits over.

Regards

Pete

transrail · Post by **transrail** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:51 pm

Wow! I'm really impressed. Keep those pics coming!

Although.....

surf1845 wrote:

Those Japanese locos look a little different to British outline models.

Mark.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:30 pm

Hi Les, great photos.

So how big is the layout overall?

And how did you make the cork bark look so realistic as rocks?

surf1845 · Post by **surf1845** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:01 pm

Don't be silly Mark, I haven't fitted the wheels yet!!!

Hi Derek,

The layout is approx 7ft X 3.5ft.

I hot glued the bark to the styrofoam and filled in the gaps with stiff plaster. After that I got my acryllics and painted on a few weak washes of raw sienna, burnt sienna, raw umber, burnt umber, black and white. When it was dry I dry brushed the whole thing with white. Easy peasy. If I can do it ( I'm colourblind) anyone can do it.

Thanks Pete.

Les

matzo · Post by **matzo** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:42 pm

joshing_man · Post by **joshing_man** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:53 pm

Superb effort.

I feel really inadequate now and wish my modelling skills were as good as yours!

Andrew

surf1845 · Post by **surf1845** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:02 pm

Hi Andrew,

you shouldn't feel inadequate. I'm a total beginner at this and have had so many disasters! I just keep trying though and eventually things start to look ok. When I discovered this forum and saw so many great layouts (eg Pete's), I almost gave up. I was amazed at the realism of some of them and thought that I could never come up to their standard. I still think like that but Im having so much fun it doesn't bother me as much.

Cheers,

Les