Not a layout - but railway modelling

[Bufferstop]

If you want a job done give it to a busy man!! I'm sure you'll soon lick those members into shape.

[Dave]

At our AGM last night I tried to some support for a 'Silver Fox Island' come 'Bride Bay' layout, but apathy rules. Driving home I thought "stuff em, I will build one for my Grandkids instead"

Make it good and they'll eventually see the light when it gets more invites to exhibitions than they have for other stuff.

Currently producing a Plan and costings that I will submit to the committee at next weeks meeting. I am happy to build it for the Club if they pay for the materials, if not I will buy the stuff myself and build it at the Club nights anyway

[Dad-1]

I shall be disqualified, but it's the thought that counts !
Alex is running a Spring 2018 modelling 'Event', he says to start at the
beginning of May. Tough as I've already started what I said I'd enter, and
I don't have time, or inclination to do another project.

As a result I'll put photographs and description of what and why here, the
ideal place as the heading says "Not a layout, but railway modelling"
I was tired of making wagons and ancillary bits and pieces, then when in the
shed I noted a rather mouldy looking piece of ply. The though crossed my mind
of making a country scene, not even including any trace of railway, but having
room for an almost completed cottage and greenhouse.



In our hobby roomy the greenhouse model was sitting by a small length of code 75
track. An immediate change of plan, how about the end of a siding where there
would be just enough space for a single wagon.



You so often hear moans about the Peco sleeper spacing and I know a pal Dave had
once cut the under sleeper web and opened out the spacing. This was such a short
length I decided to give it a try, using a length of SMP track for spacing measurement



Something of a slow process and not a thing I'd ever do on a layout, but leave you to
judge.
It was at this point where Alex's competition was noted by me, but sorry I just can't
stop, or go backwards !

Pt.2 already for typing in.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

If you don't try a few different ideas the whole experience could become
boring, sleeper spacing is O.K, but something was missing from a Diorama
to be called "Country Living", WATER, I do like trying to add some.

Extending the build wasn't a problem, Alex may almost forgive me.
A stream was decided on, over the road on a stick-on extension to the
480 x 187 mm original board. That stream would have to be lowered well
below basic board datum.



Three layers of ply made up into a sandwich will be stuck across the front



All the sharp cut edges will be smoothed out using a layer of plaster, plus
all being well, a large tree on the streams bank.



Finally when looking at these photographs I became more aware that Dapol have
not included hooks on their milk tanks. To really improve the look in photographs
I intend adding a hook and 3 link coupling, at one, if not both ends. It's easy
enough to snap in & out the functional Bachmann small tension-lock couplings
when wanted to run in a train.



More to follow as this progresses.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

I need to keep pushing this along regardless of that 1st May start.

Wanting to add a stream meant attaching a front extension, this is
now screwed and glued into place. O.K so a couple of screws in that
road will need covering when the stream banks are profiled with plaster.





I have loads of drilling holes in matchsticks to come, with additional
fencing along the water meadow edge.

I can no longer eat cheese, but I can make use of that turntable while
I try to see if there is a definite viewing angle.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Slightly more done .....



Grass laying started, more to do tonight.



Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

My stream banks with basic grass covering and sitting on
the stream base are the patches of water weed that will
become embedded into the Aqua Magic (I hope)



That tree is only an average 'decent size' tree standing some
245 mm from it's roots, or just over 60 foot high. Trees of
over 80 feet are quite common with giants getting to 100 feet,
or more. You rarely see good size trees on 4 mm scale layouts,
or dioramas.

Sorry Alex, forget our competition (Challenge) 1st May start as
only by starting early will I have the time to get finished by the
end of June.

Geoff T.

[TimberSurf]

Trees of over 80 feet are quite common with giants getting to 100 feet,
or more. You rarely see good size trees on 4 mm scale layouts, or dioramas.
Geoff T.

I am not surprised if you need 10ft thick plywood to support them!

[railwayjim]

Nice to see a scale sized large tree Geoff, not many model them
as you say, but you have pulled it off on this one.

Looking good.

Jim.

[Mountain]

It is looking nice.

[PinkNosedPenguin]

A lovely looking diorama .
And interesting discussion about tree heights - I think you are right that trees are usually far taller than modeled. But sometimes you just have to go with what looks right rather than was technically is. For example, we often have to place telegraph poles much closer together than scale distance so that the eye sees them as 'connected' (assuming they aren't actually connected by wire!). Having said that I think your tree looks a very comfortable height. I'm now wondering how I will get on with my newly adopted scale (7mm) - trees would be enormous compared to my previous N gauge ones

[Dad-1]

Hi PNP,

7 mm Ehh ...... Perhaps Acers in small planting pots ?
Trouble with that the leaves will be out of scale !!

No, I reckon a moorland scenery the only way.

Geoff T.

[Dad-1]

Not been able to do much on this for a few weeks.
Tonight I fixed another length of fencing, but not visible in
this photo.



The 12 ton van is something that's gone through while the diorama was
awaiting my attention.

Geoff T.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

Watching this being built, you could, if you wanted to, is build a whole layout this way

manna

[Dad-1]

Hi Manna, Thanks for looking in.

Using the principal of a fixed section of track, best if it's simple. One could
easily have detachable and interchangeable 'fields' that slot into place alongside.
Something larger than my Shillingstones Lane, that starts at page 5 of this thread.

Joins are the main problem, but easily hidden by having joins in a ditch, or building
side. Bite sized projects are great fun as you can experiment without any fear of
messing up a large fixed layout.

Geoff T.