RedRich

To be honest David it looks a lot more tidier than my kitchen table when I am doing a bit of work. My storage area is a bit like doctors hand writing, only I can understand it. The static grass applicator seems to be an invaluable piece of kit to any owners that I have talked to, and I must invest in one sometime. I take it that the plastic containers in front of the layout contained many a good curry at one time. Looks a nice space to work in and enjoy the layout. After seeing pics of Georges porakabin, I may well go down that route if I can find one that ticks all the boxes. Thanks for sharing. Rich,

That's the definitive photo to show the difference Fran. I am thinking about how amazing an SD70 would look in 00. How does the Mehano model square up to the Bachmann one. Rich,

Cheers George Rich,

Nice loco Fran, I think there is a nod in the direction of the HST class 43 and a bit of a class 67 in the design. I take it that the Colas class 70's will be the same as the Freightliner ones. The class 66's and 59's almost feel retro now. Rich,

Looking good Tom, nice renumbering job on 234 also. Rich,

Really enjoyed the video Eamonn. I've been a fan of Tara Junction for a long time and love seeing Noels updates. Seeing trains moving on it is fabulous. I've watched it myself a few times and top marks again for A39 she looks great. Rich,

David The Art of Weathering is a Bible for anyone dipping their toes into the weathering pool. The colour pics of the 7mm models at the end of the book are still my favourite pics of models in any scale, your own would give them a good run for their money though. I love his eureka moment when he accidentally spills some paint into the mix whilst searching for that silver hue in weathered wood, pure class. As you say Gordon Gravett is at the forefront of his field of scenic modelling. Although there is no substitute for honing your own skills I think these books teach the reader a lot more than videos do. Barry Norman is a fantastic modeller also. I remember seeing one of his creations once portraying a mucky walkway between fields and imagining shoes sinking into the mud. Rich,

Super work George. Doing the extra bit of work on the roof of the MIR kit makes a huge difference, can't be to many kit's around now. The An Post vans are smashing and who better than Eamonn to cast a critical eye over them in his post. Rich,

I don't even think Lenny Henry could come up with anything more zany Pat. Rich,

Building finescale track is a book that anyone taking the plunge shouldn't be without. As you say Pat very easy going and intuitive at the same time. Rich,

I'd definitely be interested George, I think it's a great suggestion. Rich,

Depending on how heavily they were thinned could cause changes to the shade of paint John. The type of thinners also needs to be of a type that wouldn't attack the material of the structure of the model. Looking at a model in differing degrees of light, early morning, evening, indoors, outdoors and things do begin to take on a different hue. I agree with the gloss finish on models, however if you have painted the model yourself a gloss finish can be a great aid to adding different mediums of weathering. Of course when it is weathered you can give it a satin or dull coat to get the finish you require. I read a great piece on using authentic paints from Ian Rathbone years ago and it was truly eye opening. Rich,

With the amount of great info in this thread it has made me have more sympathy with manufacturers of models. It must be an absolute nightmare trying to come up with a near or perfect shade of colour. Colour is the one thing that is difficult to scale down whatever the scale. If the model that Pat has mentioned (I have the book) was painted would it have been thinned down to a ratio in scale with the model. If so would it have been an exact shade to the original. Once again very interesting subject, I look forward to more. Rich,

Great fun. It's like the Sweeney, the A Team, and an American b movie all in one. Rich,

That will change pretty soon Vincent when DCC operations start on the layout. This where the real fun begins. Rich,

Lovely stuff Karl, things are really moving forward. Keep us posted. Rich,

Looks good Stephen. The tarmac is very effective. The fact that the scenic work is being tackled now must be a great incentive to push on, time permitting of course. Richie is definitely the man to go to for anything railway architectural. That water tower looks sweet. Rich,

David thanks again for sharing this with us, as railway modeller's we all need inspiration and this is truly inspiring. Your modesty deserves mention also. I really look forward to updates and can't wait for the next instalment. Rich,

There was a conductor on the Browns Road bus service in Waterford well into the eighties John. When we were kids we used to call him Elvis. Jet black hair slicked back, he was a lovely man. When conductors started being withdrawn from services there was an outcry from the commuters that used the bus and he stayed on the service until he retired, He was the last conductor to work in Waterford if not Ireland. Rich,

All the great artists have suffered for their art, and that is why it is so good, as is yours. Keep em coming. Rich,

Fantastic work on the wagons Nelson. The weathering on the brown van is very effective, and the photos are good enough to grace one of the monthly modelling mags. Rich,

Cheers Fran that will be very interesting. Rich,

Top marks for the work on the buffer beam and draw hook housing. I love the scene with 082 and 171, very atmospheric as Des has said. Rich,

Great pics as usual Wanderer. 086 was always one of my favourites. I must get out and track her down myself for some pics. She looks cool with the orange and black door. If it is the same door, it has appeared on a few of the 071's in the silver and black livery. Rich,

Great piece of story telling John. There is nothing like first hand memories of times gone by. If I close my eyes I can visualise it and that is what makes it so special.. Rich,