Bob229 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Superb must agree the bridge is excellent and so is the signal box great detail 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Great work, Paddy. The LED strips are great for layout lighting. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Savage stuff. The signal box looks the business. Without doubt, my favourite era. This shot says it all... 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ballinacraig Posted March 8, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2023 A long overdue update. There have been two major developments since I last posted. I have finally finished the overbridge, modelled on the one at Esmonde Street in Gorey. I'm more than happy with how this bridge has turned out. I have plans to give it some ivy coverage at some stage, but for now I'll leave it and move on to the next project. I have completed a row of shops/commercial buildings for Main Street. When I started these I didn't anticipate them to take as long to complete as they did, but I wanted this street scene to be as realistic as possible, and I've found that recreating all the aspects of a building really does bring them to life. I have added interior detail and lighting, which I think really adds to the realism. All four buildings are modelled on real-life counterparts, which can be seen in the pics below. The Centra and Malones Bookshop are models of adjacent shops on Main Street in Wicklow town. The Post Office is a model of the one on Main Street, Bray. The Bank of Ireland is a model of the one on Main Street, Gorey. Some of the bank is not modelled, but this will be rendered on the back scene as a forced perspective continuation, when I finally get round to that area. I have used some artistic license when building these, because I use Google Street View as my primary reference tool, and the earliest images I can obtain are from 2009, therefore I have to assume and hope that the building looked the same 4/5 years earlier. I have already planned what the opposite row of shops will be, but up next is the embankment scenery, which I'm looking forward to, as I get to try out my new static grass applicator! Paddy 20 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Davey Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Love this - great prototypes and wonderful workmanship! Great to see this update Paddy, looking forward to more. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Have you also used the arklow road bridge for inspiration? the one you go over before esmonde street if on a train going into gorey. as someone who passes under these bridges every day i really do think you have captured the essence of both of them excellently depending on what photo I am looking at. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tullygrainey Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) Wonderful stuff! Your attention to detail is a joy - the window displays and interiors really convince. Some very skilled modelling here. The bridge isn’t bad either Edited March 8, 2023 by Tullygrainey 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Snail Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 There's a real sense of authenticity from these - looks brilliant! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymurph Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Simply amazing modeling, thanks for sharing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 There’s a classic and subtle Irish vibe about this - the main st running under the bridge recalls quite a few real life locations. 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Oozes atmosphere. Even in its part built condition, everything just looks right. Little things like the road surface/colour, line markings and so on. Super buildings and there is something about that bridge which just sets the whole scene. Lovely modelling! 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 On 8/3/2023 at 5:15 PM, Sean said: Have you also used the arklow road bridge for inspiration? the one you go over before esmonde street if on a train going into gorey. as someone who passes under these bridges every day i really do think you have captured the essence of both of them excellently depending on what photo I am looking at. No, I exclusively used the Esmonde Street bridge as my main reference, Sean. Although, I was aware of the Arklow Road bridge from previous visits to Gorey. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 Its deadly, from the side with the billboard and the 071 picture angle due to the left turn and embankments its a real reminder of the arklow bridge. the shots where you are standing street level looking straight under the bridge is 100% esmonde street with the small few shops just to be seen underneath the bridge. I showed these photos to my parents a few months ago when you were at an earlier stage and they were able to tell me the location without any prompts, they are not railway people. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonB Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 One word... Stunning. The attention to detail is first class. This is modelling at it's best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ballinacraig Posted August 24, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 24, 2023 Latest update, and a special word of thanks to my brother, John for the photography. There has been quite a bit of progress from my last update in March. I managed to finish the embankment scenery. This took quite a bit of time, as it was my first time using static grass, and I ended up removing a couple of early attempts, before I got a finish I was happy with. I used four different static grass lengths and colours, which were added in layers using the layering spray technique. A new row of buildings have been completed for Main Street. Three of these are based on real-life counterparts - Wades Pharmacy and ML Leacy & Sons in Gorey, and Cavanaghs bar in Sligo Bar in Sligo. Although, I have used artistic license to change ML Leacy & Sons from a Tailors to a Jewellers. The Chinese Takeaway front is a Scale Model Scenery kit, and the Boyle Sports Bookmakers is based on many such premises that can be found around Ireland. I have added extensive detailing to the station area, including lamp posts, signage, seating and some flowers. The walls on this station side of the track have now been glued into place, and gates have been added at various points. This leaves only a few bits and pieces left to finish for the station, such as footbridge repair and painting, fixing in place the far platform walls and station building, and some painting and weathering to various parts of the station area I have set the plan out for the goods yard. This involved laying track for two sidings and building the shells for all the buildings/structures. I am basing the goods yard on the one at Arklow. My goods yard in Ballinacraig would once have extended further, but Irish Rail sold off a sizable chunk of it in the late 90s to a local haulage and distribution company, who have since built a large warehouse. I have built the shells for the rear of the houses that run up to the goods yard from Main Street. These are Metcalfe card kits, but I will be painting and adding all new detailing elements to these over time. There will be gardens added to the rear of these houses, which will stretch down to the railway embankment. I have also started to build the frame of the buildings at the far right end of Ballinacraig. These will be the back of shops that the line will pass under via a tunnel. It will eventually loosely resemble the tunnel mouth at the southern end of Enniscorthy station, which passes under the town. Paddy 22 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob229 Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Hi Paddy, lots of progress great work and detail fantastic layout, just wondering where did you get the platforms lamps? thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted August 24, 2023 Author Share Posted August 24, 2023 37 minutes ago, Bob229 said: Hi Paddy, lots of progress great work and detail fantastic layout, just wondering where did you get the platforms lamps? thanks Thanks, Bob. They are all scratch built from bits of plastic sprues and wiring. I spent ages looking for similar donor lamps online, but there just wasn't anything close available, so I made my own. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabhal Luimnigh Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 That is fabulous detail Paddy, fair dues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARNE CABIN Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Some absolutely stunning work there Paddy. The detail in the street scenes is amazing. The shop fronts are so close to real life that you almost think you are looking at a real life photograph. Congratulations on some terrific work. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Snail Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Wow! It looks fabulous and very realistic!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Wonderful modeling and photography. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this layout. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishrailwayman Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Great modelling. Are you planning to exhibit this layout? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie10646 Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Your urban scenic work is absolutely brilliant. Heartiest congratulations. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 13 hours ago, Irishrailwayman said: Great modelling. Are you planning to exhibit this layout? Thanks. No, it is a permanent fixture in my garage, unfortunately 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiacra Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 Outstanding layout! The bridge in particular is stunning - how was the stonework created? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballinacraig Posted August 25, 2023 Author Share Posted August 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Fiacra said: Outstanding layout! The bridge in particular is stunning - how was the stonework created? Thanks, Fiacra. The main stonework was created using Slaters 7mm dressed stone sheets of plastikard. The coping stones were created by applying Polyfilla over balsa wood strips. Polyfilla is very easy to shape and score once set. 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted August 27, 2023 Share Posted August 27, 2023 Tasty. Very tasty indeed! Apart from the obvious fine modelling, it is the colour that does it for me, because it just looks so right. The view through the bridge to the row of shops is sublime. 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Dangerous Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Absolutely lovely stuff here! I agree with the sentiments of everybody, the layout, the scenery, the era, the background modelling, the Tinnelly truck hiding by the warehouse, the main street, the bridge, the platform lamps, the photography and videography, everything is top notch. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Ballinacraig Posted July 22 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 22 Apologies for the lack of updates, but due to work commitments I was unable to get much done on the layout for over 7 months. However, the last four or five months have been more fruitful, and I've managed to make some progress on the goods yard area behind the station. I was planning to wait until the whole area was finished before I uploaded some photos, but my brother is home for a week or two, and he took some nice shots with his camera, and I couldn't resist sharing them. I should be able to finish the entire area, including the goods shed and oil tanks, over the next month or two, so I'll post some photos when I'm done. Paddy 15 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Dangerous Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Ice Cold in Ballinacraig - worth waiting for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galteemore Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Really looks the business. Not overdone with fussy details but just enough signature pieces that show this is an Irish layout. Excellent work. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achill Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 This is just amazing. One of the most realistic I've ever seen. As others say, the colour and lighting and street scene detail are just on another level. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabhal Luimnigh Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Brilliant, really nice, well done you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 Yes- excellent work. Love the details everywhere and the brother does a great job with the photos too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 That really is very nice indeed. Lovely work and great photos too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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