LNERW1 Posted August 22, 2024 Posted August 22, 2024 Ballast looks better than mine... yours isn't covering the sleepers anyway! Pond looks great too. Congrats on making any progress at all. I know I haven't.
derek Posted August 23, 2024 Posted August 23, 2024 22 hours ago, Metrovik said: I used this stuff, https://www.marksmodels.com/?pid=46076 purely because it seemed a lot less confusing than All the different types of woodland scenics water and most importantly because it was right beside the ballast glue on the shelf. Sheesh, never came across that stuff before. It does look a lot simpler than the W/S stuff ok. Oh well, I have it now so I am gonna use it even if it kills me. The W/S water was a lot more expensive too- 33 euro I think. And I am not too sure how much it will cover. Hopefully do my river from one box. Hopefully.............
LNERW1 Posted September 5, 2024 Posted September 5, 2024 Looking at the schedule, next post will be on my birthday! Quite a nice present tbh.
LNERW1 Posted September 29, 2024 Posted September 29, 2024 On 16/7/2024 at 2:39 PM, DJ Dangerous said: You're way off with the prototypical sign: That went over my head the first time I read it…
LNERW1 Posted October 25, 2024 Posted October 25, 2024 (edited) I'll be seeing you on Sunday anyway, but for the benefit of those not so lucky, any news on the layout? Edited October 25, 2024 by LNERW1 -looks at typo, sees typo, posts anyway.
Metrovik Posted January 7 Author Posted January 7 Oh my god, it was August when I last posted a "monthly" progress report..... While it has been a very long time, being snowed in has allowed me to make some very decent progress. Firstly the plan has changed somewhat. The layout is now set firmly on the Waterford and tramore railway and despite looking nothing like either of the stations is a rough (emphasis on rough) representation of a scaled down Tramore station. (New layout name: Trá beag?) To reflect Tramore station a bit more accurately, I got rid of that ugly flat roof and added a second storey. The real world ain't flat so similarly to the actual station I'll be adding grass behind the platform and beside the running line. Does anyone know can you apply static grass directly to a wooden baseboard? And finally I have managed to assemble a somewhat prototypicalish W&T passenger train. Let's hope next month comes a bit sooner eh? 16
LNERW1 Posted January 7 Posted January 7 30 minutes ago, Metrovik said: Does anyone know can you apply static grass directly to a wooden baseboard? It’s probably best to unify the surface below the grass- this is an assumption however and not out of experience. Painting all surfaces that will have grass on them with a dark brown paint should give a realistic base colour that looks like soil and a more uniform texture. Another tip I’ve heard- pretty obvious but still important- is to use more than one colour of grass, and keep in mind what time of year your layout is set. Hope this helps. 1
Noel Posted January 7 Posted January 7 2 hours ago, Metrovik said: Does anyone know can you apply static grass directly to a wooden baseboard? Yes you can and I’ve done it, but it is better to have base boards primed with undercoat paint or a sealer. Track underlay, ballast pva and static grass bind to it better. Many folks paint a dark brown colour under their static grass which gives an earthy soil look if there are any bare bits and also better bonding for the PVA. Unsealed wood just soaks up vast amounts of PVA. Looking good. Nice project. Frequently folks apply static grass to plaster cloth land scape shapes, banks, embankments, hills, etc, which its white so painting brown before static grass avoid ‘white’ bleed through any bare patches of grass. Baseboard being wood helps as it’s already brownish. 2
Galteemore Posted January 7 Posted January 7 Gordon Gravett also recommends a coating of scatter crumb before static application. This adds body and depth to the grass. 1 1 1
Mol_PMB Posted January 7 Posted January 7 I use a surface coating mix of artex plaster, PVA and brown poster paint, and then on the final layer I sprinkle on the finest grade of brown ballast to add texture. That gives a great basis for the vegetation. 14
LNERW1 Posted March 29 Posted March 29 On 7/1/2025 at 5:54 PM, Metrovik said: Oh my god, it was August when I last posted a "monthly" progress report..... While it has been a very long time, being snowed in has allowed me to make some very decent progress. Firstly the plan has changed somewhat. The layout is now set firmly on the Waterford and tramore railway and despite looking nothing like either of the stations is a rough (emphasis on rough) representation of a scaled down Tramore station. (New layout name: Trá beag?) To reflect Tramore station a bit more accurately, I got rid of that ugly flat roof and added a second storey. The real world ain't flat so similarly to the actual station I'll be adding grass behind the platform and beside the running line. Does anyone know can you apply static grass directly to a wooden baseboard? And finally I have managed to assemble a somewhat prototypicalish W&T passenger train. Let's hope next month comes a bit sooner eh? Next month did not, in fact, come sooner. However you are still beating me on progress. My last update was me whinging about burnout- I think. So again you’re beating me out at least. 1
Metrovik Posted June 30 Author Posted June 30 (edited) These progress reports are becoming bi-yearly..... As you can see, Tramore now has civilization! Obviously still needs painting weathering and detailing, but that's a nice job. A small makeshift backscene has also been added in the shape of a painting of Strand Road. While it still looks nothing like the real location, I think it captures the feel. Right now I'm trying to choose a colour for the terraced houses. I'm leaning towards the top brown for the main walls and the lighter grey for the sills etc. All I'm certain of is that the yellow is definitely out! I'm quite happy with this scratchbuilt facade of the "Hotel De Luxe" (formerly the Marine hotel and now the Sands) especially considering the limited reference photos I had to work from. I'm probably going to paint this in the lighter grey. All but one came from that faithful day in 1947 when the engine didn't stop. And that one comes from a totally different era.... Anyway enough of that. I now have a deadline on the Horizon. An Exhibition! (well sort of.) Edited June 30 by Metrovik Typo 8
Mol_PMB Posted June 30 Posted June 30 Very nice work on the buildings! They look like two different incidents to me. 560 and 555 appear to be opposite ways round yet each off the track in the middle of the road. 560 is on my list to build (in post-W&T condition) and I do like a loco that's been in a bit of an incident! 1
Metrovik Posted June 30 Author Posted June 30 6 minutes ago, Mol_PMB said: Very nice work on the buildings! They look like two different incidents to me. 560 and 555 appear to be opposite ways round yet each off the track in the middle of the road. 560 is on my list to build (in post-W&T condition) and I do like a loco that's been in a bit of an incident! Sorry I probably should have zoomed out the picture. 555 is on a rescue mission! 5
Mol_PMB Posted June 30 Posted June 30 2 minutes ago, Metrovik said: Sorry I probably should have zoomed out the picture. 555 is on a rescue mission! Ah, wonderful - many thanks! 2
derek Posted July 1 Posted July 1 Well holy God! Look who's back. Great to see an update @Metrovik. You have been busy. Buildings look great. Will the hotel be getting a roof? Why don't you mix up the colours of the buildings..... 2
Metrovik Posted July 1 Author Posted July 1 2 hours ago, derek said: Well holy God! Look who's back. Great to see an update @Metrovik. You have been busy. Buildings look great. Will the hotel be getting a roof? Why don't you mix up the colours of the buildings..... A roof will certainly be added to the hotel, I'm just procrastinating. The two terraced houses have currently received their identical first coat of brown but I the details like the sills, doors etc, will probably be unique. 2
Metrovik Posted July 14 Author Posted July 14 How small can something be to still count as a diorama? Undertook a bit of static grass practice today (big step!) and I'm happy enough with the results although I'd say they'd not be up to the high standards on here. It looks ok though? (photo less traction engine) 10 1
David Holman Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Small as you like! Nice excuse for a bit of creativity to show off (and enhance) a favourite model.
Metrovik Posted August 12 Author Posted August 12 Roughly a month, right on schedule. Somehow, and against all odds alot has happened. Buildings have been painted, static grass has been added and the full Tramore signalling setup has been completed. And here it is. Well, they only had 1. But it is working! It's a 3d print file available for free on thingiverse painted by myself and I have to say I'm very pleased. Following this alot of static grass was added to the field at the front of the layout. While it's a bit plain for now I'd like to add plenty more greenery and shrubs to give the impression of "Bad land" as the farmers would say. Unfortunately, I've run out of Ballast but at least the tracks themselves are complete, I just need to apply it between the running lines.. now also serves as a good opportunity to point out that the "pond" in the top left is no longer a hideous mess, well, it's not too bad anyway. Just need to get my hands on some fishing wire and I can add some fencing and telegraph poles. The station backdrop of sorts is complete also. Hopefully the foliage up the side of the station can mask the fact it's an engine shed! I've been waiting ages to do something like this, (inspired by @jhb171achill) September 17th 1950 an unidentified J-26 stands at Tramore station awaiting the signal drop to proceed to Manor station. (Ignore the north eastern livery!) Anyway. I've done an awfully big ramble about comparatively little work but I do think that the layout is on schedule to be ready for its first outing! Probably needs legs first though......... 15
DJ Dangerous Posted August 12 Posted August 12 On 14/7/2025 at 8:27 PM, Metrovik said: How small can something be to still count as a diorama? Undertook a bit of static grass practice today (big step!) and I'm happy enough with the results although I'd say they'd not be up to the high standards on here. It looks ok though? (photo less traction engine) Aside from all of the hard work on the layout, that diorama is fabulous. 1
Metrovik Posted Sunday at 18:27 Author Posted Sunday at 18:27 (edited) Slightly late, but it's that time of the month again. Firstly I now hate telegraph poles. These things look good but I think I've taken years off my life getting them to stand up (not to mention stay up....) Don't even get me started on the fishing wire for the fencing...... Quite proud of my little fordson N as well. These little tractors had a long lifespan so while it would have been approaching 20 years old at this point, its possible for it to still be going strong in the 50s/60s! Far from perfect, I know but I like this little machine all the same. I've taken the liberty of adding a little bit of character to the Heads hunt, it's now the siding of Tramore racecourse, Horse traffic was prominent on the line in reality so I think a connection to the racecourse is stretching it too much... Some foliage has been added to the field also. Just need to add the gravel to the unloading area and we're good to go. Also excuse the mess, progress ain't tidy for me.... In just under 1 weeks time the Layout will be exhibiting at The Dunshaughlin harvest festival! Looking forward to operating at my first exhibition. With alot of help from @LNERW1. Other members of this forum as well as other layouts should be there too so, If you're in the area next weekend, we'd love to meet more members of this forum. It would be nice to put a face to the profile pic! And finally, a distant view of a train departing. ( It's the wrong livery so it must have time traveled or something.) Well I say departing. The train is the entire length of the layout and it's stuck in the Head shunt so it can't go anywhere...... Anyway, that's another monthly ramble over. Roll on next week! Edited Sunday at 18:29 by Metrovik Spelling 7
derek Posted Sunday at 18:37 Posted Sunday at 18:37 Love the last pic, @Metrovik. This layout has really come on leaps and bounds. Great stuff 1 1
LNERW1 Posted Sunday at 20:26 Posted Sunday at 20:26 (edited) A couple shots I got... A poor attempt at airbrushing out the (real) window: A much nicer shot of the genesis coaches under the roof: A shot slightly to the left of that, with a different train present: And left again, with yet another train and a huge giant fiddling with something near the end of the platform: I think you'll all agree the layout's looking stunning. Can't wait to operate it next weekend. Edited Sunday at 20:27 by LNERW1 10
Metrovik Posted Sunday at 20:50 Author Posted Sunday at 20:50 20 minutes ago, LNERW1 said: A couple shots I got... A poor attempt at airbrushing out the (real) window: A much nicer shot of the genesis coaches under the roof: A shot slightly to the left of that, with a different train present: And left again, with yet another train and a huge giant fiddling with something near the end of the platform: I think you'll all agree the layout's looking stunning. Can't wait to operate it next weekend. Looking at these shots makes me want to fix alot of the station interior.... I need those paving stones to lie down.... 1
LNERW1 Posted Monday at 06:08 Posted Monday at 06:08 9 hours ago, Metrovik said: Looking at these shots makes me want to fix alot of the station interior.... I need those paving stones to lie down.... Most people won’t be seeing the inside, really all that needs to be fixed is the platform edge. 1
Galteemore Posted Monday at 07:26 Posted Monday at 07:26 Yes, quick smear of PVA on a fingertip should sort. Looks a great setup and some nice atmospheric shots by @LNERW1 show it off nicely 1 1 1
Patrick Davey Posted Monday at 10:04 Posted Monday at 10:04 Looking great John - love the views inside the train shed! 1
derek Posted Monday at 19:03 Posted Monday at 19:03 8 hours ago, Patrick Davey said: Looking great John - love the views inside the train shed! Totally agree. That shot inside is smashing 1
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