The Brickworks - some more updates

[Sulzer201]

I tried adding on a further loop to the layout and off the loop I've tried running a short siding which rises up a steep gradient. I was thinking of adding embankments to the right hand side of the bridge which carries the siding over the loop line. If anyone has any suggestions for 'cheap' methods of building an embankment I would love any help? Thanks all.

[Sulzer201]

The new diversion line and siding continue to be developed, the station has now moved to this side of the layout and the siding leads to a small goods station area. All now on the 'town' side. Also did a bit of work making embankments with paper mache and a bit of tidying. The engine/carriage shed was moved down the long straights beside the church and signal box and this area is now in the ' countryside.' Will continue to work on improving the scenics as time and resources allow. Thanks for taking a look.

[ttc0169]

It's all coming together nicely Sulzer201,well done.

[Sulzer201]

Hi all, got another few bits done - diesel depot build, field/grass areas and walls being developed. The tracks are poor and need cleaning and ballasting but might try to replace some of that track.

[Sulzer201]

Another bit of running on The Brickworks, timber train needs a few more wagons and the scenics around the short branch need to be brought up to scratch. Getting there slowly though. [video=youtube_share;9oSRglYWD0g]

[heirflick]

Love 059!

[BosKonay]

Absolutely loving it - coming on in leaps and bounds - love the durt of 059!

[Sulzer201]

Thanks lads, thats that A class is down to the master's handiwork.

[Hunslet 102]

Nice video,the layout is taking shape and looking good,love hearing the clickity click of the trains going by.Your layout looks like it is in under the rafters like mine,not ideal,but when there is no other room available it soon becomes the ideal man-cave.

[Sulzer201]

Two more of the two wheel timber wagons arrived at the weekend, one at the very rear needs to be painted. Also got a bit of ballasting done and 187 has a wagon with ploughvan. A small overbridge was also added with a 'spotter' showing interest in a passing cement.

[Sulzer201]

Gave my old MIR/NIR 111 a run round the layout. She ran well on the dc line and made a lot of noise! This loco will need to be shut down and banned from late night running!

[video=youtube_share;td1lJ74JbF0]

[Sulzer201]

A bit of freight running on The Brickworks - apologies for the poor lighting but it helps hide the many imperfections!

[video=youtube_share;Q0AS6K6w8sM]http://youtu.be/Q0AS6K6w8sM

[David Holman]

Nicely weathered stock, but if I may offer mild criticism the ground cover is a very bright green in some scenes. Commercial scatter materials often do not help with this, though of the main suppliers Woodland Scenics palette is much more subtle.

[BosKonay]

i find hanging basket liner looks well, my local woodies stocks stuff with a nice colour, simply tease it apart and glue down for instant long grass

[Sulzer201]

Hi David and Stephen,

Thanks for the comments and advice and it is duly taken on board. Lots of work needed to improve the ground cover and general areas. I don't have much experience at all and operate on a minimal budget. This layout is small and basic and represents a learning curve and I will be trying to achieve incremental improvements over time while developing my own skills, to some degree. I Will source the Woodland Scenics cover and those hanging basket liners. I would also like to install more borders/fences/hedges but find them expensive enough to buy in large numbers so any suggestions on alternatives etc would also be appreciated.

[David Holman]

As the budget is tight, then a Grasstech or other static grass machine may be a step too far as they can be anything from £30 to £100, plus you will need to get the fibres too. However, a Noch puffer bottle works well in small spaces [with fibres] and is worth having a go with if you can get one.

With Woodlands, suggest sticking to the fine and medium scatter and sieve it on via a kitchen implement for more even cover. For hedges, I use rubberised horsehair [see the tutorial and workbench sections]. Even without fibres puffed on, covered with scatter it looks good. Also very effective is pan scourer type material, but make sure you tease it out really thin before adding scatter.

For bushes and hedges, your local model shop may well do pack of lichen. Often in lurid colours, it benefits from being toned down - either spray can or brushed - to an even grey brown. Then once covered with scatter [diluted PVA painted on], makes very effective bushes and shrubs. The front garden of the Georgian house on Arigna Town was done this way. In smaller scales can even pass for trees, especially at the back of the layout.

Not that long ago dyed lint, teddy bear fur, plumbers hemp, sisal etc were the basics for all scenic work and [especially in the smaller scales] are still valid today.

For larger trees, I use the wire skeleton method, with Woodlands matting for foliage. Well worth a go and any wire will do, though the soft iron [paper covered] stuff sold for flower arranging is easy to work with and a pack only costs a pound/euro or so. Covered with filler mixed with PVA for a strong but flexible bark.

Fences are indeed a problem, not least because they are so fiddly. I have a big bag on matchsticks and often use these for lineside fencing - often not bothering to put in the wire strands and nobody seems to notice!

Overall, it is easy to spend a fortune on bits and pieces, when we really want to save our cash for locos and stock. That is why a bit of DIY and creativity comes in with the scenic. Most of my buildings are made from card and when I worked in 4mm scale, much of that came from cereal packets and the like. The biggest impact on scenic is colour and texture and the moral is what my art teacher always said. 'Paint what you see, not what you think', though when modelling scenics, toning everything down a shade or two always seems to be more effective.

Keep going with your project - a look back over all the postings shows how well things are developing.

[enniscorthyman]

Great work Tommy.I am in the same boat as you when it comes to scenery.

It is a very steep learning curve,and takes time and practice.

[Sulzer201]

Hi David,

Thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed and comprehensive response. There are certainly lots of tips there and 'food for thought' too. I will begin with the Woodlands fine and medium first and then have a go at the rubberised horsehair. Trying to develop knowledge and skills just on improving the scenics is a complete hobby in it's own right! Again, I'm grateful and appreciate your advice and assistance. Tommy.

[David Holman]

One more tip is to use talcum powder to tone down colours. especially good with stock, but works almost everywhere and if you don't like it, can easily be removed. The two pics show where I needed to touch up a section on the level crossing. Stick out like a sore thumb at first, but the addition of a bit of talc blends it in nicely

[Sulzer201]

A few pics from over Christmas, The Wickham car is visiting the old siding to check on the condition of the track, PW staff clearing up after the storms and a new siding for storing locos added. Next stop will be Woodies for some of that hanging basket liner material, and some more ballast laying is on the priority list. Thanks for taking a look.

 

[enniscorthyman]

Some nice scenes there Tommy.I would love a closer look

at the Wickham inspection car-looks great.

[Sulzer201]

Thanks Eamonn - Happy New Year to you and the family and hope to catch up with you sometime soon over the course of 2014, also want to hear those locos of your's again. I'm afraid close ups of that Wickham car would reveal even more of my modelling flaws! She's a great kit and great value for money. Delighted to get her as these vehicles were familiar on the system back in 'the good old days.'

[heirflick]

love to see it - do put up the close ups....at least i will know where to look out for when i get mine! have a good one:tumbsup:

[enniscorthyman]

I can't wait to get my kit.Best wishes to you and family

as well Tommy,and you are welcome for a chat anytime.

[Hunslet 102]

Never worry about modelling flaws,we all have them.Like the grave digger scene,nice touch.The Wickham car looks like a nice little model,as you say,nice to have a model from the glory days.

[Sulzer201]

Here goes heirflick, Eamonn and Hunslet, a few more pics of the Wickham. I'm new to this kit building so no laughing - I'm sure ye all will make a better fist of her, including the painting!! but I'm happy to have this model on the layout.

Happy New Year to you all.

 

[Hunslet 102]

Looks good to me for being new to kit building,it will at least give you the confidence to tackle larger projects in the future,thanks for posting

[heirflick]

well done! it always takes a bit of courage to show a pic of your work, espically if you think you made a balls of it! well done again. did you hand paint her?

[Sulzer201]

A bit of running and some sounds that we all love to hear.

 

[video=youtube_share;QfrhY2cTtGc]

[enniscorthyman]

Tommy,well done on the inspection car.Its always nice to hear

baby GMs at work.

[Sulzer201]

Just another bit of slow progress as I try to improve the scenics a little - added a tunnel and the roof of it has some hanging basket liner and will add more foilage over time. Thanks to David and the rest of you for the unending advice and encouragement as I try to improve things slowly on a budget. Despite my very poor modelling skills, I still love the little pw railcar, it is resting at the end of a branch, gathering the scars of time. My budget this summer stretched to a DCC SND Class 37 (couldn't resist), and B181 which I love - it's short ballast train is a hornby railroad at the moment! Thanks for taking a look. Tommy.

 

 

[burnthebox]

That's coming along very nicely Tommy, very well done sir, nothing like a bit of modelling to keep one away from the World & it's problems, enjoy, after all, it's your layout, so enjoy,

[Dave]

Looking good Tommy, don't loose faith. If you tease the hanging basket liner apart in places it will look like wild bushes, then spray some cheap hairspray over it and sprinkle over some woodland scenics fine blended turf. Looks really well.

[heirflick]

 

..beautiful shot - just like going back in time!

[ttc0169]

Keep up the good work Tommy....B181 looks great...