Talerddig Mk ll: finally some fact instead of a lot of fiction

M

matto21

Western Thunderer
So, up until earlier in the year I was having possibly my most focused period of railway modelling ever. Anyone who followed my various threads will have seen what I was doing, albeit with a rather scattergun approach.

Then around Feb, I decided to finish off a 1/48 scale aircraft that had been sitting on my bench for over 12 months, just to make space, and it sidetracked me completely up until now!

I hope no one minds me posting these here:

Completed 1/48 P-40 painted to represent the sole example captured by the Finnish Airforce during WW2:

IMG_20200418_105248.jpg

1/48 Spitfire Mk Vb still under construction:

IMG_20200514_124441_972.jpg

I kept looking at the layout though, wondering when I'd get back to it. Now I am, I've realised how small the baseboard is, and wish, in hindsight, I'd made it bigger. But, rather than scrap it, I'm determined to push on if I can.

One of the issues had been an undulation in the baseboard at the storage yard end. I'd ham-fistedly tried to rectify that when glueing the cork down by packing underneath. Again, in hindsight, that was really pointless so removing the cork to enlarge the hole allowed me to address this properly. It needed nothing more complex than a batten glueing and screwing underneath and now I have a perfectly flat board the whole length of the layout.

IMG_20200515_183907.jpg

Also, the station building had been really bugging me. Due to the way I'd attached the various laminated layers, it had developed a slight curve along the bottom edge. Brute force has now seen this corrected, but I'll have to try and repair the damage if I can.

IMG_20200513_182640.jpg

IMG_20200513_182623.jpg

Thanks

Matt
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Hi all,

So the signal box pictured above. Some of you will know its based on the now demolished box at the real Talerddig. I really wanted to build this as a nod to the real location. However making the windows individually isn't the most enjoyable task, and it's a task I have to be in a certain mood to do. And I've not been in that mood for 12 months + and don't think I'll be in that mood any time soon.

I recently picked up the Wills SS48 signal box kit cheaply from eBay. I quite like it, but I don't really want kitbuilt structures on the layout, I want to scratchbuild them myself. Also, it's pretty generic - by that I mean it appears on numerous layouts. But it does have reasonable windows.

So I've made a start at kitbashing it into something more individual, but completely freelance. I've cut off the planked lower section and built a brick base instead. Here's a picture of it mocked up - note it's just tacked together here hence some gaps.

IMG_20200521_220155.jpg

I already prefer it to the original and can live with any errors.

Ironically, I could probably have turned it into a reasonable version of Talerddig box by cutting down the front side so it only had three upper windows, and by building a slightly higher brick base but a) I didn't think of that until just now and b) it would have involved a lot more work.

Matt
 
NHY 581

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Key to any project is momentum. Thats an obvious statement to make but it's so true. It can be extremely difficult to restart a dormant project so you have much sympathy from myself, Matt.
Good on you for getting things going again. Just don't stop..........and don't get side tracked!!;)

For me there are normally two stages when I really see progress.
The first is finishing the ballasting :headbang:

The second is the first blast of static grass which really brings things to life.

Stick with it.


Rob.
 
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M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Let me start this post by thanking people for their continued interest in my random modelling. I haven't been here since June 20th (so 6 full months!).

Before Covid was a thing, I was in one of my most productive periods of modelling for ages, and I was sure this was going to be the year when I finally made some actual progress with my layout, instead of doing lots of peripheral things.

At the start of the first national lockdown I, like many people, was advised to stay at home (I'm a type 1 diabetic). At the beginning, I thought it was great. Working from home meant I could do a bit of modelling here and there. As the weeks went on, I found it harder and harder - the loss of routine that I got from going into the office each day meant I started to feel like I'd lost my purpose. Yes I had my wife and daughter, but I felt the loss of structure keenly. As a result, my motivation for modelling all but disappeared.

When I was able to return properly, being a key worker on the front line meant it was all hands to the pump, all day, everyday. All the ensuing chaos that we were faced with in trying to fix the issues meant I was so tired most evenings, I had no energy or desire to do anything other than rest.

Just recently, I tried to get back into modelmaking by finishing off a project that had been sitting on my bench for months (an Airfix Spitfire) - unfortunately not railway related so not relevant here. This rekindled my interest, so I've been building aircraft kits since then. I hope that next year I'll be able to return to railway modelling, and who knows, I may even make some layout progress!

Here's the only bit of railway related modelling I've done - I started this right at the start of lockdown and it's my interpretation of a Herring/Trout wagon. Scratchbuilt hopper on a Parkside underframe.

IMG_20200726_100403.jpg

All the best everyone.

Matt
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Thank you all for the comments!

OK, well here's the Spitfire:

IMG_20201209_221404_016.jpg

And I'm currently working on two projects, firstly an Airfix Hurricane:

IMG_20201219_232335_907.jpg

And a Kikka (think Japanese Me262):

IMG_20201218_231326_055.jpg
Railway wise, other than the Herring/Trout (I can never remember which) I have a load of 16t minerals and an ancient Parkside Grampus awaiting the paintshop. They've all been sat there patiently waiting their turn for many, many months.

Matt
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
Matt,

I echo my learned friends’ replies. I have managed to maintain some modelling momentum, and have had a few quite productive bursts (my loco loco thread on t’other channel tells all) but I do agree that this damn virus has had some bizarre effects over and above the obvious, which happily the family & I have so far avoided.

keep well, keep modelling, keep posting!

love the Spit.

Simon
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
You're quite right Simon, the virus' wide-ranging impact is far broader than just it's obvious effect.

This forum probably isn't the place to have this conversation (or maybe it is) but it's affected me in ways I never imagined. My wife always teased that I was "a self-contained" person. I myself always lightheartedly agreed and joked that I'd like nothing more than to stay at home and not have to go out. But in reality, I've found the change to routine (or no routine initially as per my first post) to have knocked me for six on many levels, including mental health.

It sounds a bit clichéd, but I'm really glad I've got the hobby. And even though I've struggled until recently to get any motivation, now I have again, it's really making a difference.

So thanks again for your words, and I hope I can continue with some sort of modelling going forward.

Matt
 
NHY 581

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
That's an interesting look to the Hurricane, Matt.

I can see its a work in progress but what's the colour scheme you're working on ?


Rob.
 
M

matto21

Western Thunderer
Ah, well it's a Naval Air Squadron aircraft. Hence the rather odd scheme. The wings aren't painted yet which makes it look even starker.

Matt
 
NHY 581

NHY 581

Western Thunderer
Thanks Matt.

I was thinking Coastal Command due to the white sides/lowers to the fuselage.

I am off to the attic in a bit to see what I can find.


Rob.
 
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