7mm Layouts and Dioramas by Stephen Fay, including Pontycwm, Newton Mills and St Stephens Bank

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Track weathering on the photo plank, D8469038-FD8A-4A4B-BFDC-EFABD56F0403.jpeg
6B522D2F-914D-4DCA-B198-218E20213C0D.jpegF5BE2750-75AA-471B-8EB5-1E44ECFC92C5.jpeg6AC81FDD-AD52-4E88-AEC4-7AA510DEF4BB.jpeg a few new wagons, a little more scenic work mainly adding additional foliage on the trees.
the PVA mixture was a little rich in the ballast but a good dose of dirt with cure that
 

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Compton castle

Western Thunderer
Right colouring but the chipping look chunky.
This is Dapol’s O gauge ballast, I’ve used this on the previous couple of projects but it’s seems to be very difficult to get hold of! I’ve just ordered some from a new supplier same crushed limestone so hopefully it’s a close match, I could really do with another pot of Dapol so I can blend from one to the other, the track will be weathered quite dirty as per the prototype so shouldn’t be an issue
Hopefully
 

LarryG

Western Thunderer
I saw the fawn colouring of your ballast this afternoon and it persuaded me to order that colour from Woodland Scenics. It will be blended with dark brown to give a slight speckled effect, but like you, I now weather the ballast and rails after laying. I use 2mm fine for 4mm track and 4mm medium for 7mm track.
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
2E3A33F8-1104-4A91-8699-736316831F00.jpeg So a little development regarding Sonning, I’ve decided to expand it into a full roundy roundy layout. I’ve wanted to do this for some time first with Severn Tunnel then the riviera line. Circumstances took over in regards to the riviera line so this seems like the ideal project to extend. For now I will continue to build it as originally intended at 12’ long then after I can meet with a friend who has the ability to print out the curves I’ll move on to the curved section. I’ll move the bridges to become the scenic brakes on the curved sections. By doing this it will allow 3 viewing areas which should give nice views along the track and bring the viewer right down into the cutting.
I’ve wanted to build my own complete exhibition layout and not just a diorama for a long time so it’s time to put my money where my mouth is!
Each road will split into 2 in the fiddle yard giving the option to have 8 trains. Train lengths won’t be scale length by any means but I should be able to have 7 coach sets ( Bristolian scale length ) plus loco. Operation will be fairly straightforward. Signals will be by Jon Fitness as always and the bridges will be laser cut by Philip Healey Pearce at Intentio designs.
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
53CECD12-A130-4D20-95B3-2B19DD7742B3.jpeg 4A91012F-BDC0-4D5C-94EF-39B10BD76C21.jpeg Struggling to get hold of Dapol’s O gauge ballast and an internet search turned up this from natural scenics. Great value for money. Looks a very close match to Dapol’s offering so should blend in well with what I’ve already used.
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
I’ve made a start on weathering the Minerva vans, a new product for me MIG rust wash I’ve got a few others coming as well, a simple paint over and wipe away then MIG powders which I’ve used for years mixed with a little water for heavy rust spots, this will be sealed with spray varnish before the next washes are applied.
FEA31FB7-4DB5-400F-B66B-1A2CF2A6A4E4.jpeg F28C367E-0981-4467-9640-12CAE70F7D4C.png
 

Compton castle

Western Thunderer
90890647-035A-44FD-8C18-EFCA95BE7CB3.jpeg Just a little job today, I’ve added some Noch lichen right along the rear to disguise the joint between slope and backscene. It’s a little garish in parts but that doesn’t matter as there will be much better bushes, Bracken and scrub from MBR and polak in front.
This Noch stuff is cheap and fills a gap and reduces the amount of the expensive bushes I’ll have to use.
 
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