4mm Bank Top Yard

[wigancg]

This week has seen the arrival of a couple of new items in the post for Bank Top. Firstly, we have a trio of new trees from the MBR models range in lovely autumn shades. I am so pleased whenever I see these trees from this company. So much time and effort is taken into making them from scratch with each order and they look wonderful. Well worth the wait.



Also, we have a new addition to the fleet - one of the Rapido 16xx pannier tanks. I was tempted by an NCB liveried one but I opted for a BR one so I can use it for other projects. She is having some running in time on the rollers and is already much smoother. The model is rather weighty and is highly detailed. I'll use the chain couplings as usual with Bank Top. Once she is running smoothly then I'll add the usual details of crew, lamp(s), coal, brass number plate and some oil cans on the running plate.




Here we have the Peckett again at rest by the water tank after bringing in some internal user wagons.

Chris

 

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Once again, Elspeth is busy at work...

 

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One of the smaller locomotives in use on Bank Top Yard is this Hibberd Planet kitbuilt locomotive in orange NCB livery.

It uses a Tenshodo motorbogie and, whilst it is particularly fussy and needs ultra clean rails, it can be a smooth runner and performs tasks well.

Perhaps she requires a name...?







Chris

 

[daifly]

One of the smaller locomotives in use on Bank Top Yard is this Hibberd Planet…..
Perhaps she requires a name...?

Venus?

 

[Osgood]

There is a Minor Planet (2441) named Hibbs (just sayin').

 

[NHY 581]

Mandarin?

 

[Herb Garden]

Tigger?

 

[Dave]

The Planet looks very good in that orange livery. What chassis is under it?

 

[wigancg]

Dave,
It certainly does look good. The model is fixed onto a Tenshodo motorbogie.

 

[wigancg]

As it's an early autumn scene on Bank Top, with the leaves beginning to turn and drop on some of the trees, I've been adding some touches here and there over the past week or so.

At the end of the nearest siding opposite the low relief industrial building stands a large, beautiful poplar tree which is in the midst of shedding its leaves. Adding plenty of the dead leaves around the base around the siding end adds to the scene and is pleasing to see.

Sometimes I just like to pause and look at the scene and take it in, rather than just operate the layout all the time. I guess artists do the same thing? Although, model railways are a form of art, right?



The colours on this poplar are just divine!





More general leaf litter is needed around the base of the industrial building where they would naturally gather with the wind and I need to add some drain grids too under the downpipes.

Finally, here is the Hibberd Planet, No. 9, again ticking over patiently in #2 siding waiting for the Austerity to finish her shunting in #1 siding.



More from the lovely Austerity next time...

I'll be paying a visit to Warley show at the weekend so hopefully there'll be some industrial/shunting themed layouts to enjoy as well as pick up some detailing bits and pieces.

Chris

 

[Herb Garden]

Chris
How did you do the fallen leaves? They look fantastic

George

 

[wigancg]

Chris
How did you do the fallen leaves? They look fantastic

George

Hello George,

Lovely to hear from you again and thank you very much for the kind words.

The leaves are part of the MBR range. This is the superb Polish company where I get the trees from. You can purchase dead leaves separately for use in autumn scenes. It was simply a case of using the static grass layering spray, sprinkle down the leaves as desired and leave to dry.

Chris

 

[wigancg]

We promised the Austerity that she would get some limelight after the Hibberd has given her some stage time.

This is one of the EFE range in her garish livery from the days she spent at Comrie Colliery. She's had some weathering to tone down the colours and some cab roof staining with rain and general grime and I'm happy with her.

I recently went to an exhibition and spotted a trader had one of these on his stall. A potential customer picked up the box, opened it and saw the Austerity inside and his face was a picture. He wasn't impressed at the livery, I could tell, and closed the box quickly. Each to their own, I guess. Personally, I like this livery and the big bold font of the NCB.

I've also seen a photo somewhere of an Austerity with an orange cab and bunker with wasp stripes, probably in one of Gordon Edgar's books.



Simple locomotives with character. Aye, we'll take that.

Chris

 

[Herb Garden]

Hello George,

Lovely to hear from you again and thank you very much for the kind words.

The leaves are part of the MBR range. This is the superb Polish company where I get the trees from. You can purchase dead leaves separately for use in autumn scenes. It was simply a case of using the static grass layering spray, sprinkle down the leaves as desired and leave to dry.

Chris

Thanks for the tip Chris

The more I see of your results the more I'm tempted to have a go at some autumnal modelling on skeetsmere rather than set it in the high summer which I had originally planned

We will see how that idea pans out as in still in the making trackwork stages

George

 

[wigancg]

Thanks for the tip Chris

The more I see of your results the more I'm tempted to have a go at some autumnal modelling on skeetsmere rather than set it in the high summer which I had originally planned

We will see how that idea pans out as in still in the making trackwork stages

George

Hello George,

You're more than welcome. Yes, have a go. I'd never attempted an autumnal scene before either but I think it should be modelled more as it makes a beautiful scene and so different to the norm. I once saw an industrial 7mm layout at an exhibition and the guy had set it during the autumnal period. The leaf litter was brilliant to see.

Chris

 

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Driver Jack at the controls onboard the Austerity as his fireman sorts the couplings to the wagons.

Meanwhile, Gordon takes a snap of the Hibberd Planet as she moves off out of the yard.

Chris

 

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I've been gazing through some photos of the progress of this current shunting layout since March this year.

The area around the water tank has developed greatly and now looks appropriate for the steam locomotives to rest, replenish and has seen the accumulation of general dirt, oil and grime.

Before


After


The two end sidings which kick back from #1 road in the main yard are used for box vans mainly. One of the sidings leads to the run down corrugated goods shed, whilst the other siding is used to hold vans. At the far end of this siding I've been looking to place a wagon of some description in a forgotten state. I've had this old Mainline four wheel tank wagon for a number of years and it's one of those wagons that I used to practice weathering on. As a condemned wagon it is now ideal for languishing at the siding end with an old sleeper laid across the line to prevent it running away. I may chop and change over time and have an old locomotive stabled here which has been heavily weathered and is a non-runner. One thing I do need to do is lengthen the grass and weeds around it to give the flavour that it has been here since, well, who knows...?!



Finally, life continues. Scenes like these are what makes a layout come to life...



Chris

 

[Herb Garden]

I've been gazing through some photos of the progress of this current shunting layout since March this year.

The area around the water tank has developed greatly and now looks appropriate for the steam locomotives to rest, replenish and has seen the accumulation of general dirt, oil and grime.

Before
View attachment 202705

After
View attachment 202704

The two end sidings which kick back from #1 road in the main yard are used for box vans mainly. One of the sidings leads to the run down corrugated goods shed, whilst the other siding is used to hold vans. At the far end of this siding I've been looking to place a wagon of some description in a forgotten state. I've had this old Mainline four wheel tank wagon for a number of years and it's one of those wagons that I used to practice weathering on. As a condemned wagon it is now ideal for languishing at the siding end with an old sleeper laid across the line to prevent it running away. I may chop and change over time and have an old locomotive stabled here which has been heavily weathered and is a non-runner. One thing I do need to do is lengthen the grass and weeds around it to give the flavour that it has been here since, well, who knows...?!

View attachment 202707

Finally, life continues. Scenes like these are what makes a layout come to life...

View attachment 202706

Chris

Chris,

I think what you have been able to achieve since march is fantastic. You are putting some of us (me very much included) to shame

George

 

[wigancg]

Chris,

I think what you have been able to achieve since march is fantastic. You are putting some of us (me very much included) to shame

George

Thank you kindly, George. I have a long way to go yet but the journey is enjoyable.

Life must be pretty boring when you've nothing new to learn.

Chris

 

[Herb Garden]

Thank you kindly, George. I have a long way to go yet but the journey is enjoyable.

Life must be pretty boring when you've nothing new to learn.

Chris

Didnt they say of Alexander the Great that he broke down and wept when he realised there were no more worlds to conquer?

I think that's the beauty of this hobby that there is always something to learn or try and you can take it in whichever direction pleases you