Captain Kernow
Western Thunderer
Ballasting continues and the layout is now about 80% ballasted. I have also started to fix some of the scenic features in place, including all the buffer stops.
Hi Brian,I do like the first couple of picies with the cobbles and buffer stops,simple but effective.
As to the cobbles;was using tile grout more of a 'i`ve got it too hand' or was that a delibrate choice, because it`s easy to work ,say over using modeling clay?. (ie: DAS)
Cheers,
Brian.
Hi Brian,
I deliberately chose the tile grout, as I've seen it used to great effect by Brian Harrap on his layouts. I also did most of the cobbles on Callow Lane this way as well.
It's sufficiently hard to hold it's shape, when dry and to take the point of a steel pin, when carving the cobbles or setts.Many thanks CK,
I think i`ll give tile grout a go myself too.
Brian.
Cheers, Rob, nice one!
There will be a few more buildings on the layout by the time I've finished, though.
I'm not planning any statues or buildings shaped like people, if that's what you mean.Will the extra buildings include a "Stubby"?
Hi Paul,I have been wondering about cobbles for Moor Street for some time and have made up Giles' kit for pressing cobbles in a suitable clay medium. Tile grout is something I can buy easily here in France (tiles or carrelage are everywhere)! But what sort of consistency do you mix the grout to? I presume it is stiffer than what would be used on tiling? You mention scribing so that means you probably wait for the clay to set? Giles' tool works on pliable, but not too wet, clay.
Oh, that's interesting. Sorry about that, but it's definitely rural Radnorshire.That's a shock - I had assumed it was situated in some grimy part of a town, not in open country side.
Just an idle non-railway observation really..... and a bit of useless information.
I noticed the backscene contains coniferous plantations which I had initially thought were a relatively modern phenomena. However a little bit of research reveals coniferous plantations started appearing after WWI for creating a strategic timber reserve.
Interestingly the area around Knighton, Prestiegne, Kington and New Radnor was acquired by the Forestry Commission during the 1924-51 period. In 1926 the Forestry Commission began planting (with a cessation during WWII) the area with the with Norway spruce, Scots pine, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and Larches among others.
The 1951 Radnor Forest history is in the Forestry Commission archives and I assume planting continued after this date.
Nice simple layout . Though I would have been inclined to have a pile of weed strewn sleepers rather than half a buffer stop at the end of the headshunt.