Geoff
Western Thunderer
We will hook him yet Chris, that's if he doesn't see the light , in fact I have a cunning plan.
Geoff
7mm Bleddfa Road
- Thread starter Geoff
- Start date
We will hook him yet Chris, that's if he doesn't see the light , in fact I have a cunning plan.
Geoff
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Apart from the occasional misfire I'm more or less firing on all cylinders now, and am slowly catching up with part completed projects such as the crossing keepers cottage.
This is the scene today when looking towards Presteign, the stonework on the lime kiln, and the tree beside it have been cloned to create a sort of artists impression.
The cottage is not supposed to be an exact copy of the one at Soudley, I'm just trying to capture the character of it. Stonework started life as a Slater's embossed sheet , which I sanded down and then covered in an exterior grade of plaster. That process is still very much a case of work in progress, the idea being to create areas where repairs have been carried out with brickwork and render. Window frames are by 'LCUT', and have not yet been fitted in place permanently. The Pannier, a Dapol model is a new addition to the Bleddfa Rd., stud, and has been renumbered with the superb 3D transfers produced by 'Railtec'.
4660 was a Hereford 85C engine for several years and a regular on the Kington-Presteign goods, trains of this length were very common. Sorry but I daren't post photos here to prove it due to copyright issues.
Once I find my can of T-cut I'll remove the late crest and fit an early one., weathering by my own hand will follow in due course.
Geoff
This is the scene today when looking towards Presteign, the stonework on the lime kiln, and the tree beside it have been cloned to create a sort of artists impression.
The cottage is not supposed to be an exact copy of the one at Soudley, I'm just trying to capture the character of it. Stonework started life as a Slater's embossed sheet , which I sanded down and then covered in an exterior grade of plaster. That process is still very much a case of work in progress, the idea being to create areas where repairs have been carried out with brickwork and render. Window frames are by 'LCUT', and have not yet been fitted in place permanently. The Pannier, a Dapol model is a new addition to the Bleddfa Rd., stud, and has been renumbered with the superb 3D transfers produced by 'Railtec'.
4660 was a Hereford 85C engine for several years and a regular on the Kington-Presteign goods, trains of this length were very common. Sorry but I daren't post photos here to prove it due to copyright issues.
Once I find my can of T-cut I'll remove the late crest and fit an early one., weathering by my own hand will follow in due course.
Geoff
Attachments
Geoff
Western Thunderer
I'm firing on all cylinders now and my modelling bench is becoming more cluttered by the day. I had expected the cottage to have been completed, but I ran out of styrene sheet and a few other bits and pieces. So I took the build as far as I could and then started work on a new coach, more on that later.
The window frames will end up being painted in an off white, whilst the door which will be a rustic planked affair will be finished in the same faded blue/grey as the porch.
The back of the cottage is meant to be in a sorry state of repair, part of the rear wall has been repaired with a brick infill, the door lintel is supposed to be a piece of seasoned oak, all being blended together with rough cast render. I haven't made this up but merely copied the ideas from a real building. I'm also experimenting with the back yard. and see an outside loo, together with a wash or coal house, perhaps both being built into the perimeter wall. At the moment only the wall has been mocked up but I think the idea will work.
This is how the cottage fits into the scene, which I thing captures the look of a place well off the beaten track on a dull Marches day. The layout measures 11ft 6" long from the buffer stops where the camera is resting to the bridge.
Now for the coach which I saw advertised for sale in the forum small ads. a couple of years ago. thank you Andy B. I just had one of those moments and thought I'll take a look at that kit again, the next thing I knew I was was building the thing! It is a Westdale kit for a GWR Diag. E147 'B' set coach, a number of which were built to run as single coaches rather than as a pair. I had heard terrible things about these kits but it is going together beautifully and I'm really enjoying the build. The underframe had to be marked out for all the detail along with the bogie centres, real seat of the pants modelling with this kit
.
As you can see the floor is a piece of wood which has to be trimmed to size, the seats are also wood. The missing seat in the left hand compartment is secured directly into the bodyshell and the floor screws directly into it.
Another shot of the coach as it is today, I had a delivery of some superb lost wax castings from CPL Products today for the steam and vac. pipes, alarm gear jumper cables etc, etc. Some etched door hinges were in the same parcel and I can't say that I'm looking forward to measuring and drilling the holes for them! Meanwhile 4600 now has an early crest and I've started to weather the chassis..............
Geoff
The window frames will end up being painted in an off white, whilst the door which will be a rustic planked affair will be finished in the same faded blue/grey as the porch.
The back of the cottage is meant to be in a sorry state of repair, part of the rear wall has been repaired with a brick infill, the door lintel is supposed to be a piece of seasoned oak, all being blended together with rough cast render. I haven't made this up but merely copied the ideas from a real building. I'm also experimenting with the back yard. and see an outside loo, together with a wash or coal house, perhaps both being built into the perimeter wall. At the moment only the wall has been mocked up but I think the idea will work.
This is how the cottage fits into the scene, which I thing captures the look of a place well off the beaten track on a dull Marches day. The layout measures 11ft 6" long from the buffer stops where the camera is resting to the bridge.
Now for the coach which I saw advertised for sale in the forum small ads. a couple of years ago. thank you Andy B. I just had one of those moments and thought I'll take a look at that kit again, the next thing I knew I was was building the thing! It is a Westdale kit for a GWR Diag. E147 'B' set coach, a number of which were built to run as single coaches rather than as a pair. I had heard terrible things about these kits but it is going together beautifully and I'm really enjoying the build. The underframe had to be marked out for all the detail along with the bogie centres, real seat of the pants modelling with this kit
.As you can see the floor is a piece of wood which has to be trimmed to size, the seats are also wood. The missing seat in the left hand compartment is secured directly into the bodyshell and the floor screws directly into it.
Another shot of the coach as it is today, I had a delivery of some superb lost wax castings from CPL Products today for the steam and vac. pipes, alarm gear jumper cables etc, etc. Some etched door hinges were in the same parcel and I can't say that I'm looking forward to measuring and drilling the holes for them! Meanwhile 4600 now has an early crest and I've started to weather the chassis..............
Geoff
Last edited:
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thanks Andy,
I'm glad to see the coach being built as well, for it has been gathering dust on my shelf since 6th September 2019. Still it always was going to be one for the future
Geoff
keefr22
Western Thunderer
You've achieved an amazing sense of depth and distance in such a small layout length Geoff, it looks much longer than that! The cottage and coach are once again great examples of your excellent modelling!
Keith
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thanks Keith.
It is not too difficult to create a sense of length and depth when there isn't much railway, and not much stock.
Geoff
paulhb
Active Member
Less is more and keeping it simple makes this really inspirational. Love it.Thanks Keith.
It is not too difficult to create a sense of length and depth when there isn't much railway, and not much stock.
View attachment 160364
Geoff
Regards Paul
NHY 581
Western Thunderer
Thanks Keith.
It is not too difficult to create a sense of length and depth when there isn't much railway, and not much stock.
View attachment 160364
Geoff
That is just simply splendid, Geoff.
Spot on.
Rob.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Thanks Paul, I have been preaching the less is more sermon for years
Cheers Rob, just goes to show that you don't need acres of space to create a small layout or diorama in 7mm scale.
Enjoy the show this weekend,
Geoff
michael mott
Western Thunderer
Another shot right out of railway bylines.... you can't fool us
Michael
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Another shot right out of railway bylines.... you can't fool us
Michael.
Other than replacement sprung buffers, door handles and grab rails this is the kit built per the instructions. Extra detail such as Steam and Vacuum pipes, lamp irons, alarm gear, door hinges, and jumper cables were purchased from CPL Products whose service is second to none. Screw couplings will be Dapol seeing as I have a spare pair and am building a layout coach rather than a museum piece.
Can't say that I am looking forward to drilling holes for the door hinges and fitting them in place though!
This shot was taken prior to adjusting the coach ride height, must say that it has been a very enjoyable build and that I am pleased with the model. In case you are wondering what I am going to do with half a 'B'set read on............Introduced in 1936 and last withdrawn in 1961 numbers 6207-10, 6822/23/27/37/38/50 had buffers at both ends and ran as individual coaches, rather than close coupled ‘B’ Sets. At a scale 57ft long, the E147 is ideal for small layouts, I also find them rather attractive to boot.
Now for something completely different.......
This Heljan 03 was bought as a damaged none runner, the previous owner had tried to dismantle the model to correct the distorted running plate that these models suffer from. Damaging the cab wiring, and all manner of detailing parts in the process, she originally had a conical exhaust pipe but that too had been damaged so I fitted a flower pot exhaust instead. Fortunately all the parts were available from 'Gaugemaster'
I still have a couple of defects to repair along with some touch up work, but it has all been worthwhile for I now have a lovely smooth, slow running shunter for my next project.
Geoff
Michael.
Well nobody can accuse me of lifting this shot out of Railway Bylines.............
Other than replacement sprung buffers, door handles and grab rails this is the kit built per the instructions. Extra detail such as Steam and Vacuum pipes, lamp irons, alarm gear, door hinges, and jumper cables were purchased from CPL Products whose service is second to none. Screw couplings will be Dapol seeing as I have a spare pair and am building a layout coach rather than a museum piece.
Can't say that I am looking forward to drilling holes for the door hinges and fitting them in place though!
This shot was taken prior to adjusting the coach ride height, must say that it has been a very enjoyable build and that I am pleased with the model. In case you are wondering what I am going to do with half a 'B'set read on............Introduced in 1936 and last withdrawn in 1961 numbers 6207-10, 6822/23/27/37/38/50 had buffers at both ends and ran as individual coaches, rather than close coupled ‘B’ Sets. At a scale 57ft long, the E147 is ideal for small layouts, I also find them rather attractive to boot.
Now for something completely different.......
This Heljan 03 was bought as a damaged none runner, the previous owner had tried to dismantle the model to correct the distorted running plate that these models suffer from. Damaging the cab wiring, and all manner of detailing parts in the process, she originally had a conical exhaust pipe but that too had been damaged so I fitted a flower pot exhaust instead. Fortunately all the parts were available from 'Gaugemaster'
I still have a couple of defects to repair along with some touch up work, but it has all been worthwhile for I now have a lovely smooth, slow running shunter for my next project.
Geoff
Neil
Western Thunderer
New project? No surely it can't be, I'd never have guessed, this sounds just to good to be true, be still my beating heart, who would have thought a change of direction from the GWR, he must mean, yes, it has to be, it can't be anything other than ......... the Derwent Valley Light Railway.
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news my friend but the new project is some way off and a bit closer to home, furthermore the Derwent Valley hasn't got one of these.....
Geoff
Windjabbers
New Member
Well D2011 was a Cambridge engine...
Geoff
Western Thunderer
Nope, as I mentioned to Neil the location is closer to home
That may well be but at the moment my 03 is currently unnumbered, so keep guessing chaps
Geoff
Last edited:
Geoff
Western Thunderer
May has seen a return to working on the layout as I needed a change from drilling numerous holes for the hinges and other detail on my half a 'B'set. So I made a start on working up the area around the bridge and the now disused lime kilns.
Some of the bridge stonework has been under painted and dry brushed with varying mixes of Titanium White, Neutral Grey and Burnt Sienna. I've also started to lay down the ground cover using different clumps and textures of Silflor, Woodland coarse burnt grass and homemade grass tufts. Everything will eventually be blended together with different lengths and shades of static grasses.
I had never really been happy with the area in front of the lime kilns which looked rather cramped. So after checking that locomotives could still run along the entire length of the siding out came the ‘DAS’ modelling clay to infill the track. After a couple of hours I stippled the surface of the clay with an old tooth brush to create some texture. Once the clay has dried out I’ll work up the surface and plant some weeds. After checking the size of some small lime kilns on a recent field trip, I’ve reduced the height of the model so it is level with the top of the retaining wall. To my eye the area now looks far more spacious and I’m happy with the results. The next photo in the sequence hopefully explains my thinking behind the scene that I’m creating…………
I’ve added the stonework to the kilns and hut along with some overgrown bushes with my very basic photo editing software. The hut could feature a corrugated iron or slate roof, the jury is out at the moment.
Whilst waiting for the paint and modelling clay to dry on, and around the lime kilns and bridge I glazed and fitted the cottage windows. Then I turned my attention to the roof slates, after experimenting with the old method of using strips of postcard on the porch roof, I decided to carry on and cover the whole roof in the same manner. I’m rather enjoying the whole process and am happy with the appearance of the roof. So far I have only fitted one ridge, and once again I’m been experimenting, in this case I’ve used half round styrene section.
The ply perimeter wall around the back of the cottage has now been built up to include the shell of an outside toilet and some outhouses. The whole assembly together with the lime kilns is now covered in DAS modelling clay, and slowly drying out prior to carving the stonework.
I’ve also been trying out another of Gordon Gravetts hedge making techniques, which involves using teased out horsehair, static fibres and fine scatter. Early experiments are promising but I have failed to capture the airy look of Gordons examples. The good news is that I know where I went wrong, well I think I do! I have also discovered which shades of scatter I need for my future hedges so it hasn’t been a complete waste of time.
The hedgerow has now been removed prior to testing the Mk2 version, no photos yet as there is quite a lot of work involved to get the look that I'm after.
To round the post up here's a photo of the soon to be numbered D2139 on test with a conical exhaust. She was a resident of 85A Worcester, which could provide a clue as to my mystery project, answers on a postcard please
Geoff
Some of the bridge stonework has been under painted and dry brushed with varying mixes of Titanium White, Neutral Grey and Burnt Sienna. I've also started to lay down the ground cover using different clumps and textures of Silflor, Woodland coarse burnt grass and homemade grass tufts. Everything will eventually be blended together with different lengths and shades of static grasses.
I had never really been happy with the area in front of the lime kilns which looked rather cramped. So after checking that locomotives could still run along the entire length of the siding out came the ‘DAS’ modelling clay to infill the track. After a couple of hours I stippled the surface of the clay with an old tooth brush to create some texture. Once the clay has dried out I’ll work up the surface and plant some weeds. After checking the size of some small lime kilns on a recent field trip, I’ve reduced the height of the model so it is level with the top of the retaining wall. To my eye the area now looks far more spacious and I’m happy with the results. The next photo in the sequence hopefully explains my thinking behind the scene that I’m creating…………
I’ve added the stonework to the kilns and hut along with some overgrown bushes with my very basic photo editing software. The hut could feature a corrugated iron or slate roof, the jury is out at the moment.
Whilst waiting for the paint and modelling clay to dry on, and around the lime kilns and bridge I glazed and fitted the cottage windows. Then I turned my attention to the roof slates, after experimenting with the old method of using strips of postcard on the porch roof, I decided to carry on and cover the whole roof in the same manner. I’m rather enjoying the whole process and am happy with the appearance of the roof. So far I have only fitted one ridge, and once again I’m been experimenting, in this case I’ve used half round styrene section.
The ply perimeter wall around the back of the cottage has now been built up to include the shell of an outside toilet and some outhouses. The whole assembly together with the lime kilns is now covered in DAS modelling clay, and slowly drying out prior to carving the stonework.
I’ve also been trying out another of Gordon Gravetts hedge making techniques, which involves using teased out horsehair, static fibres and fine scatter. Early experiments are promising but I have failed to capture the airy look of Gordons examples. The good news is that I know where I went wrong, well I think I do! I have also discovered which shades of scatter I need for my future hedges so it hasn’t been a complete waste of time.
The hedgerow has now been removed prior to testing the Mk2 version, no photos yet as there is quite a lot of work involved to get the look that I'm after.
To round the post up here's a photo of the soon to be numbered D2139 on test with a conical exhaust. She was a resident of 85A Worcester, which could provide a clue as to my mystery project, answers on a postcard please
Geoff
Last edited: