4mm Chris' Trainsets

[Chris Nevard]

I was going through some negs and came across this old print which was probably taken on a 2-1/4 square folding camera #old tosh.

B&W covers a multitude of sins which colour would reveal - unpainted Das clay mostly! I'm pleased with the 2 foot high wrap around backscene (faded misty landscape). I'll have to operate this layout from the front, best look extra scary to keep the oddballs at bay and point any that do get through in the general direction of that pub (The Pedant & Armchair) for a weak lemon flavoured soft drink.

 

[Chris Nevard]

Scenic work has now started on the colliery with a sub layer of hanging basket liner. This will make a base for static grass which will be applied on top. This method ensures a good depth and slightly uneven effect, static grass alone can often look far too uniform.

Lots to do yet in the form of trees and bushes, as well as extra track detailing like point rodding and fishplates, though maybe not in time for Railex.

 

[Alan]

CME I initially used dyed hanging basket liner on Wencombe, then trimmed it and painted with Tamiya Flat Green, Since then I've shaved it some more and covered most of it with static grass. See the Wencombe thread in the Layouts section. Ifeel the static grass has definately improved the look.

 

[Chris Nevard]

The product you're thinking of is from Hedgerow Scenics.

Today the static grass came out, three layers (various makes) working from greens through to straw shades on top. The grass on the track will need a little trim - that's where a fresh disposable razor comes in - just draw it along the rail tops.

The first tree is in, it being salvaged from Polbrock. More will run along the rear in a random fashion along the lines of an over grown hedgerow, but without over crowding the scene, I like the feeling of space.

"An ex-L&YR 'Pug' propels a short rake of wagons up the gradient toward Polbrook Gurney Upper Pit. The Cornish engine can just be seen beyond the bridge."

 

[Dikitriki]

Hi Chris

When you are using layers of static grass, what do you use as an adhesive? If some sort of PVA with a brush, doesn't the underneath layer get crushed?

Thanks.

Richard

 

[Chris Nevard]

I use an old tooth brush, dip in it diluted PVA and flick the brush with my thumb to produce a splatter. Smart peeps would use an airbrush.

 

[Alan]

Or Hairspray.

 

[Dikitriki]

Thanks gents

 

[Steve Cook]

A quick spray with Dullcote matt varnish afterwards acts as an extra fixing agent and kills the reflectiveness of the static grass too
Steve

 

[Chris Nevard]

Foliage and weeds today, along with a pillbox up in the distance.....
The wonky track works just fine!
No computer meddling.
Time for beer!
No

 

[iak63]

Dribbling ensues...
Speechless admiration!

 

[Dog Star]

My kinda track!!

Nuttin wrong with that track... we always knew you could do good stuff Jordan.

 

[Chris Nevard]

Cheers chaps. The colliery buildings have never had a home. Now they have one. I still need to build a screen and the bridge /s for the other end. The pub needs a rear too. I also need to build two fiddle yards that allow access at different levels from four exit points.

 

[7mmMick]

Hi Chris,

Quietly watching from the wings, I really love these latest photos. Any chance of a close up of the winding gear and the colliery buildings, hugely inspiring stuff

ATB Mick

 

[Chris Nevard]

Are you sure? It's from a Bachmann Scenecraft ready to plonk building that's been chopped up an dropped into a home made building. It could do with more detail. But it's indestructible. Always a bonus in my case!

 

[queensquare]

Are you sure? It's from a Bachmann Scenecraft ready to plonk building that's been chopped up an dropped into a home made building. It could do with more detail. But it's indestructible. Always a bonus in my case!

Nothing wrong with that. Those ready to plonk buildings are a good basis for surgery and in skilled hands can produce superb results. Your colliery buildings are an excellent example.

Jerry

 

[Chris Nevard]

Thanks Jerry! You're a very nice man. Very nice man! The cornish engine still needs a balcony. For Railex I'll say that electric pumps cane in 25 years before and that it's been chopped up for pit props or been used to build a pyre to barbecue over excited frothers from that other forum.

 

[queensquare]

Thanks Jerry! You're a very nice man. Very nice man! The cornish engine still needs a balcony. For Railex I'll say that electric pumps cane in 25 years before and that it's been chopped up for pit props or been used to build a pyre to barbecue over excited frothers from that other forum.

I like that excuse. I think I'll use that as the beam engine on Highbury hasn't worked since I cooked the motor at Warley about four years ago. I found out when a chap commented on the very realistic smoke gently drifting up from the building!

Jerry

 

[Chris Nevard]

Earlier on today I was down in Cornwall near St Austell and came across this tin mine and Cornish Engine that's been out of use for around 100 years.

Tin mine engine house at South Polgooth, Cornwall.

I'm guessing that Lancashire boilers were in these? Or coal storage?

 

[Chris Nevard]

A couple more snaps of the trainset.....
Railex is just 5 weeks now and I've so much to do...

Build 2 fiddle yards (with split height rail access for the different exit points).
Build some more cassettes.
Build the rear of the pub which previously was up against a backscene.
Build 2 loading screens and a bridge carrying a narrow gauge tub /spoil line over the right hand exit points (in progress with code 40 rail)
Paint the diorama case.
Hope the drape I use for all layouts will (should be fine) will fit.
Hope it fits in the back of my old Mondeo with its 2 foot high backscene (a tape measure suggests it will).

Things that probably wont be ready for Railex
Cosmetic fishplates for the flatbottomed colliery sections
Cosmetic point rodding
Lineside fencing.

Below, a couple more snaps of this work in progress...