Old Parrock

[Richard H]

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The landscape behind the tracks is nearly completed. The tree in front of the mill needs doing, and the railway fencing at that end... and people of course.

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This bit of land around the mill was a challenge. I wanted to give an impression of an unkempt, brambly, scrubby area. It didn't work at first but it's getting closer now. Hopefully the fence and some nettles will frame it. The tree looks awful in it's current state. it needs shaping, some filling, a new paint job and, of course, foliage. The tree behind the mill also needs a bit more work. The truth is, it fell foul of some lazy vacuuming!

Talking of miniature people - I have a question. In the past I've always, rather sadistically, drilled a hole through one foot and put a brass pin in to fix the little figures in place. However, I'm really struggling with some of the Modelu figures that I've bought. Being authentic in shape they have rather thin legs, but problematically I find that the material they are made with - presumably resin used for 3D printing - is very brittle. I simply can't drill into it. One of my ladies now has, to quote the late great Peter Cook, one leg too few.

So, a couple of questions: has anybody found a better way of making a fixing of some kind, and if not, has anyone managed to glue a figure into the landscape successfully without using any support?

Paul - this is lovely! I really like the way the land to the right of the mill implies the beginning of a sort of heathland, and the way it blends into the backscene. The way the mill is now settled (nestled?) into the hollow is very effective, as is the way the ground cover accentuates the variety of ground levels and defines the entrance to the yard. The vista showing open country that you've created in a board about 4ft long is seriously effective and comes across beautifully in your panoramic photo. As I said, lovely!

 

[PaulR]

"Sometimes I stands and thinks... and sometimes I just stands."

"I'll be 'anged if 'e don't regard them sheep more than 'e regards me!"

The mill scene is nearly completed now. I just want to add some nettles here and there, and some more flora on the railway bank.

 

[Richard H]

... it just gets better and better!

 

[Simpas]

Just doing a bit of catch up here...... beautifully executed..! I will look out for this at both exhibitions cited earlier.

Mick S.

 

[NHY 581]

This is all very nice indeed.

Rob

 

[PaulR]

Thanks for the kind comments. I'm always encouraged by this friendly place.

 

[AJC]

Thanks for the kind comments. I'm always encouraged by this friendly place.

Good! It's a superb little model and the comments while kind, are more than that: they're well deserved.

Adam

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

All superbly executed as the earlier comments testify and it's the small unobserved everyday details we take for granted which bring it to life - sign posts, stiles, mileposts etc.

With a small layout like this you can go on adding detail forever - taller grasses around fence posts, the odd broken fence rail, a replaced fence rail, etc, etc. The list goes on.

 

[PaulR]

The platform is inspired by those at the K&ESR. I'm not going to fix it down until the building is complete and all the dressings are added.

It does look a bit raw at the moment.

 

[PaulR]

In the Middleton Press book about the Kent and East Sussex Railway, 'Branch Line to Tenterden', it states with reference to the gents toilet that, 'In times of drought, the smell was too much even for the flies.' The urinal will be fed by water from the gutter, and of course it never rained in our nostalgic memory so...

...let's just say that Old Parrock halt might have been a little pungent.

The little station hut is based on a typical K&ESR example, but much reduced in size. The three sections are not joined yet and there's plenty to do, but progress is being made.

The little train has been beautifully weathered by Mick Bonwick. In future times I will do this myself but I chickened out of applying my rookie skills to this one.

 

[Allen M]

Hi Paul
The gents at Mitton Mill has the same problem.

The painter has scarpered, we think in the shed drinking tea. On small improvement is the bit of roof over the "thunder box" which stops the paper getting so wet.
There is something fascinating about light railway that is not found on the big ones.

Regards
Allen m

 

[PaulR]

Ha ha! I like that scenario. Perhaps we should start a thread entitled, 'At Your Convenience'.

 

[Richard H]

In the Middleton Press book about the Kent and East Sussex Railway, 'Branch Line to Tenterden', it states with reference to the gents toilet that, 'In times of drought, the smell was too much even for the flies.' The urinal will be fed by water from the gutter, and of course it never rained in our nostalgic memory so...

...let's just say that Old Parrock halt might have been a little pungent.

View attachment 119196

The little station hut is based on a typical K&ESR example, but much reduced in size. The three sections are not joined yet and there's plenty to do, but progress is being made.

View attachment 119197

The little train has been beautifully weathered by Mick Bonwick. In future times I will do this myself but I chickened out of applying my rookie skills to this one.

View attachment 119198

I really like the way the building and retaining walls cascade down from the platform level, and the way the shed acts as a view-blocker, actually making a short train seem longer - very clever! As I look across the strong foreground, the landscape behind now seems further away - the building enhances the perspective. Lovely brickwork!

 

[PaulR]

One of the problems with making a cameo layout is that you can only keep photographing the same little scene. Well, here it is again, albeit with the station hut much closer to being finished. It needs setting into the landscape, weathering and dressing with general paraphernalia, and I haven't painted the running-in board yet. It's a shame that the name won't be visible from the front because I put quite a lot of effort into getting it right on Photoshop.

I'm really looking forward to laying the grass and fencing at the front, but I have a covered lever frame to make first.

All this talk of the evils of hoarding has rather pricked my conscience. Milk, loo rolls, not guilty. Model railway kits - oh dear! The truth is that I could probably keep myself busy for a couple of years at least with the stuff that I've collected in my shed.

My biggest weakness is coach kits. With an etched loco kit or a RTR alternative, the cost is enough to make you question whether you really need it. Coach kits, however, fall into a category where you can almost lose the cost in the housekeeping. Perhaps I ought to keep quiet about that...

 

[Brian T]

and I haven't painted the running-in board yet. It's a shame that the name won't be visible from the front because I put quite a lot of effort into getting it right on Photoshop.

Well,we could take your word on that...or you could perhaps take a picture of the front..!

All this talk of the evils of hoarding has rather pricked my conscience. Milk, loo rolls, not guilty. Model railway kits - oh dear! The truth is that I could probably keep myself busy for a couple of years at least with the stuff that I've collected in my shed.

My biggest weakness is coach kits. With an etched loco kit or a RTR alternative, the cost is enough to make you question whether you really need it. Coach kits, however, fall into a category where you can almost lose the cost in the housekeeping. Perhaps I ought to keep quiet about that...

I think were all guilty of hoarding to one degree or another,with me it`s O gauge both in US and UK.
I think secret is to keep it all in seperate places around the home then that way you won`t scare yourself if you see it all in one go....or you could go to 'Hoarders Anonymous'...!!

Brian.

 

[PaulR]

Well,we could take your word on that...or you could perhaps take a picture of the front..!

Fair enough - I asked for that! Before I stick it down I'll post a photo of it the other way round.

 

[Richard H]

One of the problems with making a cameo layout is that you can only keep photographing the same little scene. Well, here it is again, albeit with the station hut much closer to being finished. It needs setting into the landscape, weathering and dressing with general paraphernalia, and I haven't painted the running-in board yet. It's a shame that the name won't be visible from the front because I put quite a lot of effort into getting it right on Photoshop.

I'm really looking forward to laying the grass and fencing at the front, but I have a covered lever frame to make first.

View attachment 119949

View attachment 119950

All this talk of the evils of hoarding has rather pricked my conscience. Milk, loo rolls, not guilty. Model railway kits - oh dear! The truth is that I could probably keep myself busy for a couple of years at least with the stuff that I've collected in my shed.

My biggest weakness is coach kits. With an etched loco kit or a RTR alternative, the cost is enough to make you question whether you really need it. Coach kits, however, fall into a category where you can almost lose the cost in the housekeeping. Perhaps I ought to keep quiet about that...

Sympathy! As a fellow sufferer, I feel your guilt! Having made your confession, though, you have gone a long way to expiating your sins with some more super modelling!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

One of the problems with making a cameo layout is that you can only keep photographing the same little scene.

With a smart phone, tablet or small camera you could take photos from within the layout and driver's eye views from the fiddle yard entrances.

From my own experience photographing a layout from 4mm or 7mm eye level generally reveals areas I have missed when detailing.

 

[PaulR]

What do I imagine of these people waiting for the train? The lady under the canopy is quite fashionable, so I think she's going to change trains at Three Bridges and head up to Knightsbridge on the new electric service for a bit of shopping at Harvey Nichols.

The two musicians may also be going to London, but I think not. Probably they are going to head south to the Regent Dance Hall in Brighton where they will be booked as part of the band for an evening dance.

Journeys from Old Parrock always have a leisurely start!

The yellow looks a bit heavy in these photos. It's actually closer to cream. I'm afraid photography isn't one of my strong points.

 

[Richard H]

Rush hour at Old Parrock! Your passengers various destinations remind me that Old Parrock was actually a gateway to Anywhere. Very evocative.