Dargan

Thats the whole idea Pete. A great use for all those 2 and 4 mm mdf offcuts that we all have in a box somewhere that may become useful but usually end up as kindling for fireplaces in winter.

 

Always manage to hang onto the red. Never put it on the layout as I am sure you can imagine what it does to nice grasslands if spilt.

Cheers

Richard

 

Glad to be of help. Dont forget to get your supply of Chinese leds under way as they can sometimes take a bit of time. Not surprising as I have been getting them for around 8AUD including postage for lots of 500. Their ratings are not provided but resistors are cheap so I just keep adding more in series until the leds stop blowing up.

Cheers

Richard

 

It’s really nice that my layout came to mind. Gives me the incentive to keep posting developments. We are on our way back from the events just south of brisbane, will look at the solar train in Byron bay in the morning then once home will concentrate on a new. Dargan post. I have completed a number of additions to the forestry and also a few buildings, more importantly my new photographic equipment will be able to show them in their true colours,

Best wishes

Richard

And happy modelling

 

Hi Folks

Progress Update # 9

Well it seems like the prolonged hot weather we have been experiencing in Sydney has at long last left us for this season and we are actually feeling the morning crispness of Autumn. Now for six months of wonderful weather, although I suppose we will still hear from a few whingers moaning about a cold winters day of 18 degrees C. The warm to hot weather does however serve to focus your efforts on time of day activities. Early morning for gardening and other manual duties. Late morning for layout maintenance which for me is going back to the old sections and fixing up all of those nagging little problems that have been put in the do it later basket. Difficult to focus on those annoying little issues as the new sections of the layout are much more fun. Then the afternoon heat is best avoided by retiring to the study and working on scenery, buildings, signs, etc.

Being based in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Dargan will require quite a number of trees, foliage and ground cover. First section to have trees installed (or planted?) is the Dargan station precinct and Station Master's residence. Here is the finished product:




As I have mentioned earlier in this thread, all trees are constructed using the twisted wire methodology. I have long since used uo all my spare electrical cable off cuts and now use a 100 metre drum of three core lighting cable.

Next to see some foliage is the gap area between the Eastern tunnel portals where a gnarled old Manor gum has pride of place. Yes I will be installing a Gormo style sign to designate this historical area:




Here 3633 is leading the down passenger service to Bathurst as it approaches the narrow girder bridge which carries the back road into Dargan. There are a range of Eucalypts here, mainly Sydney blue gums which are a bit starved for nourishment because of the sand stone terrain. Note the two with exposed roots clinging to the sandstone outcrop for dear life. (Design of the exposed roots was heavily influenced by input from Lovely Wife, a Bonsai exponent who achieved one first and seven second prizes in the recent Royal Sydney Show):




The Blue Mountains see numerous lightning strikes throughout the year, many being the cause of bush fires. Here two trees have been damaged by lightning but are still managing to struggle on:u



A view looking South. There is still plenty of room for more greenery.



Well thats all for now folks so back to more modelling. I think it is time to locate a few more buildings. People can arrive in style at Dargan but there is nowhere to stay or to eat.


Cheers

and happy modelling

Richard

 

Thanks Toto

Your wish is my command:





I meant to put this one in but seem to have missed it. It is one of my favorites as I think I have the cutting sides done properly:




Cheers

and happy modelling

Richard

 

Thanks Dan and Gormo,

I think I will keep watering well and truly away from the intricacies of DCC,

Cheers

Richard

 

Thanks Toto and Pete.

Much appreciated and helps to generate enthusiasm for construction of the required forest. Do we ever finish?...I think not.

Cheers

and happy modelling

Richard