It's been a while since my last update, I've been doing other stuff, replacing the roof covering on my big shed to get it dry before the weather turns this Autumn. Karens also spending 4 days and nights at her parents each week so I've been doing the domestic stuff that she normally does plus looking after our two doggys who demand my attention every day . However, I have managed to find time to do a little more on my bridge. I've fitted the wing wall, clad the bridge with plasticard sides and angle, the top is 1mm plastic with Grandtline plastic rivets, that was a PITA, but it does look good. I will have to take a close up photo after I have painted it. Anyway, a few photos of the bridge as it is now. That's it for now. I will slap some paint on next, that should make it look more realistic. I need to do some work on the left hand end to try and pull it all together. I've also bought a printed backscene for the layout, so that will be interesting to fit, I've got some 3.5mm ply for the rear, does anyone know if it would be worth painting or lacquering it first? Anyway that's it for the time being. Thanks for looking. Cheers, Pete.
Lovely work on the bridge textures Pete ... you've been looking at old photos of Leek station as your bridge bares similarities to the shunting bridge in Leek Yard where the original stone bridge was extended using girders to accommodate the yard expansion. This Leek thing seems to be catching. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Nice work on the bridge Pete. 3.5mm ply is quite thin and flexible and with any damp present could very likely warp, so you might be best to seal it with clear varnish or similar before any further paint or backscene application. After the mould I encountered on my 9mm ply layout baseboard over last winter due to damp, I'm speaking from personal experience as sheds and garages aren't necessarily the driest places, especially with UK weather. Forewarned is forearmed! Keith.
Thanks Keith, warning duly noted! I had a problem with some buildings getting damaged a few years ago through damp. The layout itself was fine, a little black mould on one corner but other than that no damage. Mind you it would impress Isombard Brunel with the build, at the time I could manage it ok but now it's a heavy cumbersome beast!! . Pete.
At the current cost of 8' x 4' ply sheeting (£42-£63 for best grade redwood) we can't afford to let it get damp, even if it says its moisture resistant.
I've always tried to use what is locally known as "Far Eastern Ply", but just lately, it seems the Far East is hanging onto it! Keith.
Apologies for the lack of updates lately, I've been busy with some other projects plus the mojo has taken a couple of knocks. Anyway, I've done some more work on my bridge, I just need to paint the deck and splash some weathering to make it look less shiny. Also made a start on the backscene. The boards are made of 3.5mm ply, painted with white gloss to seal the surface and a photo scene glued on. Still lots to do, I've fitted the ply backs to the left hand end but still need to fit the photo scene. The original scene fitted to the other end wasn't long enough to do it all but I have another similar for the left end. I haven't decided what the left end will look like yet as there isn't as much room to work with as I imagined, possibly a coal depot? we'll see. Thats it for now, cheers, Pete.
Your bridge has come up a treat. Looks like you have inherited the dreaded air bubbles in the back scene. They are a bummer to remove. I had mounted a back scene onto pre painted MDF and suffered the same results... Cheers, Gary.
After a few weeks I can do an update. I have been busy doing other stuff but I have managed a few hours in the shed. After giving the left end a few coats of looking at I decided to give the track a re-alignment, the space at that end was a bit tight for what I wanted once the bridge is installed. I decided it would be a small coal yard with an entrance through a gated wall with a topping off with a wooden fence, (yet to be made) and an access road under the bridge to the quay side. The ground has been given a coat of sieved soil glued down with pva. The side of the bridge is a little close to the track but I can still get a loco under. The deck of the bridge has been given a first coat of paint and some pavements glued on. A couple more. Cheers, Pete.
One of the things about being part of the forum community is the kindness of its members. I was very lucky and grateful to be given a couple of Mossys 3D printed van wagon bodies that he wasn't happy with but are spot on for my layout as covers for the turnout switches, well one for now! For the coal yard, I have bought a kit for some coal weigh scales. I will do a build description when I make a start on them. Another tool I have bought for when ballasting, static grassing etc, is a miniature vacuum powered from an adaptor plug. It came in really useful when cleaning up where I had glued down the soil. Thats it for now, cheers, Pete.
I have managed to get some modelling done lately on the left end of the layout. As well as getting some ballast onto the track I've built a wall with a fence top to keep the local light fingered beggars at bay. There is a gated entry to the yard but I don't have enough depth at the front to include the gate . Any way a couple of photos to show what progress I have made. I slopped loads of 50/50 pva water on after misting it with water with a drop of washing up liquid. Looks a bit messy but now it's dry it's fine. Still loads to do but at least it's progress. Thats it for now, thanks for looking. Pete.
It's coming on a treat Peter, I love following how these new layout diorama builds come together and yours is doing great. Just to recap have you put the Thaxham layout on hold for now ... or have I misunderstood ? cheers Yorkie
It's just on hold for the time being, still loads to do! I began this one as a quickie to get trains running. Once I've got this one to the point it can be shown at an exhibition, I will crack on with Thaxham. Cheers, Pete.
Hi Pete, lovely to see what you are doing with the scrap van body, nice to see the internal steps being utilised as well. I am looking forward to the finished job. Keep well Mossy