Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
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- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
I went to Spalding exhibition today. I've gone every year for some years now, as it is by far the biggest exhibition within the Lincolnshire county boundary. Some excellent, high quality, steam-era, pre-nationalisation layouts have appeared there over the years, sometimes several at the same show. Squires attend too, with a reasonably extensive stock on offer, although other trade representation (as with many other shows) seems poorer than it once was.
Wickham Market, by Ely club, was nicely presented (albeit post-LNER) but there wasn't a rich selection of layouts to suit my specific tastes this year, although there were a couple of good ones among "the rest". I suppose the organisers can only invite what's available though. Perhaps more people need to build decent show layouts.
I was also trying to do some shopping, at the risk of having a heart attack in reaction to the latest shocking prices. One thing I wanted was some more static grass fibres not too dissimilar from the colour of those already on my Gaugemaster grass mat that forms the base layer for field and embankments on my new layout. Squires sell the Gaugemaster mats, and I was hoping to find some packs of Noch fibres on their stall, as I know that Noch make the mats for Gaugemaster, and a browse through the Noch catalogue at home had suggested to me that a couple of the colours in their range might be exactly what I wanted. No sign of any of the Noch range on the Squires stall though, nor anywhere else at the show. Squires had another maker's grass fibres, but I thought their colours looked either very weak, or very dull with rather cold shades of green, nothing like the rich colours on the grass mat. Elsewhere, on the Aspire stall, I noticed some Javis grass fibre packs, including one with a mixture that appeared to match, under the show lighting, quite nicely to a sample piece of mat I had with me, so I bought some.
Back at home, under different lighting, the Javis fibres didn't match nearly so well, looking a duller, colder green, a bit like some of those others I rejected at the show. Not wanting to buy Noch fibres "mail order", based only on an apparent colour match in a catalogue image, rather than seeing them for myself first, I might have been left in an awkward position. Luckily, my thrifty / penny-pinching / hording habits have resulted in me hanging on to all of my grass mat offcuts, so although it is a bit time consuming, a quick test has proved that it is possible to scrape the fibres from the offcuts to provide a plentiful supply for building up longer and less even grass in selected areas - without spending more money!
Wickham Market, by Ely club, was nicely presented (albeit post-LNER) but there wasn't a rich selection of layouts to suit my specific tastes this year, although there were a couple of good ones among "the rest". I suppose the organisers can only invite what's available though. Perhaps more people need to build decent show layouts.
I was also trying to do some shopping, at the risk of having a heart attack in reaction to the latest shocking prices. One thing I wanted was some more static grass fibres not too dissimilar from the colour of those already on my Gaugemaster grass mat that forms the base layer for field and embankments on my new layout. Squires sell the Gaugemaster mats, and I was hoping to find some packs of Noch fibres on their stall, as I know that Noch make the mats for Gaugemaster, and a browse through the Noch catalogue at home had suggested to me that a couple of the colours in their range might be exactly what I wanted. No sign of any of the Noch range on the Squires stall though, nor anywhere else at the show. Squires had another maker's grass fibres, but I thought their colours looked either very weak, or very dull with rather cold shades of green, nothing like the rich colours on the grass mat. Elsewhere, on the Aspire stall, I noticed some Javis grass fibre packs, including one with a mixture that appeared to match, under the show lighting, quite nicely to a sample piece of mat I had with me, so I bought some.
Back at home, under different lighting, the Javis fibres didn't match nearly so well, looking a duller, colder green, a bit like some of those others I rejected at the show. Not wanting to buy Noch fibres "mail order", based only on an apparent colour match in a catalogue image, rather than seeing them for myself first, I might have been left in an awkward position. Luckily, my thrifty / penny-pinching / hording habits have resulted in me hanging on to all of my grass mat offcuts, so although it is a bit time consuming, a quick test has proved that it is possible to scrape the fibres from the offcuts to provide a plentiful supply for building up longer and less even grass in selected areas - without spending more money!
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Hope you enjoyed the show, I was intending to go, but work got in the way Saturday and yesterday was a kids Cup Scout event in Mablethorpe
See you in couple weeks to see how the static grass progresses
See you in couple weeks to see how the static grass progresses
oOo
Brian
Garage Hobbit!!
Modelling in 00 on my heritage line, very GCR inspired
Brian
Garage Hobbit!!
Modelling in 00 on my heritage line, very GCR inspired
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Great few hours up in Grimsby today spending time learning how to operate Graeme's layout
So many additions since my last visit, and they don't disappoint
Under Graemes tutorlidge we soon had trains running and only a few small errors made
Time was taken to work out the sequence of running (well most had been drawn up already in August with Mr Ws input)
Thanks for the invite, and allowing me to run some if my stock
So many additions since my last visit, and they don't disappoint
Under Graemes tutorlidge we soon had trains running and only a few small errors made
Time was taken to work out the sequence of running (well most had been drawn up already in August with Mr Ws input)
Thanks for the invite, and allowing me to run some if my stock
oOo
Brian
Garage Hobbit!!
Modelling in 00 on my heritage line, very GCR inspired
Brian
Garage Hobbit!!
Modelling in 00 on my heritage line, very GCR inspired
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Back to last June and the exchanges concerning the Hornby Coronation set, which I collected from Bure Valley Models this very morning. Please keep me in the loop re the arrangements for Immingham... no promises but endeavours are possible.
- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Thanks Brian, and than you 65447 for the continuing interest. I shall endeavour to keep the information flowing.
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- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Mention of the Coronation set once again reminds me that Brian's Mailcoach Silver Jubilee set created a precedent for the running of streamliners on the layout on Wednesday.
Following an enquiry after its welfare (or was it just a dare?) from a friend, I had to get out this 2012 project today and test its ability to pass between the platforms too. It fits like a glass slipper.
The Immingham show dates for the layout's baptism of fire are still set at 10th & 11th May 2025, at the Civic Centre and Museum.Most subjects, models and techniques covered in this thread are now listed in various categories on page1
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
The Immingham show is the same weekend as 'er indoors' brother travels up from Devon for both to catch an early am TUI flight to Mallorca from Norwich airport, away for 10 days. I'm the designated early doors taxi. Had it been the following weekend all might have been fine and dandy. Sorry...
- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Thwarted! Maybe the layout will do a show in South Lincs or Cambs one day?
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- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Here's the update that would have appeared yesterday, had I not clicked the wrong button...
With the layout dis-assembled and packed away to make space for Christmas, time taken up by family matters, an anniversary trip to the Lake District completed, and a trip made back to 1980 or earlier to see The Damned at Nottingham Rock City on Monday evening, I've had to limit myself to dealing with modelling tasks that can be done as and when the dining table is free for use, or when loft temperatures are tolerable.
A simple enough, but tedious task, was to suggest to use off-white paint on a fine brush the presence of the ceramic insulators on all of the telegraph poles. A couple of poles were modified to suit specific locations, the trickier one being a post to receive services from opposite directions immediately behind the signal box. For the moment, I've tried to produce the "both sides" double crop of insulators by creating a post with cross-bars on both sides, although I know that in many cases the double load of insulators were bracketed off a single set of cross bars. I did that simple by filing down two upper posts and bonding them back to back. I would rather see more space between the two sets of bars and insulators, but this is the best I can do in the time I can make available at present. I've done some work by dry-brushing paints and tinting individual stones with coloured pencils to get towards the right sort of stone colours on the previously uniform light stone undercoat of the station road bridge. I'm trying out another feature too, not yet stuck in place, following a suggestion by El Jobbo back in late August when we tried out the layout chez Wealleans. Dave thought that a few cattle being driven on the hoof over the bridge would be far better for a rural location than the ubiquitous bus. I knew that I had some moulded plastic cows and a couple of circular sprues of unpainted plastic people from twenty or more years ago, so use of those seemed like the first thing to consider, rather than spending more money on something new. On checking the cows, I was pleased that they actually seemed to be of a credible scale size, but they were black and white, with horns, possibly an attempt to represent Friesians. A bit too modern for a 1930s Lincolnshire scene I thought. Lincoln Red cattle seemed preferable, but apart from a re-paint, the horns had to go. That's was when I found out that the cows are moulded in a plastic that can only be cut and finished cleanly with a sharp blade. Any attempt to file or sand the stuff produces a ragged mess, and trying to scrape rather than cut with a sharp blade simply squashes and smears the plastic rather than taking off shavings! Anyway, I've removed the horns as best I can, likewise most of the moulding seems, and given them a base coat of Halfords aerosol red primer followed by a thin brush coat of Humbrol 133 enamel. The farm hand driving the cattle is a modification of what I think was meant to be a naval stoker, complete with hat and shovel, since removed. It must be a warm day though, as he is still without jacket and has his shirt sleeves rolled up. I've equipped him with a big stick, with which he is about to "encourage" one of the cows which seems to have become distracted by the roadside salad buffet.
With the layout dis-assembled and packed away to make space for Christmas, time taken up by family matters, an anniversary trip to the Lake District completed, and a trip made back to 1980 or earlier to see The Damned at Nottingham Rock City on Monday evening, I've had to limit myself to dealing with modelling tasks that can be done as and when the dining table is free for use, or when loft temperatures are tolerable.
A simple enough, but tedious task, was to suggest to use off-white paint on a fine brush the presence of the ceramic insulators on all of the telegraph poles. A couple of poles were modified to suit specific locations, the trickier one being a post to receive services from opposite directions immediately behind the signal box. For the moment, I've tried to produce the "both sides" double crop of insulators by creating a post with cross-bars on both sides, although I know that in many cases the double load of insulators were bracketed off a single set of cross bars. I did that simple by filing down two upper posts and bonding them back to back. I would rather see more space between the two sets of bars and insulators, but this is the best I can do in the time I can make available at present. I've done some work by dry-brushing paints and tinting individual stones with coloured pencils to get towards the right sort of stone colours on the previously uniform light stone undercoat of the station road bridge. I'm trying out another feature too, not yet stuck in place, following a suggestion by El Jobbo back in late August when we tried out the layout chez Wealleans. Dave thought that a few cattle being driven on the hoof over the bridge would be far better for a rural location than the ubiquitous bus. I knew that I had some moulded plastic cows and a couple of circular sprues of unpainted plastic people from twenty or more years ago, so use of those seemed like the first thing to consider, rather than spending more money on something new. On checking the cows, I was pleased that they actually seemed to be of a credible scale size, but they were black and white, with horns, possibly an attempt to represent Friesians. A bit too modern for a 1930s Lincolnshire scene I thought. Lincoln Red cattle seemed preferable, but apart from a re-paint, the horns had to go. That's was when I found out that the cows are moulded in a plastic that can only be cut and finished cleanly with a sharp blade. Any attempt to file or sand the stuff produces a ragged mess, and trying to scrape rather than cut with a sharp blade simply squashes and smears the plastic rather than taking off shavings! Anyway, I've removed the horns as best I can, likewise most of the moulding seems, and given them a base coat of Halfords aerosol red primer followed by a thin brush coat of Humbrol 133 enamel. The farm hand driving the cattle is a modification of what I think was meant to be a naval stoker, complete with hat and shovel, since removed. It must be a warm day though, as he is still without jacket and has his shirt sleeves rolled up. I've equipped him with a big stick, with which he is about to "encourage" one of the cows which seems to have become distracted by the roadside salad buffet.
Most subjects, models and techniques covered in this thread are now listed in various categories on page1
Dec. 2018: Almost all images that disappeared from my own thread following loss of free remote hosting are now restored.
Dec. 2018: Almost all images that disappeared from my own thread following loss of free remote hosting are now restored.
- Dave
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
It's all looking very good Graham, I do like the cows, so much better than a bus..........unless you have the bus running over one.
El Jobbo the Merciful
El Jobbo the Merciful
- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
This, also under construction, could possibly run one over if it were daft enough to stay stay in the way:
Much better to stick to steam power than to bring in any of that infernal combustion.Most subjects, models and techniques covered in this thread are now listed in various categories on page1
Dec. 2018: Almost all images that disappeared from my own thread following loss of free remote hosting are now restored.
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- Atlantic 3279
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
That steam wagon, from a Rowland Miniatures kit, is now as fully assembled as I want it to be prior to painting. I've left the cab roof, the individual wheels, the tipper body, its tailgate and the two alternative lift rams of different lengths loose/removable for the moment. Almost all of the fixed construction has been achieved using low-melt solder. I'll make nice remarks about the kit first: I like the fact that it exists, I liked the nice surface details and lack of flash or coarse joint lines on the castings, and I like the look of the assembled model. I'm rather less enthusiastic about the amount of trimming that was required in order to get a good fit, with no scale drawing to confirm final trimmed size and fit, and about some aspects of the instructions. I simply daren't try the recommended method of retaining the wheels on the stub axles in order to leave them free to rotate, there's no mention in the instructions of ways of keeping parts separable to permit easy and neat painting, and I question the viability of the instructed method for assembly of the tipper body (which, if followed, certainly won't allow it to be removed for cleaning and painting). I'll try to explain at a later time.
My late step-brother served his apprenticeship around 1960 at Robey's engineering works in Lincoln, and as I'm building a Lincs layout I simply had to have a Robey once I'd seen that kits were available - even if the last of these steam wagons was probably built 3 decades before my step-brother set foot in the works...
My late step-brother served his apprenticeship around 1960 at Robey's engineering works in Lincoln, and as I'm building a Lincs layout I simply had to have a Robey once I'd seen that kits were available - even if the last of these steam wagons was probably built 3 decades before my step-brother set foot in the works...
Most subjects, models and techniques covered in this thread are now listed in various categories on page1
Dec. 2018: Almost all images that disappeared from my own thread following loss of free remote hosting are now restored.
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Whatever the deficiencies of the kit, it certainly looks the part! Looking forward to seeing it painted...
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Compliments of the season to all modellers
Langley Models of Three Bridges do a wide range of vintage vehicles, including a steam bus and several traction engines.
As my grandfather was a coalman, I have built their horse drawn coalcart.
Although they do a lot of business by mail, I haven't experienced it, as I live a few miles away.
Malcolm
Langley Models of Three Bridges do a wide range of vintage vehicles, including a steam bus and several traction engines.
As my grandfather was a coalman, I have built their horse drawn coalcart.
Although they do a lot of business by mail, I haven't experienced it, as I live a few miles away.
Malcolm
- Chas Levin
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Re: Atlantic's works: Portable layout - Scenic details next
Nice job sir! I'm always pleased to see WM kits if smaller things (like road vehicles, as opposed to locos) being assembled using solder rather than glue.
Chas