WEST ORTON

[Steve M]

Spent the last few days on the paintwork on the platforms - I think I’ve got them to where I want them now. Very likely that they will get a mist of track grime from the airbrush when it gets to the ballasting.

The effect was achieved by painting the sides in a buff undercoat followed by dabs of yellow/orange smudged out with a cotton bud. Finally a wash of blue grey wiped off followed by a black wash on the DAS clay paving slabs.

In the meantime, I’ve made a couple of successful eBay raids and have the two main buildings of the Bachmann Market Hampton station on the way. Will need to keep my eyes peeled for the two toilet blocks in due course.

2021-05-10_02-48-20 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20210510_144545 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20210510_144603 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Steve M]

I seem to have slipped into doing the scenery. The hill at one end had gained a shell of plaster bandage and its rock faces. Once it’s dry, I will cut through for the board joints to allow the hill (or part of it) to be removed for maintenance. The cut sides will also get a layer of bandage once I get some extra supplies and finally a coat of green to seal and prepare it for the final finish. Of course I will need to sort out the tunnel entrances, bridge and viaduct sides first.

2021-05-11_07-29-38 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Carl L]

You can tell already, that is going to be spot on, the rock outcrops look so good. I still can’t believe the speed you work at, you’ll be finished before the end of summer!

[bulleidboy]

Tremendous progress Steve - it's going to look so good with the multi-level tracks.

[Steve M]

Thanks for the comments.

Much of what I have done so far has been using materials left over from other projects, but now I’m starting to feel that I’m being held up by not having easy access to all those little bits and bobs that you could pick up from the local model shop. My nearest one has limited stock at present and another one nearby has closed pending relocation.

I know it’s the same for everyone, but missing out on the two biggest shows of the year due to the pandemic hasn’t helped - I used to come away with loads of bits that ‘may come in handy one day’. And of course they were such an opportunity to see some fairly obscure producers and their wares.

Something I must do is get a small whiteboard so I can jot down things I need to get and jobs still to be done or I’ll forget what I need the next time I raid a model shop. For example, one point motor is not connected yet and is in danger of being overlooked - but if it’s on the board, even I can’t miss it.

Back to the layout and I’m taking a step back today while the plaster dries properly although I did flick a dry brush with a hint of white over the rock faces to pick up the highlights on the edges. I will be drawing up some plans for some scratchbuilt coaldrops near the station that will require a chunk of baseboard to be cut away and lowered.

What could go wrong?

[Bandit Mick]

As previously stated - great progress. I too have missed shows - not so much for buying bits and bobs but more for inspiration and keeping the mojo alive.

[Steve M]

This photo gives an insight into how I make my hills and tunnels.
Layers of foam are glued together and carved to shape with a hot wire. I then covered the outside with a shell of plaster bandage. Once that had completely dried I cut through the shell with a saw so that the entire hillside can be lifted out. I then trimmed away some of the foam from the inside of the hill - this creates clearance between the hill and the adjacent boards and tracks. I then covered the inside of the hillside with more plaster bandage to create a cocoon to hold everything together.
Finally I did a bit of trimming to allow the tunnel mouths to be fitted and secured with spray foam (yes, I overdid that bit). Curing the foam can be accelerated by spraying it with water.
When that has finally hardened it will be trimmed back and a bit more plaster bandage added.

2021-05-13_05-42-16 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[Steve M]

I think I’m getting towards the end of roughing out the main structure of the fell and tunnels.

The section behind the twin mainline had been fully cocooned in plaster and is completely removable in one piece. Painted the tunnel entrances and rock walls for the over bridge before fixing them in place with expanding foam.

Let’s just say that the static grass will (eventually) hide a multitude of sins.

20210514_192003 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20210514_191928 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20210514_192052 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

[RogerB]

Up to your usual high standard as far as I can see Steve. Very nice. R-

[bulleidboy]

Fantastic progress - this is going to look really good.