Model Railway Forum

As I progress my Montgreenan / Portencross layout, I am trying to refurbish / replace some of the items that I originally made when I was an apprentice rookie.

One such item ( or items to be precise) is the Metcalfe based card platforms ...... whilst the island platform still looks reasonable, the main platform and station forecourt is looking tired, and so I am planning to produce more permanent wooden structures.

Last week I purchase 18mm wood panelling from B&Q , which was more expensive that the MDF equivalent, but I hate working with that stuff and I am only intending on doing this once, so solid wood is my choice. Using my existing platforms as a basic template ( there have been some minor track realignments since they were made) I have marked out both the main and Island platforms and will cut them out this weekend.

I have ordered a relatively cheap palm router to create the platform edge, but I am looking for inputs for the platform surface........ I could just paint the wood a tarmac or concrete colour and mark white edges, but I have seen some other fantastic platforms out there on this forum and others, so want to consider all possible options.

Would be grateful for any advice on this matter - thanks Richard

Hi Richard, I suppose it depends what type of surface you want. When I did mine on Low Ghyll, I sprayed 18mm ply with Rustoleum aged iron - it's a speckled, textured dark grey that is a good representation of tarmac.
I have also seen emery paper used as a surface material.
If you are after something more modern I think I may have seen somewhere that produces replica textured paving for platform edges - sorry, but I can't think where I saw it.

Thanks Steve........ sorry I should have said that I am looking for something that bridges the two separate era’s that I am switching between on the one layout, ie 1960’s Green Diesel and Post Tops BR Blue........ my sense from looking thru books of these era’s is that something tarmac or slabbed ( or perhaps a combination) seems appropriate, but would welcome any other inputs.

Thanks

Hi Richard,

Many apologies for not responding to the "platform surface" post. Having used the Ratio SR Platform Facing - each section comes complete with the platform edging stones, the surface was made from 1.5mm plasticard placed over a 2mm balsa wood framework - a random framework just to stop sagging. Initially I sprayed the surface wit Halfords Grey Primer, but after a while decided it was too lighter grey for what was probably tarmac, and repainted using Railmatch Roof Dirt. This does give the impression of a newly tarmaced surface, but looks better than the grey primer. If you wanted a textured surface, I suppose a very fine sandpaper, well stuck down to 1mm plasticard and duly painted. There is a lip on the platform edging on which the surface sits - it needs to be a flush fit. I hope that is of some assistance.

Thanks for the suggestion on moving or adding another tree to hide the crease - I'll give it a try. Barry

100_0401 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

Thanks Barry for the input........I am looking at the PECO edging and a plasticard surface and may order some this weekend to trial........ not sure the sandpaper approach will pass the test of time, but appreciate the useful info on the tarmac colours.

Thanks - Richard