NRM Visit

My first visit to the NRM in York has left me wanting more of it. Missed the Tornado, that arrived around the 13th, but enjoyed seeing some great locos and what was on show of Flying Scotsman.

I think a weekend or at least a couple of days would be a better idea, now I know the format of the museum I can spend more time looking at the exhibits, would have preferred to see something running, so a summer visit is called for.

I would think a few days in York then over to the North York Moors to finish a steam filled trip.

"just a blog"

Well the Quo were good, but used the Wembley sound system which, was horrible...!

A good rockin' night had by all, support band Manfred Mann's Earth Band were really good, got us singing along and excellent selection of numbers...

"just a blog"

All being well I'm watching the Quo tonight at Wembley Arena...!

Been a Quo fan most most of my life, seen them every year since about '82, the only year missed was '98 when I moved up to Scotland.

So come on Quo, give it to us...!!!!!

Brushes

Brushes come in various sizes and forms. For most people they are of pointed tip variety, however many other shapes can often help out, depending on your needs.

For me I tend to use the pointed tip range, but I do have a few others, flat brushes can be very useful when painting large figure Gauge O and buildings. Within the range of brushes I have, they range from '5' through to 'ooooo'. Depending on make, the '00000' can vary in size, it is best to look for brushes at trade stands or from makers that you have personal knowledge of.

I once purchased a 'oo' size brush that was thinner than my 'ooooo' brush from a named paint brand.

I use four different types of brush, these are divided by my judgement of their quality.

1. High quality, these are either by brush tips or brush hair type. The finest quality brushes are reserved for detail work. I once painted a station master, complete with watch chain in 'N' gauge, 'OO' gauge and Gauge O are both excellent working scales for fine detail work.

2. Mid range brushes, normally reserved for older high quality brushes and brushes used for general painting. As with high quality, the bristles must offer a good shape.

3. Cheap brushes are ideal for large amounts of non essential paint work, such as scenery. These can vary in size, but normally cheap brushes are sold in boxes or packs, offering mainly the larger type brushes. These packs also come in handy when applying PVA glue to models or scenes.

4. These are the left overs from the above three types, idea for weathering models, applying additional paint detail in places that are non essential.

Try to use brushes until the very end of their life span. If you do use brushes with PVA, just put them into hot water and rinse the PVA off, your brush is then ready for use again.

Glues

Modelling uses different forms of glue, the most commonly used are:

PVA
Liquid Poly
Super Glues

Like paints, keep the lids on and once used recap them, never leave PVA near the track, clear-up spills immediately, forget the modelling, glue can cause disaster.

If you are lucky enough to be modelling in an environment that is wihtin your home, make sure the carpets are protected, ideally when building models, have a work bench type of area to use.

Hornby Stanier 4MT 2-6-4T Class 4P

Just purchased two of these for running within the 'preservation' day-to-day role for the layout. Have run one of them very quickly, stunning locos, really worth the purchase and will fit nicely into the concept of Briers Grove.

I purchased them from Kernow Model Rail Centre, thanks to Trevor for sorting them out for me.

(will publish some photographs after my holiday)

"just a blog"

With my holiday approaching I decided that Thursday evening 20/11/08 would be the last night in the railway room. This is to tidy the place up, leaving it clutter free and ready for my return.

I'm also looking at some new storage boxes, some of the modelling items really do need a proper home, not just on the work bench, so this might be a purchase prior to my holiday.

Currently looking at a couple of loco purchases, the Class 4 2-6-4Ts Standard Tank early emblem.

Elkin Station - Station Yard

This evening has seen a cleaning up evening, especially with my holiday looming.

Sunday turned into part running day, spent about two hours running locos and some freight. The track needed some minor cleaning, but all in all the locos ran first time so that is a bonus.

With the holiday just round the corner I wanted to finish the station yard off, to complete this I've put the fencing up on the platform of Elkin Station, photographs to be posted shortly.

This almost completes the furthest scenic area from Elkin Station to Tunnel Corner, what remains is to paint the small detailing kits and figures that make up the station yard feature.

This will now wait until I come home, perhaps Christmas will see me spending extra time finishing this section.

The next big section is the far end of Elkin Station, allotments and railway cottages, prior to entering the engine shed area of Briers Grove.

"just a blog"

Another evening of track cleaning, Briers Grove Station is now running more freely, still a few minor sections of track to clean up, but it is running.

There's always something you miss when working on the layout, and tonight I found I hadn't cleaned the track properly after ballasting. So that job has to be finished off before I can really consider a running night.

Tunnel Embankment - Near Side Pt2

I was looking at the photograph below and an idea struck me for my aims on this section of modelling.

Using the idea of the raised embankment, I've increased the length and the width of the embankment, this allows me a good base for building on to and also allows for greater scene detailing at a later date.

One of the problems I have is track cleaning, so most of the modelling this side of the main track has got to be modular to some degree, having the embankment much wider will allow me to position the section more easily and make it much stronger so that I can leave it in place rather than keep moving it.

I've just cut the shape of the first part of the embankment, I've got an idea in my head and if it works I can offer a little more of a story to history of Briers Grove branch line.

Clutter & Chaos

This might seem stupid to mention, but from time to time you need to get into the modelling room/area and give it a good clear out.

I've just spent nearly 3 hours sorting out the modelling area, including boxes that I had collected of odds and ends. Now having cleaned the storage areas and sorted the remaining boxes into a sensible order I now have more room and can see what I do and don't need.

I've binned some really old modelling items I was keeping for a rainy day, sorted the junk from good and now have a good idea of what I have collected over the last few years.

As I'm working in my shed, I've put some hooks up and put models on to each hook near to where they should end up on the layout. This gives me an overview of what I was aiming for, but also makes sure I don't duplicate models.

My next evening will be to finish the clean up and sort out the modelling bench, I might even invest in some portable storage draws for the paints etc.

Tunnel Embankment - Near Side Pt1

I decided I wanted some of the running to be obscured by the modelling, so the tunnel was a good place to start. Working from the rear out does mean that some of the scenic modelling will need to wait for some time, as I'm working from right to left and back to front.

To give the effect I'm looking for I've started on the near embankment to give an idea of what it might look like when completed. I wanted this raised to offer a more 3D effect rather than all being the same level. This first embankment seen in the photographs is just for ideas and to offer a little more for viewing when running stock.

I have an idea for modelling this section, but first need to finalise the purchase of some kits prior to creating the scene. As you can see from the photograph, the curve offers a good scenic location for photography, so the embankments will offer a good modelling opportunity in the future.

Station Yard

Having spent a few days preparing the scenics around the yard area, I was itching to get the fencing erected. My problem was that not really knowing what the yard scene would look like, I really did need to try some ideas out. My favourite to date is the one featured in the current set of photographs, of course this may change towards the finalised scene.

Once I was happy I began the preparations for modelling the fencing, I need plenty of room for track cleaning so had always planned on the fence being further back with space for railway maintenance gangs to work.

I drilled some small holes by hand for the fence posts, put some plaster in the holes and on the fence post and then set the fencing up. I also used some neat PVA on two sections to give further strength. Adding the gate was a little trickier, I really should have waited, but I felt the positioning would be easier and with the fence still tacky offered greater flexibility when positioning.

The open section of fencing between the platform ramp and yard will have a small work scene included, yet to be finished. Most of the major parts of the yard scene are complete, just finishing touches for the models. The next two stages are to complete the allotments at the other end of the station and the current end of the platform, the latter has been in planning for the last few weeks, models and ideas being tested for scenic value.

The allotments are halfway through completion, I started these some time back and have been tinkering on and off with them. I have some new models to put in the scenes and this should offer a good run of scenic viewing when finished. Once this is complete I will need to start looking at some time tables for the layout, especially over the coming months of winter.

Couldn't Resist This...!

The link will take you to my fotopic web site...

Click back button to get back to Briers Grove blog...

"just a blog"

Sunday was an eventful day for Briers Grove. Having spent the last few evenings cleaning the track in sections, I decided to just turn the power on and see what ran.

First out was the 0-4-0 Elkin shunter, so far so good, no stops and starts.

Second on the line was the Briers Grove 0-4-0 shunter, took it round to the fiddle yard and took out two GWR coaches and they ran a treat, though one point was sticking.

Left the running for a time, sorted some kits out and then some modelling, went back to running and the current was working around the track nicely - some good running. Ended the evening running a class 58 diesel and the two shunters with stock.

Also tested the next modelling stage for the curve, one minor adjustment to positioning and it was sorted.

Had two sticky points, that I know about, but all in all, I'm really happy.

Track Plan

You'll have to forgive me for such a poor track plan, unfortunately my drawing skills are useless and my skills at Illustrator are not that clever either.

I'll try and draw another track plan for next year...!

Flexibility

As a modeller, you sometimes need to consider different ideas to the one you had originally chosen, especially when modelling areas within the layout.

I'm currently working on a small station yard for Elkin Station, this then leads in to the copse area by the tunnel. I had originally wanted to place an old vehicle wreck within the bushes at the back end of the yard, however room was not adequate enough and I had to change my idea a little.

I still kept the general idea of the yard, but adapted my idea around the space, my wrecked vehicle will go somewhere else now.

Another aspect in flexibility is to see how different ideas and models might work when presented. I had originally decided not to have houses on the layout, this has now changed and some houses are now included replacing the original idea.

Development Of An Idea pt2

Running Stock

I never wanted to buy locomotives for a region or even time; I wanted to buy certain locomotives because they mean something to me. I’ve always loved Flying Scotsman, but only numbered as 4472, as 60103 it never really appealed to me, however if the question was asked of me, 4472 scrapped or 60103 preserved? I always opt for Flying Scotsman in preservation, with or without a corridor tender and ‘bat wings’!

I purchased big locomotives, mainly named, but some a little less known, (to me anyhow). This is why I never wanted to model a region or place, working within these restrictions would have meant limitations, something I would hate within a modelling environment. When I finally got round to understanding model railways a little more, Keith Plum, Roger Elkin, Pete Watson, Rod and Geoff, Lawrie Smith, Richard Kilner and a few more that had allowed me to operate their own layouts, my attitude changed somewhat toward small locomotives and how they are used.

I acquired various locomotives, including diesel and two DMUs, one modern and one with an older livery. Within my own mind I was already acquiring stock for what I had intended to be a show layout, I can run most regions, apart from Southern.

LNER, LMS, GWR, BR and my own livery are all included as independent running if I so wish, my stock is normally mixed though. Out of the Big Four, GWR always appealed to me, but coming from LNER area, and having a link to Top Link works, my purchasing has mainly stayed with LNER. My Great Great Uncle was a Top Link driver, he being Bob Marrable, seen running the Elizabethan and driving Silver Fox in the footage.

Layout and Location

As mentioned before, I don’t run within a real location, although the back scene setting would indicate Northern England, perhaps near the Lakeland or Yorkshire areas. My stations do not really represent any region, although Elkin Station which is hand painted, is Rogart Station from the Highland Region.

I mix fencing from different regions, different station equipment and different eras of machinery. This layout is not about regions or places; it’s about what I like and what I perceive it to be.

The Story

My fictional company, Walmington Railways (My love of Dad’s Army) runs the Briers Grove Branch Line. Its’ original concept was to operate a preserved steam railway, but as more and more privatisation came in, the company diversified into the distribution of goods and passengers on a commercial scale within the local area.

During the week, Walmington Railways operates a passenger service from Briers Grove terminus to Walmington Junction offering a connection to mainline services. Besides the passenger service that Walmington Railways offers, a modern DMU also runs a passenger service across the remaining line that has been restored as an alternative transport service to the nearest town (un-named).

The passenger franchise offers the opportunity to run a steam hauled service during the day, DMU service at peak times and a GWR Railcar at other times due to passenger numbers. Besides the passenger franchise, Briers Grove also attracts tourism; this offsets the cost of running the railway and offers visitors the opportunity to see steam hauled running.

At weekends the line turns into a steam extravaganza, with their own stock and visiting locomotives, Briers Grove attracts many railway enthusiasts. Named locos such as Flying Scotsman and Mallard often make appearances on the line, running specials. The connection from the town and Walmington Junction also offers people the ability to travel via the railway without the use of motor vehicles.

I built Briers Grove so that part of the scenic boards can be used for modular use; this allows me to offer different scenarios or themes. Elkin Station goods yard has the ability to house large locomotives; this allows enthusiasts to see the locomotives close up with special passes.

I am also building a country pub into the layout, this offers the ability to house special events, such as steam fairs, vintage rallies and motorcycle rallies for example. This modular format allows me to have two goods yards for week day running and these offer the second part of the commercial side of Walmington Railways.

Briers Grove is the terminus station and head quarters of Walmington Railways, it offers a goods yard and operates a commercial delivery service for the local communities employing local people and offering an alternative to long distance road haulage.

Elkin Station also has a goods yard, but this also houses the maintenance facilities of Briers Grove, you’ll often see maintenance vehicles within the depot area. Elkin Station is a two track station with one island platform, so in normal working conditions an up and down road. The station also has a passing loop; this is used for freight traffic coming into Elkin Station or for holding freight when commuter services may cross within the timetable.

Briers Grove is a high level station but serviced by a low level railway. With new facilities for disabled access (lifts), Briers Grove offers an excellent viewing arena for enthusiast weekends. With the bay platform and four coach main platform, the engine shed, water & coaling facility on separate rails. The bay platform also houses the small parcels service facility, including mail. The main platform is normally reserved for steam hauled locomotives, however when the DMUs are running, the three car DMU often resides within this area.

Briers Grove goods yard houses a warehouse, coal yard and other aggregates for local use and distributes timber loads from the local community. One of the sidings doubles as a coach holding area for when coaches are being rotated or housed over night. Both Briers Grove and Elkin Station have station shunter engines, both housed within their own sidings for storage and coaling.

Stations on the Briers Grove Branch Line (named stations may increase with time)

Briers Grove
Elkin Station
Braxted
Hinton St. Mary
Walmington Junction (mainline connection)
Branch Line continuation(services to un-named town unlisted)

Development Of An Idea

Over the years that I have been interested in railway modelling, steam has played a greater part of the interest, although I don't really know loco designs, apart from one or two.

Most modellers pick a region, a place, a time or a combination of them to create their own unique version of running a railway. There are some, like myself, that have opted for a fictional place, but not many take the view of creating a preserved railway, most end up running a 'regional' or 'time/era' railway.

My original layout Rogie Falls, offered a scenic location with various locomotives and running stock from The Big Four, to British Railways and modern running stock. My time or era is reflected within the concept of a preservation society role, but with a modern working branch line offering an alternative transport method for passengers wishing to connect to the rail network.

Having worked within the distribution industry for many years, I have always believed that the rail network offers far greater opportunities for employment and the distribution of goods locally, rather than HGVs. Using a branch line network to distribute goods and, having a BRS delivery system spanning the entire country. But that’s getting into politics, which, model railways do not really play a part in, but this is my concept, an era of nationalisation centred on a preservation society running this part of the network.

This is where the preservation society comes in to the concept. My love of the wonderfully kept stations in rural and some suburban towns always gives me a sense of belief that of an idyllic life style. From a photographers view this would give us the time and era of neatness, unlike the current system. Flower beds, swept station platforms, fencing repaired, and so on…, a sense of pride.

(Part 2)

Adding Glass to Windows

Plastic kits offer excellent detail, especially these days. However many of the kits still only offer basic windows, a plastic window with a clear piece of plastic for glass, this also goes for vehicle making.

Many modellers try and add the glass last or at least towards the end, I found this rather hard especially having large hands. So I adopted a different approach.

Instead of building most of the kit and attempting to slide the clear plastic in place, prepare the window area on the outside, undercoating and even painting if necessary.

Cut the clear plastic so it overlaps the window by some margin.

Hold the unconstructed side with tweezers and apply the glue to the underside of the kit, mainly on the overlap areas, now lay the unconstructed model on top of the clear plastic and leave to set.

The end result should give you clear windows, instead of the smudged glue on the panes.

Military Modelling

I first started modelling military kits, Airfix being the norm when young, but I never really had the ability to complete the kit to some satisfaction.

When I got older a friend introduced me to his friend John Hubbard, his skill at kit building was impressive, he and his brother Danny had the skills I lacked; patience!

After talking about kit building I purchased a military kit and began set about building it, it's all in the preparation. John also gave me many of tips on cleaning and preparing kits, I progressed on to resin kits and these are outstanding in their own right.

Model railways created another dimension and I introduced railway ideas into John's thinking and he built a large military diarama railway based on a German theme. One preoblem military enthusiasts and railway enthusiasts have is scale, so you need to create perspective within the scene to make it work, however we do have modellers licence on our side - to a point...

Tipples & Relaxation

This is really for the adults (males). One thing that railways or modelling in general can offer is escapism, so it is worth keeping that favourite drink nearby.

I often have a beer or a glass of my favourite whisky when working on the layout, mellows the brain and lets you escape into a world beyond space time and eternity...

Oops I think I've been drinking the Glenlivet too much!

Dry Brushing

Dry Brushing is a technique used by modellers to apply very light coats of or traces of paint to models, mainly used for weathering effects.

To use this method you need only a minimum amount of paint and a nice brush for detailed work. If weathering large areas, the brush does not ned to be of high quality, just a nice shaped head.

Dip the head into the paint, no begin to wipe the paint off the bristles by brushing it over either some rag or paper towel. Keep doing this until you can only see a trace of paint coming off the brush.

Now flick the brush over your area on the model that requires the dry brush effect. It is a technique that requires practice, so be prepared for mistakes, like having too much paint on the brush for starters. I learnt by weathering larger kits, 1/35th scale military kits, then moved down the scales to 'OO' and 'N'.

If you want something to practice on, buildings such as sheds or wagons offer a good place to start.

Paints

Enamel paints were the norm a few years back for modelling, but Acrylic paints now offer much more freedom wihtin the modelling scene. I paint nearly everthing with Acrylic these days, but there are times when good old fashioned Enamel paints offer a better choice.

If you are using Enamel paints they always need a good stirring, one way of doing this is to use an electric stirrer. Paint stirrers are common, but an easy way is to get yourself a modellers drill, a large paper clip broken down and bent one end to create an L shape. Use the modellers drill as the stirrer.

Modellers drills - most come with a power pack, when I first purchased them they were just one speed, but I think more modern drills offer various speeds. Now for stirring paint this of course can create a problem, so a good idea is to purchase a cheap drill and use a controller to vary the speed of the drill. This works great, if you don't mind not using the transformer that came with the drill, just snip the end off the drill wire and you're ready to go, if not buy a couple of wired clips and connect that way.

The Back Scene

I've always envied people that can paint, and seeing a good back scene is a joy when viewing model railways. I always loved Hinton St. Mary, by Rod & Geoff from ET-MRC, the layout back scene was hand painted by Geoff.

Luckily for me I met someone that could paint, Harold F. Lane, so after some discussions he agreed to paint my scene, and no easy task, 22ft of it!

I'll be adding a photo showcase of the back scene, the amount of scenes within it is amazing, every time I look at it I see something new, just take the aeroplane taking off, I hadn't really spotted the hangers until I'd photographed it.

Harold has an eye for detail, his vision within drawing and painting is stunning, the amount of time put into it is quite something.

Many thanks Harold, you made this modeller very happy!

"just a blog"

Well after the fiasco of the wiring I decided a good clean up was needed. Rearranged part of the shed, got in and started cleaning half the layout. Once cleaned I started running some stock, well locos first off.

What fun, forgot how good it was to run a layout...

Had some problems with dirty points, got those sorted then on with some nice locos, got the Bachmann J39 out, some kit this is, runs really well. Ended up with four locos and some rolling stock on the track, getting use to the layout again.

I'll be finsihing the cleaning off and then have a running session one night real soon.

Wiring

If like me you don't understand electrics you'll need someone to either wire it, or at least help point you in the right direction.

For me Roger Elkin of The ET-MRC helped me out. I sent him a diagram of my layout, where I wanted locos to be held and he then sent it back as a wiring diagram - so many thanks Roger!

Now it's Sunday 6pm and I spent the best part of two hours trying to solder a section of the layout, only to find out I was soldering the wrong end of the layout. It turned out the problem was a broken connection via the switching box, once I'd located the problem, I fixed it in 30 seconds.

So here's the second tip, before re-soldering something, check to make sure it's the correct connection!

Paints & Thinners

Keep paints and thinners away from heat, store in cool place and keep the lids on.

Station Yard & Copse

This part of the layout is on the baseboard level, this will allow an effect of height once finished. As you'll see from the photographs, the initial modelling has to come from the back, but foreground detail has to be laid out to offer the background effect.

In this section the fencing offers a greater part to the scenic effect rather than what is in the scene. This area has been divided in to two sections, the Station Yard and an area leading to the copse.

I used a photographic technique to realise my goal, I looked at the scene with a panoramic eye, what would allow the scene to continue without stitching too many pieces together, the fencing was the key.

To allow some form of depth to the layout you need to build scenes from the ground up and from the back out. This might seem a simple statement, but many overlook the background and then need to add in detail after.

I used the GWR fencing for the station yard, this has different colours, you'll see the end result with the workmen I'm going to use. Hedging helps greatly, adding further depth from the viewing area to the back scene. Once these were in place I added more depth by adding undergrowth and smaller hedging between the hedge and the open areas. You need to use different colours for the effect to work, colour perception is the key to the brain, all one colour makes it look odd.

Textures added are again created from layering flock and other modelling items. I used the rubberised horsehair to create shrubbery, just cut it up into loose strands, then use watered down PVA to put in place, add some coloured flock, mainly green for effect.

Dividing this area into two sections allowed for more scenic modelling options and ideas, the station needed a work yard, and this end of the layout had less happening within it, within the back ground. (the foreground area is a goods yard and part of the preservation group - see overview of design).

Note: My layout is not based on a set time in history, it is actually based in a modern day setting, but I'm using a selection of models from past eras, this allows me the best of both worlds. I've always thought the GWR offered the best kept scenic railways, so much of my ideas stem from the GWR area, but I involve many regions within my layout. (see stock for further details)

Making Platforms

If like me you want long curved platforms that are completely one section, you need to mark out the run for the curves.

To do this you need the platforms in a raw state, i.e. in my case the MDF in one lump. Place the track on to the wood and and pin in place the curve you wish to create. Attach a pencil to the carriage and run the carriage over the track, this will draw a curve on to the wood.

Now use a jigsaw to cut the curve. Once finished fix the platforms in place and lay the track through the curve and test with a carriage then a loco, you can refine the edge if need be.

All my platforms are screwed into the base boards for easy removal, just use some scenic models to hide the screws.

The Tunnel Construction

Tunnel itself was constructed over a period of weeks. Using polystyrene tiles as the length of the tunnel I then built up layers of them to create the height. Then once this had dried I began working on the curve, I used a very simple method of marking the beginning of the tunnel entrance on to the layout, then drawing a curve roughly from end to end.

You need a good sharp knife for this or a bread knife, you start cutting the curve out and then checking the curve against the track. Keep doing this until you've got most of the tunnel cut out. Once the main section is cut away, you can keep the cut out sections for adding height to the top of the tunnel. Check the tunnel curve with a loco, (an old one!). Adjust where needed...

Now using modroc to cover the tiles, then add some plaster to create the inside rock face. Prior to drying place the tunnel in place and run a loco through the tunnel, if the curve is too tight, you'll get wet plaster on the loco, adjust where needed.

I used preformed plastic tunnel mouths for quickness, there are many different manufacturers offering tunnel mouths, I used the cheapest and painted and weathered them after fitting.

To fit the version I have was straight forward, I marked around the outer and cut away from the polystyrene tiles to create a small edging, this I then filled and padded out with plaster, fitting the tunnel mouth directly on to the plaster. You'll need to clean away the residue of plaster twice, the majority when wet and the leftovers when dry.

To paint the inside of the tunnel I went for a dark effect, I used pure black for this. Paint the tunnel mouths a colour to match the type you have, (i.e. brick or stone), added colour for effect and then weather as desired and don't forget the smoke effect above the centre of the arch.

Painting the tunnel is really based on the scene, of course modellers licence is active here and you can opt to paint whatever colours you prefer. I went for a rock colour with some browns thrown in for areas where flock will go. I'm still undecided at the moment on what the final effect will be, I'm considering small bushes and possibly heather for colour, but we'll see.

PVA Glue

PVA glue is used frequently in modelling, it's transparency drying abilities are fantastic, but it's the versatility of it when watered down that offers much more. I use between one quarter to a third PVA to water, and a squirt of washing up liquid, shaken and stirred. Put it in a washing-up liquid bottle and it'll last for months, give it a stir and a shake from time to time, when mixing I tend to use warm water.

Plaster

When you make plaster for scenic use, always add some PVA glue with a touch of washing up liquid included, this allows some flexibility in the moulds. This is especially useful when building an exhibition layout, but also useful when adding scenic kits like tress to scenic areas, as the moulds will not crack as much.

Tunnel Corner

The tunnel entrance to the layout came about from the concept I had used on Rogie Falls. I had one major problem, I can't hide the fiddle yard, so I was looking for a way to introduce the layout as just the scenic boards and not the entire area needed for a model railway. The tunnel creates a boundary for viewers, anything to the right of the tunnel entrance is non scenic, everything to the left offers scenic viewing.

It's original concept was to offer an old windmill as the first piece of the scene, however this often looked silly, and, it spoilt the back scene which, I had hand painted for me. As you'll see, I have now incorporated a track path walk from the station through a yard and into a copsed area prior to it leading out into the meadows beyond. Personally I think the idea works with the concept with the back scene, but only you can judge for yourself...

Construction

Normally you would try and use different levels to build the scene, this offers height and distance. As my track bed is all on the same level, I have had to try and build perspective distance into the scene by using the height of the actual layout, it stand around 4 1/2 ft high, so eye level viewing is offered with ease for most people.

Polystyrene boards/tiles offer a great modelling oppertunity, allowing you to create different heights and curves in the scenic concept. The tunnel itself offers some height to the layout, as does the incorporation of the back scene in the same area. As the back scene was painted prior to the main scenic design, I have had to make the modelling fit the back scene rather than the other way around.

For new comers a word of warning - model railways are expensive!

As you may see from the link to the photographs, the scene itself has developed greatly, it's a question of slowly slowly rather than rushing into the building stages of scenic modelling. Once the basic concept had been developed in my mind, I began using the models to set the scene out prior to finalising the positioning.

There are different focal poits to all my scenes, something for everyone, the first attraction is the tunnel mouth, only viewed from a certain angle. Then the standing stones, the path leading in and out of the scene and finally the two main sets of figures, looking towards the track and 'valley of the track bed'.

You'll also see I have included two 'adult' figures hidden behind the rocks, this was something I liked about model railways, first viewed on a Gauge O layout many years back. The idea to make the layout fun for all is the concept, but innuendo plays a part in scenic modelling as you'll see over the coming months.

05/10/08
I used a polystyrene tile as the base for the copse, this allows a little extra height, and allows the base board to the left of the scene to be lower. Next I used modrock and then plastered it, (see tip on modelling plaster), this allowed a good solid base for adding scenic materials. Prior to adding any scenic kits you need to give the base a coat of paint, this acts as a base colour for anything you're putting over it like flock. The key to building scenes is to have an overall picture of what you want at the end and then build in stages.

Once painted an earth colour, this does not need to be pure brown, a mixture of colours helps, darker for earth and lighter for rock faces. Use a mix variation of colours, this helps reflect real life colours, nothing is just one pure colour in landscapes. Also use variations of flock, colour is important at this stage, variations of green and earth colours help produce to effect when viewed from a distance.

Using a mixture of watered down PVA glue, (see tip on glue), I scattered the area with my path, then topped it up once down with more glue and more sprinkling of scenic materials used for the path. I've used 'N' gauge ballast here, as was the entire track bed ballasted in 'N' gauge materials. Once completed I allowed it to dry, next came the flock, two different greens and one brown used, also created paths across the grassy areas, leading in different directions from the main path itself.

Coloured flock creates the flowers and hedging is made from rubberised horse hair, cut to size and then covered in dark green and coloured flock for effect. The fencing was put in with small amounts of plaster with added PVA for strength, once cemented in I cleaned off the surplus and left to dry. I repainted the fencing, this time covering the ground and the added more flock to hide the areas of plaster.

My next job was adding the trees, this can be really expensive, trees are not cheap, so be warned. Again I used a darker green under the trees with some brown thrown in, this creates the shading. My last job was to add the people, it's always personal choice, but I always feel a train spotter is needed somewhere, and of course the scene from The Railway Children is always nice to recreate. I added the courting couple as an extra, I've still got a few changes to make with this, but need to buy the kits for added scenic value.

(the next section will be the yard through to the copse)

Cleaning a Plastic Kit

One of the most common problems new modellers face is painting their first kit, the prepartion secret to painting it is to wash the entire kit whilst on the spru in warm soapy water, this then removes the grease.

Photography

If you're interested in photography, you can view my on-going collection at Picasa.
The Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge.
Nr: Ben Nevis, Fort William

The Beginning

02nd October 2008
Briers Grove was an idea I had some years back in London, of course I would have preffered a run-round layout, but as space allowed, an end-to-end layout was the reserved choice and I wanted something to offer a little more than just running a couple of locos.

I was introduced to railway modelling by a collegue, Keith Plum, Enfield Town MRC, he introduced me to the club and my interests took off. I'd always been into military modelling, there's some on that later in the blog, but the concept of building a model railway had never entered my head, due to my lack of wiring knowledge, I'm still no good at wiring layouts, but I do love scenic modelling as you'll discover as the blog progresses.

4th October 2008
My first layout was a small 8ft x 2ft end-to-end, named Rogie Falls, a place on the road to Garve in the Highlands. If was never modelled on Rogie Falls, I just took the name. If i can find the photographs I'll put them up. The model as it's name suggests was based on a waterfall, with a single track running under the mountain end of the layout through to a double track as it passed some private property and a riverside walk, there was no station, just a halt and a scenic location.

I had incorporated cheap kits to keep the costs low, secondhand stuff made up much of basic layout and I progressed to buying new kits that took my fancy. My main point I tried to make when building the layout was to keep it fun and more viewable for the general public, (it was intended to be an exhibition layout).

As I am very tall I hated operating layouts that made me bend too much, so my layout was built for my hight, but this allowed the viewing public a better view of the layout, for some it was eye-level viewing. One member, Laurie, decided it was too tall for him and used a small step-ladder to view the layout, much to the amusement of us all - but the point is that model railways are always viewed from on high which, does not give the best view.

Intro

Briers Grove came about when I moved up to the Highlands, I'd had a small layout whilst in London and felt the time was right to move on to a bigger project. Unfortunately as my interests in other areas developed, so my layout got neglected, until recently, (sept '08).

My interests in photography had become dominant, prior to that computing, or rather the building and maintaining of computers. That has all changed, except the photography side, you will see the development of the model railway layout and photography side by side.

The Briers Grove Blog will also include modelling techniques, photographs and anything I can find that suits this blog, so keep me logged on your favourites and pop back every couple of weeks or so, I should have some updates, at least once a month.

Steve