A Year Without Modelling

Well due to one reason or another I've not done anything with Briers Grove, mainly the illness and when I got the time my photography took centre stage.

I did shoot some macro shots, must look them out for a post, must make an effort next year and really sort the shed out properly to create proper space.

Yes perhaps it is time I looked into this more quickly than first thought..!

Strange Six Months

In my last post I included a photograph of The Grand Marquess, this was taken on a day out to Perth MRS with Barry the guy I worked for. A few weeks later he committed suicide for reasons unknown, with everything that happened there after Briers Grove took a very distant back seat.

Now though as time has progressed, Briers Grove needs some attention, of course this would be okay if it were not for the snow and very cold conditions. As a little interlude I've dug some old shots out I took of the Q1 back in 2009.

Album

2010 - 17 Great Marquess 61994

Our visit to Perth MRS was meant to be the highlight of the day, how wrong we were...!

The Great Marquess

We stopped at Pitlochry for some hot food, a fish & chip supper, this we followed by a brief circular walk that took us along the river bank, passing the theatre and over the hydro dam, and then back toward the town via the railway station.

We had no idea of what was due, but our short walk offered a surprise we greatly appreciated. Arriving at the station we were greeted by the HST 43 277 to Inverness, this was sat waiting for the local commuter train prior to departure on the single track to Aviemore.

The Great Marquees 61994

I got chatting to another spectator with a camera, it was at this point he mentioned the steam train arriving at 19:10 Southbound from Aviemore. Further questions revealed it to be 61994 on an excursion to the Strath Spey Railway for the day, with Pitlochry serving as a watering hole on the return leg.

Having shot this loco before, I eagerly awaited the chance of another shooting her in the warmth of the evening sun. As you'll see from the shoot, she really was worth waiting for, a glorious end to fine day out for nostalgia.

Perth MRS

Perth MRS was another of those events you normally miss being that much farther north, however since we had missed the Glasgow show this year due to the bad weather our desire to see at least one show was even stronger, so the Perth show was scratched on to the calender.

The show itself is two days, but for me this seems a bit long, though I'd guess the organisers would disagree. We arrived around 2pm after stops for a roll and coffee, the venue itself is not that easy to find, luckily my new TomTom Sat Nav saved the day leading us directly to the event and cutting a couple of roads out.

Parking at first seemed it would mean a walk back to the venue, luckily a small space was found so that saved us some time. At first glance the venue seemed just right, but on reflection the displays and stalls could have been laid out better, one hall had little in it while the main hall was packed.

The standard of the displays was outstanding, you can find a selection of layouts from event here.

Embankment & Tunnel Corner

The embankment by tunnel corner is now progressing with added height and a scrub land area to the bank end of the goods yard. The idea is to create an over grown area that requires clearing or perhaps something similar, as I have some old buildings I wish to use with a scene I thought this may prove an ideal location. Adding the extra height to the embankment will give further depth to the scene, making the tunnel area really stand out as the loco and carriages emerge.

Photos Here

Repairs Finished

Spent a couple of hours finishing the repairs to the scenic work that got damaged by the electrician. Not looking too bad, the scene has changed slightly, some of the figures have moved, (will look good in a film)

More work on the allotments over the coming few weeks, plus a bit more scenic work to the tunnel area. Although I'm working right to left and from back to front, I'd like to make the tunnel area a little more scenic for photographs, especially as I'm buying some extension tubes for the camera, which will allow close-up phtography.

Oliver Cromwell & More

What a weekend, the sun has not stopped shinning, really looking forward to some evening warmth for this years start on the scenics.

This evening sees Oliver Cromwell arrive in Inverness, via Aberdeen on the Great Britain III tour. I'm heading over for the arrival, so hopefully sometime next week you'll see a photo or two of the ol' Girl.

Saturday saw me cleaning the shed out, not too much to really do, disposing of a few odds and ends. This morning I went in and had sort out on the work bench, oops, that should read modelling bench.

Had a look around the layout and found some damaged had occurred when I had some new lights fitted by the electrician. Had to be in the worst place the right hand corner and beyond the tunnel mouth at that, have taken some photos for the record.

What Can One Say

So the railway layout is taking it's time, slight understatement there I suppose.

So why so long, well I normally do the railway modelling during the winter months, though this last winter season has seen very cold conditions, so the modelling side got postponed.

Now during this time I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and this has caused me bigger problems than I would have imagined. Although I have constant pain in the back, this pain is creating several problems, and being out in the cold shed was something I had no intention of experiencing.

The good news is that with the coming weeks, a return to the shed and railway modelling is a certainty, although this Easter weekend has seen a return of a cold snap and has created a postponed delay until warmer weather returns.

2010 Glasgow MRS

We had it all booked, and then the snow came and completely cut us off. Looking forward to Perth MRS now in June.

The West Highland Way

Was looking through Youtube the other evening and came across this, something I feel you should see...

Detail Impression

I was asked the other week by a friend about the paint detail I use for painting kits and scenic work.

It does vary from person to person, and, unless you're actually painting a direct copy of a building or scene, I tend to advise to go for impression rather than detail.

Fencing is prime example, too many people over do the fencing paint work, under painted is better. I use a mixture of paint work and flock to create the effect I want.

Base coat the fencing, then paint over with the colour you want, a good idea is to weather the undercoat rather than the top coats.

Once I've done the top coats, I tend to use some flock to create some form of colour, perhaps roses or moss around the fencing.

I'll post some photos for you to see later this month.

Allotments & Gardening

Evening Blog,

I expect we're the only ones reading this, but never mind.

Just spent the evening with George Smith, well part of a bottle of his Glenlivet. Have just started the allotment section, very tiring this gardening lark, especially with a few large measures of 12 year old malt to keep me company.

Just primed the fencing, this will eventually go along the back of the allotment and garden area. Using a off coloured cream for effect, more on effects later...

Once I'd done that I moved on to preparing the ground, (this really does sound like I'm in a real garden...!) for laying the turf and earth area for the vegetables.

Perhaps I should hire Charlie Dimmock?

Used several variations of green and brown to create the under coating of the ground area, then used dark green for the grass areas and a nice earth brown for the garden/allotment areas.

I feel the whole project for the allotment will take a few days worth of work, the fencing will take several coats of paint for the effect I want, as for the actual allotment area, who really knows, plenty of small kits to build.

I'm going to have a mixture of flowers and vegetables, no point just having one or the other...

winter break

With the winter break now nearly over, it was time to re-organise the shed, threw out lots of unwanted stuff and created some working space for gardening and modelling, not that gardening has anything to do with me...!

It's surprising how much gets dumped in the shed over a 12 week period, still has to go somewhere.

During the winter break I had managed to get in and do some ground work for the layout, painting in the road and shrubbery areas ready for some modelling within the next few months.

I can now see how the Elkin goods yard is shaping up, some changes are needed and with some ideas from the Glasgow show, I've got a good idea of how it'll progress.

Glasgow MRS

We headed off to Glasgow model railway show on the 20th, staying overnight and visiting the show on the 21st.

What a treat, my first mrs for over 10 years...! Glasgow put on an excellent show, some fantastic layouts and the right mix of exhibits and trade stands.

Caught up with Langley Models, had a good look at the new bits and bobs they're offering. My main point of purchase was for some detailing kits for my next modelling project on Briers Grove, the allotments.

I purchased some Busch detailing kits, roses, lupins, veggies and something else, 5 kits, coming in at £43 or there about...!

Brief Exposure

This is quick look at the Briers Grove termini.

I've got plenty of modelling a head of me, working in direction and stages has proved the best idea - I've got lots to look forward to and this section offers more modelling scope.

Back On Track

Well the first entry for 2009, so what's new?

Not a great deal, processed the photographs from the NRM visit, will post some on the Picasa site soon. Have got some nice photographs, could do with another go there soon, need a trip this time though.

As for the layout, had a little running session on Tuesday evening, general tidy up, sorted the space out so I've got more room to move about. Thursday was slow, getting into the ideas mode is slow, but got there in the end.

Painted some of the base boards with Burnt Umber and Terracotta for earth colouring, painted out an idea for the Railway Arms PH. Will need more time to see how it'll shape up.

Next job I need is some sections of track to extend the coaling sidings and, get myself some railway cottages, more then likely Hornby Skaledale. (a free plug there)

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.