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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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)