Christmas Tree Train Project
Discussion
Carried on a bit over the last 2 days and have added scenery to the inside of the tunnel which was needed before I could continue creating the hillside.
I've used Woodland Scenics Grey blend and went for fine ballast. It's probably too fine really but looks ok. Think I will defo use medium grain in the future for OO altough the fine does look ok. I did think it might be a little too light at first but now the PVA has dried, it's darkened a little and looks a nice colour.
And the layout as it currently sits. Still waiting on the PVA to totally set on the ballast before I give the tracks a good clean and make a start topping out the hill.
I've received my order of Woodland Scenics plaster cloth which I will be covering the foam with once I'm happy with the hillside.
I've used Woodland Scenics Grey blend and went for fine ballast. It's probably too fine really but looks ok. Think I will defo use medium grain in the future for OO altough the fine does look ok. I did think it might be a little too light at first but now the PVA has dried, it's darkened a little and looks a nice colour.
And the layout as it currently sits. Still waiting on the PVA to totally set on the ballast before I give the tracks a good clean and make a start topping out the hill.
I've received my order of Woodland Scenics plaster cloth which I will be covering the foam with once I'm happy with the hillside.
Some more progress on the layout last night. I didn't want it to be possible to look down the tunnel and see where I had stopped ballasting, or there to any any MDF/foam visible, so I used some black paint to blend in the previous black I had painted in the tunnel
I continued it out to the tunnel entrance and I think it works to give a dirty look to the ballast within the tunnel. Should look good with a little foliage around the tunnel portals too.
I also topped off tunnel.
There's still a another bit of foam to go on top of that to but I'll shape this section first and then see just how much I need. Hopefully wont need to buy another sheet of foam and will just make it up from all of the larger offcuts I've been saving. Hopefully the PVA will be dry enough for me to start shaping this evening.
A few pictures of the now boxed in tunnel portals
And one of the now boxed in controllers that are accessed from the rear of the layout.
Oh and here's a little vid of some trains running...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r4B2OsjsFU
Quick question. I want to buy a little 0-4-0 loco for the inner look. I already have one as you can see but it's a bit rough, always has been. Is there anyone out there that makes 0-4-0 locos that aren't geared to launch themselves into orbit, and are actually suitable for slow speed running? Google suggests that the newer hornby 0-4-0s are a lot better, but apparently share all the same parts and chassis as the older ones... so that doesn't make any sense. Is there any way I can improve the slower speed running on current hornby 0-4-0 locos or would something from, say, dapol be better at slower speeds? I've seen a few nice dapol 0-4-0s. Wouldn't mind one, they look lovely.
I continued it out to the tunnel entrance and I think it works to give a dirty look to the ballast within the tunnel. Should look good with a little foliage around the tunnel portals too.
I also topped off tunnel.
There's still a another bit of foam to go on top of that to but I'll shape this section first and then see just how much I need. Hopefully wont need to buy another sheet of foam and will just make it up from all of the larger offcuts I've been saving. Hopefully the PVA will be dry enough for me to start shaping this evening.
A few pictures of the now boxed in tunnel portals
And one of the now boxed in controllers that are accessed from the rear of the layout.
Oh and here's a little vid of some trains running...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r4B2OsjsFU
Quick question. I want to buy a little 0-4-0 loco for the inner look. I already have one as you can see but it's a bit rough, always has been. Is there anyone out there that makes 0-4-0 locos that aren't geared to launch themselves into orbit, and are actually suitable for slow speed running? Google suggests that the newer hornby 0-4-0s are a lot better, but apparently share all the same parts and chassis as the older ones... so that doesn't make any sense. Is there any way I can improve the slower speed running on current hornby 0-4-0 locos or would something from, say, dapol be better at slower speeds? I've seen a few nice dapol 0-4-0s. Wouldn't mind one, they look lovely.
MysteryLemon said:
Quick question. I want to buy a little 0-4-0 loco for the inner look. I already have one as you can see but it's a bit rough, always has been. Is there anyone out there that makes 0-4-0 locos that aren't geared to launch themselves into orbit, and are actually suitable for slow speed running? Google suggests that the newer hornby 0-4-0s are a lot better, but apparently share all the same parts and chassis as the older ones... so that doesn't make any sense. Is there any way I can improve the slower speed running on current hornby 0-4-0 locos or would something from, say, dapol be better at slower speeds? I've seen a few nice dapol 0-4-0s. Wouldn't mind one, they look lovely.
Sorry, not helping out with an 0-4-0, but I was bought this for my Birthday from the wife - http://www.ehattons.com/35848/Hornby_R3023_J94_cla...OK, not a 0-4-0 but works fine on any 1st degree bends without issues. It is geared to shunt and thus does not fly around the track like a wild banshee (like one of the older Hornby 0-4-0 I have...).
RacingPete said:
Sorry, not helping out with an 0-4-0, but I was bought this for my Birthday from the wife - http://www.ehattons.com/35848/Hornby_R3023_J94_cla...
OK, not a 0-4-0 but works fine on any 1st degree bends without issues. It is geared to shunt and thus does not fly around the track like a wild banshee (like one of the older Hornby 0-4-0 I have...).
I like that very much. My other intended loco for the layout is a little 0-6-0 Jinty which does indeed run fine on the 1st radius curves. Did fancy it being a little LMS Pug though.OK, not a 0-4-0 but works fine on any 1st degree bends without issues. It is geared to shunt and thus does not fly around the track like a wild banshee (like one of the older Hornby 0-4-0 I have...).
Been busy the last few nights and finally finished with the foam shaping!
Just a single picture as I didn't take many. Topped off the hill and shaped the foam to suit and then started laying on the plaster cloth. unfortunately I only bought one roll and only got about 95% of the area covered hah. Oh well, i've got another roll on order so I'll be able to finish covering what I couldn't and then be able to do another layer over the rest to strengthen it up a bit more. Seems pretty solid as is though.
Also did a little bit more ballasting whilst waiting for PVA to dry. Still plenty more to do
next will be planning how the scenery is going to look. Still undecided over a number of things. I feel it needs some little cottages, but then I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Maybe just fields and bushes/trees as I originally planned. Will have to see how things progress.
Just a single picture as I didn't take many. Topped off the hill and shaped the foam to suit and then started laying on the plaster cloth. unfortunately I only bought one roll and only got about 95% of the area covered hah. Oh well, i've got another roll on order so I'll be able to finish covering what I couldn't and then be able to do another layer over the rest to strengthen it up a bit more. Seems pretty solid as is though.
Also did a little bit more ballasting whilst waiting for PVA to dry. Still plenty more to do
next will be planning how the scenery is going to look. Still undecided over a number of things. I feel it needs some little cottages, but then I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Maybe just fields and bushes/trees as I originally planned. Will have to see how things progress.
I'm planning to do something very similar so this is quite a timely thread. My base will only need one rounded corner so I have a little bit more space around the track to play with. Unfortunately I need to keep space free in the middle for some presents, xmas tree legs, and such. As a result I'm going to skip building a tunnel/hill as I won't have enough room to build it up like yours and have the controllers somewhere off the board.
Keep up the good work, looks great so far.
Keep up the good work, looks great so far.
MysteryLemon said:
Been busy the last few nights and finally finished with the foam shaping!
Just a single picture as I didn't take many. Topped off the hill and shaped the foam to suit and then started laying on the plaster cloth. unfortunately I only bought one roll and only got about 95% of the area covered hah. Oh well, i've got another roll on order so I'll be able to finish covering what I couldn't and then be able to do another layer over the rest to strengthen it up a bit more. Seems pretty solid as is though.
Also did a little bit more ballasting whilst waiting for PVA to dry. Still plenty more to do
next will be planning how the scenery is going to look. Still undecided over a number of things. I feel it needs some little cottages, but then I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Maybe just fields and bushes/trees as I originally planned. Will have to see how things progress.
As it is for the Christmas Tree, why not a winter wonderland scenery theme with snow, snowmen and Santa somewhere delivering presents, carol singers...you get the idea.Just a single picture as I didn't take many. Topped off the hill and shaped the foam to suit and then started laying on the plaster cloth. unfortunately I only bought one roll and only got about 95% of the area covered hah. Oh well, i've got another roll on order so I'll be able to finish covering what I couldn't and then be able to do another layer over the rest to strengthen it up a bit more. Seems pretty solid as is though.
Also did a little bit more ballasting whilst waiting for PVA to dry. Still plenty more to do
next will be planning how the scenery is going to look. Still undecided over a number of things. I feel it needs some little cottages, but then I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Maybe just fields and bushes/trees as I originally planned. Will have to see how things progress.
Chris200 said:
As it is for the Christmas Tree, why not a winter wonderland scenery theme with snow, snowmen and Santa somewhere delivering presents, carol singers...you get the idea.
This was originally the plan but I went off the idea as everything would just end up being white. Quite a bit of progress since I last updated but still not really made a start on the scenery properly.
Continued the rest of the ballast and fixed the halt into position.
I also started painting stuff. Mainly just an undercoat but I'm starting to think it will be far too dark now
.. regardless, its better than being white and is helping me to plan out where I want things positioned etc.
I also acquired this little thing. A Hornby 0-4-0 DH Bagnal Diesel Shunter. Won't be doing much shunting but its a quirky little thing and I like it very much. Runs lovely, so much better than my other 0-4-0.
I've got a bit more plastering to do around the station area, mainly building out the hill a bit more and then will finish off the base coat before getting started properly on the scenery.
Been a while since an update but I'm finally finished with the terrain.
I was originally going to use Woodland Scenics Smooth It for the road but I thought I would pick up some general purpose filler whilst in Poundland the other day. It's endorsed by Tommy Walsh so gotta be good.. right?
First layer down was very rough. The filler was tricky to work with thick and keep smooth. Luckily once set, it sanded really well but needed filling in a number of places for a better finish...
The road surface was finished with isopon p38 filler (the car stuff) and it worked a treat. The surface isn't perfectly smooth but I think it works quite well for an old country road.
I finished painting the base coat on the new rougher areas of terrain and also painted the road. I'm not sure if I'll repaint the road though with a slightly darker shade. I also used acrylic so it's a little shiny when you catch the light. Something matte would be much better.
I fixed the station building in place and have also started adding bits of scenery around it. This will be a little yard eventually. I might dirty up some spare wheels and axles to go here in storage.
And of course, running some trains
Ordered a few bits tonight to continue with the scenery. A nice big box of foliage, some grass flock, soil scatter, peco fencing and I also ordered some flexible dry stone walling from Jarvis. For the sake of £2 I thought it worth a punt. Doesn't look the most realistic stuff but anything solid will be impossible to work with with the rough terrain.
I was originally going to use Woodland Scenics Smooth It for the road but I thought I would pick up some general purpose filler whilst in Poundland the other day. It's endorsed by Tommy Walsh so gotta be good.. right?
First layer down was very rough. The filler was tricky to work with thick and keep smooth. Luckily once set, it sanded really well but needed filling in a number of places for a better finish...
The road surface was finished with isopon p38 filler (the car stuff) and it worked a treat. The surface isn't perfectly smooth but I think it works quite well for an old country road.
I finished painting the base coat on the new rougher areas of terrain and also painted the road. I'm not sure if I'll repaint the road though with a slightly darker shade. I also used acrylic so it's a little shiny when you catch the light. Something matte would be much better.
I fixed the station building in place and have also started adding bits of scenery around it. This will be a little yard eventually. I might dirty up some spare wheels and axles to go here in storage.
And of course, running some trains
Ordered a few bits tonight to continue with the scenery. A nice big box of foliage, some grass flock, soil scatter, peco fencing and I also ordered some flexible dry stone walling from Jarvis. For the sake of £2 I thought it worth a punt. Doesn't look the most realistic stuff but anything solid will be impossible to work with with the rough terrain.
Quite a bit of progress since the last update. Been very busy with various scenery and, dare I say it, the hillside is almost complete.
Still plenty of tidying up to do here and there where glue is visible etc. Also plenty of painting to do and some more detailing. The road needs to be repainted and I also need to do something with the station platform and it's holes.
Still plenty of tidying up to do here and there where glue is visible etc. Also plenty of painting to do and some more detailing. The road needs to be repainted and I also need to do something with the station platform and it's holes.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200861997503?_trksid=p20...
That's the stuff I got for the stone wall. Basically 2ft strips of foam with stone stuck to it. Doesn't look half bad really, especially for the price
That's the stuff I got for the stone wall. Basically 2ft strips of foam with stone stuck to it. Doesn't look half bad really, especially for the price
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