Christmas Tree Train Project
Discussion
Last year I decided we really needed a little train running around the Christmas tree. It was a good idea and I.. err.. the kids loved it!
A simple set up as you can see. I purchased a Hornby Cornish Belle set from ebay and used the 2nd radius track and controller from the set to make the simple circle loop. Job done.
Well a year later, my interest in model railways has flourished and I've decided to step it up a gear! No longer will the Cornish Belle run around on bare floor. I'm building a mini layout!
Excuse my crude drawing but basically what you should hopefully be able to make out is a double track loop which will circle the base of the christmas tree with a hillside around the back of the tree. The idea was that the layout was to be no bigger than the circle of track from last year I'm building the layout on a 1m x 1m mdf board. The outer loop of track will be 2nd radius and inner loop 1st radius. Very tight curves and such a short length of track limits the layout to smaller 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 locos and shorter rakes.
I've had this in my head for a few months now but just never really got around to getting it started. A quiet afternoon on Saturday finished with me walking out of B&Q with a large board of 18mm MDF cut into 1m x 1m sections. First thing I had to do was get some track on it...
And a train...
As you can see, I started crudely marking out where to cut and where various bits of the layout would be located. This is the outer loop of 2nd radius track pictured.
Time to get cutting, so I got the jigsaw out and made an arm to guide my cutting for a perfect circle...
Oh dear. Well it didn't occur to me that the blade of the jigsaw would need to be exactly central at the end of the arm. Sadly it wasnt and so the blade bent and went off course... I finished the rest of the cutting by hand.
Not wanting to feel too downhearted, I did what any master bodger would do.. I bodged!
Bit of glue here...
Bit of body filler there...
Sand it all down, slap some paint on and BOSH!
That's pretty much as far as I've got so far. Currently waiting on some ebay orders to arrive so I can crack on a bit further. Currently on order is the inner 1st radius loop, cork underlay for the track and I picked up a pair of tunnel portals for a bargain price. Next step will likely be laying the track and constructing the back/sideboards and inside of the tunnel. Will keep this updated as I go along!
A simple set up as you can see. I purchased a Hornby Cornish Belle set from ebay and used the 2nd radius track and controller from the set to make the simple circle loop. Job done.
Well a year later, my interest in model railways has flourished and I've decided to step it up a gear! No longer will the Cornish Belle run around on bare floor. I'm building a mini layout!
Excuse my crude drawing but basically what you should hopefully be able to make out is a double track loop which will circle the base of the christmas tree with a hillside around the back of the tree. The idea was that the layout was to be no bigger than the circle of track from last year I'm building the layout on a 1m x 1m mdf board. The outer loop of track will be 2nd radius and inner loop 1st radius. Very tight curves and such a short length of track limits the layout to smaller 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 locos and shorter rakes.
I've had this in my head for a few months now but just never really got around to getting it started. A quiet afternoon on Saturday finished with me walking out of B&Q with a large board of 18mm MDF cut into 1m x 1m sections. First thing I had to do was get some track on it...
And a train...
As you can see, I started crudely marking out where to cut and where various bits of the layout would be located. This is the outer loop of 2nd radius track pictured.
Time to get cutting, so I got the jigsaw out and made an arm to guide my cutting for a perfect circle...
Oh dear. Well it didn't occur to me that the blade of the jigsaw would need to be exactly central at the end of the arm. Sadly it wasnt and so the blade bent and went off course... I finished the rest of the cutting by hand.
Not wanting to feel too downhearted, I did what any master bodger would do.. I bodged!
Bit of glue here...
Bit of body filler there...
Sand it all down, slap some paint on and BOSH!
That's pretty much as far as I've got so far. Currently waiting on some ebay orders to arrive so I can crack on a bit further. Currently on order is the inner 1st radius loop, cork underlay for the track and I picked up a pair of tunnel portals for a bargain price. Next step will likely be laying the track and constructing the back/sideboards and inside of the tunnel. Will keep this updated as I go along!
Little bit of an update for today.. Some bits arrived!..
Tunnel portals and cork underlay. Not much I can do with them just yet as I'm still waiting on the inner loop of track to arrive. Once I've got all of the track, I can mark out it's final location on the board and get the tunnel portals in the correct place. Then I can get the jigsaw out again and start building the hillside and tunnel!
Tunnel portals in their approx locations with the outerloop of track in place.
Trying some coaches out for size. Perfect fit!
Tunnel portals and cork underlay. Not much I can do with them just yet as I'm still waiting on the inner loop of track to arrive. Once I've got all of the track, I can mark out it's final location on the board and get the tunnel portals in the correct place. Then I can get the jigsaw out again and start building the hillside and tunnel!
Tunnel portals in their approx locations with the outerloop of track in place.
Trying some coaches out for size. Perfect fit!
RacingPete said:
Nice little project... Interested to see how it develops.
Also interested to see how you do the tunnel portals and the hillside around it, as I am putting off that challenge myself at the moment.
I'm split between 3 methods I've seen to make the hillside and tunnel. I want to keep the whole process as cheap as possible really. Also interested to see how you do the tunnel portals and the hillside around it, as I am putting off that challenge myself at the moment.
I've watched a number of videos and done some googling and found one method which seems very cheap. The idea was to use scrunched up newspaper as fill to build up the hillside to the height and shape required. Then lay plaster soaked cloths over the top to make a smooth surface. I would need to box in the tunnel with MDF to stop newspaper getting where it shouldn't but could be a cheap and easy way to do it.
I've looked at using styrofoam boards or polystyrene but after a bit of ebaying and googling, it seems really expensive for the quantity you get and what I'll need. Could well be looking at £60+ just for the foam required. Anyone able to suggest a cheap supplier?
I've also looked at fibreglass. I've worked with it in the past building speaker boxes for cars so confident I would have no issue and it would be very strong. The problem is cost.
Also one question to ask for those in the know. Soldering track. I want to solder the joins together to ensure good electricity flow. I've seen people soldering over the fishplates etc. I've also seen people leaving gaps in the track to allow to for expansion in the rails. What I don't understand, is that if I leave small gaps in the track, and then solder the joins, surely the solder will stop the free movement of the rails and if they do expand/contract, will still buckle? How can I solder the joins but still allow for expansion?
Thanks for the info guys.
With regards to the track and soldering, I'm maybe thinking now to just not bother at all.. Just rely on the fishplates and deal with any connection issues as they arise in the future. Such a simple layout probably won't have any issues, but I'm reluctant to run any wiring through and under the board as it sits flat on the floor. I would need to router trenches in the board to run wires.
Those foam boards are a lot cheaper than what I was seeing on google and ebay. Thanks for the link Pete! I might pop into Wickes and have a look at some point. I did see something similar in B&Q a while back. Something thicker than 50mm would be nice too. The hillside covering the tunnel is likely to top out at around 200-250mm.
I do have an idea for the inner walls of the tunnel. I need to experiment but I'm thinking of printing some brick wall texture onto some thick 300gsm card. I can then curl it over to form the rounded shape of the tunnel portal. It will then have to be cut into triangular shapes to follow round the curve of the track. The tunner interior will only need to extend into the hill until out of sight though. I plan for there for be a big cavern inside the hill, out of sight, where I can put the controllers and wiring. The back board of the layout will likely be open, or at least have some kind of door for access.
With regards to the track and soldering, I'm maybe thinking now to just not bother at all.. Just rely on the fishplates and deal with any connection issues as they arise in the future. Such a simple layout probably won't have any issues, but I'm reluctant to run any wiring through and under the board as it sits flat on the floor. I would need to router trenches in the board to run wires.
Those foam boards are a lot cheaper than what I was seeing on google and ebay. Thanks for the link Pete! I might pop into Wickes and have a look at some point. I did see something similar in B&Q a while back. Something thicker than 50mm would be nice too. The hillside covering the tunnel is likely to top out at around 200-250mm.
I do have an idea for the inner walls of the tunnel. I need to experiment but I'm thinking of printing some brick wall texture onto some thick 300gsm card. I can then curl it over to form the rounded shape of the tunnel portal. It will then have to be cut into triangular shapes to follow round the curve of the track. The tunner interior will only need to extend into the hill until out of sight though. I plan for there for be a big cavern inside the hill, out of sight, where I can put the controllers and wiring. The back board of the layout will likely be open, or at least have some kind of door for access.
Cheers for the tips GreengiantPH!
The inner loop of track I was waiting on arrived last night so I got stuck in...
Testing the tunnels and they're very tight on 1st and 2nd radius curves but just about fit. I did have the pull the tracks together slightly where the tunnel portals are to be placed though. The little 4 wheel coaches are no issue, but the LSM composites are almost the length of BR MK1 coaches so when on 2nd radius curves, do need quite a bit of space around the track.
First I marked out where the track sits on the board...
Then traced quarter sections of the circle onto paper to make a template out of cork...
All of the quarter sections layed out in position.
Now, I did intend to glue all of the cork down before laying the track on top. I made a start and realised that it just wasn't going to work. As soon as I would lay the cork onto the pva, the edges would lift and it just wouldn't stick flat. I dug out all sorts of weights (food tins, old lima track, kids toys etc) to hold it down in place but even after 15 mins or so, the cork would still lift at the edges with no weight applied.
Whilst waiting for the PVA to dry in the above attempt, I did some youtubing and found a video tutorial and the guy just pinned track over the cork with no glue, so I gave up on the glue idea and just layed the track over the cork and pinned it down. Seems to have worked fine, and I did go round the edges of the cork with PVA afterwards just to make sure it was all sealed down, although I suppose it wont matter once there's ballast on top and a thick coating of PVA anyway.
I got a little video of the intended trains running on the track...
https://youtu.be/8h3J8vwPanQ
Very pleased indeed. I've got a few more ideas for the layout now so the initial plan may change. I'm thinking it needs a little halt around the front just before the tunnel on the right that the inner train can stop at. Will have to have a think.
The inner loop of track I was waiting on arrived last night so I got stuck in...
Testing the tunnels and they're very tight on 1st and 2nd radius curves but just about fit. I did have the pull the tracks together slightly where the tunnel portals are to be placed though. The little 4 wheel coaches are no issue, but the LSM composites are almost the length of BR MK1 coaches so when on 2nd radius curves, do need quite a bit of space around the track.
First I marked out where the track sits on the board...
Then traced quarter sections of the circle onto paper to make a template out of cork...
All of the quarter sections layed out in position.
Now, I did intend to glue all of the cork down before laying the track on top. I made a start and realised that it just wasn't going to work. As soon as I would lay the cork onto the pva, the edges would lift and it just wouldn't stick flat. I dug out all sorts of weights (food tins, old lima track, kids toys etc) to hold it down in place but even after 15 mins or so, the cork would still lift at the edges with no weight applied.
Whilst waiting for the PVA to dry in the above attempt, I did some youtubing and found a video tutorial and the guy just pinned track over the cork with no glue, so I gave up on the glue idea and just layed the track over the cork and pinned it down. Seems to have worked fine, and I did go round the edges of the cork with PVA afterwards just to make sure it was all sealed down, although I suppose it wont matter once there's ballast on top and a thick coating of PVA anyway.
I got a little video of the intended trains running on the track...
https://youtu.be/8h3J8vwPanQ
Very pleased indeed. I've got a few more ideas for the layout now so the initial plan may change. I'm thinking it needs a little halt around the front just before the tunnel on the right that the inner train can stop at. Will have to have a think.
Been busy the last couple of days and been making a start building up the tunnels and hills.
Soldered the connectors to the track at the back of the layout (inside the tunnel). I know it will be suggested I should have just soldered the wires to the track but I didn't really want to butcher the cables on my controllers. This seemed to be the next best option.
Cut and attached the MDF walls for the shape of the hillside. Stuck with PVA and screwed through from underneath.
Bought a station! As above I suggested I thought it needed a small halt so I bought a few 1st radius curved sections to fit inside the layout nicely. I already had a small straight section of station so the end pieces and waiting building came from that.
Started building up and making the tunnel walls and hillside. Decided to use insulation foam in the end as suggested above. I went to wickes for a look and seemed a good option and it is indeed nice to work with. Just don't breathe in the dust when sanding it!
I'm not happy with the section on the inside of the track. I'm going to cut most of it out and start again on that, but the outer tunnel walls are fine.
I'll eventually coat the foam with a layer of plaster cloth when I've finished shaping it. It will help smooth out edges and fill in gaps where the foam doesn't quite fit right etc.
All good fun!
Soldered the connectors to the track at the back of the layout (inside the tunnel). I know it will be suggested I should have just soldered the wires to the track but I didn't really want to butcher the cables on my controllers. This seemed to be the next best option.
Cut and attached the MDF walls for the shape of the hillside. Stuck with PVA and screwed through from underneath.
Bought a station! As above I suggested I thought it needed a small halt so I bought a few 1st radius curved sections to fit inside the layout nicely. I already had a small straight section of station so the end pieces and waiting building came from that.
Started building up and making the tunnel walls and hillside. Decided to use insulation foam in the end as suggested above. I went to wickes for a look and seemed a good option and it is indeed nice to work with. Just don't breathe in the dust when sanding it!
I'm not happy with the section on the inside of the track. I'm going to cut most of it out and start again on that, but the outer tunnel walls are fine.
I'll eventually coat the foam with a layer of plaster cloth when I've finished shaping it. It will help smooth out edges and fill in gaps where the foam doesn't quite fit right etc.
All good fun!
RacingPete said:
Looking good...
In this photo
Have you just cut the insulating foam to shape for the edge of the tunnel by the wing walls, or used any filler?
Cut and glued the foam but will be putting some filler over it at some point.In this photo
Have you just cut the insulating foam to shape for the edge of the tunnel by the wing walls, or used any filler?
In hindsight, I would have positioned and glued the tunnels after cutting the mdf walls so I could have lined them up better. Should be fine though I coated the foam in PVA and its set very hard.
Spent a bit more time cutting and sanding foam the last couple of nights. Actually removed and redid the whole center section as I wasn't happy with my first go. Much happier now.
The layout as it currently stands now. Quick test of the pot we use for the xmas tree. Currently with a lovely mint plant
Few closer shots of the tunnel portals and hills.
Testing out the little halt whilst shaping the foam around it.
Pretty pleased overall. It's really starting to develop into something. Next job before I can continue the hills is to finish the insides of the tunnel. This includes all of the wiring as the controllers will be housed in the hillside cut out. I will also need to ballast the insides of the tunnel and finish the walls. Once that's done, the lid can go on.
The layout as it currently stands now. Quick test of the pot we use for the xmas tree. Currently with a lovely mint plant
Few closer shots of the tunnel portals and hills.
Testing out the little halt whilst shaping the foam around it.
Pretty pleased overall. It's really starting to develop into something. Next job before I can continue the hills is to finish the insides of the tunnel. This includes all of the wiring as the controllers will be housed in the hillside cut out. I will also need to ballast the insides of the tunnel and finish the walls. Once that's done, the lid can go on.
Wanted to look at sorting the controllers and wiring this evening so out came the layout again...
This is what I ended up with. A very simple set up but does the job nicely. Plenty of access space via the hole at the rear to set the controllers should they need adjusting at any time.
Had to run the trains a bit too of course. Two issues I have noticed though. The little 0-4-0, having been geared to reach speeds it is capable of taking off at, is quite a rough runner at slower speeds, however, it runs much smoother with one of the controllers than the other. I imagine the mechanism for adjusting the voltage is a little worn and not as smooth as it once was. It affects the 0-4-0 much more than the 0-6-0. Annoying I've wired the "rough" controller to the inner track which is 0-4-0 is intended to run on
... That said, I've always thought this 0-4-0 was quite a rough runner anyway. I have wanted to change it for a while, likely for a little LMS maroon tank but I'm possibly thinking of another 0-6-0. Tempted to get a hornby Class 4f for the outer track and use the 0-6-0 on the inner track.
Second issue is track cleaning. I did think that there would be enough access through the hole at the rear to clean inside the tunnel but playing around placing some foam on top, there really isn't much room to get at all of the track... I'm possibly now thinking making the top section of the hill removable, or at least a section of it. I'll need to start planning scenery and a way I can blend the joins if I do go for a removable top.
Working in Burton-Upon-Trent tomorrow so I'm going to make a visit to The Model Shop in the Octagon Centre. Want some ballast to scene the inside of the tunnel!
Speaking of the tunnel, I made these up at work the other day...
Works well I think!
This is what I ended up with. A very simple set up but does the job nicely. Plenty of access space via the hole at the rear to set the controllers should they need adjusting at any time.
Had to run the trains a bit too of course. Two issues I have noticed though. The little 0-4-0, having been geared to reach speeds it is capable of taking off at, is quite a rough runner at slower speeds, however, it runs much smoother with one of the controllers than the other. I imagine the mechanism for adjusting the voltage is a little worn and not as smooth as it once was. It affects the 0-4-0 much more than the 0-6-0. Annoying I've wired the "rough" controller to the inner track which is 0-4-0 is intended to run on
... That said, I've always thought this 0-4-0 was quite a rough runner anyway. I have wanted to change it for a while, likely for a little LMS maroon tank but I'm possibly thinking of another 0-6-0. Tempted to get a hornby Class 4f for the outer track and use the 0-6-0 on the inner track.Second issue is track cleaning. I did think that there would be enough access through the hole at the rear to clean inside the tunnel but playing around placing some foam on top, there really isn't much room to get at all of the track... I'm possibly now thinking making the top section of the hill removable, or at least a section of it. I'll need to start planning scenery and a way I can blend the joins if I do go for a removable top.
Working in Burton-Upon-Trent tomorrow so I'm going to make a visit to The Model Shop in the Octagon Centre. Want some ballast to scene the inside of the tunnel!
Speaking of the tunnel, I made these up at work the other day...
Works well I think!
ecsrobin said:
Can you not run this for track cleaning? http://www.hornby.com/uk-en/track-cleaning-coach.h...
Ohh yeah I never really thought about those. How good actually are they? For whatever reason I often find blank deposits on the rails and wheels which are quite hard to shift (I've taken to using white spirit recently as it dissolves it instantly and trains run fantastic), will one of these coaches manage that? Will look at 2nd hand options, £22 on a little coach is a bit excessive for my budget 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.
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.
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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