Montgreenan

[Hound Dog]

Hi,

Been busy progressing the depot area and whilst far from finished, I wanted to share a few photo's of the new Oil tanks and scratch made bund, Wheel turning workshop (or at least the chevron doors leading to same) and the Oil unloading point.........to be honest I got bored ballasting and played around with the set-up to try to determine best fit......getting there but nothing finalised yet.

As usual any and all feedback welcomed - thanks Richard

[Steve M]

Coming together nicely.

[glencairn]

Looking good H D.

Oil tanks? I shall have to get mine built at Crown Point.

Glencairn

[cheshire lines]

Very impressed by the oil tanks and bund area.
Maybe extend the sides and roof of the building with the yellow and black doors onto the backscene (if the photo is taken from your normal viewing point)?

Do like the chemical plant etc on the backscene though. I've been looking for something similar for a project I'm thinking about, but haven't been able to find anything suitable yet. Was yours a propriety item or something you have photographed yourself?

[Hound Dog]

Very impressed by the oil tanks and bund area.
Maybe extend the sides and roof of the building with the yellow and black doors onto the backscene (if the photo is taken from your normal viewing point)?

Do like the chemical plant etc on the backscene though. I've been looking for something similar for a project I'm thinking about, but haven't been able to find anything suitable yet. Was yours a propriety item or something you have photographed yourself?

Thanks for the positive feedback.......

- the area adjacent to grey buildings is not complete yet and will probably have a brick wall inserted to bridge to the next scenery break, which willl probably be a more rural landscape as the layout moves out to the countryside - all still work in progress.

- re the Industrial Backscene, this is straight from ready to buy range from Gaugemaster, as is the other townscene...... I think it was £10 to £ 15 from memory.

Hope this help - thanks Richard

[cheshire lines]

Thanks, I will check out their website.

[Tallpaul70]

Hi Richard,
After you telling me the layout name, I have been taking a trip round your posts about it,
The layout seems to be coming along well.

I may have missed it, is there a track plan posted anywhere?

Have sold the Bachmanns off my list, so next job is to get on the sales post and update the list.

Cheers
Paul

[Hound Dog]

Hi Chaps,

Looking for some input on where to position a nice Bachmann Hampton Hill Signal box that I acquired and which I think will complement the depot corner of the layout..........I cannot quite make up my mind on what would be the most prototypical area for this to be positioned and have taken 3 shots to garner your opinions ( A, B or C pls, although any other suggestions are also welcome). The curved area adjacent to the signal box will be grassed and bushes etc added, and maybe a worn pathway leading back to a barrow crossing at the depot.

In addition, this used resin building whilst in good condition has brickwork which is a quite a bit faded and yellowy in places ( I think it has been sitting in sunlight) and whilst some variation is always welcomed, I think it needs a little colour put back into the brick..........any experience / suggestions for a light wash or dry brush effect for such purposes.

As always appreciate any feedback - thanks

[glencairn]

Hi Hound Dog. IMHO the placing of the signal box is best where you think it should go. Have you enough space to put the scenery you want (on both sides of the box)? If all three scenarios answer 'yes', then the right position is where you are happiest with it.

On my layout I could not have a road because the signal box was in the way. On moving the box to its present position the two lane road was possible.

Glencairn

[Hound Dog]

Hi,

Like most I have been making use of the lockdown to work on my layout when I can, but there is so much to do and I always seem to greatly under-estimate the time reqd, that often actual visible progress is slow. I have been continuing to focus on the depot end of the layout and have spent recent hobby time reworking some of the track layout to the branch line at "Portencross" junction and the adjacent sidings...…..probably still a few weeks away from having this presentable (yet more ballasting lies ahead), but everything is wired and functioning ok.

In the interim I have been working on the grass embankment adjacent to Platform 1 and attached are a few photos taken this evening (BR Blue fleet off for Easter, so Legacy Diesel Holiday Specials ruling the rails) ...……..Some trees and various bushes and plants etc, but I don't know about others and it is probably a measure of my lack of experience, but I find that when "planting" bushes and wild flowers etc, it all comes out far too neat, more like a garden rather than something wild and natural...….I guess it comes with practice.

I am waiting some more static grass etc to finish the trackside area before installing lineside fencing. The plan is for the hardcore area to be parking for railways workers, who will be able to cross over to the signal boxes and depot area via a dedicated footbridge that will be contained in the compound that I will build, ie not accessible to Joe Public...…..I might also try to mess it up with some permanent way equipment lying around and finish with security fencing and gates etc.

The other notable addition is some yard lamps for the depot - I stumbled across these at a company called "Kytes Lights", and was quite impressed by the range, prices, delivery and quality...…..that said I have not yet wired them up, so perhaps I should reserve judgment, but I think they look the part and in addition to the twin lamps, there are also matching singles and wall lamps which I might go back for.

Lots of other bits and pieces on the go and now that I am close to completing the major scenic work around about 50% of the layout ( one long side and two half-ends), I am starting to think about what has to happen next...…….some trackwork that I want to lift and refit at one end, and perhaps tunnels and mountains ahead - something for the Easter 2021 update perhaps

Hope everybody is keeping safe and well, and as always I would welcome any feedback and comments - cheers Richard