Neptune Street

[bulleidboy]

It's looking great Carl. This makes good crossings - "Evergreen 4125 1 x 0.125"(3.2mm) Spacing V-Groove" - painted matt brown - I've used it a lot. Also your brick walling looks very good - you could add some ghost signs - https://www.ghost-signs.com/

Have you powered the turntable? If not I can highly recommend the Locomotech TTMKE Deluxe MkII Turntable Motor Kit - I have two and WTD and Steve M have used them. They are exceptionally quiet and turn at 2rpm - not the cheapest turntable motor around, but solidly built. You did have to line-up by eye, but things may have changed in that department.

What size is the layout Carl? - Barry

[Carl L]

Barry,

Thanks for the info re the material for foot crossing, I'll be chasing some of that and I like the idea of ghost signs for breaking up the retaining wall, the link shows some lovely examples. I don't think that weathering alone would be enough, so it'll be some of those as well.

I have already powered the turntable having used Peco's motor, but I have to say that I am a little disappointed with it; despite ensuring that the turntable rotated freely, without it becoming too loose, the motor has a tendency to stick in a couple of positions, it really feels underpowered. The other issue I have found is when stopped on any of the exit roads there is play/movement sideways to the extent that anything other that a very, very slow engine movement off or on, the deck moves and the engine derails. I'll seriously consider replacing it with the Locomotech; wish I'd asked the question first!

The layout is 12ft x 8ft.

Cheers

Carl

[Carl L]

I'm currently having a ballasting blitz but here are some images of progress made in the last few months. Still all basics, fine detailing will come later.

The shed yard has been lit, the water tower (bit bright) is going to be moved, it's too close to where a signal box is likely to be. An errant shorting Class 25 is 'dumped' on the fueling road. The spaces between the ballast is awaiting the 'Chris Nevard' air clay treatment.



From the ash pit end.



Turntable roads now lit. Probably going to keep this as an open turntable as opposed to the skeleton steel framework I had done the cardboard mockup of.



Goods junction box in and lit, again a bit bright. Needs to be fixed, hence the floating steps.



Today's ballasting blitz.

[bulleidboy]

Hi Carl - That really is looking very good. A few lights makes all the difference. Barry

[teedoubleudee]

Looking great Carl

[Carl L]

A little further progress and a bottle tester in my own ability:

Installation of water cranes with flickering braziers in the shed yard (sorry flickering doesn't show in a still image but honest they do).



I want to create the typical mess around the ashpits and decided on the air dry clay method between the tracks, as detailed in articles by Chris Nevard. I found this a particular bottle test, couldn't help think 'but if it goes wrong'. This is two nights worth. There are still a few more areas in the shed yard to do and then another bottle test, the first coats of paint.



One particular shed yard I've been impressed with is that of Maindee East, the finish is awesome. Has anyone any ideas how that was achieved? Has anyone ever used real ash?

[bulleidboy]

It's all looking very good Carl. Will there be a building (engine shed) over the inspection pits? The coaling stage looks very impressive.
I had a look at Maindee East - I think you need to get a base colour on the clay(?) and then work from there. Some of the ground appears to be well trodden down (smooth) with areas of dirty gravel - even a little bit of green. Just take it slowly, study the pictures well, to achieve the finish you want. BB

[Carl L]

BB,

thank you for the helpful comments, slowly it is. If I get in there tonight I might give those areas a first colour wash and start building up from there.

My intention was to keep the shed yard open air, if there is to be a shed it will be around the turntable area. Originally I was going to make it semi-derelict, with just steel columns and roof girders, as seen in a lot of sheds at the end of steam. I know it’s O gauge but Old Elm Park impressed me, not quite open air but I like the girder work. Anyway, as can be seen below, impatience got the better of me and I ballasted the TT roads and installed yard lamps, so it’s full open air at the moment (but I still fancy reverting back to the steelwork idea).



I did a cardboard mock up of what it would look like (ish!) with the girders - the roof girders were a bit heavy and would be lightened somewhat, if I get there....

[bulleidboy]

This may give you some inspiration on track base colour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDdonTYmKsA

[Carl L]

Yes, helpful, thank you.