Model Railway Forum

However you decide to finish it Carl - it's going to look very good.

I've made a start on the corrugated iron roof of the fish shed using foil baking tray sections moulded on a ridged doorway carpet trim. Close up images really do show up short comings such as gaps where panels haven't quiet sat down properly, but weathering should hide a multitude of sins.



Having got a touch bored with that I decided to have a blitz on the shed yard trying to replicate the typical ash and cinder surface. This is a second application of real coal ash, the first coat applied with a spoon on top of PVA was just too uneven and in any case most of it was hoovered back up. The base beneath is air dry clay painted a 'mucky' brown with art acrylics.





Admittedly at the moment it looks like there's been a snow storm, but there will be a lot of further darkening once I've worked out how to harden the surface more, it's too powdery to take either weathering powders or paint. I have a a short section (out of shot) covered with dilute PVA to see how that turns out. Being unable to justify expenditure on a spray gun and compressor I was wondering what the result would be using rattle cans?

Looks pretty good to me.

Looks good to me as well.
I wouldn't recommend using rattle cans as they lack fine control and will lay down too much paint.
Air brushes can be very cheap (ideal for scenic work) I picked up a couple of Chinese knock offs for under £10 each. The challenge is the compressor. I have an old Parkside (Lidl) unit that is portable and easy to use for weathering on the layout. You may find one similar, secondhand on eBay for a reasonable price.

Looks great Carl, I like the the corrugated iron roof, I think I saw Luke ? on Youtube do something similar. I just cheat and use the Wills sheets

Thanks for the kind comments and the advice regarding rattle cans, which I'll stay clear of.

The top surface of the ash was just far too soft to take any treatment, so with the test strip have dried to my satisfaction the whole area has been treated with dilute PVA and is currently drying out. Colour washes, dry brushing and/or weathering powders to follow.

As well as yard litter, junk and humans, The whole area desperately needs some yard buildings, signing on points, lamp stores, lobbies, that sort of thing, but I'm struggling to find anything suitable, ideas would be welcomed.

Carl, to get you started, google engine yard or shed and click on images to see what details catch your eye. You will find a few generic models for huts in the Skaledale and Scenecraft ranges but I’m sure a few things can be scratchbuilt eg a rack for fire irons. Add some oil drums, a piece of tissue paper wetted with dilute PVA makes a small tarpaulin. A 3D printed wheelbarrow near the ash pit. Spare sleepers stacked to one side, odd lengths of rusty rail.
If possible visit a preserved railway and take a look round the yard for ideas.

Steve M wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:20 pm If possible visit a preserved railway and take a look round the yard for ideas.

Wise words! It is amazing the amount of junk that is left lying around rail yards.

darkscot wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:40 pm

Steve M wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:20 pm If possible visit a preserved railway and take a look round the yard for ideas.

Wise words! It is amazing the amount of junk that is left lying around rail yards.

That’s the easy part......working out how to replicate the junk in miniature is the challenge.

A tip for fire irons: Hobbycraft sell lots of odds and ends for making jewellery. One thing I found was a pack of blackened brass pins about 4cms long with a loop at one end. Cut to length then flatten the cut end with a hammer the file and bend the flat to make different shaped irons. Put in a few random bends and a coat of rusty paint and you have more irons than you can shake a stick at.
Brass wire can be bent and soldered to make a rack - often seen in sheds. Hang a fire bucket on there while you’re at it.

Steve,

Very helpful indeed, I was trying to work out how to do the fire irons. I’m glad I read it so early today as I have a Hobbycraft 2 or 3 mile from where I work, so guess where today’s lunch break is.