54 replies to this topic

[chris66522]

Thanks folks, I've messaged Jon, whilst I will also see if I can mix something appropriate using a suitable blue and green I have.

Hayley Dock has bitten the dust by the way. I was impressed by the Scalescenes paper, but I was expecting too much from such a short space.

Therefore, I have been out purchasing, and am now the owner of one of these, whilst tomorrow should see the arrival of a box full of goodies - with a loco of some sort included. I now have an idea in place regarding a previous project (Burwardsley). I won't say anything about what I'm thinking off, but I'm sure that if people read my last few posts that it is possible to see what might be appearing.

[chris66522]

Burwardsley is beginning to take shape in my mind I think. A raised line meandering (great word!) to a sleepy station, surrounded in woodland, with a cricket pavilion and nets (idea inspired by Philip's tennis court on Windwood) below.

Mind you, the narrow gauge idea is also forming quite nicely. I have an idea of a station in dense woodland on the left curve, straightening out past a water tower before plunging over a viaduct with a waterfall behind it.

And then, looking on Flickr for images of EWS locos in faded liveries (tempted to do this for 08709), I found this...

Must resist, must resist, must resist. All these details just crying out to be modelled (love the pallet against the loco particularly!)

[Javelin395]

Oooh yes! I love that shot! What a great scene to model May use that to help with my diorama - muahaha. Very inspirational I must say! Well spotted.

[Blackcloud Railways]

Not sure I like the idea of PLUNGING over a viaduct.

[F1p]

chris66522, on 31 March 2012 - 09:49 AM, said:

Burwardsley is beginning to take shape in my mind I think. A raised line meandering (great word!) to a sleepy station, surrounded in woodland, with a cricket pavilion and nets (idea inspired by Philip's tennis court on Windwood) below.

Yusss! I'm inspiring people haha

Sounds good Chris, hope you can recreate it

Philip

[Blackcloud Railways]

DCC sound for the cricket pitch Chris?

The gentle click-fizz, click-fizz as a couple of beer cans are opened under the shade of a tree.

Punctuated by an infrequent thwack of willow on leather followed by a tinkle...
... Then a long pause while the ball is retrieved from a nearby greenhouse.

[chris66522]

I like it Bob, although I'm not sure that DCC sledging (particularly if its as bad as some I've been given in my time!) would be welcomed in exhibition halls!

[chris66522]

Anybody fancy this for the diorama contest?

[Blackcloud Railways]

I like the way they've put a blanket on it to keep it warm. Ahhhh. Sweet dreams little shed.

[Javelin395]

My favourite one! Only my favourite because it's broken

[chris66522]

Hi folks,

few updates for you. I've taken a modelling sabbatical recently. Don't worry, it's enforced, not through choice. With being back in work (I'm delighted about that - I was going stir crazy) I've got lots to catch up with, as well as lots of uni deadlines before graduating this summer. (all you young 'uns out there, get your qualifications sorted before you start work - working and studying is hard!).

Finally, with the cricket season starting - and it being school hols - I have made a couple of trips down the A50 to Derby to cheer on Derbyshire to get the most out of my membership, which also takes up days at a time.

Therefore, I'm unsure when any modelling time will appear for my challenge entry. Anything that does appear will have to be quick to construct and small. Whether this means Burwardsley will be postponed for a future project where I can do it more justice remains to be confirmed, but is looking likely.

[chris66522]

Latest inspiration is revolving around a Wrexham Central style station but transported elsewhere in the country. Having discovered (and subsequently purchased) an East Midlands Trains 153 at a bargain price (I will move on the Arriva 153 to pay for it - if you're interested, let me know) I'm liking the idea of somewhere in Derby, particularly as I'm a regular visitor there.

[Blackcloud Railways]

chris66522, on 08 April 2012 - 09:47 PM, said:

I'm liking the idea of somewhere in Derby, particularly as I'm a regular visitor there.

A small station hemmed in by industrial dereliction would be an ideal setting for a boxfile sized layout. The track could appear to run through, suggesting use by freights from time to time even though the passenger train turns back whence it came. This would also open up possibilities for staged shots of the aforementioned freights using the boxfile as a photo set.

[chris66522]

As of yet Bob I'm undecided as to whether to use a boxfile or go for an a3 layout (using two a4 pieces side by side, rather than an a3 piece). There will be no fiddle yard - just using one of your patented 'fiddle sticks.' At the moment I'm thinking SLT (inspired by Dave) rather than through layout, set somewhere to the north of Derby off the north line to Duffield, and entering the industrial estates off Sir Frank Whittle Road. With it's location there I can also reasonably include an advertisement for the cricket at the nearby county ground (so I still get to include a cricket reference!). Win win!

Does anyone have any photo's of an East Midland Trains owned station name board at all please?

[chris66522]

Well, it's been a whilte sine I last updated this thread! Uni work is done and dusted, and my time is more or less my own (with the exception of work) for the foreseeable future. That said, I am soon to be starting work towards a Instrumental Teaching Diploma, so I need to pull my finger out with the modelling whilst I have the time.

Recently, my modelling thoughts (no action, no time!) have been revolving around a few ideas. My narrow gauge idea is still in my head, the little motor has arrived from overseas, so everything is ready to go with that one, as and when I feel the idea is suitable shored up. Derby North is also taking shape nicely.

That leaves Dugganlarich.

Dugganlarich is currently sat above when I am now, on the top shelf of the computer desk, unused for considerable time. With my considerable stock roster, I don't feel Dugganlarich (which by nature only uses one loco at a time) is put to best use by it. I did consider selling some stock, but there was nothing I wanted to get rid of - in fact, I want to add to it!!! Add to that the fact that Dugganlarich is not self contained, needing an add-on fiddle yard (which I didn't want), means I'm not overly happy with it. I love the actual layout, yet feel I could have a more suitable layout for what I have, and for what I use. This means that Dugganlarich could be either scrapped or, if someone was desperate for it, sold on to fund new ideas.

Therefore I have had another few ideas. I am thinking about another little diorama involving the Crewe Avoiding Lines (using the Alexandra Stadium as a back drop) and have started a thread to help aid research. I am unsure yet as to how to go with this one. It could be an unfulfilled plan, as it would, like Dugganlarich, not be self contained. So, that leads me onto another idea that I am coming round to really liking.

The late Carl Arendt had a plan in his design gallery called the Works (dense track designs, page 2, third one down). My idea would include just the repair building and the traverser. Trains would enter from the line behind the repair building and jump onto the traverser, which would then move down to the correct line and enter the building. My plan would, though, differ, in that I would want viewers to be able to see into the repair building as well, so that my stock could be seen, even when in the shed. I haven't done anything in way of planning this layout as such yet, it's just an idea that I've had. Yes, only one loco would be moving at a time (like Dugganlarich), but there is potential to have more than one loco on the layout at anyone time, whilst the layout would also be self contained, both unlike Dugganlarich.

Thoughts?