Sunday, 1 February 2015

Highclere progress

Hello again.

I hadnt planned on putting another post together so quickly but I felt it might be worth it considering the comments that were made on my previous blog post. This is how the layout (well, one board of it) is looking after this weekend...

This is how the signal box and lineside hut are looking now. As I mentioned in the previous post I had reworked the hut to remove most of the weathering. I also took the opportunity to darken the brickwork a little as David had suggested. I didn't remove all the weathering though and I personally feel both buildings look better for it. Of course comments will be most welcome.






Above are a couple of (not very good) photos of me playing around with the lights inside the signal box. Trust me, it looks loads better in the flesh!



I have also made a few more small bushes using some picture hanging brass braided wire. They aren't based on any particular type of bush / tree but I feel they add some much needed intermediate height to the layout between the grassland and the trees. Its worth pointing out at this time the trees on the layout aren't in their finished position, they are pretty much being stored on the layout for now as it seemed the safest place for them. There are loads more to make (at some point).
Finally an overview(ish) of how the board looks right now. Still lots and lots to do...

Julia :o)





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38 comments:

  1. Odds1 February 2015 at 11:28

    Much better.

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  2. David Varley1 February 2015 at 12:09

    Looks spot on to me now Julia - very nice indeed.

    David

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  3. Unknown1 February 2015 at 13:26

    Julia,
    In my opinion both the weathering of the buildings and the water course from the culvert look much improved and very realistic.
    I think the buildings together have a look of being contemporary with each other and both sit IN the landscape rather than ON it. The addition of some bushes/saplings really lift the culvert area to a new level.
    I hope that when the time comes I will be able to emulate your efforts on Modbury!
    Ian

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    1. Julias Modelopolis1 February 2015 at 23:43

      Hi Ian.

      Just the fact that you said you wanted to copy my efforts has made it all worthwhile! Its great to know that guys like you are there, willing to offer advice when I need it.

      J.

      Delete
  4. James1 February 2015 at 14:34

    The signal box looks lovely - well, a lovely looking model of a rather austere looking box!

    Good to see your modelling being posted on the net away from RMweb!

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    1. Julias Modelopolis1 February 2015 at 23:47

      Thank you James.

      I was worried that after moving away from RMWeb would mean I lost all the people following my modelling bits and bobs but that couldnt be further from the truth. I am still being amazed on how much there is around outside of that forum, so much so that I am now realising that RMWeb is nowhere near as big as I thought it was in the past. I really hope more people stop being to insular and open thier eyes to the bigger picture in time.

      As for the signal box, its one of the features that appealed to me about the location. I love the 'form and function' of the building. It has no frilly bits!

      J.

      Delete
    2. James2 February 2015 at 09:06

      It is all too easy to be drawn in and feel that RMweb is at the centre of the hobby, but you don't need to be out of it for very long to see just what else is being posted on the net. You can loose a good few hours following links and going blog to blog reading about some cracking modelling! It's just a shame that most Google searches for model railways bring up RMweb results first, so it's all too easy to miss what else is out there.

      The signalman's pose is pretty good I think - I think I stand like that at the window sometimes! To me it looks far more appropriate than him frozen in time, part way through pulling off or stood outside leaning on something. The only pose which is perhaps more typical would be him sitting in a chair reading the paper, waiting for a bell to ring.

      Delete
    3. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 13:56

      I agree James, its only now I am realising how much modelling is actually out there. I think I mentioned to Paul (PMP) not long after I got this blog going that there should be a website which just lists all the other modelling blogs out there. As you say, its easy to loose time just browsing them all and not doubt there are plenty more out there which I have just not noticed yet.

      The positioning of the signalman wasn't a fluke, as you have said its important to put them into poses that don't come across as if they are frozen in time. Its something that I am trying to achieve, it makes it a little bit more realistic I feel.

      J.

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  5. Alex Duckworth1 February 2015 at 15:06

    Both the hut and signal box look about right now - nice work. Had you thought about a few puddles in your new groundwork, it looks like the stream would spread out a bit at the low crossing point?

    Alex.

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    1. Julias Modelopolis1 February 2015 at 23:50

      Thanks Alex.

      Thats really good to hear from you. As for the puddles I did try to add a few around but for some reason they seemed to have dissappeared! I might try to add them again in time, maybe this time using something a little more substantial like resin.

      J.

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  6. MikeOxon1 February 2015 at 15:55

    As the comments on your previous post showed, weathering raises many different opinions. It's all too easy to descend into 'Gothic horror' and I prefer the 'less is more 'approach.

    It's always worth remembering that, as the model goes back in time, things actually get newer! Those quaint overgrown branch lines were once like newly-laid stretches of motorway.

    In my pre-grouping fantasy, I imagine everything was kept beautifully clean and, therefore, duck out of weathering altogether. I much prefer your revised version!

    Mike

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    1. Julias Modelopolis1 February 2015 at 23:52

      Hello Mike.

      I do agee, less is more, especially in 2mm scale. I do like things to look 'used' though so I feel the weathering has helped. Thre is very little around in the real world which is brand new, especially back in those days.

      J.

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  7. Sithlord751 February 2015 at 22:25

    Inspiring as always.

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  8. Mikkel1 February 2015 at 22:35

    Hi Julia, well those photos have just lifted my spirits on a grey morning here in Denmark. The first one in particular quite simply brings the old DNS back to life. Which is what it's all about, I think.

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  9. Julias Modelopolis1 February 2015 at 23:55

    Thank you Mikkel :o) I am very glad it meets your approval. The model is definately not a100% accurate of the protoype but I am happy it has the flavour of the old DNS. One of the most overlooked lines when it come to layouts in my mind. To me you are right, it is what its all about,

    J.

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  10. James Finister2 February 2015 at 01:32

    I can only add to all the comments that the whole scene looks spot on now. Incidentally i meant to comment on the signalman. I can't comment on the authenticity of hos pose or clothes but to me he looks spot on as a figure in the landscape.

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  11. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 01:53

    Thanks James.

    The signalman looking out of the window was a bit of an afterthought really. As the windows were individually added I took the oppertunity to model one open so he naturally fitted there. As for clothes he is wearing nothing special but he does have the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up ready for some work. Oh, and he is ginger too!
    I must think of a name for him...

    J.

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    1. David Varley2 February 2015 at 12:04

      Has to be Julian, surely?

      Delete
    2. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 13:41

      Julian, hmmm, why?

      I was thinking more like Harry, Bill, or Fred? I wish I had the imagination that Mikkel has, I love the back stories he comes up with on his layouts.

      J.

      Delete
    3. Sithlord752 February 2015 at 17:01

      Out here he'd be called Blue or Bluey no matter what his Christian name was! I reckon he looks like a George actually.

      Delete
    4. David Varley2 February 2015 at 19:45

      I would have thought it was obvious why Julian ;)

      And shouldn't that be Bill or George? Anything but Sue!

      Sorry ... wide awake at 4am and brain buzzing. Not good :(

      Delete
    5. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 23:43

      Ahhh, Julian / Julia, I think I got it now!

      George, that sounds like a good name, I think I am going to name him George. Im intreagued about Blue though, I will have to look up the meaning of that.

      Wide awake at 4am, thats never a good thing.

      J.

      Delete
    6. David Varley3 February 2015 at 11:09

      Sometimes wish I didn't have such a butterfly mind! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPdHaNr0OAY

      Brain in melt down hence wide awake at 4am. Too busy trying to build a 12 inches to the foot station - http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/kirkstall-forge-site-greenlit-as-government-agrees-to-fund-two-new-rail-stations-1-6641070

      I think Bluey's one of those ironic nicknames like calling short people 'Lofty'. David Bairstow, former England and Yorkshire wicket-keeper and well know redhead was always known as Bluey.

      David

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    7. Sithlord753 February 2015 at 14:33

      Yes, as David said it is one of those ironic names. Pretty well every red-headed bloke in Australia over the age of 40 is called Blue or Bluey, especially if working in blue collar jobs like the railways. Not so much the younger blokes - seems the traditional nicknames are dying out.

      Delete
  12. Coal Tank2 February 2015 at 08:18

    Hi Julia this really is a lovely layout I hope I get to see it one day
    John

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    1. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 13:43

      Thanks John.

      I am still reluctant to take it to shows at the moment as its still very much work in progress. Saying that, it has been about 7 years of work so far! Hopefully exhibition managers wont get bored of asking by the time I feel it is ready to get out onto the exhibition circuit.

      J.

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  13. Unknown2 February 2015 at 08:59

    It looks so much more realistic with the weathering Julia and I can see that glazing in the top shot now.
    Nice
    What brand is the signalman?
    He looks good - can you recommend a supplier of quality figures for our scale?
    Steve

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    1. Julias Modelopolis2 February 2015 at 13:47

      Hi Steve.

      You are probably going to hate me for saying this but I mainly use those cheap plastic figures from China. I do chop them around though and I have been known to swap around heads as well as limbs! Its amazing what work you can do with a good supply of scalpel blades and plasti-weld solvent! If you ever get the chance to, look at the driver on the 14xx, he now has a full on captain birdseye beard!

      J.

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  14. Unknown3 February 2015 at 00:45

    Hi Julia
    Thanks - I like the sound of playing god with a scalpel - good idea
    Did you spot my mods to the GWR platform trolleys on the VAG ?

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    1. Julias Modelopolis3 February 2015 at 02:19

      Hi Steve.

      Yes I did spot those trolleys and the improvements definately make a big difference to the appearance. I will be looking out for some of those in the near future. Thank you for posting the pictures and details.

      J.

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  15. TomE9 February 2015 at 11:32

    Hi Julia.

    Just catching up on the last few entries and have to say what brilliant work. The photos above are just stunning and the scenics look brilliant. Top, top stuff!!

    Tom.

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    1. Julias Modelopolis10 February 2015 at 10:46

      Thank you Tom.

      Your comment really means lots to me.

      J :o)

      Delete
  16. Neb from Downunder12 February 2015 at 05:35

    G'day Julia,
    have finally caught up with from your move from the other place. Great to see all your progress. I've moved my blog here as well
    cheers
    Neb of Oz

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    1. Julias Modelopolis12 February 2015 at 07:44

      Hi Neb.

      Its good to see you posting once again, I have added a link to your blog on the right...

      J.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous10 June 2015 at 10:27

    Hello Julia,
    just found this blog and read your question regarding exhibitions.
    First off your layout is very good indeed, I like to see things moving on a layout but it does not have to constant.
    Having exhibited American layouts with the NMRA I know it can be stressful but also good fun.
    As far as the insulting moron is concerned , I suspect this is plain and simple bullying.
    It's a fair bet he would have been somewhat more reticent to say any of that rot to a big bloke.
    Please ignore him and all of his ilk, they walk among us and are difficult to distinguish them from humans!
    Layouts of this quality are what I go to exhibitions to see.

    Paul Lynott

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