RJRs portable layout
 

Hi,

Thought Id share some pics of the new portable layout I am building

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...tsidepics3.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...tsidepics2.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...tsidepics1.jpg

The warehouse is a scalescenes download along with the harbour walls, The two wagons are Bachmann and the fishing boat is scratchbuilt

The layout is built on three boards this "the harbour" is the most advanced at the moment

Looks good RJR. How big is the layout? Any chance of seeing a trackplan?

Great Layout RJR. I think the green watermark on the harbour wall looks real.

Looks to be an excellent layout, you ought to be very proud of your achievments. You can almost smell the salt in the air!

Yes, the green scum looks perfect. Now it just needs a few weeds and nasty stains on the quayside and it will be even better.

And I forgot to say that the building weathering is very good too.

I have to agree with the comments of the others before me RJR. You have produced some excellent models. If only I could do some like yours, a new set of eyes would help.

Thanks for all the comments

Well a night of football... For Mrs RJR so I could spend as much time in the shed as I wanted :D

Here is tonights update...Ive decided that just to add some extra textures to go for the wooden deck top option for the back pier. Plus with it being summer no harm in advertising I do garden decking ! :D


At the moment I think the deckboards are too dark but I will wait till I can see it in daylight rather than the indoor halogen. With it being made from Balsa I can always sand some of the colour out.

Pier Deck
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...urdecking2.jpg

Loading bay
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...urdecking1.jpg

This shot shows the loading bay addition to the warehouse at the end of the track
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ourdecking.jpg

John
RJR

Here is a track plan

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...verall1104.jpg

This shot shows the two main sections housed in the shed under the other layout, The short centre section in the first shot will only be used to link the bigger section when it is set up outside the shed, Inside as can be seen the short section is replaced by a fixed U section.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...30/0419087.jpg

These last 2 show the longer section looking both ways

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...warehouse1.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ards/arch4.jpg

John
RJR

Thanks for that RJ. Please keep us updated with your progress. :)

Cant wait to start my layout also - Had the train set for nearly two years but cant get the Kids to leave home and give me a spare room in which to build it ;)

You have a wonderful eye for detail RJR. I look forward to seeing more shots of the layout as it develops.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Join the club Robbo, got my daughter to leave home but the boss won't let me use her room so that I can make a start on my 00 layout. She said we have to have somewhere for the daughter to sleep when she comes visiting. Whats wrong with a blanket on the sofa?

You're way out in front of me Syd. I'm waiting for all THREE daughters to go! And when they do, there'll be no way back! :D

Sorry Trev,
Thinking that 'And when they do, there'll be no way back' is to be living in 'Cloud Cukoo Land' and your railway room will have to be retained for their periodical returns. Like me you will have to move out into the 'Man Shed' at the bottom of the garden.
But keep it locked when not there as Domestic Management will soon find things from inside the house that need a new storage area.
John (G)

Which is what happened to me John (G). I got myself a nice insulated shead to set up as a model railway haven. Its never even seen a loco or even a bit of track. I have said to the boss, why do you get me all the locos and rolling stock when I have nowhere to run it. Her reply was "Well you can look at it".:(

Syd,
The trick is to obscure the inside by filling up the doorway so it looks full. I myself do not have the problem of making my workshop, garage, log cabin, roofspace or end of lounge look full as they are.
One day I'll get around to sorting out the collections from years at work but on the other hand life may be too short for such an undertaking so I'll maybe leave things as they are.
John.

Lads, I dream of having my own shed again! A haven of peace away from the endless chatter of four women. The last shed was just me, a radio and four rabbits. Heaven!!!

I collected enough c**p to fill my bedroom and then the parents had to give me the top bedroom for my railway! Now I have moved into my other halfs house and I had to "dump" my stuff in the loft!

They are'nt like us Syd. They used to play with dolls and prams, but they grew up. We did'nt I am glad to say.
I have given up trying to understand anyone but railway enthusiasts.
Paul.

Sorry RJR, I should have said what a great layout you are building.
I still think that weathering is the key to a great layout. You are well on the way to producing just that.
Paul.

Obviously less is more. So here is the now cropped grass a bit more colour done too. In the background the backscene buildings are in place, some additional ropes and clutter added to the dock, and white stripes round the warf timbers. (took these pictures outside for better light but left it a bit too late in the day)

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...assoutside.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ssoutside2.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ssoutside3.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ssoutside1.jpg

John
RJR

I'm well impressed RJR. The harbour wall is a work of art. You really have an artists eye for detail.

Anyone for some Steam action

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...1308steam3.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...61308steam.jpg

John
RJR

Two new warehouses and a bridge

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...inusbridge.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...nusbridge3.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...nusbridge1.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...nusbridge2.jpg

John
RJR

Another fine bit of detailing, John. If I could make a constructive suggestion that the four butressess to the left of the bridge (Photo1) dont look meaty enough for that height of wall, and probably could be twice as thick.

(Dont all rush to post photos of even higher real life retaining walls with spindly butresses to proove me wrong !)

Thats a fair comment I will look into that (ie put it on the to do list !)

Spent too long on my knees laying an Oak floor in the last two days so now have a stiff back, hence not been in the mood to do any modelling tonight. But I did have a bit of a play to see if I could get a decent camera angle to take a video. Lighting wasn't brilliant, it would be better done outdoors, the driving leaves something to be desired too!!! But It has a harbour feel to it thanks to the seaguls :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tsEJqyTays

John
RJR

The seagulls are great ! (also seemed to get a sleigh-bells sound on my sound track :confused: )

What's next? Smell-o-rama with seaweed and fish aromas :D

The water now has a better finish than the previous plain black

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake23.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake24.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake25.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake26.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake22.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w.../seatake21.jpg


John
RJR

Not so sure about this. The water texture is perfect but I think dock water would be much darker. Not black, but dark and muddy browny-black ???

I think you have managed to get the feeling of movement through the water.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Hi John,
Very impressed with your modelling skills. I like the water, though I take Shed Cats comment on board about the colour, and I agree with him to a point,I just think you have to go with what you want. I know we have only a few members in our club, but we all see things in a different way. That is very apparent on some club nights!
This is probably a daft question, is your layout a fixture, or do you exhibit it?
Paul.

Smoke and sound
 

A week ago or so looked into Smoke units and a "cheap" steam sound decoder (under £40)After some thought I took the plunge. The plan was to add smoke and sound to my black crab but after an hour of trying to fit the decoder and smoke unit in the boiler space (the speaker is in the tender) I admitted defeat and left the smoke unit out. Not wanting to whaste it I fitted it to my smaller 6671 loco.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbCHBeAduEQ

To the trained ear I guess its not the right sound for a crab but to my unknowledgeable ears it makes a steam loco sought of noise !!!

John
RJR

The general sound is convincing. Couldn't say if is right for a Crab, haven't heard one in action for about 45 years! Looking forward to hearing more sound fitted steam engines in 4mm. Thanks for the video.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Just going thru all the postings here. Good grief i'm gobsmacked! I never would have thought it possible to create such intricate detail like this! Amazing work!