Over the weekend I shall be adding a major section to the blog in which I will share some of the methods I used to create my coal yard.
The page is now there with one picture. Do come back over the weekend to see how the coal yard evolved from the bare baseboard.
I had the privilege to spend some time at the home of my modelling mentor Kelvin Barnes and an insight into his weathering methods.
I wasn’t able to see just how he masks models up to create stripes or bright areas like the Dutch livery Shark he recently completed, but I was able to watch him weather a number of vehicles and it really was a great lesson. Up till this point I was afraid of putting enamels through my airbrush, I ‘m not sure why, however, I think there will be some value in changing from acrylic paints to enamel, now my first lesson is over.
What I saw impressed me greatly but in addition to this, I saw that enamels allow the user to move them around and remove areas in the event of accidents. The use of enamels during weathering also allows the user to put paint on and remove some too as the pictures below demonstrate.
So what does the future hold for me? Well, I think its time to get a few pots of Railmatch enamels! It seems the bank balance will be taking another hit.
We didn’t cover varnish, powders or any other methods, maybe they will be another day!
There won’t be any storm…I repeat, no storm!
The end of the Heljan Mk 1 Brake Coach showing weathering to the door gaps and body sides as well as weathering to the under frame which pics out the springs and axle boxes. The picture probably doesn’t show the 4 colours used in this method.
This picture shows the Heljan Mk 1 Brake coach beside a previously completed Heljan Mk 1 BG coach weathered using the same methods.
The side view of the Heljan Mk 1 Brake coach.
Note the roof detailing which is also weathered.
Well my latest addition to the fleet is a Heljan Mk 1 buffet coach. This will also be weathered with the same methods but for now, you can see the difference with the before and after shot.
Graham and myself took Morlock Heath to the Great Eastern Model’s Scenic Day on Friday 4th May.
We ran the layout as the Pre-Tops shunting yard with my older stock. My blue 08 did most of the work assisted by Graham’s delightful green Class 15. My TTA wagons made their first appearance too!
The shop was packed out for much of the day and we had many positive comments about Kelvin’s layout and his excellent modelling.
Here’s a few pics taken throughout the day…
If you are in Norwich on Friday 4th May (Star Wars day) and you have nothing to do, then come and see us as we exhibit Morlock Heath (O gauge) at the Great Eastern Model Scenic Day. We will be there with Kelvin’s layout and some of our rolling stock and engines which are virtually all weathered. It’s out of this world!
We will be able to talk about O gauge layouts and any fears you might have about starting in this scale and moving away from the dark side.
You’ll also be able to see that you don’t need masses of space to be able to build an excellent and interesting O gauge layout.
See you there, I will mm…….
Princes Street Station 