TheGreenGuit Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 Just great! Can I ask what ballast you use? I also notice you don't overwhelm the track with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 2, 2023 Author Share Posted July 2, 2023 Thanks TGG, it’s Woodlands Scenics medium, I have tried fine a few times and just not got away with it. The colours are blended and I will do stretches in a completely different colour to simulate repaired sections. Ballast varies so much from location to time period. Modern ballast is completely different on mainlines to steam era. When it was done manually there were areas where sleepers would be more exposed. Modern automatic ballasting and tampers have much deeper ballast layer (also for high speed running) and a very uniform look. I have been experimenting with using weathering powders to weather ballast and track area, I’m liking the look and plan doing more on main circuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreenGuit Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 The ballast may be medium but your responses are a fine gold dust. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodgate Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 Wonderful work mate. What are the overall dimensions? All PECO track? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy tt Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 hi rallymatt great photos now i can see the extent of your layout .and your track plan helps , i like the photo that show all of the layout and the window at the far end.did you say that you are going fill the open area with some scenery around the viaduct it would look nice with rivers and little valley some can be deep and some small hills should be fun and lastly how big is the room grinning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 All Peco track and Peco Twistloc point motors. Initially because it was available and the point motor issue was a bit fuzzy, it was stated only surface mounted, which put me off. The ability to power the frogs on Peco has been great with the 08 shunter.Overall room size is 3.2 x 2.2m, so not huge.The main board is 3.2 x 1.25m and the docks are on a 2.5 x .25m board with the narrow link between.The plan is to do some infill boards around the viaduct and possibly to the ends but also be removable for access. As to how they look, you will have to wait and see 😁 That’s probably a winter project though. Still a lot to do on quayside and bits around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-353799 Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 Thanks TGG, it’s Woodlands Scenics medium, I have tried fine a few times and just not got away with it. The colours are blended and I will do stretches in a completely different colour to simulate repaired sections. Ballast varies so much from location to time period. Modern ballast is completely different on mainlines to steam era. When it was done manually there were areas where sleepers would be more exposed. Modern automatic ballasting and tampers have much deeper ballast layer (also for high speed running) and a very uniform look. I have been experimenting with using weathering powders to weather ballast and track area, I’m liking the look and plan doing more on main circuit. Just haven't got my head round weathering powders yet. Do you apply them as a powder then leave it or do you have to varnish it?Ta! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 4, 2023 Author Share Posted July 4, 2023 Depends Steve, (doesn’t everything 🤣) On wagons etc I use some black wash first on frames etc and then dab in some power while it’s still damp. As it flashes off it will hold and set the powder. I don’t handle stock if I can help it, so applying dry and leaving is fine. Some people like to set it with some matt lacquer. On track and buildings again, I use it dry, excess removed with a small vacuum cleaner. It’s quite easy to control and you can wipe a lot away dry if needed. Paint can be quite easy to over do. Basically it’s make up for your railway 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMD Posted July 4, 2023 Share Posted July 4, 2023 @HighFell: “make up for your railway 😁”Thats a quote I’ll be stealing for future reference! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 The Future, is here now! High Rise living lifts you above the past. A choice of two apartment blocks, ‘Ant’ or ‘Dec’ with stunning views across St James’ Quay. Handy access to the nearby chemical works, Oil transfer station, Iron Ore loading facility and passenger terminal to somewhere much nicer. A railway enthusiasts delight with trains running day and night right past your balcony. Nearby wasteland provides endless opportunities to… Curtains in modern colours included. Apply at council offices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Busker Posted July 18, 2023 Share Posted July 18, 2023 That looks amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Too Tall Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 lol @ "Ant and Dec"Looks great, but somehow the sales pitch isn't so appealing grinning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 Ha ha thanks, it’s the mid 60’s so estate agents hadn’t learned to lie as well. 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 Few more details added to the industrial area of the approach to St James’ Quay. The extra tanks are a plastic container, adapted with balsa wood and scrap plastic. A steel tube created from the centre of a credit card machine receipt reel, off cuts of other kits make great scrap. I would also like to introduce you to Gresley the cat, usually found intently watching rail operations from the steps of High Fell signal box, unless he is eating or asleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railbob Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Rallymatt, High Fell just gets better and better every day 👍Railbob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted July 19, 2023 Author Share Posted July 19, 2023 Thanks Railbob, very kind of you to say, really hope your frustrations subside soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Too Tall Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Lovely details RM ok_hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 @Rallymatt Which legs did you use for High Fell? Debate continues in my household as to how much room can be absorbed by a railway so I may need to buy some decent legs that can clear the height of a pull out desk that are also adjustable for a slightly uneven surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 I used breakfast bar legs that I found on Amazon, they came in packs of 4. I wanted to clear a small upright freezer and potentially other things like bikes etc. Regular table legs from places like IKEA didn’t have the height I needed. The feet are adjustable so getting the layout level is pretty straightforward. They are arranged in an unusual pattern along front so that I could manoeuvre a tool cabinet under without taking a leg out! The BB legs also make for a nice height on the layout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Ah yes, I didn’t even consider breakfast bars… I have seen the IKEA ones for table height but these are much better. Thanks I’ll have a look at those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 The ones I bought (twice, used same for the extension to the docks) are showing not available but sure something similar will be somewhere. They were 60mm x 870 £34 for 4. Just seen similar that extend up to 1100mm £50 ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rallymatt Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share Posted August 23, 2023 Well after an astonishing 6 months, my very (to me) expensive Roco BR108 that failed after 2 weeks, is finally back! Big thanks to Gaugemaster who helped where they could but Roco’s customer service is appalling. It’s a great loco and hopefully it will not fail again. It’s now been transferred to St James Quay (it is a heavy shunter after all) and the hard used 08 has been sent up to High Fell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy tt Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 hi 'rallymatt i am glad you had it back did they send it to china for repair lolis roco a swiss company or they austrianpiko does the same loco i think it's a br 110 in red or orange it might be a class br 106 and tillig does a class 112 in red it looks very nice its got a next 18 socket . they look big and powerful in model form just like the real thing in photosbest of luck with it hope it runs fine in the future yum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Too Tall Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Wow, that is poor customer service from Roco, glad to see its sorted now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunmarc88 Posted August 24, 2023 Share Posted August 24, 2023 Good news that you have you loco back, certainly makes Hornby CS look good. So, we will of course need a new High Fell video on YouTube soon featuring St James Quay… (I know video is a lot of work but I do love them!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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