4mm Orchard Hill (WD Yard)- a narrow gauge indulgence.

[Roger Pound]

A rather appealing scene, Roger, despite its ‘infancy’. The sort of idyll one would like to stumble across after it fell out of use (stumble being the operative word ).

I envy your laid track which I expect works faultlessly

At least you can still have operating fun even at this stage

Keep us posted, ol’ friend.

Jon

Can't say too much about trains running, Jon. WD overseers - Official Secrets and all that....... But there is still fun to be had...

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

Just a small update on current work - no further pictures yet, but be patient please. The revision of the siding at the front of the board has been made and it is now somewhat shorter. Cobble sheet has been fitted round it and along to what will be the junction with the public highway. It will ultimately represent the original siding on the Orchard Hill Light Railway, which has been overhauled to deal with the additional military traffic.

A start has been made to extend the backscene and complete the rock faced hill which disguises (to a degree) the corner of the baseboard. Basic materials have been laid, now the titivation and what I refer to as 'camouflage work' starts to hopefully give a convincing finish. It's what happens when you are working to a budget and resort to patching offcuts together - some bits don't quite match or fit tightly. Still, I'm well practised in this as I've had to do it for years in the hobby. It's all part of the pleasure and getting a sense of achievement out of the hobby.

Trees and bushes aplenty remain unplanted which must be done and then personnel can be introduced - if I can find that missing box I mentioned in #39 life will be easier on that score, otherwise it's the dreaded last resort - painting Airfix figures again and we all know what sort of a job that is. And that's before disguising some of them as soldiers as opposed to airmen .

That's it for now - I'll continue to plod on but if and when I get to figure painting there may be a strong chance of it resulting in a visit by the men in white coats........

Be seeing you,

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

I've been having a nice time creating further scenic bits and pieces, not to mention a bit of ballasting and getting generally messed up with adhesives, paints amd general scenic materials but managing not to get any on my clothes. (Gets me brownie points with the better half .) Much of the work has been described in the preceding post so here are some pictures:-

An aerial view of the previously 'empty' corner. The glaring difference in backscene is on the list for urgent attention, I just hadn't got a matching piece for the original sheet and the one I had can actually fit in with the overall picture if I can drag out my paintbox and rusty art skills to do a merging together job. Fingers crossed on that one!


The next picture shows the end of the original OHLR siding. A hut has been installed and a barrier has yet to be installed. The grassed area is to be fenced off, so you will appreciate very much work in progress but beginning to get there.


Finally the cobble bordered OHLR siding. Some careless re-ballasting of the main line has left considerable spillage and this will no doubt be attended to when the CSM (Company Sergeant Major) inspects the site. I have arranged to be on leave that day...............


Well, that's some of the progress so far. These photographs also help me to see my mistakes and also where the visual effects need sharpening up a bit. That's one thing about scenics - one can fiddle about and get it right reasonable easily and without great cost. Needless to say, I do tend to use a lot of both methods and material that are now overlooked or scorned. You could put it down to habit, but it's what I'm used to and usually considerably more economical than just planting a lot of the ready-made stuff that is on the market these day. No prizes for guessing that I like the old methods too! Enough of my preaching - I hope to have more news and pictures of happenings on the OHLR ere long, before the winter closure.

Thanks for looking.

Roger .

 

[jonte]

Some nifty blending of scatter, Roger, and I’m particularly drawn to the rusty section of track If you’re passing, can you bring your brushes and paints with you as I could use an experienced hand to move along some of this mountain of rails awaiting treatment

Good luck with the arty stuff but heaven forbid getting any stray paint spatter on the plus fours

Great progress!

Jon

 

[Roger Pound]

Thanks , Jon - I'm afraid I don't know any other way to get the effects I'm after - you know me - if it ain't broke etc.,etc. Unfortunately rail painting to your exacting standards is not my forte - I tend to slop on a coat of something approximately appropriate and hope it looks right when it's dry ! Consequently if I modelled Waterloo, my methods would probably result in St Pancras coloured track........!

Anyway, to move on, the time has come for Orchard Hill to retire for the forthcoming season and work is now to be concentrated on Stutzendorf in N gauge. So here's a couple of further pictures showing a final bit of detailing before the layout goes to rest for a bit. There is still work to do, in spades, but as is my wont, I need a break away from 009 to tackle a different project. I still haven't found the missing box of militaria, but I am escaping painting figures for the present !

The military style barrier introduced at the entrance of the original OHLR siding and yard.


The main entrance barrier - recently imported from the former Sumwear layout. Unfortunately with my camera's limitation for close up work, lens distortion has made it appear to be leaning at a severe angle, when in fact it is properly vertical. Apologies for the shiny glue tube in the trees - comp[letely overlooked it when taking the picture - !

So it's goodbye from Orchard Hill for the present, but I'll still be hanging around elsewhere...........

Roger.

 

[Roger Pound]

I regret to announce that personal circumstances mean that I have to curtail my modelling activities. I have therefore very reluctantly decided that I can no longer able to continue work on Orchard Hill (WD Sidings). It is up for disposal - see the sales and wants folder. My thanks and great appreciation for the comments and encouragement received on this thread - it was all a great help.

Roger.

 

[jonte]

I regret to announce that personal circumstances mean that I have to curtail my modelling activities. I have therefore very reluctantly decided that I can no longer able to continue work on Orchard Hill (WD Sidings). It is up for disposal - see the sales and wants folder. My thanks and great appreciation for the comments and encouragement received on this thread - it was all a great help.

Roger.

Sad to read, Roger.

Jon