Rosehearty - GNSR New Aberdour Branch

John Duffy

Western Thunderer
For the first time in a long time, I switched the layout on. This came off the back of a comment/conversation on the Bleddfa Rd thread and got me thinking about what I get out of the hobby. All too often I am focussed on doing more, doing something different or looking at what's next rather than simply passing some time with what I already have. So I used what was at hand and ran a pick-up goods, cleaning the track as I went.

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62271 has drawn two loaded minerals forward to clear the coal road turnout. The crew have already cleared the empties out and are just about to set these back.

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2 loads heading into the siding for the local merchant to deal with. I noticed a couple of jobs that had been missed and spent quite a bit of time cleaning track but overall it was quite successful. Thank you Geoff and co for the inspiration.

John
 

Geoff

Western Thunderer
There's nothing better than messing about with the pickup goods John, it arrives mid morning in these parts. A spot of shunting takes place, and then it's lunchtime, or if it's early I might do a spot of modelling. After a short break the train departs, and that's the end of another operating session. The goods only runs three times a week, and sometimes only as required.

You mention inspiration, well that works both ways John, so thank you for taking myself and many others on a trip north of the border to Rosehearty. Just wish I had a dram or two of Aberlour whilst I read back through your thread :)

Best wishes,
Geoff
 

Scubaidh Dubh

Western Thunderer
John, you have completely nailed it pal. It's something I myself have pondered frequently of late, given I've spent most of the last two months too busy with modelling due to suddenly finding myself with three to four part time jobs!
Even the garden hasn't been receiving its usual attention.
But, hey you have to get the hay in when the sun's out and I'll have plenty of time in Jan-Feb when two of the jobs go into hibernation until spring.


As far as your modelling thoughts go then yes, like I increasingly find elsewhere in life, it's a healthier thing to take in the moment rather than constantly gazing into the horizon which in reality may never be reached.
So in my opinion, you did exactly the right thing here.
And even more importantly; you noticed!

Davy.
 

Joe's Garage

Western Thunderer
As far as your modelling thoughts go then yes, like I increasingly find elsewhere in life, it's a healthier thing to take in the moment rather than constantly gazing into the horizon which in reality may never be reached.
So in my opinion, you did exactly the right thing here.

John, life is full of distractions and I think what Davy has said is so true...
It's lovely to see the "pick up goods".
All the best
Cheers Julian
 

John Duffy

Western Thunderer
An overview of the yard.

At busy times, like seeding and harvest the yard gets busy. The coal road and end loading road see wagons loaded directly to/from farm floats.

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Fish landings are light now but changing tastes means that prawns and shellfish head away with a few boxes in a van.

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Loaded with the produce of the land and about to set off to Aberdeen, some wagons wait for the next pick-up goods.

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John
 

Fitzroy

Western Thunderer
For the first time in a long time, I switched the layout on. This came off the back of a comment/conversation on the Bleddfa Rd thread and got me thinking about what I get out of the hobby. All too often I am focussed on doing more, doing something different or looking at what's next rather than simply passing some time with what I already have. So I used what was at hand and ran a pick-up goods, cleaning the track as I went.

View attachment 247979

62271 has drawn two loaded minerals forward to clear the coal road turnout. The crew have already cleared the empties out and are just about to set these back.

View attachment 247980

2 loads heading into the siding for the local merchant to deal with. I noticed a couple of jobs that had been missed and spent quite a bit of time cleaning track but overall it was quite successful. Thank you Geoff and co for the inspiration.

John
It's always nice to see catch points on a layout but it would be fun to see someone modelling witness marks to show that they had been used at some point!
 

Joe's Garage

Western Thunderer
I have a question John if you don't mind me asking. I was looking at the station building and noticed how effective the stone representation is. How have you done this please?
Cheers Julian
 

John Duffy

Western Thunderer
Julian the stone effect is painted. Locally, where undressed stone is used, the builders will create a flush finish to prevent water from sitting, freezing and thawing, which over time causes the stone to spall and break away. To achieve this they use a mortar mix to fill in any deep joints and then rub the part dried surface using a bag with cement to take off any roughness. In those days it would have been a jute or osnaburg sack but today it generally the empty cement bag that gets used.

I looked at various ways to try and replicated this including using embossed stone sheets and overlaying it with filler. I tried cutting the stones and doing the same. I did a test panel that was covered in DAS and then painted. The station platform was done using this method as I wanted a more uneven finish.

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The option for the building itself (and the agents house) was to paint the stones straight on to the carcass, working in a small panel and then to put talc on to matt the surface and it actually gives that shimmer that granite has. One of the challenges was to use random colours and try not to create patterns. In this part of Aberdeenshire the granite varies from brown through grey to pink. I just used a limited palette and had a different colour for the mortar.

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A cruel close-up shows the flat surface. Hopefully it gives a sense of location.

Thanks for the kind comment.

John
 

paulc

Western Thunderer
Into the diesel era with the passenger service in the hands of a BRCW Type 2.

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The most difficult thing in railway modelling is coupling corridor coaches to type 2’s.

John
It's called magnetic couplings. Stress levels go down along with the time it takes to couple up which is about a tenth of the time it took to type this .
 
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