Banwy Bridge….sort of!

[Peter Richardson]

Just over a year ago, members of the forum kindly gave me very helpful advice about a bridge to finish the last corner of my small layout.

As I have now finally got this completed, I thought I would provide an update and express my thanks for getting me underway!

I will make a few posts below with photos....if I can get them to upload.

[Peter Richardson]

The bridge is built from Wills slate plastic card, Evergreen I beams (6.3mm), balsa wood cut to shape for decking, wooden rods (06x0.3mm).  Fence made from 0.45mm wire and laser cut wooden posts cut to height. Slate walls were bent and glued in shape using clamps. 

Rock is usual plaster mix, carved and painted with a mix of acrylic paints.

I used a mix of sieved soil and leaves put through the blended for ground cover.

Trees are sea foam with a range of scatter to get an autumn look.

[Peter Richardson]

The lake/reservoir'inlet' was formed by sealing board with Woodland Scenics (WS) paint, then glueing gravels on top before using diluted WS paint put over gravel. WS 'reeds' cut and glued before WS water poured in layers.

[Peter Richardson]

What are the key lessons I've learnt?
1. It is not advisable to build a bridge when track is already in place! Yes, I could have cut the track but as this was within a stretch of flexi track, I was concerned I would lose the smooth curve. Building a bridge around the track did tax my grey matter!


2. Balsa wood was a good material to build the platform of the bridge in 'layers'.  Similarly, the laser cut posts were easy to cut to length and unused holes were filled with filler and then painted over with 'dark iron'.

3. Ammo powders were great to add moss to the rock face and weather the slate wall. Moss and Europe earth were used mostly.

4. Water was challenging! Firstly, I had purchase WS Deep Pour about 2 years ago but when I went to use it, the product had congealed and no amount of heating or stirring worked. Therefore my goal of getting the water set over my Christmas holidays didn't quite work out! A new bottle of Realistic Water was used, building it up in layers as I had done before in my 'Aberglasyln' scene. Murky and green tints were added, trialing the mix using tap water first. Despite using a cocktail stick to remove air bubbles, some did appear. Next time I will spray surface with alcohol to reduce surface tension to remove this minor fault. I made clumps of reeds and stuck them with PVA but the water found it difficult to get between the clumps and next time I may just stick them in when water is setting. Although, I did like being able to adjust location and number of reeds before I poured the water.

[Peter Richardson]

I may use gloss Modge Podge to create more ripples on water but will experiment first!

[Peter Richardson]

Finally...the purpose of the bridge, trains make a lovely sound as they move across it.

I cut grooves into the 'slate' walls and pillar and gradually filed them to try and get them all level! If a small adjustment was required I used filler. Various Ammo powders were used on girders to give appearance of grime, moss and general decay!

The check rails made from plastic strips and painted rust color were adjusted to ensure they didn't foul the wheels.

[Peter Richardson]

The Double Fairlie and bogie coaches just squeeze between the handrails!

[Stan Williams]

Excellent piece of modelling,  well done.

Stan.

[JulienW]

Nicely done Peter.

[WALLSHIRTS]

Looks great! I'm planning a model based on the stone viaduct at Brynelin.
Mal.

[Peter Richardson]

Thanks for kind feedback.

Mal, the viaduct at Brynelin sounds an interesting project!