County Gate.... a large rabbit warren

[pilotfriend]

The entrance to the 'generic' Edwardian hotel near County Gate station

Bowls players have left some of their clothes and bowls bags on a seat. Mr. Charles Wetherly-White, one of the bowers always travels with his elderly mother who is watching the game. He just hates to lose.

Even now, it looks like a nice place to stay

anyone for bowls?

The Mallet 'River Avon' prepares to leave to Lynton

trains cross at County Gate (courtesy of Railway Modeller)

'Taw' leaves with a train bound for Minehead

the Signal cabin. This is fully fitted out. The signalman runs a good allotment (courtesy of Railway Modeller)

'Exe' departs with a train for Barnstaple while railcar 100 will shortly leave for Minehead

A view from Glenthorne 'New Siding'. 'Exe' starts to roll to Barnstaple

wagons wait for off loading at the goods shed. The P.W. gang is busy removing the redundant headshunt. The signal engineer has just dropped the headshunt semaphore arm

Lew leaves County Gate for Barbrook Junction with a goods

Railcar No 100 arrives from Lynton. The recent washout of the platform after the big storm is very clear.


the picnic

looking down the main line

'Exe' drifts across the viaduct to County Gate

A long way down....the car on the road is actually N scale

Lew creeps across the East Lyn Viaduct with an all goods

Lew creeps across the East Lyn Viaduct with an all goods

The top of the North Devon cliffs. The coastal path is visible. Glenthorne House nestles behind the trees. It is actually built to a scale of 1.75mm/ft

Loco No1 brings in a train of empties. The old collier, 'Glenthorne Rose' is clearing her holds ready for offloading coal.

The main warehouse. The ground floor is rented by an oil supply company and the first floor by the Admiralty. No one knows what is being stored there in the large crates. The bottom shunter engine shed and behind it, the bonded stores, are to the right. Alco No 6 is making steam, prior to its failure and withdrawal from service

hold being opened on the 'Rose'

'vote Mosely' period graffiti. An embarrassing reminder that Mosely very nearly became the Prime Minister

looking down the tracks

An overall view. The railcar has been running the summer tourist trips to the harbour

[wimorrison]

What can one say - the photos show the layout in all its wonderful glory!

and make me very jealous  :laugh:

[EDGOZ2WAR]

Hi Pilotfriend

I was wondering how did you get the wonderful stone effect on your engine sheds in the dockyard. Your layout just blows me away.

[pilotfriend]

 
The finishes on the stonework are layered.

I start off painting the stones with acrylic in a variety of colours. Each stone may have two or three colours. I then spray the wall with a water mister (little Fairey included) and let thinned 'mortar' colours run into the joints. I just touch a loaded brush near the top and it all happens.

Once nearly dry, I then use a palette of weathering powders.

regards
John

[EDGOZ2WAR]

Thank you John. Do you use Wills/Slaters sheet's or do you scribe your own stone pattern. I am trying out the Games Workshop paints for my Welsh stone buildings and have watered them down to a watercolour type consistancy and then building them up in layers. The biggest problem is trying to get the rust coloured stones and make them all look different. May I again thank you for a truly amazing layout.

Regards

Eddie

[pilotfriend]

Hi

I use a mixture of Wills and Townscene plaster....each has its merits.
JdF

[pilotfriend]

We have just run at the Chatham Model Railway exhibition at the Dockyard. A great show, and for us a first. The trains were controlled automatically for the entire two days. Not one derailment or stuck engine. All six chosen trains covered 1400 yards during the two days. The whole arrangement went like clockwork!
JdF

[RJSRdg]

The 'Vote Moseley' graffiti seems somewhat topical given recent events in Formula One!

Richard

[pilotfriend]

I did this from an old photo of my aunt. The original was painted on a bridge parapet in Devon. It is a bit of history that the Brits choose to gloss over!
Indeed, I thought of doing it after the Max Mosely revelations concerning the 'strict lady camp comandants' incident. In a way I am sorry that FOTA and the FIA came to some agreement as Briattore had said that this incident was the 'tip of the iceberg' and that he was going to tell all! Now that WOULD have been interesting and probably very funny!

[pilotfriend]

To add more moving interest and animation at the hotel end of County Gate, we have exposed part of the tunnel. This has given an unusual view of the cutting through the tunnel mouth.






as you can see, the tunnel interior is a 'bit damp'!

best
JdF

[MickT]

Another excellent feature John, well done!
Looking forward to getting the opportunity of sticking my camera lens in there and ploughing up a bit of the ballast!!

Regards

Mick

[Graeme Dunbar]

I like it! .... and most definitely living up to the "large rabbit warren" moniker.  :laugh:

[pilotfriend]

I do hope that someone can get the shot...my point and shoot Lumix won't hack it!

[rhydddu009]

loving the tunnel idea John - when are you exhibiting again in the UK?

[pilotfriend]

Most of my shows for the rest of the year are abroad. We shall be at Warley however.
best
JdF