Cliffhanger

[invercloy]

I'm glad to know the release date, John.  Look forward to hearing more!

I'd like to see photo back scenes included, as well as a section on modelling from the prototype (not from other models), i.e. field research, what to look at in real life to make use of in modelling.

[pilotfriend]

Got that bit!

Of course we can be inspired by other layouts and see how a subject is dealt with but the real thing must always remain the foca point. We all have different styles. After a while, it is possible to recognise some ones work.

Going to have a lot on backdrops.

The hope is to release at Warley when all three of my layouts are on display

[Tigger]

"I'd like to see photo back scenes included..."

Somewhat emotive subject, backscenes.  I was so impressed with the excellent photographic ones which appeared some years ago I spent weeks trying to work out how to use them.  I eventually gave up and continued with the dear old Peco ones (I hear shrieks of "herecy!!" and the sound of disembowelling cutlasses being sharpened...).  Point is, they're extremely well thought out pieces of artwork, do the job very well and - more importantly - are so much part of the atmosphere and history of my railway that to change now would spoil it.  Even if I took the time to produce my own backscenes, I'd reproduce the Peco ones because of that!

[pilotfriend]

"knife is being sharpened"

Sure, and the Peco backscene would look like this?

[rhobat bryn]

The book is titled "Scenic Modelling: A Guide for Railway Modellers"  (not my choice)

It does not cover making buildings, urban and industrial which will follow.

I welcome any wish lists from you all for inclusion.

When considering your book on buildings, which I assume includes station buildings, will you be writing anything on platforms?

[pilotfriend]

of course!

[rhobat bryn]

of course!

If there's one thing I've learnt in life, it's never take anything for granted.    ;)

[pilotfriend]

Back to Cliffhanger.

The fiddle yard is almost complete and track will be down by tomorrow night.

[Tigger]

Sure, and the Peco backscene would look like this?

Well, perhaps not quite!  But it's 'orses for courses and I just don't have the time to fiddle with backscenes these days when I've a railway to run and stock to build for it -  never mind the proper steam stuff I run on big tracks!  And if I'm taking photographs I'm careful with the angles.

[Hobby]

You can make a photographic backscene quite cheaply which, in my opinion, will be better than the Peco ones whilst not up to John's standards...

Take one digital camera, find a "scene" that suits, stand on one place, swival left, take photo, swivel right a few degrees and carry on until you've done 180' (6 photos should do it)... Then go home and download photos onto computer. Get yourself a "Panorama" photo editing software (less than a fiver online) and follow instructions... Hey, presto, one Panorama photo of scene... Then print out using either the software with the panorama programme, or "poster" software with your printer using matt "bright white" paper... It won't be as good as John's because its not done professionally by experts and you have to join up each A4 sheet, but it looks far better than Peco backscenes because its a real scene... In effect what you are doing is what the guys who sell photo backscenes do (as well as several manufacturers such as Auhagen), just their's is a far better finish!

[pilotfriend]

Quite right Blair. Once I get my hands on you I shall further reprogramme you so that you do the full Monty!  ;D

We ran out of fishplates so while the fiddle yard is completed now, we still do not have track closure.

[Hobby]

Not sure that's a good idea...  :o

[Tigger]

Thanks both.  Most digital cameras these days have a 'photo-stitch' facility which enables a full panorama to be taken so that certainly helps the process.  I only have something like 20 feet (6 metres) of backscene to deal with as half of the layout is built with high relief modelling.  However, in that 20 feet I need to be able to represent several miles of scenery - something which wouldn't be easy with a single panorama!  One place where I have been able successfully to employ a photo is the Sychnant ravine.  This uses a print from a transparency I took with the Canon many years ago with a 28mm lens from the bridge over the Dolgoch ravine just upstream of the viaduct.  In all the years I searched for suitable location for a backdrop for the model taking and printing loads of photos, poetically it was the precise location of the prototype structure which eventually yielded the only useable photo!

[tedp]

Excellent photo, David - very atmospheric too. Shades of Dolgoch?

[pilotfriend]

All the track is now laid on Cliffhanger and droppers will be installed in the fiddle yard tomorrow prior to ballasting. We then have to join up all the tails correctly!