Isle Ornsay

[Tigger]

Look forward to seeing your observation coach.  Shame I didn't get to see T.I.M. maybe next time.

It'll be a while before the coach is built!  I need to line the Windle tram loco which has been in service for some time and finish the Port class Hunslet first!  Sorry you didn't see T.I.M. it was all a bit rushed, especially as due to the atricious signage in Winchester I waited (and wasted) an hour and a quarter waiting for the service bus.

The observation coach, like all the rest on the L&TR, will be based on the Mikes Models body shell for the six-compartment bogie coach (when Charlie visited he commented that he'd never seen so many variations on the Mike's Models coaches in service on one layout!)  I must check to see how many body shells I have left!  I know I've at least three untouched and complete kits ready for using as Festiniog-style coaches and there's another three half-built as a replacement rake for the existing ones!   I guess I'll run out one day but I still keep my eyes out for them on Brian's stand.

[invercloy]

Well I don't do much modelling over the summer, but I'm now beginning to become interested again.  I've got a few days off coming up so I'm hoping to do some modelling then.  In preparation I've done some work on the buildings on the layout.

All the buildings use a foamboard shell which will either be clad in a very thin skim of filler to represent whitewash (or stone if it's carved), or plasticard sheet.  The roofs will be built up using strips of card, but they obviously need a strong base with a few cross members to support them to avoid any sag.  What I've been doing this evening is adding those cross members from foamboard.  Because a few of the buildings are to have curved corrugated roofs I added a few cross members for them to help keep a smooth curve.

Those that sit against the backscene are designed for the apex of the roof to sit about 10mm away from the backscene.  This means that the roof will drop away right before the backscene, and thereby hide the join which can often look clumsy, and also hopefully help create a slight illusion of greater depth.


Loco Shed


Customs House


Croft and Post Office


Goods Shed


Fishery


Harbour Street


Ice House

The station building already has the cross members added.

As you'll notice I've crudely chamfered a few of them where the square edges of the foamboard projected beyond the walls of the building.  Hoping to get some basic roofs on them in the next few days.  A few have complex dormer windows (especially the Customs House - see below) which could take a while to add.


Source: http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/image.php?service=RCAHMS&id=267710&image_id=SC401773

Not much of an update, but it's the first thing I've done for a while.

[Sven]

All looks great, already. This is one of the most exciting layouts being build at the moment!

[invercloy]

Thanks Sven, that is very kind.  I will post another update after the weekend.

[invercloy]

It's about time that I updated this thread really as things have moved on significantly since I last posted...

I got tired of waiting to sort the lighting before adding much colour, so I've been adding some acrylic paint washes to the rocks and pier on the first board. These were then enhanced using some pastel pencils to vary the colour subtly from stone to stone, and enable me to create fine detail in the rock strata.

I've also added some Polak static grass using my Green Scene Flock It! applicator.

After this I added the basis for some waves, they are only made to the desired shape at present. I still have to add colour and a gloss coating at a later date.

Finally, I've been bashing a station building from the Wills country station and halt kits. This afternoon I've been doing the first round of painting.

Here are some photos of recent(ish) progress.

[gtmspyder]

Hello Tom, that really is beautiful modelling, when completed, this is going to be a real cracker, very well done, I can't wait to see it in the flesh sometime.

Kind regards,

BrianT.

[invercloy]

Thank you Brian, that's very kind.

[Scott Rixon]

Agree with everyone.. Looking great.. Some very skillful modelling going on!

[invercloy]

Thank you Scott

[Paulc]

Looks amazing, another one I hope to see at a show sometime.

Paul

[invercloy]

Thank you, Paul. If you are coming to the convention later this month I will have one (maybe two) boards on show to demonstrate scenic techniques.

Exhibitions the layout is booked to appear at are shown here: http://hlrco.wordpress.com/exhibitions/

[invercloy]

Some more progress on wave painting tonight...

I've now done some dry brushing of white gesso onto the waves and areas of foam. Hopefully this completes the painting of this area of the sea, but we'll see how it's dried in the morning.

[gtmspyder]

Morning Tom, as ever that really looks superb.

The waves in the first photo, taken from the left showing the back of the waves, look very real, the second photo showing the front edge of the waves, not so real, that is I hope, constructive criticism from someone who could never in a million years, produce anything like that.

I have nothing to offer in the way of a remedy, just an observation from real life, after a week in Saundersfoot recently, standing in the sea holding a 20ft rope with a dinghy on the end, while my Grandson paddles about in it. :)

Highest regards,

BrianT.

[invercloy]

Thanks Brian.

I know what you mean about the front of the waves. I think there's only a problem on the middle one really, it was dry by the time I'd noticed it wasn't quite concave enough on the front face and I was reluctant to hack it about too much. Live and learn :) Hopefully it won't be too noticeable, I'm hoping most people look over the waves on to the headland  as per the first photo.

[Krizzy]

Tom

I would not worry too much about the middle wave, after all waves are not uniform even on a calm day. Says he who would never attempt what you have done.

Ted should be able to tell you all about waves with his deep sea experience. My everlasting memory of waves was catching the 5.15pm Birkenhead ferry home to Liverpool on a stormy evening. As the ferry made it's turn from Birkenhead toward Liverpool it went broadside in a tide race where the Mersey narrows. A guy on the open upper deck realised too late what was going to happen and was sent  sprawling as he tried to run for the deck shelter. At Liverpool landing stage the passengers were told to jump off the ferry at the right time by the crew. All sailings after that were cancelled until the following day.

Your scenery is coming along nicely.

Roger